A group of more than a dozen Oregon lawmakers, addiction specialists and law enforcement personnel spent last week in Portugal. Portugal decriminalized drugs 20 years ago and their experience helped shape Oregon's Measure 110. For one, they have a centralized drug agency with an army of health workers dedicated to the problem. They also have designated indoor areas to use drugs, which critics say has led to more overdoses and crime. Oregonians can see that Oregon's version isn't working. Open fentanyl use is visible in communities across the state, especially in Portland. So what are we doing wrong and what can we learn from the successes and failures in Portugal?

KOIN 6 reporter Brandon Thompson caught up with several of those who made the trip, including Republican state Representative Lily Morgan of Grants Pass - one of the biggest critics of Measure 110 - Senator Kate Lieber of Beaverton, Representative Rob Nosse of Portland and Portland Police Association president Sgt. Aaron Schmautz.

Portland Public Schools and the district’s 3,500 teachers voted to ratify a contract Tuesday that officially ended the month-long teacher strike.

As the number of deadly traffic collisions in Portland are on pace for a three-decade record, police say they are facing challenges to address the alarming trend.

On Tuesday, Oregon State University announced its new head coach on Twitter.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announced Tuesday that she will not be calling for a special legislative session to address pressing issues like school funding and banning open drug use. Read more: https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/gov-kotek-says-there-wont-be-special-session-to-address-school-funding-open-drug-use/

As the number of deadly traffic collisions in Portland are on pace for a three-decade record, police say they are facing challenges to address the alarming trend. Read more: https://www.koin.com/news/portland/ppb-on-record-number-of-fatal-crashes-be-seen-be-visible-slow-down-drive-sober/

Local students and future police officers met at Laurelhurst Park for one-on-one conversations in the fifth “Talk a Mile” since 2022.

A surfer catches a wave during the king tides near Point Chehalis Westport Light State Park in Westport, Wash on Nov. 27, 2023. (Video by Jodee Orton)

Rain increases first weekend of December