Beginner Stories
Lexile level 200-500
"Evergreen" - A Collection of Beginner Stories from ESOL News Oregon
Man saves baby goose from highway (May 2, 2024) 118 words, 200L-300L
Some shelters are better than others for homeless people (April 25, 2024) 62 words, 400L-500Lπ
Protest stops traffic in Eugene (April 18, 2024) 93 words, 400L-500L
Oregonian wins $1.3 billion lottery (April 11, 2024) 95 words, 400L-500L π
Scientists make a new kind of artificial skin (April 4, 2024) 71 words, 400L-500L
Pyrosomes are growing in Oregon ocean waters (March 29, 2024) 116 words, 400L-500L
Oregon considers a ban on book bans (March 7, 2024) 222 words, 400L-500L
Portland is one of the best cities for sleep (February 29, 2024) 97 words, 400-500L π
Some Oregon leaders want to stop changing our clocks (February 22, 2024) 139 words, 400L-500L
Scientists say kids might choose food because of gender stereotypes (February 15, 2024) 183 words, 400L-500L π
Oregon scientists say one person can control over 100 drones (February 8, 2024) 100 words, 400L-500L
Oregon gardeners can get free seeds (February 1, 2024) 70 words, 200L-300L
Military pilots practice flying at night (January 25, 2024) 62 words, 400L-500L
A special event has music and culture of Oregon (January 18, 2024) 104 words, 400L-500L
Fort Rock Natural Area is an interesting place to visit (January 11, 2024) 88 words, 400L-500L
Robot helps to make downtown Portland safer (January 4, 2024) 146 words, 400L-500L
Now there are two ways to get a lawyer's license in Oregon (December 1, 2023) 120 words, 400L-500L
Oregon grows a lot of Christmas trees -- more than other states (November 24, 2023) 135 words, 400L-500L π
A little rock gets a lot of attention in Bend (November 17, 2023) 208 words, 400L-500L π
Tips for driving in snow (November 10, 2023) 122 words, 400L-500L π
Oregon is losing glaciers (November 3, 2023) 117 words, 400L-500L
Metro has contest for nature photos (October 27, 2023) 110 words, 400L-500L
Canby School bans one book and limits others to high school students (October 20, 2023)Β 130 words, 400L-500L π
Oregon will give wolves to Colorado (October 13, 2023) 199 words, 400L-500Lπ
Simple tips for talking to homeless people (October 6, 2023) 165 words, 400L-500L π
Volunteers help frogs cross the road (September 29, 2023) 111 words, 200L-300L π
A new company makes delicious drinks without alcohol (September 22, 2023) 120 words, 300L-400L
Traffic deaths increase in Multnomah County (August 11, 2023) 76 words, 400L-500L π
Silver Falls State Park has a new trail (August 4, 2023) 110 words, 400L-500L
A small town buys land to stay safe from wildfires (July 28, 2023) 107 words, 200L-300L
A cougar visits the beach (July 21, 2023) 140 words, 200L-300L
Two Oregon mayors resign in one week (July 14, 2023) 160 words, 400L-500L
St. Helens has a sand castle contest in August (July 2, 2023) 93 words, 300L-400L
Oregon nurses want more pay and better work (June 30, 2023) 238 words, 400L-500L π
The potato is now Oregon's official state vegetable (June 23, 2023) 67 words, 400L-500L π
Bus and train tickets will increase 30 cents in January 2024 (June 2, 2023) 153 words, 300L-400L π
Refugees in East Portland grow food from Africa (May 26, 2023) 140 words, 400L-500L π
Gresham has a Japanese Garden (May 19, 2023) 78 words, 200L-300L
People ski, bike, paddle and run in this race (May 12, 2023) 107 words, 400L-500L π
Portland has a food cart for dogs (May 5, 2023) 219 words, 400L-500L π
A baby bobcat finds a new home at the High Desert Museum in Bend (April 28, 2023), 147 words, 400L-500L π
Oregon has a big tulip festival in Woodburn (April 21, 2023) 64 words, 300L-400L π
A skier helps a man in the snow (April 14 2023) 130 words, 200L-300L π
Portland coffee shop helps immigrants and refugees in many ways (April 7, 2023) 147 words, 400L-500L π
8 common birds we see (and hear) in Oregon (March 31, 2023) 56 words, 200L-400L
The Trail Blazers basketball team has a new mascot (March 17, 2023) 157 words, 400L-500L π
