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Blue state Republicans move to strike this ‘catastrophic’ drug law they say is wreaking havoc on communities

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Blue state Republicans move to strike this ‘catastrophic’ drug law they say is wreaking havoc on communities

Oregon House Republicans are sharing their plan to end the state’s voter-approved drug decriminalization experiment at the same time Democratic lawmakers are weighing a more modest re-criminalization proposal. 

“The citizens of Oregon understand the failures of Measure 110,” Rep. Rick Lewis, one of the chief sponsors of the GOP bill, said in a statement. “We see the results on the streets, in the unacceptable overdose death rate and in the catastrophic consequences to our communities, to public safety and to livability. Change is needed, and we can’t afford to take small steps that fail to adequately address the problem.”

A man smokes on the sidewalk in Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 10, 2024. Both Democrats and Republicans in the state legislature have signaled plans to roll back the drug decriminalization law passed by voters three years ago. (Hannah Ray Lambert/Fox News Digital)

‘ENORMOUS MISTAKE’: BUSINESS LEADERS, RESIDENTS FED UP WITH BLUE STATE DRUG LAWS ISSUE 2024 ULTIMATUM

About 58% of Oregon voters passed Measure 110 in 2020, decriminalizing small amounts of all drugs and redirecting much of the state’s marijuana tax revenue to fund grants for addiction services.

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Since then, addiction and overdose deaths have skyrocketed in Oregon and nationwide as fentanyl swept across the country. Now, three years into the first-of-its-kind law, numerous polls show Oregonians favor re-criminalizing hard drugs and making treatment required, not voluntary, as a jail alternative.

The Republican bill would make possession of drugs like fentanyl, heroin and meth a Class A misdemeanor and would require treatment to avoid jail. If convicted, drug users could face up to a year in jail, a $6,250 fine, or both.

“Enabling people to live on the streets and poison themselves is not compassionate,” Rep. Tracy Cramer said in a statement.

The bill would also ban public drug use and set harsher prison sentences for drug dealers, especially if they sell drugs that result in a person’s death.

PORTLAND WOMAN KNOCKED OUT BY ATTACKER BLAMES CITY FOR SLOW POLICE RESPONSE: ‘WE DID THIS TO OURSELVES’

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Democrats, who control both chambers of the state legislature, have also signaled a desire to roll back parts of Measure 110 during their upcoming 35-day legislative session. One possibility is making possession a Class C misdemeanor, the lowest crime classification.

But reform advocates staunchly oppose re-criminalizing drugs.

“Any action by the Oregon legislature that criminalizes addiction would be cruel, harmful, and a failure of leadership,” read a statement from the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, Health Justice Recovery Alliance and other groups supporting Measure 110.

“We cannot regress back to the failed war on drug tactics that harm Black, brown, and poor people and make drug addiction, overdose deaths, and homelessness more difficult and expensive to solve,” the statement continued.

WATCH: PORTLAND POLICE RECKON WITH “EXPLOSION” OF OPEN-AIR DRUG USE:

WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE

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In Portland, where the effects of Oregon’s drug laws are most stark, city officials have been urging the state to take action.

“We need to give tools to our first responders so they can take action,” City Commissioner Dan Ryan told Fox News on Thursday. “If someone is smoking fentanyl in public and it’s causing harm to those who are trying to access the sidewalk, then the police need to be able to respond to that … It’s just common sense.”

Portland’s City Council unanimously passed an ordinance banning public drug use in September. But city officials said the law couldn’t go into effect until state lawmakers pass a new law allowing them to enforce it.

Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber told the Capital Chronicle that Democrats are working with Republicans to “put together a proposal that connects people to addiction treatment, gets drugs off our streets, and keeps our communities safe.”

“We know we cannot go back to the failed war on drugs, and we cannot continue to allow Oregonians to die of drug overdoses on our streets,” Lieber said in a statement to the outlet. “A policy has not been finalized, but once we do have a proposal to put forward, we look forward to thoroughly vetting the ideas through a public process.”

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Needles, foil and other drug paraphernalia filled a woman’s tent in downtown Portland in July 2023. Lawmakers in the state are considering re-criminalizing drug possession and making treatment mandatory as an alternative to jail. (Hannah Ray Lambert/Fox News Digital)

The short session begins Feb. 5.

A coalition of political and business leaders in Oregon have also lobbied the legislature to reform Measure 110 and promises to send a ballot measure to the voters if lawmakers don’t take action next month.

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San Francisco, CA

San Francisco considers closing some permanent supportive housing

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San Francisco considers closing some permanent supportive housing


In San Francisco, homeless advocates are expressing concern as the city considers potentially closing some of its permanent supportive housing sites. As the San Francisco Chronicle reported, homeless service providers reported that the mayor’s chief of health and human services met with housing providers last month that the city was working on a list of potential buildings to be closed.

Multiple homeless advocates told NBC Bay Area they had heard about this proposal and the general approach by Mayor Daniel Lurie’s office to reexamine how the city uses permanent supportive housing.

“This is something that’s been discussed for a few months at this point,” said Christin Evans, a former San Francisco Homeless Oversight Commissioner and current small business owner in the city.

Advocates describe permanent supportive housing (PSH) as a more stable and long term option for people experiencing homelessness, providing a place to live that is directly connected to the health and social services a person needs when transitioning out of homelessness. San Francisco currently has more than 9,000 site-based permanent supportive housing units.

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Mayor Daniel Lurie’s press secretary, Charles Lutvak, shared a statement on Thursday, noting, “… our administration is prioritizing tools to get people struggling with addiction into treatment and the path to stability.”

