buff.ly/5nxHXw8 Tareq, a Portlander, should not be in this situation. USG defends deportation saying he's traveling to Palestinian 'custody'. In reality, brutality by Israeli military and extrajudicial settlers. Electeds and public alike must coalesce against deportation and for multiculturalism.

Palestinian Portland-area resident faces deportation to West Bank amid escalating settler violence

A Saturday protest amplifies fears Portland resident Tareq Zakarneh will be persecuted by the Israeli military if deported to the occupied Palestinian territory.

opb.org

buff.ly/9fIoOYK Oregon's economy is catching up with the nation. It matches our entry/exit rate of businesses remaining positive. Rep. Ben Bowman notes, however, that this status quo leaves many Oregonians still on the brink. Oregon Democrats must cut down austerity and reach to the future.

No longer lagging, Oregon economic growth catching up with nation, state economists report • Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon has been underperforming the national economy since the pandemic, but that gap has finally closed, economists said.

oregoncapitalchronicle.com

The most effective messenger is often a neighbor. Join our Neighborhood Leader Program and help build stronger communities by encouraging voter participation across Clackamas County. Learn more at ClackamasDems.org.

buff.ly/oBOHQzM Drazan will speak on funding special education. But her focus is on business, not students. Her platform is lots of 'removing regulation', not ways she'll help her state. Tina Kotek and co are facing the details Drazan is hiding. They'll help Oregonians from Banks to Joseph.

Oregon's 2026 race for governor: The facts on the ground • Oregon Capital Chronicle

The 2026 election could come down to two factors: Incumbent Democrat Tina Kotek's record and Donald Trump, columnist Randy Stapilus writes

oregoncapitalchronicle.com

We're excited to be at the Clackamas County Fair! Stop by our booth to meet neighbors who are working together to do better. Learn how you can volunteer, support local candidates, and strengthen democracy in our community.

buff.ly/KgCTxgo JD Vance appears to be attacking a form of care that has incredible benefits for its recipients. Gender-affirming, inclusive care is medically sound, improves mental well-being, and saves lives. So-called investigations can only result in vulnerable people being harmed.

Vance presses Justice Department to investigate hospitals over transgender care

The Trump administration alleges that some hospitals are incorrectly billing for gender-affirming care.

politico.com

Come say hello at the Clackamas County Fair! Whether you're curious about volunteering, want to learn more about local elections, or just want to chat with fellow Democrats, stop by our booth. We'll have games, prizes, and information for getting involved.

buff.ly/4gqWApk Vote-by-mail is an Oregon institution for good reason. It expands the power of the vote to people with disabilities and other groups to vote without facing inhospitable polling locations. Vote-by-mail is effective and equitable. Even Trump uses it. Say no to taking it away!

Democratic state officials urge US Supreme Court to affirm pause on Trump vote-by-mail order • Oregon Capital Chronicle

States do not have time before November’s midterm elections to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order mandating overhauls of their mail-in-voting systems, two dozen Democratic state…

oregoncapitalchronicle.com

buff.ly/QReri2U Plumes of smoke, embers in the sky. Timberline and Meadows are both eerily empty of visitors. To our north, Spokane has faced its worst wildfire possibly ever. It's climate change. We must match empathy for those hurting with resources and strategy to inhibit wildfires.

Eastern Clackamas County told to prepare to evacuate as Grasshopper Fire burns near Mount Hood

Oregon is collectively nearing a grim new record: most acres burned in a single fire season.

opb.org

Looking for a meaningful way to make a difference this election? Become a Neighborhood Leader! Help your neighbors stay informed, encourage civic participation, and strengthen our local democracy. Visit ClackamasDems.org to get involved.

buff.ly/Af4qypz Americans with Disabilities Act, since 1990 set forth a hope of accessibility sea to shining sea. The ADA is a stepping stone to massive inclusion. For education, housing, employment, and dignity of life. Oregon's new law SB1576 on housing accessibility helps bridge 1990 and 2026.

Americans with Disabilities Act — DRO

Espa\u00F1ol

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Medicaid benefits many, including people with disabilities. It covers lifesaving medication, in-home care, specialist doctors. The proposed work requirements would: 1) damage healthcare and 2) saddle Medicaid with great expense. Please comment on the proposal here by July 31st: buff.ly/FY2RjCq.

Wildfire haze across Oregon obscures the Cascades and the Elkhorn Mountains of Eastern Oregon alike. Data centers stand to inject fossil fuel pollution into the mix (buff.ly/cy5IYdG). Oregon must mandate strict rules on data centers. Bare minimum: use only clean energy back up sources not diesel.

Why data centers pose an outsized threat to Eastern Oregon’s air quality

Under an unstable grid, diesel pollution could threaten communities with large clusters of data centers.

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buff.ly/iXuk5gR AG Rayfield (and team!) have led strong antitrust action in a time of lax regulation from feds. Expanding the Antitrust division is the AG's logical next maneuver. Challenging monopolies unsettles undemocratic action, benefiting Oregonians en masse. Thank you, AG Rayfield!