Man uses drone to call for help (March 10, 2023) 140 words, 250L-350L π
Leaders think about giving $1,000 each month to homeless and low-income people Β (March 3, 2023) 132 words, 400L-500L π
The state wants to save the Oregon ash tree from bugs (February 24, 2023) 101 words, 400L-500L
A very large tree lives on the 25th floor of a Portland building (February 17, 2023) 108 words, 400L-500L π
Eugene says 'no' to gas stoves (February 10, 2023) 94 words (400L-500L)
What can (and can't) you flush down the toilet? (February 3, 2023) 162 words (400L-500L)
Oregon is getting warmer -- and that's a problem (January 27, 2023) 122 words (400L-500L)Β
Oregon is a popular state to see UFOs (January 20, 2023), 163 words, 400L-500L π
Oregon's new governor wants to solve the problem of homelessness (January 13, 2023) 86 words, 400L-500L π
Oregon had crazy weather last year (January 6, 2023) 194 words, 400L-500L
Multnomah County might stop sales of tobacco with flavors (December 9, 2022) 99 words, 400L-500L π
Oregon's smallest lighthouse is on the Columbia River (December 2, 2022) 116 words, 400L-500L
People in Oregon talk faster than other states--and Portland is the fastest city (November 25, 2022) 137 words, 200L-300L π
Oregon travel guides can help you practice English and plan your next trip (November 18, 2022) 103 words, 400L-500L
Oregon has the only Bigfoot trap in the world (November 11, 2022) 143 words, 300L-400L
Catch slugs in the fall -- before they lay eggs in your garden (November 4, 2022) 172 words, 300L-400L
COVID in Oregon β by the numbers (October 28, 2022) 209 words, 400L-500L π
Autumn rains return to Portland (October 21, 2022) 128 words, 400L-500L π
Portland has a (live) bug museum (October 14, 2022) 140 words, 400L-500L π
Six people with masks damage a coffee shop to protest "Coffee with a Cop" event (October 7, 2022) 111 words, 400L-500L
Oregon robot sets world record for running on two legs (September 30, 2022) 97 words, 400L-500L
Diamond Craters are a very unusual part of Oregon's high desert (September 23, 2022) 100 words, 400L-500L π
Portland wants you to give this park a new name (August 19, 2022) 107 words, 400L-500L
Gas prices in Oregon drop (August 12, 2022) 127 words, 400L-500L
Oregon still has more jobs than workers (August 5, 2022) 126 words, 400L-500L
New bridge in Portland for only bicycles and people (July 29, 2022) 107 words, 300L-400L
Oregon is the birthplace of the corn dog (July 22, 2022) 139 words, 400L-500L π
More mosquitos than usual this year (July 15, 2022) 116 words, 350L-450L π
Oregon voters might change the state constitution in November (July 8, 2022) 150 words, 400L-500L
381 dinosaurs take over Pioneer Square in Portland (July 1, 2022) 139 words, 350L-450L
ESOL News Oregon celebrates four years and 500 stories! (June 24, 2022) 144 words, 300L-400L π
Portland Thorns will play in international tournament (June 24, 2022) 93 words, 300L-400L
Juneteenth holiday celebrates freedom (June 10, 2022) 164 words, 400L-500L
West Coast Electric Highway is getting bigger and better (June 3, 2022) 113 words, 400L-500L
Different intersections have different crosswalk signals (May 27, 2022) 190 words, 400L-500L π
Oregon has new heat and smoke rules for workers (May 20, 2022) 104 words, 400L-500L
The number of homeless people has increased in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties (May 13, 2022) 97 words, 400L-500L
Oregon divers help solve mysteries (May 6, 2022) 194 words, 400L-500L
Oregon offers new electronic COVID vaccine card (April 29, 2022) 163 words, 400L-500L
Hikers can see many things at the Table Rocks in Southern Oregon (April 22, 2022) 153 words, 400L-500L
Portland has unusual April snowstorm (April 15, 2022) 76 words, 200L-300L π
Meet "Mr. Tall Portland" (April 8, 2022) 126 words, 300L-400L π
A new law to recycle old mattresses (April 1, 2022) 123 words, 400L-500L
Portland man turns Hollywood movies into cat videos (March 18, 2022) 159 words, 400L-500L π
