Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) and Lewis & Clark Law School are partnering to create the groundbreaking Public Records and Government Transparency Project. The Project, one of the first of its kind in the nation, will provide much-needed legal resources for journalists and media organizations throughout Oregon to access public records and to surmount obstacles to investigative reporting involving government agencies and elected officials.

Government transparency and access to public records are of increasing importance at all levels of government. Oregon Public Records Law (OPRL) guarantees access to public records from across state and local governments. But making use of open records law to fight denials of access can be challenging without specialized legal training. Beginning in fall semester 2025, this partnership will train Lewis & Clark Law students in practices specific to OPRL, while providing free legal support to media organizations and journalists throughout the state.

OPB, currently the only media organization in Oregon with in-house counsel doing open records work, recognizes the need to increase the number of legal professionals working in this area, and to ensure journalists at other local media outlets have access to legal support specific to this area of the law. Through the partnership, Lewis & Clark Law students will gain real-world experience under supervising attorneys as they assess legal issues, conduct legal research, develop case-specific strategies, and work with clients and public agencies to ensure compliance with OPRL.

“As an independent public media organization, OPB’s work is rooted in the relentless pursuit of truth and transparency of our public institutions,” said Rachel Smolkin, OPB president and CEO. “Our partnership with Lewis & Clark serves students, our larger local journalism ecosystem, and the public interest. We’re thrilled to connect OPB’s leadership in this area with the law school’s innovative approach to developing opportunities for public interest work.”

The partnership builds on a key feature of Lewis & Clark Law School: providing law students with hands-on opportunities to hone practice skills and gain professional experience, while expanding opportunities for students to use their legal training to serve the public. “This partnership underscores the important role legal professionals play in ensuring access to public records,” notes Alicia Ouellette, dean of Lewis & Clark Law School. “As a leader in training students for careers in public interest law, we are especially excited about this new offering.”

With many communities feeling the impact of shuttered or severe cuts to media outlets, the Project’s statewide scope will provide an important resource to support investigative journalism by local reporters at smaller media outlets throughout Oregon. The Project will leverage OPB’s expertise in public records law, along with its extensive track record of fighting for government transparency on behalf of the public and the greater journalism ecosystem, while increasing law students’ likelihood of choosing career paths that address government transparency and accountability.

“OPB has worked with dozens of Lewis & Clark law students as externs over the past 18 years, and we are continually impressed with their interest in open records work, their passion for public service, and the skills they bring,” said Rebecca Morris, OPB vice president and general counsel. “Our goals for this new project are to provide students with a deeper understanding of how government accountability through transparency strengthens the First Amendment and to increase the number of Oregon attorneys with meaningful public records experience.”

“We are always looking for partnerships that will deepen the skills and experience of our law students, so that they are serving the public good while in school, and in the careers they have after graduating,” adds Joanna Perini-Abbott, professor of Practice and director of the Center for Advocacy at the Law School. See the Project fact sheet for more details.

• The Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 952 on June 3, which would allow the governor to appoint a replacement for a vacant U.S. Senate seat.
• The bill requires the governor to appoint someone of the same political party as the previous senator within 30 days and a special election within 150 days of the vacancy.
• Supporters say the bill ensures Oregon has full representation, but opponents argue it diminishes voters’ power.

The Oregon Legislature passed a bill on June 3 that would allow the governor of Oregon to appoint a U.S. senator to represent the state temporarily in the event of a vacancy.

Under current state law, vacancies in the U.S. Senate are filled by a special election, and the seat remains empty until the special election is held.

If Kotek signs Senate Bill 952, Oregon would become the 47th state to grant the governor the authority to fill a vacancy. North Dakota, Rhode Island and Wisconsin do not allow temporary appointments before a special election is held, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

SB 952 would require the governor to appoint within 30 days of a vacancy an individual qualified to hold office who is affiliated with the same political party as the previous senator.

A special election would be required within 150 days of the vacancy.

SB 952 passed by a vote of 31-24 on June 3 in the Oregon House and passed on a 16-13 vote in the Oregon Senate on April 28.

