SALEM, Ore., May 21 (UPI) -- Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley has won the Democratic nomination to take on U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., in November.

Panel hits on-the-job lawmaker drinking... 2-hour flight turns into 30 hours... Kinky Friedman crew gets governor's boots... Farm animal-killing bear leaves Bavaria... Watercooler stories from UPI.

SALEM, Ore., May 23 (UPI) -- State lawmakers and their staff members should not be drunk while on the job, the Public Commission on the Oregon Legislature has recommended.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Capital Comment -- Daily news notes, political rumors, and important events that shape politics and public policy in Washington and the world from United Press

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- The majority of senate contests this fall are in the south and west. Out of 34 races, 20 are in these two regions: 7 in the west and 13 in the south. Here we look at how the changing character of the West might affect the races there.