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Democrats dominate on Election Day 2025 as economic woes take a toll on Trump’s GOP
Associated Press
Democrats dominated the first major Election Day since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.
And while a debate about the future of the Democratic Party may have only just begun, there are signs that the economy — specifically, Trump’s inability to deliver the economic turnaround he promised last fall — may be a real problem for Trump’s GOP heading into next year’s higher-stakes midterm elections.
Oregon News
Election results: Portland voters approve parks levy, Washington County levies pass
The Oregonian | By Jamie Goldberg
In Portland, voters agreed to hike the city’s current parks levy by 75% to maintain existing parks and recreation services.
In Washington County, voters approved increases to property taxes funding public safety and libraries.
Longest government shutdown ever rocks Pacific Northwest as parties remain at odds OPB | By Bryce Dole
The federal government shutdown surpassed a grim milestone on Wednesday, becoming the longest in U.S. history.
After 36 days, Congress has yet to pass a short-term spending bill to fund the government.
TRANSPORTATION
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek still hasn’t signed transportation funding bill, as pressure grows
OPB | By Dirk VanderHart
Even some Democrats are objecting as Kotek runs down the clock on the bill’s opponents.
POLITICS
Oregon rejects federal claims of Medicaid spending on undocumented immigrants
The Oregonian | By Gosia Wozniacka, Kristine de Leon
Oregon health officials are pushing back against federal claims that the state improperly spent $5.4 million on health care for undocumented immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.
Why Oregon has 3rd highest percentage of SNAP recipients in U.S.
The Oregonian | By Aimee Green
How can Oregon rank so high in food assistance if it’s roughly in the middle for need?
“The Department of Human Services — and all of the nonprofits that they work with around the state to enroll people — they’ve actually done a great job making sure that as many people as we can get to who are eligible get signed up,” Edwards said. “That cannot be said for many other states who seem like their departments of human services seek to make it as hard as possible for people to sign up.”
Oregon Supreme Court to hear arguments on controversial Measure 114 gun control law
Statesman Journal | By Dianne Lugo
The Oregon Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Nov. 6 regarding whether the 2022 voter-approved gun control law, Measure 114, is constitutional.
International hunt for Melissa Fireside underway
KOIN 6 | By Joelle Jones
Former Clackamas County Commissioner Melissa Fireside is now believed to be on the run — possibly overseas — after state prosecutors say she fled Oregon with her 9-year-old son just weeks before her trial on felony theft charges.
2026 ELECTION
Former Blazer Chris Dudley Nearly Won the 2010 Governor’s Race. He’s Thinking Hard About 2026.
Willamette Week | By Nigel Jaquiss
Leading Oregon Republicans gathered Nov. 1 for their biggest confab of the year, the 11th annual Reagan Dinner. The event brought together elected leaders, donors, consultants, and hundreds of activists eager for their party to win a governor’s race for the first time since 1982.
TRUMP ADMIN VS. OREGON
Oregon Democrats push for charging federal agents with state law. Police say not so fast
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
The Portland police and Multnomah County District Attorney’s office contend a growing assertion by Democratic politicians and left-leaning legal scholars that states can arrest federal agents will not work.
Oregon argues against Trump’s tariffs at US Supreme Court
Associated Press
Wednesday, the Supreme Court hears arguments on whether the Republican president has overstepped federal law with many of his tariffs. A ruling against him could limit or even take away that swift and blunt leverage that much of his foreign policy has relied on.
Oregon sues Department of Homeland Security over restrictions on grant funding
OPB | By Tony Schick
It’s the state’s 45th lawsuit against the current Trump administration, and the fourth involving DHS funding.
Beaverton man arrested outside ICE facility for harassment and firearm charges
KATU | By Bobby Corser
This brings the total number of people arrested outside the ICE facility in south Portland to 64.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Opinion: Make Oregon a magnet for opportunity
The Oregonian | Guest Column by Karla S. Chambers, co-founder and co-owner of Stahlbush Island Farms, Inc. in Corvallis. She also served on the Federal Reserve Boards of San Francisco and Portland and serves on the Oregon State University Board of Trustees.
We have everything we need to thrive — forests, farmland, clean water, renewable energy, world-class universities and a skilled workforce. What we lack is leadership that rewards productivity and entrepreneurship rather than layering on cost and complexity. Oregonians know how to innovate. Corvallis once had the highest patent rates per capita, powered by research and private collaboration. That same spirit can rebuild our economy, if we summon the will to lead again.
Oregon’s hazelnut harvest could break records
OPB | By Crystal Ligori
Thanks to new hazelnut varieties developed at Oregon State University, the industry is thriving in spite of setbacks.
HOMELESSNESS
Homelessness in Multnomah County rises by 67%, according to report from PSU
KPTV
A recent report from Portland State University shows homelessness in Multnomah County has increased by 67% since 2023.
On Jan. 22, 2025, the count found a total of 12,034 people were experiencing homelessness across Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties—a 61% increase for the region.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
An Oregon utility’s break with coal brings customer savings
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Alex Baumhardt
In a rare departure from the norm, one of the three monopoly electric utilities operating in Oregon is asking state regulators for permission to lower rates for residential customers in 2026.
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