Alex Baumhardt
@alexbaumhardt.bsky.social
Journalist covering environment and education @oregoncapitalchronicle.com, part of @statesnewsroom.com
Oregon saw at least 1,100 immigration arrests in 2025. The oldest person detained was 71. The youngest was 4 years old @miamaldonado.bsky.social reports: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/29/o...
Oregon saw at least 1,100 immigration arrests in 2025 • Oregon Capital Chronicle
ICE agents arrested 660 people in Oregon in the first ten months of 2025, according to the Deportation Data Project.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Oregon saw at least 1,100 immigration arrests in 2025. The oldest person detained was 71. The youngest was 4 years old @miamaldonado.bsky.social reports: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/29/o...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
After at least four humpback whales were entangled this year in Oregon in commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear, conservation groups are petitioning Oregon Fish & Wildlife to adopt new gear rules during whale feeding and migration seasons:
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/25/c...
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/25/c...
Conservation groups urge Oregon to reduce whale deaths from crab fishing gear • Oregon Capital Chronicle
At least four humpback whales were entangled this year in Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear, according to ODFW.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
December 26, 2025 at 6:43 PM
After at least four humpback whales were entangled this year in Oregon in commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear, conservation groups are petitioning Oregon Fish & Wildlife to adopt new gear rules during whale feeding and migration seasons:
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/25/c...
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/25/c...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz. Our team fanned out to cover the before, during and after of the federal government’s months-long raid on an American city. This is worth your time to understand the United States today
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz
President Donald Trump’s federal immigration enforcement operation led to most surreal autumn in Chicago history. What happened during those 64 days will be remembered for a long time.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:20 PM
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz. Our team fanned out to cover the before, during and after of the federal government’s months-long raid on an American city. This is worth your time to understand the United States today
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
A federal judge this week canceled the trial of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and scheduled a hearing on whether the prosecution is being vindictive in pursuing a human smuggling case against him. n.pr/3L3sZng
Judge to hold hearing on whether Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being vindictively prosecuted
A federal judge this week canceled the trial of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and scheduled a hearing on whether the prosecution is being vindictive in pursuing a human smuggling case against him.
n.pr
December 27, 2025 at 3:17 PM
A federal judge this week canceled the trial of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and scheduled a hearing on whether the prosecution is being vindictive in pursuing a human smuggling case against him. n.pr/3L3sZng
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
Attorney General Dan Rayfield, who led the Oregon House when it passed some of the nation’s strongest laws to protect access to transgender health care, is suing the federal government over efforts to bar gender-affirming care for minors by stripping federal funding.
Oregon leads lawsuit over Kennedy's efforts to ban gender-affirming care for minors • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Attorney General Dan Rayfield is suing the federal government over efforts to bar gender-affirming care for minors by stripping federal funding.
buff.ly
December 24, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Attorney General Dan Rayfield, who led the Oregon House when it passed some of the nation’s strongest laws to protect access to transgender health care, is suing the federal government over efforts to bar gender-affirming care for minors by stripping federal funding.
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
DHS response: “The Department of Homeland Security reserves the right to use its own property to support its own operations in the mission given to it by the American people to uphold the laws they passed through Congress. No lawsuit is going to stop us from fulfilling that mission.”
Suspecting the federal government plans to open a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Newport’s airport early next year, the state of Oregon asked a federal judge to block construction. buff.ly/YIjHiTZ
Anticipating early 2026 opening, Oregon seeks to block potential Newport ICE facility • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon attorneys say the Trump administration is skirting environmental regulations which would require notice to create such a facility.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:08 PM
DHS response: “The Department of Homeland Security reserves the right to use its own property to support its own operations in the mission given to it by the American people to uphold the laws they passed through Congress. No lawsuit is going to stop us from fulfilling that mission.”
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
An eastern Oregon group is considering rehiring an influential state lawmaker, despite state ethics watchdogs recently concluding he violated state laws when he inserted a $66,000 raise into a grant contract without his employer’s knowledge. buff.ly/iQLjK3n
East Oregon board deceived by Rep. Greg Smith’s illegal pay raise considers rehiring him • Oregon Capital Chronicle
The board of the Columbia Development Authority proposed a $294,000 a year contract to Smith to stay on as executive director through 2028.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:23 PM
An eastern Oregon group is considering rehiring an influential state lawmaker, despite state ethics watchdogs recently concluding he violated state laws when he inserted a $66,000 raise into a grant contract without his employer’s knowledge. buff.ly/iQLjK3n
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
A landmark 2017 Oregon law that limited how much hospitals can bill state employees’ health care plans has saved the state around $50 million annually without harming providers’ ability to operate, according to a new report.
