Topic: Oregon

Saving Money
'Tis the season for free gift cards

Freebies attached to full-price gift cards are abundant during the holidays. Now is a good time to stock up on gift cards, both for you and for others. 

Mayor on food stamps? Cory Booker to live on $1.40 per meal

Mayor on food stamps: N.J. Mayor Cory Booker will live on food stamps next week for seven days. Mayor Booker is following in the footsteps of the mayors of Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, who have taken the 'food stamps challenge.'

Fugitive in eco-terrorism case turns herself in at US-Canada border

After a decade on the run, a Canadian citizen surrendered to the FBI at the border in Washington. An alleged former member of two militant environmental groups, she faces federal arson and conspiracy charges.

Powerball lottery: We have two winners (+video)

Powerball lottery jackpot reached a record $588 million before Wendesday night's drawing. Two winning Powerball lottery tickets were sold, in Arizona and Missouri.

Constitutional copy-editing

Oregonians pass by a landslide a ballot measure to copyedit their state constitution; are there other documents we’d like to tinker with?

Why one of China's richest men is squaring off against Obama in court

Wu Jialiang, CEO of Ralls Corp. is challenging Obama's refusal on national security grounds to let him build a wind farm in America, marking the first such high level case in the US from a Chinese firm.

Focus
Obamacare countdown: States all over the map on insurance markets

States have until Dec. 14 to decide whether they will implement their own insurance exchanges under 'Obamacare' or have the federal government do it. Many governors have already refused to set up exchanges.

In Gear
2014 Chevy Spark to cost less than $32,500

Chevy is hinting at a price "below $25,000 with incentives," for the 2014 Chevy Spark EV meaning a pre-incentive price of under $32,500, Ingram writes. The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV will be unveiled in full at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Roid rage: Steroid use common in 5 percent of teens in new study

Teens using steroids may be driven by high performance pressure in sports and a muscular body ideal projected by the media, according to a new study of 2,800 Minnesota teens; steroid use was found to be equally common among athletes and non-athletes.

Is the death of newspapers the end of good citizenship?

The death of newspapers – by cutbacks, outright disappearance, or morphing into lean websites – means a reduction of watchdog reporting and less local information. Some say it has caused a drop in civic participation. Is it a blow to good citizenship?

Stock market has tumbled since Obama reelection. Are investors angry?

The stock market has gone into a bit of a tailspin since the election. Wall Street's disappointment with the outcome will pass quickly, but concern about the 'fiscal cliff' is mounting.

Spinach recall for Fresh Express. Are you affected?

Spinach recall from Fresh Express involves 9-ounce bags in as many as 18 western US states due to possible contamination with salmonella. Customers affected by the spinach recall should throw the product away and call Fresh Express for a full refund.

Backchannels
Does legal marijuana in the US really mean trouble for Mexican drug cartels?

A look at the numbers.

Ballot measures: What message did America send on Election Day? (+video)

American voters rejected ballot measures at a higher rate than usual – suggesting voter fatigue – but two big liberal social issues - legalizing marijuana and same-sex marriage - made historic headway.

Legalized marijuana (Amendment 64), same-sex marriage make gains (+video)

Some 176 ballot measures in 38 states included historic wins for gay marriage and legalized marijuana (Amendment 64 in Colorado), as well as votes in four red states to rein in 'Obamacare.'

Voter turnout: the 6 states that rank highest, and why

Which state will have the highest voter turnout on Nov. 6?

On average, about half (51.6 percent) of eligible US voters cast ballots, but six states averaged more than 60 percent. The policies and attitudes in these states may hold lessons for those trying to get out the vote around the country.

Latin America Monitor
Biggest blow to Mexico drug cartels? It could be on your state ballot.

A Mexican study says legalizing marijuana for recreational use in the US - an issue on the ballot in three US states - could cut the proceeds of Mexican drug gangs by 30 percent.

Dude, could pot smokers decide the election – for Mitt Romney?

A marijuana legalization measure on the Colorado ballot – promoted by Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson – could be very important in this close presidential race.

We tried sun-dried

But there are limits to laundry, we found.

Tsunami evacuation for Hawaii canceled after thousands flee

The warnings followed a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 that hit Canada's Pacific coastal province of British Columbia late on Saturday.

Hawaii tsunami: Smaller waves than predicted after Canada quake

Hawaii tsunami: Initial tsunami waves are small. But Hawaii residents got a good test of tsunami preparedness in the wake of Saturday's magnitude 7.7 earthquake off Canada.

Magnitude 7.7 earthquake rattles West coast of Canada

Canada earthquake: The earthquake stuck just after 8 p.m. local time Saturday, creating a small tsunami. No major damage or injuries have been reported in Canada. Hawaii still on tsunami watch.

Scout abuse files release sparks public interest

Details about the Boy Scouts of America's cover-up of sexual abuse is generating interest from people wanting to know whether those who molested them as Scouts are in the files.

Set aside debate over Romney tax math: Is tax reform a good idea?

The momentous policy challenge of how to fix America's dysfunctional tax system has been largely obscured by the debate over Mitt Romney's tax math. But there's broad support for tax reform.

Boy Scouts child abuse files: Can the organization withstand their release? (+video)

In recent years, the Boy Scouts of America has implemented many new guidelines to protect against new abuse. Even though morale inside the BSA remains high, some experts say the group is fighting a losing battle.