Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ben Botkin

@bbotkin.bsky.social

2.2K followers 540 following 170 posts

Journalist at Lookout Eugene-Springfield, dog owner and traveler of the West. I like to dig deep and find fun stories. Past stops: Idaho, Las Vegas, Oklahoma and Colorado. Tips: [email protected]

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · Jun 24

What I've been up to lately: ‘Harm and death’: Unredacted report shows how Oregon State Hospital failed a Lane County patient lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...
#journalism
#orleg

‘Harm and death’: Report shows how Oregon State Hospital failed a Lane County patient

Federal inspectors linked repeated failures at Oregon State Hospital to the March 18 death of a patient in a locked seclusion room. When the hospital released the report, it censored those failures fr...

lookouteugene-springfield.com

1 2

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 1d

My latest scoop: @tinakotek.bsky.social communications aide gripes of ‘tough news cycles’; @orhealthauthority.bsky.social withholds press release about fallout from patient death lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

Governor’s aide gripes of ‘tough news cycles’; agency withholds press release about fallout from patient death

Gov. Tina Kotek's office recommended the Oregon Health Authority to not release a press release about the Oregon State Hospital's failures.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 2d

Our latest: Trillium to take Lane County Medicaid patients on PacificSource lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/health... double byline with @ashliblow.bsky.social

Trillium to take Lane County Medicaid patients on PacificSource

Trillium, a Medicaid insurer, will absorb about 92,000 Lane County residents enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan who rely upon PacificSource for coverage.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 3d

My latest: Neighboring landowners sue to block new law that aids development of Lane County stabilization center lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

Neighboring landowners sue to block new law that aids development of Lane County stabilization center

Property owners are suing Springfield, Lane County and PeaceHealth, seeking to block usage of a state law used for a planned crisis center.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 4d

My latest: Lane County patches community corrections budget, but warns long-term fix is needed lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

County patches community corrections budget, but warns long-term fix is needed

Lane County leaders dipped into reserves to avoid deep cuts to community corrections programs, but warned they cannot continue that approach.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 5d

My latest: Lane County families with Affordable Care Act insurance could see premiums spike lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

Lane County families with Affordable Care Act insurance could see premiums spike

Oregonians face rising premium costs if Republican-led expirations of tax credits expire at the end of 2025.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 5d

My latest: Holiday Farm Fire survivors urged to apply for homeowner assistance program lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/holida...

Holiday Farm Fire survivors urged to apply for homeowner assistance program

The state's housing agency is urging Holiday Farm Fire survivors to apply for a home ownership program before the Dec. 31 deadline.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 9d

My latest: For Holiday Farm Fire victims, and Lane County officials, recovery work remains lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/holida...

For Holiday Farm Fire victims, and county officials, recovery work remains

Five years after the Holiday Farm Fire, Lane County officials toured the area to hear about recovery efforts – and the work that remains.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 10d

My latest: Eugene Mission to host 24-hour livestreamed event to raise awareness about homelessness lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/latest...

Eugene Mission to host 24-hour livestreamed event to raise awareness about homelessness

The Eugene Mission is planning a 24-hour livestream and discussion about homelessness that starts at noon Thursday.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 10d

My latest: Eugene area law enforcement to map out plan to try to solve burglary ring targeting Asian households lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/justic...

Police to map out plan to try to solve burglary ring targeting Asian households

A public forum is scheduled for Oct. 23 about burglaries that target Asian households in Lane County, as investigators map out a strategy.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Reposted by Ben Botkin

Oregon Capital Chronicle @oregoncapitalchronicle.com · 11d

As Oregon awaits more clarity from a federal appeals court on the Trump administration’s attempts to deploy National Guard troops from multiple states to Portland, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem traveled to the city’s ICE facility on Tuesday.

DHS Secretary Noem visits Portland ICE facility as lawsuit over National Guard deployment continues • Oregon Capital Chronicle

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem traveled to Portland's Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Tuesday.

buff.ly

2 5 8

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 12d

My latest: Lane County plans to expand opioid addiction treatment services to Florence lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/health...