Gas prices are going up (March 18, 2022) 111 words, 400L-500L
Portland bans fireworks (March 11, 2022) 121 words, 400L-500L
People try a new Olympic sport in Oregon (March 4, 2022) 151 words, 400L-500L
Bridges and tunnels might help animals cross Oregon highways safely (February 25, 2022) 92 words, 400L-500LΒ
Portland Pickles' mascot was lost, but now he's home again (February 18, 2022) 153 words, 400L-500L π
Are people in Oregon drinking less alcohol? (February 11, 2022) 157 words, 400L-500LΒ
Wild elk are eating Oregon farmers' hay (February 4, 2022) 196 words, 400L-500L
Alsea schools do not require masks; now they lose money (January 28, 2022) 131 words, 400L-500L
How much does it cost to die in Oregon? (January 21, 2022) 167 words, 400L-500L
Portland has a weather machine (January 14, 2022) 81 words, 400L-500L
Portland city workers might go on strike (January 7, 2022) 112 words, 400L-500L
What pet names are popular in Portland? (December 10, 2021) 108 words, 200L-300LΒ
Japanese American museum has exhibits in Portland and online (December 3, 2021) 133 words, 400L-500L π
Can animals eat cannabis waste? (November 26, 2021) 206 words, 400L-500L π
People still drive over Oregon's longest covered bridge (November 19, 2021) 126 words, 400L-500Lπ
150 people make living art at a festival on the Oregon Coast (November 12, 2021) 158 words, 400L-500L π
Brookings limits free meals for homeless people (November 5, 2021) 141 words, 400L-500L π
Oregon workers often have multiple jobs (October 29, 2021) 88 words, 400L-500L
Portland has the smallest park in the world (October 22, 2021) 216 words, 400L-500L
Police try to stop street racing in Portland (October 15, 2021) 68 words, 200L-300L
Oregon trees have less color this year (October 8, 2021) 123 words, 400L-500L
Anyone 12 years and older can get the free COVID vaccine (October 1, 2021) 153 words, 400L-500L π
People find a strange fish on an Oregon beach (September 24, 2021) 83 words, 400L-500L π
Multnomah County warns: Keep dogs out of Willamette River (August 8, 2021) 83 words, 400L-500L
Oregon State Fair returns (August 1, 2021) 91 words, 400L-500L
The 10 most common jobs in Portland (July 24, 2021) 212 words, 400L-500L π
Fires burn in Southern Oregon (July 17, 2021) 68 words, 400L-500L
Portland's Cat Rapper is now on Netflix (July 11, 2011) 134 words, 400L-500L π
Unusual heat wave kills almost 100 people in Oregon (July 3, 2021) 72 words, 400L-500L
Portland buses, trains, and streetcar are free July 3-5 (June 26, 2021) 94 words, 200L-300L
Workers find a pre-historic bone in Corvallis (June 22, 2021) 106 words, 200L-300L
Crater Lake National Park is open (May 31, 2021) 142 words, 400L-500L
Portland will remove more homeless camps (May 24, 2021) 70 words, 400L-500L
What are the top baby names in Oregon? (May 17, 2021) 61 words, 400L-500L π
Multnomah County votes on a tax to pay for the Oregon Historical Society (May 10, 2021) 115 words, 400L-500L
All Oregonians 16 years and older can get the free COVID-19 vaccine now (May 3, 2021) 108 words, 400L-500L
The history of the Benson Bubblers is an immigrant's story (April 26, 2021) 182 words, 400L-500L
Can a flag pole be too tall? (April 19, 2021) 83 words, 200L-300L
Western Oregon University cuts programs and jobs because of fewer students (April 12, 2021) 116 words, 400L-500L
A mule becomes a hero for helping its owner (April 5, 2021) 91 words, 200L-400L
People see strange lights in night sky (March 29, 2021) 63 words, 200L-400L
Governor orders schools to reopen (March 8, 2021) 85 words, 400L-500L
Park visitors suddenly see a new statue (March 1, 2021) 150 words, 400L-500L
The legend of "Silent Rock" is loud and clear (February 22, 2021) 157 words, 400L-500L
Indoor dining returns to several parts of Oregon (February 15, 2021) 114 words, 400L-500L
Oregon might ban tear gas (February 8, 2021) 105 words, 400L-500L
A surprise vaccine in the snow (February 1, 2021) 131 words, 400L-500L π
