Ben Botkin
@BenBotkin1
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Politics & Policy Correspondent at Lookout Eugene-Springfield. Public records/data geek. @SPJOregon board member. Tips: [email protected]
Oregon
Joined July 2012
My latest: ‘Harm and death’: Unredacted report shows how Oregon State Hospital failed a Lane County patient ..#orleg #Journalism.
lookouteugene-springfield.com
Federal inspectors linked repeated failures at Oregon State Hospital to the March 18 death of a patient in a locked seclusion room. When the hospital released the report, it censored those failures...
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My latest: Nonprofit group plans housing in Eugene for people with criminal convictions
lookouteugene-springfield.com
A nonprofit is building a permanent housing project in Eugene for people after they leave prison and rebuild their lives.
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My latest: @LaneCountyGov will ask state to allow Holiday Farm Fire victims more time living in RVs as residents wait for state aid
lookouteugene-springfield.com
Five years after the Holiday Farm Fire, landowners still live in recreational vehicles as they rebuild their homes.
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My latest: At town hall, @RepValHoyle fields questions, is interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters .#orpol.
lookouteugene-springfield.com
U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle addressed about 400 people at South Eugene High School for a town hall event about issues facing constituents.
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My latest: As wildfire season amps up, officials offer guidance on how to prepare
lookouteugene-springfield.com
Lane County residents can prepare in advance before wildfire evacuation orders get handed down, officials say.
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My latest: Former Lane County counsel alleged sexism and hostility from elected officials
lookouteugene-springfield.com
Newly released records show that the former county counsel alleged harassment and sexism in the workplace prior to a $250,000 settlement.
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Very sad news: Diane Lund-Muzikant, a pioneer in health care reporting and founder of @TheLundReport, has died
thelundreport.org
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My latest: Amid neighbor concerns, @LaneCountyGov renews contract with homeless services provider
lookouteugene-springfield.com
Lane County officials approved a one-year contract for a navigation center to serve the homeless, but with more accountability.
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My latest scoop: Eugene wine-shop owner plans 2026 Democratic primary challenge against @RepValHoyle .#2026primaries #orpol.
lookouteugene-springfield.com
Boris "Bo" Wiedenfeld-Needham says the 4th Congressional District needs a more progressive voice in Washington. He says he was prompted to run because of U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle's vote to table a Trump...
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My latest piece comes from this corner of Lane County: Oakridge looking to purchase, restore historic hot springs site .#journalism #hotsprings.
lookouteugene-springfield.com
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Kitson Hot Springs was a soaking mecca. Now, the city of Oakridge is working on plans to buy the 157-acre site and reopen it to public use — but the deal comes with...
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Eugene City Council repeals fire service fee that attracted strong opposition
lookouteugene-springfield.com
The Eugene City Council has repealed a fire service fee that drew widespread opposition, after replacing it with a fee that costs less.
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UO dean to step down from leadership post after travel expense audit by @GraceChinowsky .Also: Props to UO's @DailyEmerald for its coverage of the dean's travel expenses.
lookouteugene-springfield.com
Juan-Carlos Molleda will resign from his position as the dean of the School of Journalism and Communication Aug. 1 and will stay on as a University of Oregon faculty member after a university audit...
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My latest: Scathing Oregon State Hospital report shows employee concerns after patient death
lookouteugene-springfield.com
Oregon State Hospital released a report on the death of a patient that found numerous other shortcomings with patient care.
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My latest: @LaneCountyGov to cover defense costs for employees charged with federal crimes – in some cases .#Immigration #ICERaids.
lookouteugene-springfield.com
Lane County commissioners approved a policy that allows the county to cover the legal defense costs of counties charged with federal crimes.
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My latest: Eugene faces challenges as it seeks to boost the community’s housing supply
lookouteugene-springfield.com
Eugene officials met some internal goals for growing housing, but face challenges in meeting the demand for affordable housing.
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After criticism, @GovTinaKotek reverses decision to deny extradition for suspect in burglary case
lookouteugene-springfield.com
Gov. Tina Kotek reversed her decision to not extradite a suspect to Lane County wanted in connection with a burglary ring.
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My latest: Oregon health providers, including PeaceHealth, wary of potential federal Medicaid cuts #orleg.
lookouteugene-springfield.com
A Republican-backed bill in Congress could force deep cuts to Medicaid, which insures 1 in 3 Oregonians and provides health care.
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Lane County and Eugene were on a Trump list of localities breaking immigration law. Then the list disappeared
lookouteugene-springfield.com
Lane County and Eugene were on the Trump administration's list of sanctuary jurisdictions. Then the list disappeared.
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