|
Oregon News
2026 ELECTION
‘OPB Politics Now’: A deep dive on Oregon’s GOP gubernatorial race
OPB | By Lauren Dake, Dirk VanderHart, Andrew Theen
Ballots should be arriving any day now for Oregon voters. And in a matter of weeks, we will know who will be facing Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek in the November election. It’s one of the more competitive GOP primaries we have seen in recent years. On the latest episode of “OPB Politics Now,” reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake take a deep dive into each of the top candidates. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Portland Chamber of Commerce behind survey targeting progressive challengers to Dem incumbents
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Alex Baumhardt
The surveys that went out to voters in Washington County and Oregon’s 38th House District characterized progressives as “too extreme”.
At Oregon’s powerful teachers union, disenchantment with political status quo fuels a vibe shift
The Oregonian | By Julia Silverman
Enrique Farrara began a two-year terms as the president of the Oregon Education Association in July. The OEA is the state's largest teachers' union. As its president, Farrara is juggling a broad coalition of teachers, including an influential group of far-left educators who are testing the union's traditional political alliances.
After ethics lapses, an eastern Oregon House member faces 1st serious primary challenge in 25 years
The Oregonian | By Betsy Hammond
Eastern Oregon Republican Rep. Greg Smith, the longest serving member of the Oregon House who is now dogged by repeated ethics lapses, is facing a serious challenge from a fellow Republican for the first time in his 25-plus years in the Legislature.
“His district does really well with Greg Smith as its state representative,” said Republican political strategist Bryan Iverson, noting Smith has scored big outlays for the Port of Morrow and other projects in his district. “If you’re a voter, does it matter that maybe he’s blurred some lines a little bit? I don’t know the answer.”
Tigard officials urge bond for $150 million public safety building
The Oregonian | By Sami Edge
So says the Tigard Police Department, which is asking city residents to pass a bond measure that would build a combined police and public works campus on Southwest Wall Street with property tax dollars.
POLITICS
Running on Empty: Oregon's Transportation Funding Crisis
KATU | By Wright Gazaway
As Oregon voters prepare to weigh in on a high-stakes transportation tax referendum, a critical question looms: how do we pay for the roads, bridges, and transit systems we all rely on?
KATU is hosting the town hall discussion - "Running on Empty: Oregon's Transportation Funding Crisis" - where we bring together state transportation leaders, local officials, policy experts, and community voices to unpack what’s at stake before ballots are cast.
How hikes to Oregon gas taxes and fees ended up on the ballot
OPB | By Dirk VanderHart
Measure 120 is doomed. Ask anybody.
The only statewide measure to appear on the May primary ballot poses a simple question to Oregon voters: Should hikes to the state gas tax, vehicle titling and registration fees, and other streams of cash that fund the Oregon transportation system be allowed to take effect?
Even the tax proposal’s most ardent supporters think they know the answer. No one is campaigning to rescue Measure 120.
It’s a whimpering end to one of the odder, louder political dramas in recent state history. Over the course of two legislative sessions, the question underpinning the measure — how Oregon should inject cash into its sagging transportation system — dominated attention like few others.
With voters expected to send Measure 120 to the scrap yard, here’s a rundown of the events that brought Oregon to this point.
Oregon settles lawsuit on voter roll maintenance, will share data
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
Oregon has agreed to provide conservative foundation Judicial Watch with data on the state's voter rolls as part of terms to dismiss a 2024 lawsuit.
All of the data to be provided through the settlement is public record, Tess Seger, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State's Office, said.
“The conclusion of this case shows that Oregon is taking the necessary steps to maintain clean, accurate voter rolls in compliance with federal law," Seger said in a statement. "Oregon will continue to perform routine list maintenance to make sure we are complying with the NVRA; and we will continue to make public records available to those who request them.”
Three City Councilors Met With Tom Dundon and Received Comped Blazers Playoff Tickets
Willamette Week | By Sophie Peel
The councilors met with Dundon as the Moda Center renovation may hinge on the council’s approval of funding.
Portland mayor proposes $100K grants to spur new grocery stores
The Oregonian | By Shane Dixon Kavanaugh
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson wants to establish a green new deal for would-be grocers — by offering cash to help them get off the ground.
