Date: 06/24/2014 03:59 AM
AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/245
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Marijuana legalization advocate Paul Stanford has all but snuffed out his effort to put a pair of recreational pot legalization measures before Oregon voters. The campaign had gathered around 50,000 signatures, Stanford said, well shy of the 116,000 required for its proposed constitutional amendment and 87,000 for a proposed statute.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A proposed equal-rights amendment for women has qualified for Oregon’s November ballot. The measure would amend the state constitution to prohibit state and local governments from discriminating on the basis of gender. An Oregon Supreme Court ruling provides protection against gender-based discrimination, but amendment advocates say it’s important for women’s rights to be enshrined in the constitution.
RAINIER, Ore. (AP) – Oregon authorities say a man sought after a Rainier police officer was wounded during a traffic stop has been found dead. Columbia County Sheriff Jeff Dickerson says deputies heard a single gunshot shortly after they found the suspect’s car abandoned yesterday afternoon. The body had a single, apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. The officer’s injury is not considered life threatening.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A lawsuit filed against Oregon nonprofit health insurer Regence BlueCross BlueShield alleges it is acting like a for-profit company by stockpiling excess money to support large salaries rather than health care for policyholders. The Oregonian reports that Regence defended its business practices, saying its values involve having the financial stability to meet members’ medical needs.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
