Tom Byler is retiring as director of the Oregon Water Resources Department on Sept. 13 after 27 years in public service. Deputy Director Doug Woodcock will serve as acting director. The next governor will appoint a permanent director. The Oregon Water Resources Commission plans to honor Byler at is November meeting.

Rep. Rachel Prusak, D-West Linn, joined the faculty at the OHSU School of Nursing. A nurse practitioner, Prusak was among three Democratic women who jointly announced in February they were not seeking reelection to the House this year. They said low pay and long hours for a supposedly part-time position made it almost impossible to balance legislative duties, family and an outside job.

The U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on Thursday approved President Joe Biden’s nomination of Natalie Wight as U.S. attorney for Oregon.

Ann E. Gravatt joins the Northwest Power and Conservation Council on Sept. 28 as its communication and public affairs director. She currently manages federal government affairs for the Port of Portland. She replaces Mark Walker, who retired in April after 26 years at the council.

Former Democratic state legislator and Congressman Les AuCoin donated more than 180 boxes of papers and other papers to his alma mater, Pacific University in Forest Grove. He will be among the speakers Monday at the private unveiling of the Les AuCoin Collection.

Gov. Kate Brown appointed former Rep. Margaret Doherty, D-Tigard, to the State Racing Commission.