Group questions Regence rate-hike
A consumer group says Regence BlueCross BlueShield hasn’t justified its rate-hike proposal that would affect 52,000 people who buy insurance in the individual market.
Oregon corn crops increase
Oregon’s field corn production has doubled since 2000, and the drought in the Midwest may increase that number even more.
Shoe entrepreneur seeks funding
Portland entrepreneur David Sypniewski seeks funding for his minimalist shoe brand Skora.
Midwest drought boosts Oregon tree growers
Midwest droughts have devastated newly-planted Christmas tree crops, eventually benefiting Oregon growers.
Water agreement sought
A new group is working on an agreement between storing water for summer crops and conservation interests.
Jobless claims drop
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell by 6,000 last week, consistent with modest gains in hiring.
Tourism’s ups and downs
It’s too early in the summer to be definitive about how Oregon’s peak tourism season will shape up, but early reports show Europe’s ongoing economic woes is meaning fewer visitors from the United Kingdom to Stumptown, but more tourism coming from Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The nearly $9 billion industry showed very little growth last year and fingers are crossed that this year will be better.
Log exports to China drop
China’s slowing economy may benefit Oregon’s lumber and plywood mills by making more timber available at reasonable prices.
Oregonian could switch to non-daily schedule
The Oregonian‘s New Jersey-based owner, Advance Publications, is moving to a web-based model and is considering changing publishing schedules at many of its newspapers.
Rudy Crew angered by low aspirations
Oregon’s chief education officer Rudy Crew says many of the state’s school boards and superintendents are aiming too low on their first yearly “achievement compacts.”