1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 02/02/2016 03:59 AM

AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/234
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Government Accountability Office says the Justice Department needs to better document the ways it’s tracking the effect of marijuana legalization in the states. That way, federal authorities can better identify any states that aren’t meeting federal pot enforcement priorities, such as keeping the drug away from children and out of the control of criminal organizations.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Lawyers for the leader of the armed standoff at an Oregon wildlife refuge have appealed a judge’s decision to keep him in jail pending trial. They suggest GPS monitoring and orders he stay in Idaho when he’s not in Oregon courtrooms.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Volunteers have surveyed the inmates at the Marion County jail as part of the county’s annual tally of homeless people. The Statesman Journal reports that five volunteers spoke to 376 inmates in Marion County about what caused their homelessness before incarceration, what services would help them when they left jail and other demographic information.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon’s snowpack remained abundant in January and scientists are beginning to make optimistic predictions about the state’s water supply. The Statesman Journal reports that the snowpack is at or above normal throughout the state and western Oregon is no longer in a drought. By this time last year, much of the state’s precipitation had turned to rain and ski areas were closed or struggling.

 

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.