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U.S. Supreme Court sides with Oregon city, allows ban on homeless people sleeping outdoors • Maine Morning Star

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U.S. Supreme Court sides with Oregon city, allows ban on homeless people sleeping outdoors • Maine Morning Star


The U.S. Supreme Court Friday sided with a local ordinance in Oregon that effectively bans homeless people from sleeping outdoors, and local governments will be allowed to enforce those laws.

In a 6-3 decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the opinion that the enforcement of those local laws that regulate camping on public property does not constitute the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

“Homelessness is complex. Its causes are many. So may be the public policy responses required to address it,” he wrote. “The Constitution’s Eighth Amendment serves many important functions, but it does not authorize federal judges to wrest those rights and responsibilities from the American people and in their place dictate this Nation’s homelessness policy.”

The case originated in Grants Pass, a city in Oregon that argues its ordinance is a solution to the city’s homelessness crisis, which includes fines and potential jail time for repeat offenders who camp or sleep outdoors.

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Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a dissent arguing that the ordinance targets the status of being homeless and is therefore a violation of the Eighth Amendment.

“Grants Pass’s Ordinances criminalize being homeless,” she wrote. “The Ordinances’ purpose, text, and enforcement confirm that they target status, not conduct. For someone with no available shelter, the only way to comply with the Ordinances is to leave Grants Pass altogether.”

During oral arguments, the justices seemed split over ideological lines, with the conservative justices siding with the town in Oregon, arguing that policies and ordinances around homelessness are complex, and should be left up to local elected representatives rather than the courts.

The liberal justices criticized the city’s argument that homelessness is not a status protected under the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. The liberal justices argued the Grants Pass ordinance criminalized the status of being homeless.

The Biden administration took the middle ground in the case, and U.S. Deputy Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler offered partial support.

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“It’s the municipality’s determination, certainly in the first instance with a great deal of flexibility, how to address the question of homelessness,” he said during oral arguments in late April.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.



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Oregon State University hosting in-person shark dissection at McMenamins 

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Oregon State University hosting in-person shark dissection at McMenamins 


PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon State University’s Big Fish Lab is giving a “grand finale” presentation of its educational “Summer of the Shark” series — which includes an in-person shark dissection — at McMenamins Bagdad Theater and Pub in Southeast Portland on July 23.

The event includes lectures on the types of sharks found on Oregon’s Coast, the lives of mother sharks and the risk of shark attacks. The event also includes trivia, discussions with local shark experts, and, once again, a shark dissection performed live.

“Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to meet Oregon’s shark scientists and learn about the important work they do,” Mcmenamins announced. “And we’ll be projecting the dissection onto the theater screen, so you don’t miss out on any of the details. And just in case you’re wondering, don’t worry: the shark died of natural causes.”

Doors open for the event at 6 p.m. and the show will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets for the event are $12 for adults and $8 kids 17 and younger.

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Oregon football: 2 Ducks land in 1st round of PFF’s way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft

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Oregon football: 2 Ducks land in 1st round of PFF’s way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft


Dan Lanning has done a great job of building a talented roster in Eugene as the Oregon Ducks football program is gearing up for what is expected to be a special season in 2024. And right along with that comes a lot of interest in possible draft picks. 

So, as Oregon football fans continue to get ready for the upcoming season, they should keep an eye on and start getting excited about the Oregon Ducks’ NFL prospects. In PFF’s recent way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft, two standout Oregon football players are tabbed for getting picked up in the first round of the draft. 

While it might seem a little too early for way-too-early NFL draft content, PFF is literally called Pro Football Focus, so, you know, you can’t really blame them for getting excited about things.

Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad is the first Oregon Duck to land on the list. According to the good folks over at PFF, Muhammad is currently projected as the No. 24 overall pick, which would currently have him getting selected by the Green Bay Packers. 

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At least he’d get to continue to wear yellow and green. That’s a good thing, right?

Over on the opposite side of the ball sits former Texas A&M Aggies transfer Evan Stewart, who appears poised to thrive as a wide receiver for the Oregon Ducks. Stewart missed a few games last year, but he has immense potential and PFF is currently projecting Stewart as the No. 26 pick in the draft, allowing him to go play for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Which, you know, more green. And a bird! 

There’s a lot that’s going to happen between now and the actual 2025 NFL Draft, but as it stands right now, this would be a solid job from Lanning and his coaching staff to develop these players and put them on the platform they need to get to the NFL.

As the season gets closer to getting underway, Oregon football fans should keep an eye on the performances made by Stewart and Muhammad, who could improve their standing in the NFL draft thanks to more strong showings this season.

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PHOTOS: Corgi Beach Takeover returns to Seaside for second year

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PHOTOS: Corgi Beach Takeover returns to Seaside for second year


About 1500 people attended from all over the country

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Almost 800 short-legged, round-butted canines stormed the beach at Seaside when the Corgi Beach Takeover returned for its second year on Saturday.

This year featured races, costume contests, a silent auction and dozens of raffle items in a fundraiser for the Oregon Humane Society. According to the shelter, the corgi meetup is one of their most important fundraising events.

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  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)
  • The Corgi Beach Takeover took place at Seaside for the second year on June 29, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon Humane Society)

“You can’t help but smile when you attend Corgi Beach Takeover – it’s cuteness overload on a whole new level,” OHS Events Manager Shelby Hollenbeck said. “Plus, you can smile knowing that your registration is supporting the lifesaving programs at Oregon Humane Society.”

OHS estimated close to 1,500 people were in attendance, with participants traveling to Seaside from as far away as Southern California, Montana and Michigan.

Further, they project to have raised more than $15,000, all for the benefit of thousands of shelter pets.



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