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

Rural Oregon Gets $31 Million Lifeline for Services Lost to Federal Land Ownership

Lucille McNamara Jun 28, 2025

Oregon counties will receive more than $31 million through the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program to help support vital local services. The federal payments help offset the loss of property tax revenue in areas with tax-exempt…

Crime & Courts

A Confessed ‘Bad Mom’ in Oregon Charged After Toddler’s Feet Burned Wandering Alone on Blazing…

Lucille McNamara Jun 27, 2025

LANE COUNTY, Ore. — A confessed ‘bad mom’ from Creswell has been charged with child neglect after a neighbor found an unaccompanied toddler with burnt feet from walking on a hot pavement in 90 degree-heat. Ashley Canham admitted to a…

News

Oregon Lawmakers Split on Gun Reform as Rapid-Fire Ban Advances and Dealer Licensing Bill Gets…

Lucille McNamara Jun 27, 2025

While the Oregon House has passed legislation banning the use of rapid-fire activators on firearms, House Republicans voted down a bill that would have required gun dealers to obtain a license from the Department of Justice. This brings…

News

One in Five New Oregon Jobs Will Be in Healthcare as Sector Grows Faster Than Ever

Lucille McNamara Jun 27, 2025

Work opportunities in the private healthcare and social assistance sectors have grown by 92% over the last four years in Oregon, becoming a steadily growing job provider to bolster the state’s economy. Before the pandemic recession,…

News

Cliff Jump at Toketee Falls Ends in 40-Foot Fall and Dramatic Rescue of California Man

Lucille McNamara Jun 26, 2025

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. — It took a multi-agency task force more than five hours to rescue a young Californian who fell 40 feet onto rocks below while jumping from the top of a cliff into a pool at Toketee Falls in the Oregon Umpqua National…

News

Oregon Lawmakers Deal Blow to Low-Income Earners by Slashing Affordable Housing Budget

Lucille McNamara Jun 26, 2025

Low income earners have been dealt a bitter blow by Oregon lawmakers who have slashed millions from Governor Tina Kotek’s request for $700 million to finance about 7,000 new affordable rental units. $182 Million Allocated For…

Politics & Elections

Oregon Moves to Ban Power Companies From Raising Rates During Peak Winter Months

Lucille McNamara Jun 26, 2025

A new energy bill that bans utility companies from introducing increases during peak winter months has been given the nod by Oregon lawmakers and now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature. The Act Protects Consumers From…

News

Oregon Lawmakers Consider Ending Preschool Program That Taxes the Rich to Educate the Poor

Lucille McNamara Jun 25, 2025

The Multnomah County Chair has expressed outrage at Oregon lawmakers considering scrapping the Preschool for All program. Legislation Will Prohibit Taxing High-Income Earners Members of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee…

Politics & Elections

Oregon Senate Votes to Stop Insurance Companies From Making Non-Opioid Pain Relief Harder to Get…

Lucille McNamara Jun 25, 2025

The majority of Oregon Senators came out in favor on Monday of new legislation that will prohibit insurers from classifying non-opioid pain medication differently from prescribed drugs. The Senate has passed Senate Bill 598 with a 23-6…

News

Oregon Moves to Ease Doctor Shortage by Licensing Foreign-Trained Physicians

Lucille McNamara Jun 24, 2025

In a far-reaching move to resolve the shortage of healthcare providers, particularly in primary care, in Oregon and elsewhere in the country, Senate Bill 476 will allow physicians from other countries to obtain provisional licenses to work…

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