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Native American Church Files for Order for Return of Sacramental Marijuana

Press Conference is at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Portland Embassy Suites hotel

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - On December 17, officials from the U.S. Postal Service in Portland, Oregon seized marijuana being sent to a branch of the Oklevueha Native American Church. Church officials who say that cannabis is used as a sacrament and in healing rituals have filed suit in federal court.

"The federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act overrides the Controlled Substances Act and there was no basis for the seizure by the government," said Matthew Pappas, attorney for the church.

One Man Killed and Several Arrested by FBI near Burns, Oregon

Arrests Made in the Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge: Joint Statement by the FBI and OSP

(BURNS, Ore.) - 55-year old Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, of Cane Beds, Arizona was fatally shot by in an event that closed down the highway for 40 miles. Authorities did not release Mr. Finicum’s identity; The Oregonian confirmed the information via family.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at approximately 4:30 p.m., Oregon State Police Troopers were involved in an officer-involved shooting during the arrest of several individuals associated with the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Salem Chamber Speaks Out Against Minimum Wage Increase

Salem Chamber's CEO explains wage increase consequences for Oregon’s small businesses.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce went on the record with an overwhelming "no" on raising the minimum wage, saying it would continue to vigorously oppose any efforts to artificially raise minimum wage in the state.

In a recent letter to the Senate Workforce and General Government House Business and Labor committees, the Salem Chamber stated its opposition to raising the minimum wage, siting that it placed the cost of a war on poverty on Oregon's small businesses.

Oregon Voters Fighting to Uphold The Color of the Law

Voters had no idea the new cannabis law would hurt patients directly.

(SALEM, Ore.) - When Oregonians responded en masse to allow recreational use of marijuana for adults 21+, they did not expect sick and dying patients to be negatively impacted.

Sadly, it has been an ongoing fight since the day Governor Brown signed it into law. The people of Oregon believed this was a good thing. Finally! The nonsensical prohibition of cannabis, an herb used for 5,000 years, was over in our fair state. Of course the challenge with the Federal government still rages on, but locally, we have made incredible headway. Or so we thought.

Former Al Jazeera English Bureau Chief Reveals Doha`s Domestic Troubles

New York Times article sheds light on severe and flagrant violations of law.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Mohamed Fahmy, an Egyptian-Canadian journalist who was the Cairo bureau chief for Al Jazeera English revealed new aspects of Doha's Domestic Troubles representing oppression in political freedom and divisions within al-Thani family itself, in a New York Times Opinion Pages article titled, Doha's Domestic Troubles.

Qataris who seek greater freedom of expression and more democracy in their oil-rich nation face disappointment, and perhaps worse.

Saudi Arabia Continues Beating Drums of War in Yemen

Political analysts say recent statements illustrate divisions in the ruling family of Saudi Arabia.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Arabic coalition forces spokesman, Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri recently said that control of the city of Taiz will return to the pro-Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi forces, adding that it would happen within two months.

Asiri's remarks were considered irresponsible by political insiders in Yemen who say his words show lack of political will in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to resolve the crisis in Yemen by peaceful means and through peace talks.

Al-Quds Intifada has Paralyzed Israeli Economy

Published figures show that tourism in Israel has declined steadily over the past two years, and that interest in tourism takes a further downturn during times of violent and intense conflict.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The latest figures published by the Israel Hotels Association (IHA) show that the number of tourists in October dropped 21% from the same time last year.

According to the Tel Aviv Times, figures published by the IHA indicates that the decline in Israel's foreign tourism is directly related to problems involving security.

ISIS Interactions With US in Syria Operations

American strategists are making key decisions that are helping eliminate ISIS forces while simultaneously gaining support in eastern parts of Syria.

(SALEM, Ore.) - According to a commander with the Free Syrian Army who declined to be named, ISIS leaders have been interacting with US forces, who have agreed to hand over some of strategic cities occupied by ISIS to forces backed by the United States in exchange for not targeting their families with the coalition aircraft.

One example is the strategic town of al-Hawl in the Hasakah province which is located near the Iraqi border and occupied by ISIS.

Criminal Tendencies of Masrur Barzani, Son of Kurdish President

One story about Masrour Barzani that has mostly stayed off the radar, involves a failed relationship with a 19-year-old girl who was murdered in October 2012.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Masrur Barzani, son of Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, may fill his father's role someday, even though he is a criminal in nations like Austria where he has been charged with Murder.

Human rights organizations say the spy agency he runs is ruthless and known for things like torture and suppressing journalists.

Jordanian Opposition Criticize Purchase of Shares by King Abdullah II

The Jordanian king will be the second trading partner of Prince Walid bin Talal Al Saud, after the purchase of Rotana Group’s shares.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Prominent Jordanian Islamist politician, Laith Shubailat's recent remarks criticizing Jordan's King Abdullah II brought strong reactions and criticism.

Shubailat, considered to be one of the most prominent opposition leaders in Jordan, delivered harsh criticism against the Jordanian King through his personal account on Facebook.