“Permanent supportive housing is a critical one, but we need to make it work better,” Lutvak continued, noting the city is spending $300 million a year while also facing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal cuts.

Lutvak also said it is not determined yet whether the city will be closing permanent supportive housing beds in the coming months.

Still, the conversations so far are enough to have advocates worried.

“Every housing unit you get rid of, you’ve got additional homeless people on the streets,” said Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director with the Coalition on Homelessness.

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Friedenbach said there are currently thousands of people on the city’s waitlist to get into permanent supportive housing.

“Permanent supportive housing does work. It has been studied to death, and it is the primary resolution of homelessness that has the highest level of success,” she added.

This conversation about permanent supportive housing units is unfolding as the city already faces a 643 million dollar budget gap. But advocates argue, while housing is expensive, it will cost the city even more to have unhoused people in the city who are disconnected from a place to live or support services.

“We’re cutting really essential services for our most vulnerable san Franciscans, and its actually going to harm our recovery as a city,” Evans said.

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Denver, CO

A French Dining Destination in Cherry Creek – 303 Magazine

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A French Dining Destination in Cherry Creek – 303 Magazine


In the heart of Cherry Creek North, Le Bilboquet Denver has become one of the city’s most
sought-after dining destinations, where timeless Parisian elegance meets the energy of Denver’s
evolving social scene. From the moment you arrive, the experience is intentional.

The dining room hums with conversation, the bar is lively yet refined, and the patio offers one of the most coveted settings in the neighborhood, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor dining. It is a place where long lunches turn into late afternoons, and evenings unfold with a sense of effortless sophistication.
At the center of it all is the culinary program, led by Chef Sosthene Kabore.

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Rooted in classic French technique, his approach brings a modern sensibility to each dish, creating a menu that feels both elevated and approachable. Signature favorites are complemented by seasonal
offerings, each thoughtfully prepared and consistently executed. The result is a dining experience
that is as much about atmosphere as it is about the food itself.

Le Bilboquet is more than a restaurant, it is a destination. A place where Denver’s business,
creative, and social communities naturally come together. Whether for a celebratory dinner, a
casual afternoon on the patio, or an evening that extends well beyond the final course, the
experience is always dynamic, always memorable.

As the city continues to grow as a hub for culture and creativity, Le Bilboquet remains at the
center of it all. Its recent partnership with Denver Fashion Week is a natural extension of that
role, reflecting the restaurant’s connection to style, energy, and the moments that bring people
together.

Located in one of Denver’s most vibrant districts, Le Bilboquet continues to define
what elevated dining looks like in the city today.





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Seattle, WA

Is it time for Seattle Mariners’ Raley to face more lefties?

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Is it time for Seattle Mariners’ Raley to face more lefties?


Seattle Mariners outfielder Luke Raley entered this season as one of the team’s biggest bounce-back candidates. So far, he’s on his way to quite the rebound year.

Seattle Mariners’ slow start has featured some bad luck

The 31-year-old Raley has been one of the best Mariners hitters early on, as he was during his first year with the team in 2024. In his first 18 games, Raley is batting .328 (20 for 61) with a 1.002 OPS, four homers, four doubles and one triple.

Raley’s strong early performance featured a candidate for his best game at the plate as a big leaguer on Wednesday against the Padres. He turned in his first career four-hit game, which included a homer and a double. It was the third time in a four-game span Raley had at least three hits.

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Just about all of the damage Raley has done has come against right-handed pitching since he’s used as the left-handed side of a platoon in right field. So far this season, he has just two at-bats against lefties.

During Thursday’s edition of Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, co-host Bob Stelton made the case that the Mainers should ride the hot hand and give Raley more opportunities in left-on-left matchups.

“When somebody’s hot – you got very few hitters in this lineup that are hot, Donovan is another guy – I don’t care if there’s a lefty on the hill. Let Luke hit. Let Donovan hit. Let whoever’s hot (hit),” Stelton said. “… This guy is seeing the ball really well right now, let him keep going.”

What the right-handed options to replace Raley have done thus far is another reason Stelton would like to see the outfielder get more same-handed matchup opportunities. Veteran Rob Refsnyder, who is currently on paternity leave, has yet to get a hit in his first 19 plate appearances. And outfielder Victor Robles is on the injured list, leaving Connor Joe as the other right-handed option in right field. Joe has only five at-bat this season, but he hit just .221 in 157 combined games over the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The issue of Raley hitting against lefties came up Thursday night when he was pinch hit for by Joe with the bases loaded and out in the sixth inning down 4-2 against Padres left-hander Adrian Morejon. Joe ended up striking out on three pitches.

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However, Raley’s track record against left-handers hasn’t been good. He has a career .182 average and .533 OPS against southpaws in 194 plate appearances.

“It’s comfort for a lot of these guys… Maybe it’s just a matter of seeing lefties enough,” Stelton said. “… You’re going to get better by getting used to it and facing those guys… I would think if they’re feeling good at the time, if they’re on a roll, then show them, you know what, I’ve got that much confidence in you. They’re running the lefty out there today and you’re in the lineup, so get ready.”

Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player below. Listen to Wyman and Bob weekdays or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app. 

More on the Seattle Mariners

• It may be time for Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh to make some tradeoffs
• Trevor May: Mariners’ Brendan Donovan ‘has been as advertised’
• Changes helping Seattle Mariners’ Luke Raley look like his old self
• Former Seattle Mariners clubhouse favorite continuing career in Mexico
• How will Bryce Miller’s return impact Seattle Mariners rotation?

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