1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 09/16/2015 03:59 AM
AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/279
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon is adding jobs at its fastest rate in many years. The Oregon Employment Department says the state added 4,400 jobs in August and that follows a revised gain of 7,400 jobs in July. Over the past 12 months, Oregon’s payroll employment has expanded by more than 60,000 jobs. Despite the jobs boom, Oregon’s unemployment rate nudged higher to 6.1 percent in August from 5.9 percent in July.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – It’s long been conventional wisdom that fighting for gun control is a good way to end a politician’s career. But advocates of tighter gun laws are pointing to a pair of victories in the Pacific Northwest as evidence that the tide is shifting. Last year in Washington, voters overwhelmingly supported mandatory background checks on private gun sales. Lawmakers in Oregon approved similar legislation this year, and it has become clear the bill’s sponsor won’t face a recall.
SILVERTON, Ore. (AP) – A man convicted of killing a Silverton woman while he was out of jail on work release has been sentenced to life in prison with no possibility for parole. A Marion County Judge said during the sentencing she doesn’t believe 44-year-old Jason Clifford Down will ever change.
HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) – A man fatally shot near a suburban Portland police station has been identified as a 34-year-old originally from South Carolina. A Hillsboro police officer walking to his patrol car Sunday heard at least six gunshots and found Alonzo Gregg in the middle of a street. Gregg died at the scene. A police spokesman says no arrests have been made.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.