Why advocates for Oregon Senate Bill 952 say it is necessary

“Senate Bill 952A is a safeguard,” said Rep. Hai Pham, D-Hillsboro. “It ensures that Oregonians are always represented and never left without a voice in the U.S. Senate during critical moments.”

Oregon U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley submitted letters in support of SB 952. Wyden stated in his testimony that collaboration between two senators is crucial to making the state a better place to work and live.

“Oregonians would have only half a voice in the U.S. Senate if our state lacked a senator because of death or injury for a prolonged period. And that in turn could hurt our state significantly,” Wyden wrote.

Merkley echoed Wyden’s testimony in a letter he submitted to the Legislature, saying both voices matter for the state.

“If Oregon is left without a Senator for several months because a vacancy occurs and current law does not provide for an appointment, then that critical work will not happen, and it could have significant repercussions for the people of Oregon,” Merkley wrote.

What opponents said about authorizing Oregon governor to appoint a US senator

Opponents who spoke on the floor included Republicans and Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, who expressed concerns that the measure would erode voters’ power.

“It takes a step closer to centralizing control and a step away from democratic values,” said Rep. Dwayne Yunker, R-Grants Pass.

House Republican Leader Christine Drazan, R-Canby, said the bill was unnecessary. She recalled her campaign for governor and said appointees should not be allowed to represent without undergoing a similar process.

“[Campaigning] is grueling, it is humbling, it is demanding, and it is appropriate that it be so,” Drazan said. “It demands more than policy knowledge or just political connections … Senate Bill 952 hands power to insiders and it takes it from the people. That is always a mistake.”

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on X @DianneLugo

Opa Locka (Fla.) Northwestern four-star wide receiver Calvin Russell continues to work towards his July 5 commitment date. He’ll see one of his top eight schools this weekend.

On Monday, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett that he’ll make the cross-country trek to Eugene and take an official visit to Oregon in the coming days.

Dan Lanning and the Ducks are battling a slew of top programs for one of the best pass-catchers in the 2026 cycle. Russell took an OV to LSU over the weekend, saw Florida again last month and will also take an OV to Florida State later this month.

Oregon had Russell on campus in April and he’ll now make a quick turnaround and head back to the Pacific Northwest to spend more time around the Big Ten program. Miami, Michigan, North Carolina and Syracuse are other teams still in the mix for Russell’s pledge.

Russell is the No. 33 overall prospect and No. 4 WR in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 2 player in Florida.

Playing under head coach Teddy Bridgewater last season, Russell acquired 18 touchdowns as Northwestern bulldozed its way to a state title. The Bulls went 14-2 and finished the year as the No. 6 team in Florida, per the On3 Composite Rankings.

Oregon has Top-10 class in 2026 cycle

Despite quickly losing a commitment from five-star EDGE Richard Wesley, Oregon still has seven commits in a class that ranks No. 10 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

The ball got rolling for the Ducks well over a year ago with the addition of Scottsdale (Ariz.) Willamette four-star defensive lineman Tony Cumberland. Cumberland committed on Sept. 23, 2023 and has remained locked in ever since. He is currently the No. 103 recruit overall.

Kendre Harrison is one of the best tight ends in the country and committed to Oregon back in November. A five-star recruit, Harrison ranks No. 23 overall in the class.

“Oregon is the total package,” Harrison told On3. “I chose Oregon because of their player development, the coaching I will get there, the culture and the place. I like Eugene a lot.”

Four-star Tradarian Ball is the fifth-ranked running back in the country at No. 63 overall in the 2026 class. He joined the class this past summer in late July. As a junior for Texas High, Ball ran for 777 yards and 14 touchdowns, according to MaxPreps. He excelled as a receiver, too, hauling in 44 catches for 1,017 yards and 11 TDs.

Blue-chip linebacker Tristan Phillips out of Ventura (Calif.) joined the class in December and was followed in February by Florida-based four-star safety Xavier Lherisse, a top-50 recruit in the Sunshine State.

The entire Oregon class can be viewed here.

This story will be updated.