First-in-the-nation Oregon law capping state employee hospital payments is working, study says • Oregon Capital Chronicle
A leading hospital industry group in Oregon sharply disagreed with the study findings and called them "tone deaf."
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 11:33 PM
A landmark 2017 Oregon law that limited how much hospitals can bill state employees’ health care plans has saved the state around $50 million annually without harming providers’ ability to operate, according to a new report.
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
If you missed @davidmcswane.bsky.social's investigation two years ago, there's no better time than to read it now. Stunning reporting. Stunning writing. It's a story you won't soon forget.
@propublica.org
@propublica.org
December 23, 2025 at 10:44 PM
If you missed @davidmcswane.bsky.social's investigation two years ago, there's no better time than to read it now. Stunning reporting. Stunning writing. It's a story you won't soon forget.
@propublica.org
@propublica.org
The ruling represented the first time the high court has weighed in on Trump’s use of the guard in several cities, including Portland, though other legal fights continue @fischler.bsky.social reports:
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/23/r...
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/23/r...
US Supreme Court in defeat for Trump blocks deployment of National Guard in Chicago • Oregon Capital Chronicle
President Donald Trump for now has not met the requirements to send National Guard troops to Chicago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday afternoon in a major setback for the president. The court’s m...
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:26 PM
The ruling represented the first time the high court has weighed in on Trump’s use of the guard in several cities, including Portland, though other legal fights continue @fischler.bsky.social reports:
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/23/r...
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/23/r...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
LONG THREAD: My reporting on the insurance crisis has forced me to rethink some of my assumptions about where the most serious risk lies when it comes to wildfires that result in home loss. Like many, I assumed the phenomenon was most heavily concentrated in or near wooded areas. Think Paradise, CA
December 22, 2025 at 7:49 PM
LONG THREAD: My reporting on the insurance crisis has forced me to rethink some of my assumptions about where the most serious risk lies when it comes to wildfires that result in home loss. Like many, I assumed the phenomenon was most heavily concentrated in or near wooded areas. Think Paradise, CA
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat were just granted entry to inspect the ICE holding cells at 26 Federal Plaza in NYC for the first time, following multiple attempts.
That's after a judge on Wed ordered ICE to allow Congress members to inspect ICE field offices.
That's after a judge on Wed ordered ICE to allow Congress members to inspect ICE field offices.
December 19, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat were just granted entry to inspect the ICE holding cells at 26 Federal Plaza in NYC for the first time, following multiple attempts.
That's after a judge on Wed ordered ICE to allow Congress members to inspect ICE field offices.
That's after a judge on Wed ordered ICE to allow Congress members to inspect ICE field offices.
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
December 19, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
Immigration lawyers tell judge ICE is deliberately keeping them from their clients in Oregon @zane.bsky.social
www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
Immigration lawyers tell judge ICE is deliberately keeping them from their clients in Oregon
ICE officials said the access restrictions are due to security and transportation concerns.
www.oregonlive.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Immigration lawyers tell judge ICE is deliberately keeping them from their clients in Oregon @zane.bsky.social
www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
TikTok will now be owned by the Ellisons, Jared Kushner's firm, and Abu Dhabi's state investment fund.
TikTok U.S. Sale to Close Next Month: Oracle and Silver Lake Confirmed in Buyer Consortium
Abu Dhabi's state investment fund will also be a managing investor.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:01 PM
TikTok will now be owned by the Ellisons, Jared Kushner's firm, and Abu Dhabi's state investment fund.
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said the Trump administration seeks to "demonize and ultimately erase trans Americans."
Oregon Democrat slams Trump attempt to cut off transgender care for children
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said the Trump administration seeks to "demonize and ultimately erase trans Americans."
www.oregonlive.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:30 PM
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said the Trump administration seeks to "demonize and ultimately erase trans Americans."
Over the course of an hour, more than a dozen people stood up to ask the same question: What can the state do to hold federal immigration agents accountable for violating due process laws, using excessive force and to require agents to wear identification? oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/18/c...
Concerns over immigration enforcement dominate final Oregon attorney general’s townhall • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Many at the Portland town hall on Wednesday night demanded the state issue guidance to local police for protecting people from ICE.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Over the course of an hour, more than a dozen people stood up to ask the same question: What can the state do to hold federal immigration agents accountable for violating due process laws, using excessive force and to require agents to wear identification? oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/18/c...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
NEWS: White House suggested to me that they’re dismantling the nation’s most important weather research institute bc Trump is mad at CO Gov. Jared Polis
“If Colorado had a governor who actually wanted to work with President Trump, his constituents would be better served.”
