Ben Botkin
The Lund Report
Oregon, United States
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Past articles by Ben:
Facing Scrutiny, Oregon Will Phase Out Barriers To Children’s Health Care
After concerns went public, Oregon Health Authority abandoned its one-of-a-kind system for children on Medicaid that has led to denials for medically necessary care. → Read More
New Trump rule will prevent at least 19,000 Oregonians from receiving food stamps
A new federal rule from the Trump administration will prevent many out-of-work, able-bodied adults without children from getting food assistance. → Read More
Salem man dies in vehicle vs. tractor crash
A Salem man died late Friday when his car crashed into a tractor in Marion County. → Read More
Oregon planning next push for encouraging electric vehicle use in state
Oregon is making plans to replace and upgrade its network of 44 electric vehicle charging stations found along two major highways. → Read More
Oregon audit warns of potential pitfalls in plan to eliminate red tape in welfare programs
Oregonians may face delays in accessing safety net programs, an audit found. → Read More
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown orders temporary ban on flavored vaping product sales
Gov. Kate Brown has temporarily banned the sales of flavored vaping products and ordered more regulatory oversight of vaping as deaths mount. → Read More
Oregon ethics watchdog to Secretary of State: Don't hire family
Oregon ethics commission advises the Secretary of State to avoid hiring family members after her son was considered for a part-time job. → Read More
Oregon Department of Human Services hires child welfare director from Maryland
The Oregon Department of Human Services has hired a new director of child welfare, tapping an out-of-state administrator amid heightened scrutiny. → Read More
Nearly 50,000 Oregon households could lose food stamp benefits under federal proposal
A federal rule change proposed by the Trump administration could force nearly 50,000 families in Oregon to lose their food stamp benefits. → Read More
Oregon Public Records Advisory Council backs making advocate independent
Oregon's Public Records Advisory Council began laying the groundwork on Friday for the state's next public records advocate to be as independent as possible. → Read More
State inspections of funeral homes, crematories, cemeteries fall short in Oregon
Oregon's system of regulating the death industry falls short of what the law requires. The state agency charged with oversight hopes to change that. → Read More
Salem to add three new red-light cameras, speed limit enforcement at existing cameras
The technology to catch speeders, called "Speed on Green," is essentially an upgrade of the existing cameras. → Read More
Motorcycle, vehicle crash closes OR 214 south of Silverton; expect delays
A crash between a motorcycle and vehicle has OR 214 shut down in both directions about two miles south of Silverton. → Read More
Oregon Senate leaders drop plan to collect fines from Republicans who walked out
Senate Democratic leaders are planning to prevent future walkouts by amending the constitution and not fining 11 Republican senators who walked out. → Read More
Man who killed sex trafficking victim at Salem motel sentenced to life in prison
Cody Roy Hilliard, 27 of Salem, previously pleaded guilty to choking and beating Kim Cheen Low, a 38-year-old Malaysian woman, with a tire iron. → Read More
Campaign finance complaint raises more concerns about Republican senators who walked out
A campaign finance complaint is raising concerns about potential campaign violations tied to 11 Republican senators who participated in the walkout. → Read More
Defense seeks leniency in Salem motel murder of sex trafficking victim
His defense attorneys began presenting his case Tuesday, starting with testimony from two psychologists who examined Hilliard after the murder. → Read More
Oregon film industry finding its place with a changing Hollywood
Oregon's film incentive program is adapting toward more streaming services like NetFlix and Hulu with television series and mid-level films. → Read More
Oregon government employees sue to overturn new state pension law
Nine Oregon government employees are suing to stop a state pension reform passed by the 2019 Oregon Legislature that would reduce their benefits. → Read More
Oregon railroad crossing crashes nearly double in 5 years, reasons unclear
Oregon had 19 railroad crossing accidents in 2018, up from 10 in 2013. Marion County has more than most counties, logging 28 since 2008. → Read More