Thank you for your interest in reading The Astorian. Here are a few stories that you might have missed this week:

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Now that Betsy Johnson has abandoned the Democratic Party for an independent campaign for governor, the bipartisan networks she formed in places like the North Coast could be pivotal in determining whether she can become the first independent to win in Oregon since 1930.

The former state senator has said she would take the best ideas from both major political parties if elected, but her critics on the left believe she shares more in common on policy with former state House Minority Leader Christine Drazan, the Republican candidate for governor, than former House Speaker Tina Kotek, the Democrat.

Read the report by Nicole Bales by clicking here.

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The candidates for state House and Senate on the North Coast are split on gun control.

Measure 114, which is on the ballot in November, would strengthen the state’s gun laws.

The Republicans — Cyrus Javadi, a Tillamook dentist, and state Rep. Suzanne Weber — strongly oppose the measure. The Democrats — Logan Laity, a small-business owner and community organizer in Tillamook, and Melissa Busch, a home health nurse in Warren — offer qualified support.

A survey by the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center in June found that 56% of people interviewed wanted stricter gun laws in Oregon. Among gun owners, nearly half — 44% — believed gun laws should be stricter in the state.

Take a look at Ethan Myers’ report by clicking here.

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El Centro NW, a newly formed nonprofit, hopes to fill gaps in services in the Hispanic community.

The group wants to provide access to resources ranging from tax help to GED preparation classes.

The leaders used to work with Consejo Hispano, an Astoria-based nonprofit that does outreach in the Hispanic community across the region.

“We would like to be able to collaborate with Consejo Hispano and maybe do things together where we can be stronger and more united,” said Rocío Lizárraga Simmons, the president of El Centro NW. “Even if there was past history, and we left because we were in disagreement with certain things, we want to leave that in the past. We’re hoping to move forward and focus on helping the community and that’s it.”

See the story by Nicole Bales by clicking here.

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