Oregon

A new bill before the state Legislature would place penalties on energy-hungry data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations that fail to conform to the state’s newly adopted clean energy goals.

The insurer posted additional information about the breach online and offered free ID theft and monitoring service for at least 12 months. SAIF said it has been unable to determine how many people the breach affected.

A 65-page audit found problems with transparency, accountability and student outcomes in Oregon's community colleges, recommending that the state give the Higher Education Coordinating Commission a clear mandate to make changes.

Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and federal broadband officials will host a virtual discussion for input on the design of new broadband maps that accurately capture where dead spots must be addressed.

Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, along with the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments, are working together on this initiative to expand broadband needs to underserved populations within the area.

After struggling through the pandemic with an outdated unemployment system from the 1990s, the Oregon Employment Department has started the first phase of a replacement project. The new system won’t go live until 2024.

The request came from the findings of a chip industry task force of government and business leaders, which issued recommendations earlier this month on how the state can be more attractive to the semiconductor industry.

An unemployment system dating back to the 1990s, coupled with procedural failings and a surging jobless rate in the spring and summer of 2020, is behind the latest critical audit of the Oregon Employment Department.

Utilities in the state are looking to new technology to fight an old problem: wildfires. Officials hope that by better predicting weather and risk patterns they can prevent and respond to the looming threat.