Chris M Lehman

News Reporter
  • Chris Lehman, Reporter
    Chris Lehman, Reporter

Chris Lehman has been reporting on Oregon issues since 2006. He joined the KLCC news department in December, 2018. Chris was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. His public broadcasting career includes stops in Louisiana and Illinois. Chris has filed for national programs including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”

Chris has been to all 50 states and every Canadian province. He’s also traveled abroad extensively. He lives in Keizer with his wife, three children, and a handful of backyard chickens. 

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Plywood Covers Ground Floor Windows At Oregon Capitol

By • Jan 15, 2021
Chris Lehman / KLCC

The ground floor windows of the Oregon capitol have been covered with plywood in advance of potentially violent demonstrations over the next few days.

  

Oregon National Guard To Help With Vaccine Distribution Starting Tuesday

By • Jan 11, 2021
Chris Lehman / KLCC

Oregon National Guard members will assist with COVID-19 vaccine distribution at the state fairgrounds starting Tuesday.

  

Legislative Session Unlike Any Other Opens Monday In Salem

By • Jan 10, 2021
Chris Lehman / KLCC

A legislative session unlike any other in Oregon history opens Monday in Salem amid a pandemic.

  

Eugene State Representative Denounces Capitol Violence

By • Jan 8, 2021
Rachael McDonald / KLCC

Oregon state Rep. Marty Wilde, D-Eugene, says the violence at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday was nothing short of a coup attempt. But he says he’s confident Oregon lawmakers can have a safe legislative session in Salem.

  

Lincoln County Wants To Hear From Eligible Vaccine Recipients

By • Jan 7, 2021
CDC

Public health officials in Lincoln County are searching for eligible recipients to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

Vaccine Clinic To Open At State Fairgrounds In Salem

By • Jan 6, 2021
Chris Lehman

Officials in Marion County will launch a mass vaccination clinic Thursday, Jan. 7 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem.

  

  

  

Virus Concerns Could Complicate Things For Backcountry Skiers

By • Jan 5, 2021
U.S. Forest Service

You might think that backcountry skiers wouldn’t have to worry about the pandemic. But a group that helps rescue wayward skiers says the coronavirus will affect its ability to provide aid on the trails.

  

Some Oregon Wildfire Victims To Get Temporary FEMA Housing

By • Jan 4, 2021
Willamette National Forest

Some Oregon wildfire victims will move into temporary housing units supplied by FEMA.

  

Three Statewide Officeholders Take The Oath In Oregon

By • Jan 4, 2021
Kelly Wilde/June Lion Photography

Three statewide officeholders took the oath of office in Oregon Monday.

Oregon DMV Continues Grace Period For Expired Licenses, Tags

By • Dec 31, 2020
Karen Richards / KLCC

Some Oregonians who have been unable to renew their drivers’ licenses or vehicle registration due to the pandemic will get another grace period in the new year.

Oregon’s Tobacco Tax Increases In 2021

By • Dec 31, 2020
Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Oregon’s tobacco tax will increase in the new year. That’s the result of a measure approved by voters in November.

  

New Oregon Driver License Law Takes Effect

By • Dec 30, 2020
Chris Lehman / KLCC

Starting in January, 2021, Oregonians without proof of legal presence will be able to apply for a driver's license. 

Some Restrictions Eased For Lincoln, Douglas Counties

By • Dec 29, 2020
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Some coronavirus restrictions will be eased in Lincoln and Douglas Counties starting this Friday.

Landslide Destroys Bridge, Threatens Homes In Lincoln County

By • Dec 23, 2020
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office

A landslide on Sunday evening destroyed a bridge and threatened several homes in rural Lincoln County.

ODOT Launches Online Open Houses For Upcoming Projects

By • Dec 23, 2020
City of Newport

The Oregon Department of Transportation is inviting people to learn about upcoming road projects in 2021.

Pacific Power Customers Will See Rate Decrease In 2021

By • Dec 22, 2020
Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Oregon customers of Pacific Power will see their electricity rates drop with the new year.

Wyden: Stimulus Package Falls Far Short Of What’s Needed

By • Dec 21, 2020
Rachael McDonald / KLCC

The COVID-19 stimulus package that appears headed for passage in Congress falls far short of what’s needed, according to Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon.

Coronavirus Vaccine Arrives In Corvallis

By • Dec 17, 2020
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

More Oregon hospitals are getting their first shipments of vaccines meant to protect against the coronavirus.

Oregon OSHA On Pace To Finish Year With Tenfold Increase In Complaints

By • Dec 16, 2020
www.osha.gov

Thanks to the pandemic, the agency that enforces workplace safety regulations says it’s on track to finish the year with a tenfold increase in complaints over last year.

November Job Numbers Improve In Oregon, But ‘Freeze’ Not Fully Captured

By • Dec 16, 2020
Aracely Mitsu / Pixabay

Oregon continued to add jobs in November.

Lincoln, Benton Counties Moved Into ‘Extreme Risk’ Category

By • Dec 15, 2020
Chris Lehman / KLCC

Lincoln and Benton Counties will face stricter regulations aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus starting this Friday, Dec. 18.

Fires Cause Ongoing Challenges For Water Systems

By • Dec 15, 2020
Oregon Water Utility Council

This fall’s wildfires in Oregon have caused ongoing challenges for municipal water systems.

Work Underway To Identify Cultural Resources In Fire Zones

By • Dec 9, 2020
Brian Bull / KLCC

Researchers at the University of Oregon are helping to make sure cultural resources in the path of this September’s wildfires aren’t further damaged in the clean-up efforts.

Benton County Sheriff To Retire In February

By • Dec 9, 2020
Benton County Sheriff's Office

Benton County Sheriff Scott Jackson will retire on Feb. 1, 2021.

Lincoln County Expects To Be Moved Into ‘Extreme Risk’ Category

By • Dec 9, 2020
Centers For Disease Control

Officials in Lincoln County say they expect the county to be moved into the “extreme risk” category for the coronavirus when the state updates the list next week.

Holiday Trolley Returns To Corvallis

By • Dec 9, 2020
City of Corvallis

At least one holiday tradition in Corvallis will continue this year.

Insurance Companies Agree To Allow At Least Two Years For Wildfire Rebuilds

By • Dec 8, 2020
Andy Nelson / Register-Guard/pool

More than two dozen insurance companies have agreed to give homeowners more time to rebuild after this September’s Oregon wildfires.

Oregon Considers ‘Truth In Labeling’ Law For Recycling

By • Dec 7, 2020
Chris Lehman / KLCC

Oregonians would have an easier time figuring out what’s recyclable under a proposal headed to state lawmakers.

December Holidays Require Same Vigilance As Thanksgiving

By • Dec 3, 2020
Image by monicore from Pixabay

With Thanksgiving in the rear view mirror, the Oregon Health Authority is urging Oregonians to stay vigilant as they prepare for the next round of holidays later this month.

Lincoln County Reports Three Workplace Outbreaks

By • Dec 3, 2020
U.S. Dept. of Energy / Flickr.com

Lincoln County Public Health says there are three new active COVID-19 outbreaks in the county.

Both Avamere Rehabilitation of Newport and First Student Bus Company of Toledo have outbreaks in the single digits, according to the Oregon Health Authority. The county also says there’s an outbreak at Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City. The casino announced this week that it would be closed until at least Dec. 15.

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