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Surprising poll reveals most popular, least popular political figures right now
The Oregonian | By Joel Odom
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are among the most popular political figures at the moment.
That’s according to the latest Harvard CAPS/Harris poll, released Monday, which gave both Kennedy and Rubio a plus-3% net favorability rating. Kennedy was rated very favorable by 18% of respondents, followed by 25% favorable, 14% unfavorable and 26% very unfavorable. Rubio came in at 14% very favorable, 20% favorable, 13% unfavorable and 18% very unfavorable.
The only other politicians on the list who received positive net favorability ratings were Vice President J.D. Vance and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, both at plus-1%. Vance was rated very favorable by 20%, favorable by 20%, unfavorable by 12% and very unfavorable by 28%. Newsom’s numbers were 14% very favorable, 20% favorable, 10% unfavorable and 23% very unfavorable.
As for the least popular political figures? Russian President Vladimir Putin had a minus-53% net favorability rating, with 5% very favorable, 8% favorable, 17% unfavorable and 49% very unfavorable. And Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro scored a minus-20% net favorability, receiving marks of 4% very favorable, 7% favorable, 9% unfavorable and 22% very unfavorable.
President Donald Trump received a minus-3% net favorability rating, with 26% of respondents rating Trump very favorable, 20% favorable, 11% unfavorable and 38% very unfavorable. But Trump’s overall approval rating of 47% was up three points from its low for the year of 44% in November.
Oregon News
POLITICS
Mississippi’s Reading Turnaround Holds Lessons for Oregon
Willamette Week | By James Neff
Earlier this year, the National Assessment of Educational Progress released its annual report card, including reading scores for fourth graders across the country.
Adjusted for demographics, Oregon landed 50th—at the very bottom. Mississippi, a state some Oregonians like to deride as backward, scored at the very top.
Mississippi is a state burdened by deep poverty, tightfisted public spending, and a punishing legacy of segregation. It spends $13,461 per student a year, $6,000 less than Oregon. And yet, test scores show, students across the board in Mississippi are learning to read in ways that Oregon could only hope for.
The details are dismal: 48% of Oregon fourth graders are below basic proficiency in reading—a deficit that experts associate with failure to graduate, poverty, and increased likelihood of going to prison.
There are many reasons Oregon schools are failing, and the Oregon Journalism Project will examine them in the coming months. But first, it’s useful to take a good look at Mississippi’s reading turnaround—built on what’s now called “the science of reading,” strong leadership, and a consistent approach across all districts—to see if it holds lessons for Oregon.
Changes to Deflection likely as Multnomah County DA threatens charges for drug possession
KATU | By Christina Giardinelli
Come January, people arrested for drug possession in Multnomah County will no longer be allowed to avoid criminal charges if they do not engage with treatment providers.
According to year-end data for Multnomah County's Deflection Program, that would involve charges for the majority of individuals caught with drugs.
The change to the status quo in the county comes amid frustration from law enforcement and Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez about the program's leniency.
Oregon lawmakers plan to address liability waivers for recreational activities in 2026
KATU | By Vasili Varlamos
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is once again pushing to change Oregon's liability laws before they participate in recreational activities such as skiing or going to the gym.
"It's clear to me that we must take action in the short session to finally address this; a failure to act in 2026 will mean even higher insurance costs, loss of insurance coverage altogether, and eliminate hundreds or 1000s of Oregon jobs," said State Sen. Mark Meek, D-Gladstone.
"This is a $17 billion industry," said Rep. Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, to ARC On The Road. "This is a problem, and we need to get it fixed. And if we don't, people are going to suffer."
Draft report says Oregon lawmaker likely violated laws for raise
Statesman Journal | By Dianne Lugo
State Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, likely violated conflict of interest and prohibited use of office laws, according to an investigative report discussed during a special meeting of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission on Dec. 9, but the commission voted unanimously to extend the investigation another 30 days to gather additional facts.
Oregon housing adviser who violated conflict of interest law should get warning letter, ethics investigators say
The Oregonian | By Jonathan Bach
Oregon ethics officials will recommend Friday a housing council member receive a written warning after they found she violated a state conflict of interest law.
Congress approves Secure Rural Schools funding critical to rural Northwest counties
OPB | By April Ehrlich
A measure to renew critical funding for rural counties and schools, including many in Oregon and Washington, has won bipartisan approval in Congress.
“This law and the funding it provides was designed to partially offset the massive decline in federal timber revenue,” Republican U.S. Rep Cliff Bentz said on the House floor. “It provides a modest amount of funding for critical services including infrastructure maintenance, search and rescue, fire prevention, and most importantly, money for children’s education.”
Lincoln County clerk to conduct hand recount after tight vote on veterans services measure
KATU
Lincoln County Clerk Amy Southwell has announced that her office will conduct a hand recount of ballots cast in the Nov. 4 special election.
Phil Knight foundation donated $226 million in 2024, mostly to Oregon causes
The Oregonian | By Matthew Kish
The private foundation of Nike cofounder Phil Knight and wife Penny Knight gave away $226 million last year, its most generous year yet, according to a new tax filing.
Right-wing reporter preps $10M federal suit alleging ‘culture of political discrimination’ by Portland police
The Oregonian | By Zane Sparling
A right-wing independent journalist is leveraging his short-lived arrest in a bid to put the Portland Police Bureau on trial — alleging a deep-seated bias by the bureau’s top brass against conservatives.
National organization urges Oregon leaders to open criminal investigations into federal agents’ behavior
The Oregonian | By Yesenia Amaro
A national organization on Tuesday joined the call demanding Oregon leaders investigate federal agents accused of criminal behavior in Portland and throughout the state.
HOUSING
How Can 955 Home Forward Units Sit Empty When 7,500 People Are Sleeping Outside?
Willamette Week | By Sophie Peel
“If I couldn’t keep my buildings full, I would generally think that I have most if not all the responsibility,” says Ed McNamara, a retired affordable housing developer in Portland. “The public funders should assess if they’re being good stewards of public money if they continue to fund organizations that don’t keep their buildings full.”
Home Forward defends its performance.
“Rising vacancies are a regionwide trend driven by market changes,” says Home Forward spokesman Rylee Ahnen. “Those same dynamics are affecting all housing providers, not just Home Forward.”
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Sheriff’s office investigating possible AI-generated child sex images of Oregon high school student
The Oregonian | By Tatum Todd
Detectives are investigating after Corbett High School administrators discovered that someone had posted online AI-generated images of “at least one student” that could constitute “child sexual abuse material,” the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Feds plan on lowering Detroit Lake to lowest levels ever. That has locals concerned
OPB | By Joni Auden Land
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering lowering Detroit Lake to its lowest levels ever, starting in the fall of 2026.
It’s part of an effort to help threatened Chinook salmon move downstream. But some local residents and surrounding communities argue such a significant drawdown could create dirtier water and damage the sportfishing industry in Detroit.
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