“If Colorado had a governor who actually wanted to work with President Trump, his constituents would be better served.”
Trump Is Mad at Jared Polis. Now He’s Dismantling Colorado’s Leading Weather Research Institution.
“If Colorado had a governor who actually wanted to work with President Trump, his constituents would be better served,” a senior White House official told NOTUS.
www.notus.org
December 17, 2025 at 3:44 PM
NEWS: White House suggested to me that they’re dismantling the nation’s most important weather research institute bc Trump is mad at CO Gov. Jared Polis
“If Colorado had a governor who actually wanted to work with President Trump, his constituents would be better served.”
“If Colorado had a governor who actually wanted to work with President Trump, his constituents would be better served.”
Despite years of data showing Oregon kids are struggling to learn how to read, university teacher prep programs in the state claim they're not the problem. But those Us are responsible for training most Oregon teachers to teach reading. Graduates say change needed.
www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
Oregon has a student literacy crisis. Is teaching future teachers the way out?
A panel of experts recommended “big shifts” in practice, but many Oregon education preparation programs say they are already meeting the state’s standards.
www.oregonlive.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Despite years of data showing Oregon kids are struggling to learn how to read, university teacher prep programs in the state claim they're not the problem. But those Us are responsible for training most Oregon teachers to teach reading. Graduates say change needed.
www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
NEW: House Democrats' discharge petition to force a vote on a three-year extension of the Obamacare subsidies just reached 218 signatures — the threshold needed to force that vote — following the signatures of Mike Lawler, Rob Bresnahan, Ryan Mackenzie, and Brian Fitzpatrick.
December 17, 2025 at 3:20 PM
NEW: House Democrats' discharge petition to force a vote on a three-year extension of the Obamacare subsidies just reached 218 signatures — the threshold needed to force that vote — following the signatures of Mike Lawler, Rob Bresnahan, Ryan Mackenzie, and Brian Fitzpatrick.
I've got a few issues with this piece scrutinizing Oregon's estate tax (AKA wealth tax) but the big one is labeling it a "story produced by the Oregon Journalism Project," an investigative nonprofit, when it's clearly a submitted commentary/opinion piece:
www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
Oregon: No Place to Die
Oregonians in their golden years are advised to leave the state to avoid the estate tax, and no one is tracking the number who do.
www.wweek.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I've got a few issues with this piece scrutinizing Oregon's estate tax (AKA wealth tax) but the big one is labeling it a "story produced by the Oregon Journalism Project," an investigative nonprofit, when it's clearly a submitted commentary/opinion piece:
www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
www.wweek.com/news/state/2...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
I've tried and failed a couple times to write a post explaining how serious this would be. NCAR is globally essential to our climate change response. This can't just be replaced. Every scientist in the world will be doing climate research with one hand tied behind their back for at least a decade
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 2:30 AM
I've tried and failed a couple times to write a post explaining how serious this would be. NCAR is globally essential to our climate change response. This can't just be replaced. Every scientist in the world will be doing climate research with one hand tied behind their back for at least a decade
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
Nearly 1,800 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees have left the agency in the last year, data obtained by conservation advocates find, as pressure mounted from President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies meant to cut the federal workforce: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/briefs/u-s-f...
U.S. Fish and Wildlife sees nearly 20% drop in staff since Trump took office • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Nearly 1,800 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees have left the agency under pressure from President Donald Trump.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Nearly 1,800 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees have left the agency in the last year, data obtained by conservation advocates find, as pressure mounted from President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies meant to cut the federal workforce: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/briefs/u-s-f...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
Taken together, August through November of this year was the record warmest on average across the Northwest in more than 130 years of record keeping, federal and regional scientists report: oregoncapitalchronicle.com?p=19404
Northwest just finished warmest fall on record, scientists report • Oregon Capital Chronicle
The region is experiencing unusually warm and dry conditions, scientists find, and snowpack is at record lows for this time of year.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Taken together, August through November of this year was the record warmest on average across the Northwest in more than 130 years of record keeping, federal and regional scientists report: oregoncapitalchronicle.com?p=19404
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
Without health care, private-sector job growth would be near zero.
December 16, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Without health care, private-sector job growth would be near zero.