OR–2nd NewsMinute/271
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The State Board of Higher Education is expected to increase tuition at Oregon’s seven universities at its meeting today. The proposed tuition increases range from 1.5 percent at Western Oregon University to about 10 percent at Southern Oregon University. The system average would be $7,841.
HOUSTON (AP) – A Texas urologist and his attorney wife who have been accused of violating a U.S. trade embargo with Iran also face health care fraud counts. Federal prosecutors in Houston say a superseding indictment names Dr. Hossein Lahiji and Najmeh Vahid. The couple in 2010 were charged in Oregon with secretly sending $1.8 million to Iran in funds meant for a children’s charity. Prosecutors say the Texas and Oregon charges are not related.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – A Lane County jury took less than two hours to find a Springfield woman not guilty of smothering her newborn child. Angelica Swartout testified in her retrial that she faked her pregnancy and never had a baby. The state found no child’s remains. Swartout’s first trial ended with a hung jury in February. Swartout recanted a confession and says she made up a story about being pregnant to get attention from her family.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Auditors at the Secretary of State’s Office say eight Oregon counties are in tough shape financially, due in large part to the loss of federal timber subsidies. An audit released yesterday says they should be closely monitored because they’re at a higher risk of distress than other counties. The counties are: Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane and Polk.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
