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Oregon News
TRANSPORTATION
Oregon Transportation Commission opts to keep Rose Quarter project going despite limited funding
KGW | By Anthony Macuk
The Trump administration revoked most of the project's one major federal grant earlier this year, leaving it with only a fraction of its $2 billion cost funded.
What to know about the Interstate Bridge Replacement’s rising price tag
OPB | By Erik Neumann
Northwesterners will receive an update Monday on costs to replace the Interstate Bridge between Oregon and Washington. That new price tag could add billions.
POLITICS
Oregon: No Place to Die
Oregon Journalism Project | By Steve Duin
Imagine this:
You recently retired in the state you love. You’ve raised a family, paid off a mortgage. Supported nonprofits and the local restaurants in your community. Against all odds, you’ve even put some money away for the grandkids.
You’ve prospered through a good life, most of it in Oregon, but your accountant has just lowered the boom:
You can’t afford to die here.
When taxpayers breathe their last in 38 other states, including true-blue California and blood-red Idaho, those state governments have no interest in claiming a share of the savings, retirement accounts, and family homes they leave behind.
Of the dozen states that do, none is so greedy as Oregon.
Connecticut has an estate tax, but—mirroring the federal government—it exempts the first $15 million of an individual estate or the first $30 million for a married couple.
Oregon’s exemption is $1 million, the lowest in the land (see chart).
SNAP food benefit work rules now apply statewide, about 37,000 people immediately impacted
KATU | By Vasili Varlamos
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) says work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are now being enforced in every county in Oregon.
The policy changes at the USDA follow the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R.1). ODHS said about 37,000 Oregonians are immediately affected.
The statewide rules took effect on Dec. 1, 2025, expanding the work requirements from six counties.
According to ODHS, the SNAP work requirements have been in effect in Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill counties since Oct. 1, 2025.
Democratic primary heats up for one of Oregon’s few truly competitive House seats
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Alex Baumhardt
Three Democrats are running for an open state House seat that is among the most competitive and unpredictable in Oregon.
Teachers Nick Walden Poublon and David Osborn and Hank Sanders, a legislative aide for his mother, Portland Democratic state Sen. Lisa Reynolds, have all filed to run in the Democratic primary for the Gorge-based 52nd House District. All three say they’re prioritizing the rising costs of living, especially housing and property insurance, health care and education.
The incumbent Republican — state Rep. Jeff Helfrich of Hood River — has not filed to run for the seat again, but instead to run for the state Senate seat being vacated by state Sen. Christine Drazan, who is running for governor.
Longtime Eastern Oregon legislator at the center of ethics investigation
OPB | By Antonio Sierra
One of state Rep. Greg Smith’s many jobs has landed him in hot water, again.
Civic outsider lands Portland’s most powerful bureaucratic post
The Oregonian | By Shane Dixon Kavanaugh
Portland elected leaders Wednesday unanimously approved Mayor Keith Wilson’s choice for a long-term city administrator, a position that is likely to wield significant influence within the city’s new form of government.
‘OPB Politics Now’: Deschutes County political maps spark debate; plus groundwater contamination in Eastern Oregon
OPB
The latest episode of the podcast covers topics east of the Cascades.
ECONOMY
Oregon jobless rate hits another post-pandemic high
The Oregonian | By Mike Rogoway
Oregon’s unemployment rate climbed to 5.2% in September, according to newly released data, but the state added jobs thanks to big gains in the health care sector.
The numbers are a mixed bag. They show unemployment climbed by 0.2 percentage points amid a historic surge in layoffs. Oregon employers have reported nearly 9,000 layoffs this year.
Oregon’s jobless rate is at its highest point since the period immediately after the pandemic recession and well above the national rate, 4.4%.
The hospitality, manufacturing and financial sectors all lost jobs compared to August.
EDUCATION
Congress restores Secure Rural Schools funding, delivering relief to Ore, Wash. counties
KATU | By Vasili Varlamos
Several Oregon State lawmakers applauded Congress for approving the reauthorization, emphasizing the program’s urgent value for rural services and school districts.
“As a former County Commissioner and AOCC Board Member, this should never have been a fight. These resources are an obligation under the O&C Act and the massive amounts of federal land within our counties," said Rep. Court Boice, R-Gold Beach.
State Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, warned that while the renewed funding will stabilize county budgets for now, it’s still only a temporary fix.
“Although this reauthorization will provide needed breathing room, it does not come close to covering the inflationary costs of services to residents and is not a permanent solution," said Brock Smith.
Willamette, Pacific universities to merge, forming Oregon’s largest private university
Salem Reporter | By Rachel Alexander
Students from Willamette University and Pacific University have competed against each other in debate and football almost as long as Oregon has been a state.
WW: Jefferson High to get $466M upgrade despite enrollment issues
KATU
Jefferson High School is set to receive a $466 million upgrade, funded by school bond measures passed in 2020 and 2025. However, the school continues to struggle with low enrollment.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Multnomah County leaders consider resolution to strengthen sanctuary policies
KATU | By Tanvi Varma
Next week, the Multnomah County Commissioners will consider a multifaceted resolution that will strengthen the community's protections from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Lawsuit claims Multnomah County violated Oregon’s sanctuary law. Here’s how
KOIN 6 | By Amanda Rhoades
In a complaint filed Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court, advocacy groups Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition and Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice said the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office violated state law by agreeing to house federal detainees for the U.S. Marshals Service.
Portland man arrested at Central Library, charged with raping 15-year-old girl
The Oregonian | By Tatum Todd
A Portland man is facing sex-crime charges after a 15-year-old girl said he had assaulted her for days before she escaped.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
NW Natural alternative fuel projects face uncertain future as partners falter
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Alex Baumhardt
NW Natural hydrogen blending and renewable natural gas projects in partnership with Tyson and Modern Hydrogen are facing layoffs and factory closures.
HEALTH CARE
Oregon sets unwanted whooping cough record
Newsweek
Oregon has seen a record-high number of cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, this year, prompting concern about the risks posed to vulnerable populations.
Oregon’s first-in-nation hospital price cap hasn’t hurt care, finances so far, study finds
The Oregonian | By Kristine de Leon
A new analysis of Oregon’s first-in-the-nation hospital payment cap finds that the policy has so far produced little turbulence in hospital finances or the quality of patient care.
TRUMP ADMIN VS. OREGON
ICE queries Waldport resort, prompting city to pass resolution in opposition
KLCC | By Brian Bahouth
More than 100 people packed a Waldport City Council meeting Wednesday night to express opposition to even the possibility of an ICE detention facility in the city.
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