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]

Politics & Government

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, Bernie Sanders and AOC Push Federal Ban on Flock Surveillance Cameras

Lucille McNamara Oct 4, 2026

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley has joined a national push to ban AI-powered surveillance cameras that track thousands of vehicle license plates in the Beaver State every month. Merkley introduces the Ban Flock Act to Bar Federal…

Crime & Courts

Portland DA Seeks to Try 15-Year-Old as Adult Over Alleged Chemical Attack at Benson High

Lucille McNamara Oct 4, 2026

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to try a 15-year-old Portland student as an adult, DA Nathan Vasquez told a press conference on Friday. Tidings Insight Oregon law requires a juvenile judge…

Health

Oregon Spent $1.5 Billion on Substance Use Services but Just 2.6% Went to Prevention, Report Finds

Lucille McNamara Oct 3, 2026

Despite evidence that every $1 invested in substance abuse primary prevention yields a $63 return, Oregon allocated just $39.1 million—only 2.6%—of the $1.5 billion it received to address the issue. This has emerged from a recent Alcohol…

Politics & Government

Medford to Pay $725,000 to Settle Stewart Meadows Road Fight After Appeals Court Loss

Lucille McNamara Oct 2, 2026

MEDFORD, Ore. — The City of Medford has agreed to pay $725,000 to settle a four-year legal dispute with the owners of the Stewart Meadows development over a proposed road extension. The Medford City Council is scheduled to ratify the…

Politics & Government

Cost of Living and High Taxes Top Oregon Voter Concerns as Governor’s Race Remains Deadlocked

Lucille McNamara Oct 1, 2026

The cost of living, high tax rates, housing affordability, and an unstable job market emerged as the top concerns for most respondents in an OPB opinion poll. In as lead up to the November 3 elections, OPB gleaned the opinion of *915…

Crime & Courts

Portland Police Say K-9 Kylo Was Killed by Police Gunfire During Shootout With Homicide Suspect

Lucille McNamara Sep 30, 2026

PORTLAND, Ore. — K-9 Kylo was killed by a police bullet when he was caught in a crossfire with a homicide suspect in Portland last Thursday. Kylo Was On His Last Shift for the PPB Kylo was on his last shift when he died. He had…

Business & Economy

Federal Hemp Ban Could Wipe Out Most of Oregon’s CBD Industry by the End of the Year

Lucille McNamara Sep 30, 2026

The proposed federal government ban on hemp products containing more than 0.4mg of THC or other intoxicating cannabinoids could wipe out most of Oregon’s CBD industry by the end of 2026. Senators opposed to the ban say the proposal could…

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…

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