On May 2, Politico released a leaked 80 page draft opinion from the Supreme Court that states their intentions to repeal Roe v. Wade leaving abortion access and reproductive rights in the hands of state representatives. The community of Lane County took action by staging an impromptu rally in defense of reproductive rights the very…
Since 1986, Oregon’s 4th Congressional District seat has been held by Peter Defazio. Defazio, this year, will be retiring leaving the 2022 election open for newcomers. Election day is May 17 and there are many new faces to get to know before voting. Val Hoyle has received DeFazio’s endorsement to replace him. Hoyle is currently…
After 36 years in congress, Representative Peter DeFazio is retiring. DeFazio represents the 4th District of Oregon which includes Benton, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Josephine, Linn, and Lane Counties. He is the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the co-founder and chair of the largest bipartisan caucus in the congress, the Small…
In 2021, legislators in Oregon were busy working on bills that addressed an array of reforms, policy modifications and civil rights protections. Here are some of the key bills that legislators put into practice at the beginning of the new year. Under Senate Bill 569, employers are no longer allowed to require employees or prospective…
The intersections of housing, climate, and equity were the theme of Eugene’s 2022 State of the City presentation. City Council members took the night to celebrate last year’s achievements and discuss what needs to be the focus of this upcoming year. Lane Community College was also front and center. City Council members spoke about the…
By Jesus Antonio Ramirez Escalante Lane Community College is in search of its new president after President Margaret Hamilton announced that she would retire in June 2022. LCC released a survey on September 30th that was active through October 12, in which community members were invited to share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. The LCC…
Dr. Lamont Francies shares his strategies for social resistance and education as a spiritual process through the Black church. Francies is a senior pastor at Delta Bay Church of Christ in Antioch, California. He graduated from the University of San Francisco with a master’s in sociology and counseling and a doctorate in international multicultural education….
House Bill 2508 will expand telehealth for communities all over Oregon, providing easy access to health care in uncertain times. The Oregon legislature has started their 2021 session and one of the upcoming bills, House Bill 2508 has the ability to expand students’ access to health care. HB 2508 would require Oregon Health Authority to…
The Torch had an opportunity to interview via Zoom Dr. Robert Bullard. Bullard has been at the forefront of environmental justice for over 40 years. Where did you grow up? I grew up in South Alabama, in a small-town named Elba. It’s right on the bottom of the state, close to Florida. So what led…
Eugene activist speaks out about the past 9 months of protests After George Floyd died under police custody, his death launched a wave of activism for racial and social justice. In the Eugene community people came together to march for change. That’s when Midas Well — a Eugene man that is well known for his…
