SALEM, Ore. — There's a week left before the income tax filing deadline and the Oregon Department of Revenue is standing by to help you, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 8 through Wednesday, April 15. On Saturday, April 11, customer service representatives will take calls from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you have questions about Oregon income taxes but can't find the answers online, in your tax preparation software, or in your ... [full story]

SB 311 Raises Liability Limits for State and Local Government over Seven Years SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon House yesterday voted to pass SB 311, which would raise caps on tort claims brought against the state and local governments.   “This is a good bill that sets adequate limits for public liability claims,” said Representative Jeff Barker (D-Aloha), Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, which heard the bill.  “SB 311 provides stability and certainty so all ... [full story]

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) invites young anglers to take part in its Youth Angling Enhancement Program Saturday, April 11 at St. Louis Ponds from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and ODFW staff and volunteers will be on hand to assist youngsters who want to learn how to fish. ODFW will stock the ponds with more than 1,300 rainbow trout, including more than 300 fish ... [full story]

Nonprofit Counselors will be Available for One-On-One Meetings PORTLAND, Ore.  — Oregonians concerned about losing their home to foreclosure can receive help at an upcoming event in Portland organized by several government agencies, nonprofits, and lending organizations. The Home Ownership Preservation Event will be held Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Portland Memorial Coliseum. At the event, homeowners can learn about the options available to help them save their homes, ... [full story]

NEW ORLEANS -- Attorneys for former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., and federal prosecutors are battling over the definition of bribery, court documents show. Calling the Jefferson's contention that his alleged conduct didn't meet the definition of bribery, the Justice Department in briefs filed Friday accused his attorneys of recycling "many of his previously rejected legal theories all of which seek to shield his illegal and corrupt schemes from the reach of the federal bribery statutes," ... [full story]

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Vermont legalized same-sex marriage Tuesday when both houses of the state legislature voted to override the governor's veto. The first state in the United States to adopt civil unions, Vermont is now the first to legalize marriage for homosexual couples by legislative action, The Burlington Free Press reported. In Massachusetts, Connecticut and, last week, Iowa, the state courts found that bans on homosexual marriage are unconstitutional. Republican Gov. Jim Douglas vetoed the same-sex marriage ... [full story]

CHICAGO -- U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., has been queried by federal investigators probing the actions of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, sources say. Citing unnamed sources, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday that Jackson has been asked by investigators why Blagojevich allegedly believed Jackson would be willing to contribute campaign cash to him in an exchange for an appointment to U.S. President Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. The Sun-Times said Jackson and his lawyer met ... [full story]

BAGHDAD -- Muntadhar al-Zaidi's sentence for throwing his shoes at former U.S. President George W. Bush has been reduced to a year, his lawyer said Tuesday in Iraq. A federal appeals court in Baghdad Monday reduced the iraqi journalist's sentence from three years, said Dhiaa al-Saadi, who had appealed the sentenced handed down last month by Iraq's Central Criminal Court. Bush ducked and was not injured when al Zaidi, 30, threw his shoes during a press conference ... [full story]

SOFIA, Bulgaria -- A picture of Adolf Hitler was displayed on a huge billboard in Sofia and immediately prompted the Israeli Embassy to protest to Bulgarian authorities. The picture of the Nazi leader shown on an advertisement billboard caused outrage in Sofia, the Bulgarian SNA news agency said Tuesday. An unidentified company put up the advertisement showing a Third Reich stamp with the portrait of Hitler and a slogan "They Speak -- You Listen." The agency offered ... [full story]

CLEVELAND -- A Connecticut woman mauled by a chimpanzee will need numerous surgeries during the next two years, say doctors at Ohio's Cleveland Clinic. Charla Nash, 55, suffered brain damage, was permanently blinded, and lost both hands and parts of her face when she was attacked Feb. 16 by a friend's chimpanzee, who was shot and killed by Stamford, Conn., police. Nash remains in critical but stable condition at the Cleveland Clinic, where doctors said it could ... [full story]