Author

Lucille McNamara

Lucille McNamara is a Daily Tidings reporter with 27 years of journalism experience, covering Oregon public safety, crime and courts, plus statewide policy and community impact stories including housing, education, health, and immigration. She previously worked at The Star.
Contact: [email protected]

News

Oregon and Washington Passengers Will Be First in the Nation to Board Amtrak’s New Airo Trains…

Lucille McNamara Sep 29, 2026

Oregon’s Pacific Northwest Amtrak Cascades passengers will be among the first to experience the railroad’s new Airo trains that debut on Wednesday, September 30. Oregon is recognized for its record-breaking use of the railroad, with ODOT…

Public Safety

Portland’s Largest Overnight Shelter Closes as Nearby Site Turns Away Up to 10 People Each Night

Lucille McNamara Sep 27, 2026

PORTLAND, Ore. — Even though there are over 18,000 homeless people in Multnomah County, the City of Portland was recently forced to close its biggest overnight shelter due to budgetary constraints. The decision to close the Northwest…

Health

Oregon Individual Health Insurance Rates to Jump 21.6% in 2027 as Medical Costs Rise

Lucille McNamara Sep 27, 2026

Across-the-board increases of up to 21.6% in health insurance coverage will add another layer of financial strain on Oregonians in 2027. High Cost of Medical Care and Expensive Prescription Drugs Blamed for the Rate Hike…

Business & Economy

Nearly 68,000 Oregon Workers Hold Jobs Highly Exposed to AI Disruption, Study Finds

Lucille McNamara Sep 25, 2026

A frighteningly long list of occupations highly exposed to potential AI disruption has been revealed, covering nearly 68,000 people in the Oregon workforce. Although only 3.44% of the Oregon workforce falls under high exposure…

Education

Phil and Penny Knight Commit Record $1 Billion to Create University of Oregon Engineering College

Lucille McNamara Sep 24, 2026

Oregon billionaire businessman Phil Knight and his wife Penny have committed a record $1 billion to the University of Oregon (UO) to establish an engineering college. Not only is this the largest donation ever made to a comprehensive…

Politics & Government

Oregon’s Corporate Health Care Ban Goes National as Congress Introduces Similar Bill

Lucille McNamara Sep 24, 2026

Following in Oregon’s footsteps, Congress has introduced the Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act to stop private equity firms, insurance companies, or other corporate actors from making healthcare decisions. They…

Crime & Courts

Coos County Bookkeeper Accused of Embezzling More Than $300,000 From Local Business

Lucille McNamara Sep 22, 2026

COOS COUNTY, Ore. — A Coos County bookkeeper has been arrested on allegations of embezzling more than $300,000. Forty-eight-year-old Maria R. Padgett was arrested and lodged at the Coos County Jail and is facing 16 counts of first-degree…

Crime & Courts

Eugene Builder Admits Taking More Than $850,000 for Newport Townhouses That Were Never Built

Lucille McNamara Sep 22, 2026

EUGENE, Ore. — A Eugene builder, who defrauded owners of vacant lots in Newport of more than $850,000, is now facing 20 years in prison. David Paul Williams (46) appeared in the Portland U.S. District Court yesterday after pleading…

Public Safety

Broken Sprinklers and Electrical Hazards at Centennial Mills Were Documented by Portland Fire &…

Lucille McNamara Sep 20, 2026

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Fire & Rescue had already identified fire and safety concerns at the Centennial Mills building before the eight-story flour mill was engulfed by fire on August 2. This is disclosed in a Portland Fire…

Education

Oregon Public Schools Lose 9,000 Students as Districts Face Budget Cuts and Closures

Lucille McNamara Sep 20, 2026

Public schools are hemorrhaging students as seven of Oregon’s 10 largest school districts record their lowest enrollment levels in at least 17 years. Enrollment Figures Drop By 9,000 Public school enrollments fell by a…

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