The city would chip in up to $100,000 toward the creation of new food shops or supermarkets under a storefront support program that Wilson included in his proposed budget released last week.
Oregon passed the nation’s strictest law to stop corporate control of medicine. It faces first major legal test
The Oregonian | By Kristine de Leon
A closely watched legal fight over who controls emergency room care in Lane County is shaping up to be the first major test of the nation’s toughest law limiting corporate influence in medicine — and the stakes are high for patients and the future of physician staffing across Oregon.
In federal court in Eugene on Monday, lawyers squared off over PeaceHealth’s plan to overhaul emergency services at its Lane County hospitals.
PSU community rallies for beloved Lao food cart owner detained by ICE
KGW | By Alma McCarty
Last week, the owner of the Khao Niew food cart on the Portland State campus got picked up by federal agents on his way to work.
"We came to America in 1987. We've been here almost 40 years," Ae explained, "We were in the refugee camp [in Thailand] for four years. So he was like three, and then when we came to America, he was seven... He doesn't know the country at all."
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed Nong's arrest, adding he had been convicted of conspiracy to distribute ecstasy and harassment. According to court records, those offenses date back two decades of more.
Portland housing authority to pay outgoing CEO $171K to resign
The Oregonian | By Jonathan Bach
The embattled leader of Portland’s public housing authority has agreed to accept a six-figure severance in exchange for her resignation.
HOMELESSNESS, DRUGS, & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Serious mental illness is often connected to homelessness. It doesn’t have to be, Portland professor says
The Oregonian | By Lillian Mongeau Hughes
The lack of mental health care options for people with serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia is often cited as a reason for the ongoing rise in homelessness in the Portland area.
Untreated, such illnesses can cause erratic behavior and disorganized thinking that can render a person unable to care for themselves. And people with untreated serious mental illness are far less likely to earn an income that allows them to stay housed.
As a result, people with serious mental illness are significantly overrepresented within the homeless population. In January 2025, local researchers found that at least 26% of the entire homeless population in the tri-county area reported having a serious mental illness. Even if that’s an undercount, it is more than five times the 6% of people in the general population who have a serious mental illness, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Multiple fentanyl overdose victims found dead in Newberg
Statesman Journal | By Tracy Loew
Law enforcement officials are investigating three apparent overdose victims found dead in Newberg.
EDUCATION
Hoax threats, anti-abortion flyers bring disruptive week to Portland schools
KOIN 6 | By Anthony Kustura
It’s been a disruptive week across several Portland Public Schools, involving hoax threat calls and controversial flyers, both centered around abortion.
Consultant says SOU must act fast, has ‘no margin for error’
OPB / Jefferson Public Radio | By Jane Vaughan
Southern Oregon University will need to completely rethink its academic programs and make major overhauls to survive, a preliminary consultant report warns.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Parole denied for man convicted in Portland ‘street family’ killing
The Oregonian | By Noelle Crombie
The Oregon parole board this week rejected a convicted killer’s bid for freedom, finding that he had minimized his role in the “street family” murder of a 22-year-old disabled woman.
Carl Alsup, 40, “remains a potential threat to community safety if released,” Oregon Board of Parole members found.
MAX train strikes person in NW Portland, firefighters say
The Oregonian | By Sophia Cossette
A MAX train struck and injured a pedestrian in Old Town on Wednesday morning, Portland firefighters said.
AI-generated erroneous court filings are ‘rapidly escalating,’ Oregon appeals judge warns
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
The top judge in Oregon’s Court of Appeals on Wednesday warned of “rapidly escalating” legal filings that likely contain fake information created by artificial intelligence, directing court staff and judges to review the amount of court resources that have gone into addressing the issue.
National News
House approves bill to fund DHS and end record-setting government shutdown
KATU / The National News Desk
The House on Thursday approved funding for a majority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) -- excluding its immigration enforcement operations -- with the bipartisan package now heading to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature.
The move brings an end to the longest agency shutdown in U.S. history.
Millionaire taxes gain steam as states face budget crunches
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Kevin Hardy
A growing number of liberal states are considering raising taxes on their wealthiest residents.
| 
