Around the state

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Border wall T-shirt settlement — Lawyers for an Oregon high school student who was disciplined for wearing a T-shirt promoting President Donald Trump’s effort to build a border wall say they have reached a settlement of his lawsuit. The lawyers said that settlement entails a $25,000 payment from the Hillsboro School District for Addison Barnes’ attorney fees and a letter of apology from the principal of Liberty High School. Principal Greg Timmons was in a meeting and not immediately available for comment. Barnes, who was a senior when the incident occurred in January, said he brought the case to stand up for himself and other students who might be afraid to express their right-of-center views. He said students wearing anti-Trump shirts to school are not disciplined, but when he wore a pro-Trump shirt, he got suspended.

Southern Oregon has worst air quality in U.S. — The air quality in Southern Oregon was the worst in the nation Monday, according to officials. Connie Clarstrom, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Medford, said not to expect the conditions to get better anytime soon. She said Southern Oregon will likely face triple-digit temperatures and unhealthy to hazardous air all week. “As long as we’re surrounded by wildfires, it’s tough to see it getting better,” Clarstrom said. Nine major wildfires are sending thick smoke into the region, bringing hazardous air quality to cities including Ashland, Medford and Grants Pass.

Quakes off the coast — The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a series of earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oregon. The Tuesday morning quakes were about 125 miles west of Gold Beach, and occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles. They ranged in magnitude from 3.2 to 5.6. There have been no reports of injuries or damage. Experts have said for years that Oregon and the Pacific Northwest are due for a major earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 or higher. Smaller quakes, like those on Tuesday, are fairly common.

Jury selection for next rancher standoff trial — Jury selection started in the trial of an FBI agent accused of lying about firing two shots that missed Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, spokesman for the group that took over the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in January 2016. The errant shots came as the Arizona rancher emerged from his pickup when authorities arrested leaders of the takeover on Jan. 26, 2016. Oregon State Police fatally shot Finicum seconds later. The agent, W. Joseph Astarita, pleaded not guilty to felony charges of making a false statement and obstruction of justice. Defense lawyer David Angeli says his client didn’t fire, and the government’s case is based on weak circumstantial evidence. Jury selection began Tuesday afternoon. The trial is expected to last several weeks.

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