More Oregon students finish high school in four years (January 25, 2021) 114 words, 400L-500L π
Portland airport makes changes (January 18, 2021) 105 words, 400L-500L π
Pharmacies in Oregon must provide medicine labels in multiple languages (January 11, 2021) 103 words, 400L-500L π
People find strange bags of chia seed on the beach (January 4, 2021) 96 words, 400L-500L π
Who planted a smiley face in the forest? (December 5, 2020) 83 words, 300L-400L
People can drive through the largest light show on the West Coast (November 28, 2020) 102 words, 400L-500L π
Electric car crashes and batteries fly (November 21, 2020) 100 words, 300L-400L
More rules to slow COVID-19 (November 15, 2020) 107 words, 400L-500L
Washington County elects first Black and Muslim commissioner (November 7, 2020) 100 words, 400L-500L
Six interesting things started in Oregon (November 1, 2020) 115 words, 400L-500L
Will we have snow this winter? (October 25, 2020) 106 words, 200L-300L
People in Multnomah County will vote on a new tax for the library (October 18, 2020) 85 words, 400L-500L
Have you seen the spotted laternfly in Oregon? (October 9, 2020) 400L-500LΒ
Oregon man falls into ocean and dies (October 3, 2020) 86 words, 400L-500L π
Portland TV show needs extra actors (September 25, 2020) 76 words, 250L-350L π
Register to vote by October 13 (September 19, 2020) 102 words, 400L-500L π
Lincoln City restaurants have secret menus (August 7, 2020) 89 words, 400L-500L
Oregon business gives everyone a free mask (August 1, 2020) 99 words, 400L-500L
You can bring the Unipiper to your street for your birthday (July 24, 2020) 233 words, 400L-500L
Now Oregonians must wear masks outdoors, too (July 17, 2020) 104 words, 400L-500L
Steel Bridge closes for four weeks in August (July 10, 2020) 96 words, 300L-400L
Oregonians must wear masks in indoor public spaces (July 4, 2020) 73 words, 400L-500L
Strangers meet and sing together (June 26, 2020) 93 words, 400L-500L
Multnomah County enters Phase 1 (June 19, 2020) 78 words, 400L-500L
26 counties start Phase 2 of re-opening (June 6, 2020) 185 words, 400L-500L
Website offers good stories during the pandemic (May 30, 2020) 101 words, 300L-400L π
A robot makes coffee in Portland (May 22, 2020) 60 words, 300L-400L π
What can you plant in your garden in May? (May 15, 2020) 115 words, 400L-500L π
A parking lot becomes a movie theater in The Dalles (May 8, 2020) 111 words, 400L-500L πΒ
Oregon scientist finds new blue color (May 1, 2020), 78 words, 300L-400L π
See Oregon from your home (April 24, 2020) 218 words, 400L-500Lπ
Parks need social distancing, too (April 17, 2020) 97 words, 300L-400L π
July 15 is the new income tax deadline for 2020 (April 10, 2020) 82 words, 300L-400L π
TriMet buses can have only 10-15 riders (April 3, 2020) 51 words, 300L-400L π
Oregon requires social distancing (March 26, 2020) 93 words, 400L-500L
March 21-29 is Spring Whale Watch Week (March 13, 2020) 50 words, 300L-400L
More people in Oregon get sick from the coronavirus (March 7, 2020) 134 words, 400L-500L
Sea lion is a long way from home (February 28, 2020) 81 words, 300L-400L
Bald eagles come to Southern Oregon every year (February 22, 2020) 90 words, 400L-500L π
Concordia University closes (February 15, 2020), 66 words, 300L-400L
Portland has a cat cafe (February 8, 2020) 76 words, 300L-400L π
Who gives a $5000 tip? (February 1, 2020) 82 words, 400L-500L
Pendleton police now use body cameras (January 26, 2020) 53 words, 400L-500L
Man uses airport monitor to play video game (January 18, 2020) 81 words, 300L-400L
Pets need more help in winter weather (January 10, 2020) 69 words, 300L-400L
Portland has new police chief (January 03, 2020) 46 words, 400L-500L
More people in Oregon have the flu (December 21, 2019) 108 words, 400L-500L
Hike free in Oregon state parks Jan. 1 (December 13, 2019) 54 words, 400L-500L
Ski season begins in Oregon (December 6, 2019) 62 words, 300L-400L
You can ride the Holiday Express train in Portland (December 1, 2019) 106 words, 300L-400L
