2nd Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 05/24/2013 09:33 AM

OR–2nd NewsMinute/324
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

 

GREENVILLE, Calif. (AP) – An earthquake in far northeastern California was felt by thousands of people, including some in Oregon. The magnitude-5.7 quake was centered about 25 miles southwest of Susanville when it struck at 8:47 last night. There have been several aftershocks, including a magnitude 4.9 that struck early this morning. The quake was felt in the San Francisco Bay area, as well as across state lines with Oregon and Nevada.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Developers proposing a $7 billion plant to export natural gas from the Rockies and Canada to Asia filed a formal application this week with federal regulators. The plant at the Coos Bay port in Oregon would chill gas for shipment as a liquid. It faces hurdles, including getting a federal permit to ship to countries such as Japan and South Korea that don’t have free trade agreements with the U.S., and skepticism from Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon. He says exports could drive up domestic energy prices.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Legislature has sent Gov. John Kitzhaber a bill that would repeal a prohibition on public community colleges creating programs that compete with offerings of for-profit career colleges. Supporters of the ban say it enables for-profit universities to compete on a level playing field with public colleges. But community colleges say it restricts their ability to create new public programs to train workers for career fields like phlebotomy, truck driving and nursing.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Portland Meadows racetrack has won final legislative approval to add instant racing machines. Representatives from the financially troubled track say the electronic machines will attract younger people to the sport, and the extra money will boost purses for winning horse owners. The machines resemble slots and the bets are made on actual races from the past. The old races are on video, but horse names are withheld so bettors can’t know the winner in advance.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.