1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 03/20/2013 03:59 AM

OR–1st NewsMinute/356
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

 

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A state Senate committee voted to allow young illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at Oregon universities if they were brought to the U.S. as children. The Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee approved the measure on a 3-2 party-line vote yesterday, setting the stage for a vote in the full Senate later this week. The bill is likely to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate. It has already been approved in the House, and Gov. John Kitzhaber says he’ll sign it.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon state Senate was briefly evacuated and a floor session canceled yesterday because of an unattended bag found in a stairwell. State police Lt. Terri Davie says the package contained camera and electronic equipment, and no hazardous materials were found. Workers and lawmakers were allowed to return to their offices after about an hour. The Senate had been scheduled to vote on four bills and confirm dozens of gubernatorial appointments.

LA GRANDE, Ore. (AP) – Police in La Grande say a semi-automatic rifle stolen from a locked Oregon State Police trooper’s patrol car has been recovered in a local home. A 16-year-old boy was arrested. The La Grande Observer reports that a relative of the teen called police last weekend to report finding a rifle part in a bedroom. Police then found the rest of the rifle and evidence associated with the vehicle break-in. A window was smashed in the patrol car sometime between Feb. 28 and March 1.

NEW YORK (AP) – A one-time Republican candidate for governor in Oregon has been charged in New York in an $8 million securities fraud scheme that capitalized on enthusiasm for Facebook shares. Craig L. Berkman was arrested yesterday at his Florida home and detained until a hearing tomorrow. The 71-year-old Berkman was charged with claiming to own Facebook shares before the company went public last year when he did not directly own shares. Prosecutors say he pocketed much of $8 million he received from over 50 investors. The Securities and Exchange Commission announced separate civil charges against Berkman.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.