Oregon man's lost cat is found -- in New Mexico (November 22, 2019) 96 words, 300L-400L
Are new power lines in Eastern Oregon dangerous? (November 15, 2019) 75 words, 300L-400L
People work together to find lost girl in Molalla (November 8, 2019) 94 words, 200L-300L
Will winter bring snow in Portland? (November 1, 2019) 74 words, 300L-400L
Oregon has three favorite Halloween candies (October 25, 2019) 78 words, 300L-400L
Rojo the llama retires (October 17, 2019) 64 words, 300L-400L π
Yachats Village has a mushroom festival (October 12, 2019) 69 words, 300L-400L
Pumpkin Patch and Cornfield Maze are Oregon traditions (October 4, 2019) 75 words, 300L-400L
Portland forgets that it needs water pipes (September 26, 2019) 95 words, 400L-500L
When do leaves change color in Oregon? (September 19, 2019) 59 words, 200L-300L π
Oregon State Fair is fun for the family (August 23, 2019) 72 words, 400L-500L
Origami artists visit Oregon (August 17, 2019) 85 words, 400L-500L
Portland landlords pay a new fee (August 11, 2019) 89 words, 400L-500L
The number of homeless people in Portland is increasing (August 2, 2019) 93 words, 400L-500L π
Some Oregon seaweed tastes like bacon (July 26, 2019) 70 words, 300L-400L
Crater Lake road is open now (July 20, 2019) 98 words, 400L-500L π
Say goodbye to plastic bags at the checkout (July 13, 2019) 94 words, 400L-500L π
Oregon has a new law for bicycles (July 6, 2019) 81 words, 400L-500L π
Can you use fireworks on July 4? (June 28, 2019) 104 words, 400L-500L
Oregon's Fruit Loop has many things to see -- and eat (June 21, 2019) 76 words, 400L-500L π
Hot weather returns to Oregon (June 10, 2019) 72 words, 400L-500L π
See old cars and old planes in Hood River (June 02, 2019) 135 words, 400L-500L
Another Stonehenge is near Oregon (May 26, 2019) 75 words, 300L-400L π
A student brings a gun to Parkrose High School (May 19, 2019) 91 words, 200L-300L
Dentists will give vaccines (May 11, 2019)Β 84 words, 300L-400L π
Gas prices are going up (May 6, 2019) 101 words, 400L-500L π
Electric scooters return to Portland streets (April 26, 2019) 90 words, 300L-400L
Astoria Column has a beautiful view (April 15, 2019), 86 words, 400L-500L π
Portland lowers speed limit in the city (April 10, 2019), 118 words, 400L-500L
Is Bigfoot real? (April 2, 2019) , 167 words, 400L-500L π
Who can vote in Oregon? (March 15, 2019) 93 words, 400L-500L
In Oregon, alcohol kills more people than marijuana (March 11, 2019)Β 108 words, 400L-500L
Can you finish a puzzle fast? (March 2, 2019) 62 words, 300L-400L
Oregon thinks about a new law for motorcycles (February 22, 2019) 100 words, 300L-400L
Tube man protects cattle in Southern Oregon (February 9, 2019) 214 words, 400L-500L
The safest cities in Oregon (February 3, 2019) 98 words, 400L-500L
Oregon has a new license plate (January 29, 2019) 100 words, 400L-500L
Do you want a flying car? (January 20, 2019) 150 words, 400L-500LΒ
Oregon kills sea lions to protect salmon (January 12, 2019) 117 words, 400L-500L
Oregon is a popular place to move (January 2, 2019) 95 words, 400L-500L π
Three Oregon cities are best for beer (December 19, 2018), 110 words, 300L-400L
8,187 bike and car crashes in eight years (December 11, 2018), 132 words, 400L-500L
Oregon wants tolls on some highways (December 2, 2018) 164 words, 400L-500L π
Small town elects a teenage mayor (November 13, 2018) 76 words, 400L-500L
More Oregon cities say its OK to sell marijuana (November 8, 2018) 120 words, 400L-500L
Can you make a paper bottle? (November 1, 2018) 143 words, 400L-500L
Four volcanoes in Oregon might be dangerous (October 25, 2018) 105 words, 400L-500L
Mayor wants to clean up Portland (October 12, 2018) 109 words, 400-500L
What do people leave on the bus? (September 17, 2018) 125 words, 400L-500L π
Are Oregonians bad drivers? (September 4, 2018) 85 words, 400L-500L
The nation's only "vertical street" is in Oregon City (August 5, 2018) 125 words, 400-500L
An earthquake in Oregon ... but when? (July 28, 2018), 111 words, 400-500L