As feds pull back, Oregon expands antitrust actions • Oregon Capital Chronicle

The Trump administration’s take on monopolies, mega-mergers and related activity, among the most important economic actions available to a government, often has been buried under many of the other…

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Nutmeg, Sellwood's Ginger in Chief, died at age 19. A truly storied life of being an outlier. He also held office hours at a local CVS. Someone may have complained, yet the love was truly palpable. In appreciation of Nutmeg, a charming feline and community member.

Nutmeg, the Ginger Tabby and ‘Unofficial Mayor of Sellwood,’ Has Died

The beloved cat kept regular hours at CVS and charmed many Portlanders.

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Disability pride emerges front and center in July. People with disabilities uplift our society. We must recall their contributions, musings, lessons, and insights -- and morph our world into a limitless mosaic. Today, consider the words of people with disabilities across medium. (1/2)

Disability Pride Month: Recommended Reading

July is Disability Pride Month, and the Popular Reading Display in the Hill Library’s Learning Commons celebrates the vision, lives, and world-changing work of disability rights advocates.July 2023A

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buff.ly/NEcPiG0 US must use its voice to support peace in Sudan. Militias are waging genocide, killing 60000 people so far. Our partners, the UAE, are funding these militias - not unlike with Israel. As Kristof points out, our voices can create a safer, more peaceful global society.

buff.ly/C0Z54Kf Housing insecurity is a major challenge in our county. Here's one answer: solidify short term rental (STR) regulations. These regs help make STRs accountable. We must build on these rules and encourage equitable housing. Thank you for the first step, Clackamas County.

Board of County Commissioners makes Short-Term Rental Program Permanent | Clackamas County

Changes to pilot program incorporate resident feedback after extensive outreach

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buff.ly/2LRIZkk People with disabilities need community integration, not institutionalization. Institutionalization on the rise: 1) Increased civil commitments + seclusion at Oregon State Hospital 2) US DOJ attacking right to in-home care: buff.ly/V3Fhxmb We should resist these affronts.

Months after new law, civil commitments are up in Oregon

State officials say it’s too early to draw conclusions about whether a trend is emerging.

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Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Get involved, get loud, and help us strengthen the foundations of self-governance right here in Clackamas County. www.clackamasdems.org

buff.ly/1vwtFTp Oregon's destiny must rest with honoring its people, all of them. In 1776, dozens of indigenous groups lived here. Coastal tribes in one place, others moving across Eastern Oregon. “It was all different tribes just living their lives.” - Grande Ronde member David Lewis.

Oregon at 250: Indigenous life in the Pacific Northwest in 1776

What was Oregon like in 1776?

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buff.ly/1kAIFq8 A downright mean Supreme Court case singled out trans students end of June 2026. Supreme Court singled out gay Boy Scouts like James Dale in 2000. He offers this letter in support. "[Y]ou deserve better than that. Every transgender kid in this country deserves better. "

To the Trans Girl Who Just Lost at the Supreme Court: So Did I 26 Years Ago

A letter to Becky Pepper Jackson about her trans sports case defeat at SCOTUS yesterday

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June is queer pride month. July is disability pride month. Eugene Frontrunners and Walkers are focusing on MOTION no matter your sexuality and ability. "We have runners, we have walkers, we have people who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices,” exclaims club co-organizer Whitney Donielson.

Eugene Frontrunners and Walkers bring pride, community, and accessibility to exercise

The Eugene Frontrunners and Walkers is an LGBTQ+ running and walking club. The Frontrunners are a global network of LGBTQ+ running clubs that promote inclusivity in sports.

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Our volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Help us recruit, train, and support the people powering local democracy. 🌱 www.clackamasdems.org

🇨🇦 🇺🇲 Canada and US have much to offer each other. They live North by South and are important friends. Trump's admin is attacking Canada AGAIN. Instead of caving, we must forge better ties, in the good and bad of both nations. We should deepen our friendship, starting with Oregon. Happy Canada Day!

Thank you to James Burrows for wielding influence to support queer visibility in TV. He thoughtfully depicted gay characters in 80s show Cheers. Burrows also worked extensively on 90s show Frasier -- where co-creator David Lee and a leading actor are both openly gay. More here: buff.ly/2NYC0bY

R.I.P. James Burrows, Cheers co-creator and TV directing legend

R.I.P. James Burrows, Cheers co-creator and TV directing legend

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Free OCERA presentation- all are welcome

buff.ly/pzZwSCL OHSU is a healthcare juggernaut in Oregon. Its president firing health system VP Tarek Salaway, a key role, is of great public interest. OPB is judiciously seeking public records. The lawsuit is only of among a dozen in the past 50 years. (This story is still developing.)

OPB Statement Regarding OHSU Lawsuit

OPB responds to OHSU's filing

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Change doesn’t start in Washington. It starts right here. Support the work happening in your own backyard. 🗳️ www.clackamasdems.org

buff.ly/WLfzfv9 Zane Sparling, Oregonian reporter, passed at age 33. He waded in news as his swansong. A lifelong Lake Oswego source, he kept rhythm even while living with a rare cancer. Zane, thank you for leaning us into our metro's shadows and, of course, sharing about the Lake. Rest in power.