Author

Lucille McNamara

Lucille McNamara is a Daily Tidings reporter with 27 years of journalism experience, covering Oregon public safety, crime and courts, plus statewide policy and community impact stories including housing, education, health, and immigration. She previously worked at The Star.
Contact: [email protected]

Crime & Courts

Russian National Extradited to Oregon in Global $340 Million Crypto Ponzi Case

Lucille McNamara May 13, 2026

One of four Russian nationals appeared in the Portland federal court on Monday for her role in a global Ponzi investment scheme that siphoned $340 million from victim-investors. Olena Oblamska (42), who was extradited from Thailand to…

News

Oregon Families Struggle With Childcare Costs That Can Reach Nearly $3,000 a Month

Lucille McNamara May 13, 2026

Oregon has a waiting list of over 15,000 multiple-child families for subsidized childcare, as the annual cost of infant care is the price of a second mortgage. Childcare in Portland costs an average of $2,890 monthly, $2,732 in Gresham,…

News

Oregon Consumers Sue Nike and Other Major Brands Over Tariff-Driven Price Hikes

Lucille McNamara May 12, 2026

Nike is among several major companies, including FedEx, Costco, Ray-Ban, and Nintendo, that have been named in a class action lawsuit filed in Oregon last Thursday on behalf of consumers. The lawsuit claims that the sportswear giant…

Oregon Abortion Pill Access Remains in Place as Supreme Court Weighs New Restrictions

Lucille McNamara May 12, 2026

Oregon women will have access to the abortion pill, Mifepristone, until at least Thursday, while the Supreme Court considers whether to enforce restrictions. The abortion pill remains available nationwide without in-person visits to a…

News

Eugene Officer Resigns After Racist Remarks on Bodycam Spark Outrage in Oregon

Lucille McNamara May 11, 2026

A Eugene police officer has resigned with immediate effect following racist remarks captured on his body camera. Meanwhile, Independent Police Auditor Craig Renetzky says he will take action against any other Eugene Police Department…

Oregon Data Centers Race for Tax Breaks as Hillsboro Applications Surge Before Deadline

Lucille McNamara May 10, 2026

As a moratorium on tax breaks for data centers in Oregon is about to take effect, Hillsboro has received 18 zone tax break applications in recent weeks, according to the watchdog group Tax Fairness Oregon group. The new legislation –…

Environment

Oregon Lithium Drilling Plan Near Nevada Border Faces Lawsuit Over Water and Wildlife Risks

Lucille McNamara May 10, 2026

Environmentalists are fighting a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) decision to allow an Australian lithium mining company to build 168 drill sites, 21.5 miles of new roads, and pump 18,000 gallons of groundwater daily in the McDermitt Caldera…

Crime & Courts

Interstate Theft Crew Targets Oregon Gyms as Stolen Card Charges Reach Nearly $19,000

Lucille McNamara May 9, 2026

An organized gang of interstate thieves is robbing gym patrons while they are working out, often purchasing high-value items at nearby retail outlets before the thefts are detected. The Beaverton Police Department warns that the gang…

Crime & Courts

Jackson County Man With Revoked License Gets 8 Years After Pedestrian Was Left Injured on Roadside

Lucille McNamara May 9, 2026

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Jason Allan Baker (41), who was driving with a revoked license when he struck a pedestrian in Jackson County and left her seriously injured on the roadside when he fled the scene, has been sentenced to eight years in…

News

Oregon Moves to Fix Behavioral Health Worker Shortage While Cracking Down on AI Risks for Kids

Lucille McNamara May 8, 2026

Legislation that removes barriers to the behavioral health workforce and protects young people from negative mental health outcomes related to artificial intelligence was signed into law yesterday by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. The bills…

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