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Trump’s Republican Party insists there’s no affordability crisis and dismisses election losses
Associated Press
Almost two weeks after Republicans lost badly in elections in Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, many GOP leaders insist there is no problem with the party’s policies, its message or President Donald Trump’s leadership.
In reversal, Trump says House Republicans should vote to release Epstein files
Associated Press
President Donald Trump said House Republicans should vote to release the files in the Jeffrey Epstein case, a startling reversal after previously fighting the proposal as a growing number of those in his own party supported it.
Trump team files emergency motion to keep Oregon National Guard under federal control
The Oregonian | By Maxine Bernstein
President Donald Trump and his administration are fighting to keep federal control of the Oregon National Guard as they appeal a judge’s order barring their deployment to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland.
Wyden and Merkley discuss health care costs, upcoming House vote on Epstein files on KATU
KATU
The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history has concluded, with Oregon's two senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, playing pivotal roles.
Oregon News
2026 ELECTION
Statewide petition drive gains momentum against Oregon's emergency transportation bill
KATU | By Jennifer Singh
Just a week after Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed the emergency transportation bill into law, Oregon Senate Republican Leader and leader of the referendum effort Bruce Starr told KATU News thousands of signatures have already been collected across the state.
Oregon Rep. Ed Diehl leads petition effort against $4.3B transportation funding
KOIN 6 | By Ken Boddie
Representative Ed Diehl (R-Scio) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr (R-Dundee) are leading the petition effort to take the issue to the voters next November.
Rep. Diehl joined Eye on Northwest Politics to share why the minority party in Salem is so opposed to the law and why the clock is ticking to take it to the voters.
Drazan, a leading GOP candidate for governor, stumps in Lane County
Lookout Eugene-Springfield | By Ben Botkin
Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan is running for governor and could face incumbent Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek. During a stop in Coburg, Drazan talked about the need to tackle problems like drug addiction and the high cost of living.
POLITICS
Lawmakers to discuss ‘painful’ cuts for Oregon agencies under $373 million deficit
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri, Alex Baumhardt, Mia Maldonado, Julia Shumway
Lawmakers on budget-writing subcommittees will hear about those possible cuts this week. Ahead of those meetings, the Capital Chronicle reviewed each agency’s proposal.
Oregon lawmakers return to Salem to talk federal funding pinch
OPB | By Bryce Dole
Legislators are trying to figure out how to adjust for federal funding cuts made through the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
Oregon DOC reviews sentences under new court guidance
KTVZ
The Oregon Department of Corrections is reviewing prison sentences again, following new guidance from the state Supreme Court on how time served is calculated.
DOC Director Michael Reese says the agency remains committed to public safety and transparency throughout the process.
County Commissioners Criticize Deflection Center’s Results After One Year of Operations
Willamette Week | By Anthony Effinger
Multnomah County commissioners were less than dazzled by the performance of the county’s drug deflection center during its first year of operation, which ended Aug. 31.
At a briefing Thursday, commissioners bemoaned the center’s cost, its inability to send people directly into treatment, and missed opportunities to get people into housing.
Oregon’s governor convened a group to advise on Medicaid funding crisis. It’s meeting behind closed doors
OPB | By Amelia Templeton
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has quietly chosen a group of health care executives, union representatives and care providers to advise her on how to tackle the looming budget crisis in the state’s Medicaid program.
The group met for the first time Nov. 5 and will meet every two weeks. Its recommendations are due to the governor no later than July 2026.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Will Oregon stagnate or grow with intention? Economist issues bleak forecast
Eugene Register-Guard | By Hannarose McGuinness
Oregon's economy is lagging behind the rest of the U.S. in job growth, manufacturing, and other key benchmarks.
The state faces several challenges, including poor K-12 school performance, high housing costs, and a declining population.
Economist John Tapogna warns that Oregon's choice is between pursuing modest growth or facing economic stagnation.
HEALTH CARE
OHSU Prez Rings “Alarm Bell” Over Changes to Federal Drug Discount Program
Willamette Week | By Andrew Schwartz
“Our ability to sustain ourselves in the future could be really compromised if this becomes the law of the land.”
Oregon doesn’t have enough dentists willing to help low-income kids. Here’s why
The Oregonian | By Hillary Borrud
Accepting patients on the state’s Medicaid program, known as the Oregon Health Plan, can be a financial balancing act for dentists.
EDUCATION
Editorial: PPS owes Black students more than a rushed real estate deal
The Oregonian Editorial Board
PPS is poised to complete a purchase of a building to house a Center for Black Student Excellence but has no specific goals for how the center will help students succeed academically or a plan to achieve them.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Proposed Detroit Lake ‘deep drawdown’ moving forward in 2026, public meetings planned
Statesman Journal | By Zach Urness
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving forward with a plan to drop Detroit Lake to the lowest water level in its history, but in a slow and methodical way intended to avoid impacting drinking water for 210,000 people in Salem and Stayton.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Oregon farmer Ruddenklau educates and advocates for agriculture
Capital Press | By Kyle Odegard
Helle Ruddenklau creates opportunities to talk about agriculture every day, whether that’s hosting school field trips, helping nonprofits, posting on social media or striking up conversations with strangers.
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