Lane County plans to expand opioid addiction treatment services to Florence

Lane County officials plan to expand an opioid drug addition treatment service into Florence in 2026. Officials expect it can serve 100.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 16d

Our latest: PacificSource’s Medicaid exit in Lane County: What we know, what we don't lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/health...
double-byline with @ashliblow.bsky.social

PacificSource’s Medicaid exit: What we know, what we don't

Nearly 70% of Lane County residents who rely on Medicaid are facing a transition in their health care coverage. Here's what we do and don't know about the future of Medicaid in the county.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 17d

My latest: Lane County commissioners press Oregon health officials on PacificSource pullout lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

County commissioners press state health officials on PacificSource pullout

Lane County officials are pressing the Oregon Health Authority to find a solution and keep them informed about Medicaid challenges.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 18d

On the federal shutdown: Lane County organizations plan to maintain services as much as possible during federal shutdown lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

Lane County organizations plan to maintain services as much as possible during federal shutdown

As a federal shutdown looms, government officials in Oregon are making plans to keep services as intact as possible.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 18d

Oregon health officials outline next steps as PacificSource ends Lane County Medicaid contract lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/health... via @ashliblow.bsky.social

State officials outline next steps as PacificSource ends Lane County Medicaid contract

More than 90,000 Lane County residents face a Medicaid transition after PacificSource did not renew its contract there. In a Sept. 30 presentation, Oregon Health Authority leaders outlined possible ne...

lookouteugene-springfield.com

1 1

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 18d

My latest: Amid tight budget, Lane County to cut health care staff, consolidate clinics lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/health...

Amid tight budget, Lane County to cut health care staff, consolidate clinics

Lane County is making cuts to its community clinics that serve low-income residents who need health care, citing tight economic conditions.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 22d

Talks are ‘over’: Oregon Health Plan done with PacificSource in Lane County lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/health... via @ashliblow.bsky.social

Talks are ‘over’: Oregon Health Plan done with PacificSource in Lane County

State officials say they’ll line up a replacement provider for the 90,000 or so low-income patients served by PacificSource in the county.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

1 1

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · 23d

My latest: In a lively Eugene town hall event, Wyden faces praise and blistering criticism lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern... #orpol

In a lively Eugene town hall event, Wyden faces praise and blistering criticism

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden faced a barrage of questions about the Gaza war at a Eugene town hall event that drew hundreds of Oregonians.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · Sep 17

My latest: Lane County leaders brace for state cuts to homeless services lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/latest...
#orleg

Lane County leaders brace for state cuts to homeless services

Lane County officials are bracing for cuts to homeless services in the region due to state funding reductions.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · Sep 12

My latest: History of complaints against Lane County board chair David Loveall alarms Lane County administrator lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

History of complaints against Loveall alarms Lane County administrator

Lane County Commission chair David Loveall's behavior for the past two years has alarmed his board colleagues and the county administrator.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · Sep 10

My latest: Lane County searches for solutions after state cuts funding for community corrections lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/justic...

Lane County searches for solutions after state cuts funding for community corrections

Lane County officials face the prospect of cuts to community corrections unless they can find a way to fund the programs.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · Sep 9

My latest: Holiday Farm Fire survivors endure a long slog to rebuild homes lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/holida...

Holiday Farm Fire survivors endure a long slog to rebuild homes

Five years after the blaze, McKenzie Valley residents still face bureaucratic roadblocks in their quest to rebuild, even after the government allocated millions for housing. Some residents, weary of t...

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · Sep 5

My latest: Nonprofit group plans housing for people with criminal convictions lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/justic...

Nonprofit group plans housing for people with criminal convictions

A nonprofit is building a permanent housing project in Eugene for people after they leave prison and rebuild their lives.

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · Sep 2

My latest: Lane County residents can learn about FEMA flood map updates lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

lookouteugene-springfield.com

Ben Botkin @bbotkin.bsky.social · Aug 27

My latest: Lane County will ask state to allow 2020 Holiday Farm Fire victims more time living in RVs lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

County will ask state to allow Holiday Farm Fire victims more time living in RVs

Five years after the Holiday Farm Fire, landowners still live in recreational vehicles as they rebuild their homes.

lookouteugene-springfield.com