Date: 06/18/2014 03:59 AM
AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/266
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Elements of Gov. John Kitzhaber’s effort to improve the health care system are expanding from Medicaid patients to state employees and their families. Insurance companies agreed to adopt changes required of the coordinated care organizations that oversee Medicaid coverage for the poor. Kitzhaber says the move should result in lower costs for the state and better care for the workers and family members who get health coverage from the state, about 130,000 people.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon’s economy continues to add jobs at a steady clip, but the unemployment rate has changed little in 2014. The agency says Oregon’s unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in May and has been between 6.8 percent and 7 percent all year. Oregon’s civilian labor force was up by 14,000 from April to May.
COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Transportation Department says drivers should expect Interstate 5 delays late tonight between Cottage Grove and Sutherlin as an oversized load moves through the area. The agency says that between 10:45 p.m. and midnight tonight, northbound traffic could be delayed as long as 45 minutes. Southbound traffic is likely to be delayed for a half hour.
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) – Conservation groups and salmon advocates have challenged the Obama administration’s latest plan for making Columbia Basin dams safe for salmon. The plan balances protection of endangered salmon against the operation of the hydroelectric dams. Joseph Bogaard of Save Our Wild Salmon says the plan is “virtually indistinguishable” from the one overturned by a federal court three years ago.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.