Oregon
Monsanto, growers settle suit over rogue GMO wheat
Monsanto, the giant seed company, settled lawsuits field by wheat growers in seven states over the 2013 discovery of a GMO variety growing in the wild in eastern Oregon.
Drought emergency in nearly half of Washington State
Gov. Jay Inslee declared a drought emergency in an additional 13 river basins in Washington State because of low snowpack that will reduce streamflow in coming months. Coupled with a March 17 declaration covering 11 other watersheds, 44 percent of the state is covered by a drought emergency.
“Exceptional drought” reaches Oregon, expands in California
For only the second time in 15 years, a portion of Oregon is under "exceptional drought" - the most severe rating - as state officials face widespread dryness east of the Willamette Valley. Some 82 percent of the state is rated in drought conditions ranging from moderate to extreme. The weekly Drought Monitor listed a sliver of the state, 0.12 percent in south-central Oregon along the California border, in exceptional drought.
Labor Dept drops Oregon “hot goods” case against growers
The Labor Department dropped all charges against two Oregon growers that it accused of failing to pay the minimum wage to 1,000 workers, says the news site FairWarning.
Oregon governor suggests control areas for GE crops
A bill in the Oregon Senate, introduced at the request of Gov John Kitzhaber, would allow the state to establish control areas to separate genetically engineered crops from organic and conventional crops if necessary to prevent cross-pollination, says Capital Press.
Winter outlook-Drought in Plains, California and Northwest
Drought will persist or intensify during winter in Washington state, Oregon and the northern two-thirds of California as well as the wheat-growing southern Plains, forecasts the National Weather Service.
Yes on 92 concedes, Oregon says no to GMO food label
The Yes on Measure 92 campaign admitted defeat of the Oregon referendum to put special labels on food made with genetically modified organisms. In a statement on its Web site, the campaign said it "is ending its efforts today." The initiative lost by 837 votes out of 1.5 million ballots, according to unofficial results of an automatic recount, two dozen more than the certified Nov 4 results.
Oregon recount nearly complete, GMO label seems doomed
Only Clackamas and Sherman counties have yet to complete their recount of ballots on Oregon's Measure 92 to require labels on food made with genetically modified organisms.
GMO labeling fight to come to Congress in 2015
After three years of state-level referendums that cost $100 million, the fight over labeling GMO foods will come to Congress in 2015, say two organization leaders, Laura Batcha of the Organic Trade Association and Scott Faber of the Just Label It campaign. "The fight is shifting to D.C.," Faber told reporters at a breakfast sponsored by OTA. Batcha said "we really see 2015 as the year the fight moves to Washington."
Judge rejects a restraining order on Oregon GMO recount
Multnomah County Judge Henry Kantor turned down a request for a temporary restraining order in the ongoing recount of voting on Oregon's Measure 92 to require labels on food made with genetically modified organisms, said the Portland Oregonian.
Vermont GMO labeling contest comes to national stage
Assistant House Majority Leader Kate Webb, a sponsor of Vermont's GMO food labeling law, is scheduled to testify at a House subcommittee hearing on federal regulation of the foods on Wednesday.
Recount half over, Oregon GMO labeling makes no headway
County clerks have recounted half of the ballots, and the Oregon initiative for labeling GMO food has lost ground slightly. Measure 92 lost by 812 votes in the election-night tally. The "no" side has netted a gain of two votes with 22 of 36 counties reporting the results of their recounts, according to data posted by the Secretary of State's office. The recount should be complete by mid-week.
Farmers sue to overturn GE crop ban in Oregon county
Two farm operations in southwestern Oregon filed suit in state court against a voter-approved ban on genetically engineered crops in Jackson County, says the Medford Mail Tribune.
Oregon GMO recount nets 2 more “no” votes in early going
Partway through the recount of the Oregon referendum on labeling GMO foods, there was a net gain of two votes against labeling, according to data posted by the Secretary of State's office. Fifteen of the state's 36 counties reported results as of Thursday evening. Opponents had a 43,627-vote margin in those counties, up from the 43,625-vote margin from the election-night tally.
Oregon GMO recount begins Tuesday, completed by Dec 12
County clerks in Oregon will begin a recount on Tuesday of the 1.5 million ballots cast on Measure 92, to require labels on foods made with genetically engineered organisms, according to a schedule posted by Secretary of State Kate Brown.
Hong Kong bans poultry meat from Oregon county
Food safety officials in Hong Kong banned imports of poultry meat and products from Douglas County, Oregon, where avian influenza was found in a backyard poultry flock, said Xinhua.
Oregon GMO referendum appears on track for a recount
The voter initiative in Oregon to require special labels on food made with genetically modified organisms appears to be headed for a recount.
Bird flu found in second state in Pacific Northwest
The highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus was confirmed in a backyard poultry flock in Winston, Oregon, said USDA in a "stakeholder announcement."