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Oregon News
POLITICS
Opinion: Two views of Oregon’s economy — only one looks ahead
The Oregonian | Opinion by John Topanga, president of the Oregon Business Council.
As Gov. Tina Kotek’s Prosperity Council moves from listening to recommending, a clearer divide is coming into focus. Over the past several months, the council has taken in a wide range of perspectives on Oregon’s economy. Now, as it turns to recommendations, how those perspectives interpret the moment matters more.
We Visited the Foster Road Strip Club That Allegedly Lured Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Willamette Week | By Marty Smith
A look around Angels PDX rules out the possibility that the labor secretary’s party was there for that genteel “gentlemen’s club” experience.
Oregon agency reviewing unauthorized AI use after worker sends email citing Reddit to explain state law
The Oregonian | By Jamie Goldberg
Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries is reviewing whether employees improperly used AI tools to respond to workers’ requests for information or help, after confirming at least one instance of an employee violating agency policy by doing so.
Oregon Gov. Kotek signs bills to fund gender-affirming and reproductive care amid federal efforts to cut them
KGW | By Libby Dowsett
State leaders move to backfill federal cuts to Planned Parenthood as patients face fear and confusion on ever-shifting decisions by the Trump administrations.
Abuse in Oregon’s foster care reaches all-time high. State vows to figure out why and improve
OPB | By Lauren Dake
The disappointing trend comes shortly after the state settled a class-action lawsuit and promised to reduce the rate of abuse.
Portland’s mayor’s approval among voters is lukewarm. At least he’s not the City Council
The Oregonian | By Shane Dixon Kavanaugh
Portland voters view Mayor Keith Wilson far more favorably than the City Council though neither receive substantially high marks, a recent poll commissioned by The Oregonian/OregonLive found.
70% of Portland-area adults say they’re directly affected by Trump policies – mostly for the worse
The Oregonian | By Betsy Hammond
More than 70% of Portland-area adults say they have been directly affected by Trump administration policies or executive orders – and three-fourths of those say the impact has been negative, according to a new poll commissioned by The Oregonian/OregonLive.
Portland councilors look to slash upper management jobs to fund public safety
OPB | By Alex Zielinski
As the city faces another tough budget year, some councilors say laying off top city administrators should be on the table.
Portland Public Schools spending on third-party contracts balloons in proposed budget
OPB | By Elizabeth Miller
Adding up contracts connected to construction projects and money for instruction and services, PPS spending has spiked in recent years.
Successful women’s shelter to be closed by Multnomah County amid budget constraints
KPTV | By Adrian Thomas
Multnomah County’s homeless services department faces a nearly $70 million budget gap next fiscal year, leading to the closure of over 700 shelter units across the region.
2026 ELECTION
Oregon Gas Tax Impacts: What Changes if Measure 120 Passes
KVAL | By Sophia Takla
Oregon voters are being asked to weigh in on Measure 120 this election season, a proposal that would increase fuel taxes and title and registration fees to fund transportation infrastructure.
Poll shows candidate leading Kotek in hypothetical general election
Statesman Journal | By Anastasia Mason
New polling shows businessman and ex-Portland Trail Blazer Chris Dudley leading Gov. Tina Kotek in a hypothetical general election.
To get to the real one in November, Dudley will have to win out against a large pool of Republican candidates.
Partisan politics and campaign cash underscore Salem city elections
OPB | By Bryce Dole
Four of the eight city council positions are up for grabs, but the most high-profile contest is the race for mayor.
Homelessness becomes focal point in Pendleton City Council race
OPB | By Antonio Sierra
Downtown complaints fuel competition in a city that usually struggles to attract candidates.
‘OPB Politics Now’: Suburban races offer comeback stories, intrigue
OPB | By Alex Zielinski, Holly Bartholomew
Clackamas and Washington counties have a bevy of politically interesting races on the May ballot.
Portland’s proposed arts tax makeover prompts legal threat by business lobby
The Oregonian | By Shane Dixon Kavanaugh
Portland’s largest and most influential business organization on Wednesday threatened legal action against the Portland City Council, should the legislative body adopt a proposed makeover of the city’s arts tax.
Oregon sees low voter turnout ahead of May primary elections
KDVR | By Robert Alietti
According to unofficial reports, an estimated 87.67% of eligible voters in the state have not mailed or dropped their ballots off yet. Across Oregon, ballots have been slowly accruing, with a spike seen on May 11.
Deschutes County Commission races bring in over $1M in fundraising
OPB | By Kathryn Styer Martinez
More political diversity and representation stoke campaign spending.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
40%-plus of Portland residents are considering moving. Here’s why
The Oregonian | By Matthew Kish
West Linn’s Dean Suhr is considering moving to a warmer, more politically moderate state.
Sportswear company to close Coburg plant, eliminate 83 jobs
The Oregonian | By Matthew Kish
The Augusta Sportswear plant in Coburg will close in July, resulting in the elimination of 83 jobs.
As affordable units sit empty, new Portland project breaks ground
KATU | By Victor Park
An affordable housing groundbreaking drew an unexpected guest recently -- a longtime resident who says subsidized housing changed her life after she was priced out of her home of three decades.
How Oregon's fragmented tech strategy is holding back startups
Portland Business Journal | By Malia Spencer
Rebuilding Oregon’s startup ecosystem was at the heart of a two-day event that saw academics, founders, investors, support organizations and economic development groups gather in downtown Portland this week.
Penny and Phil Knight continue philanthropy streak with another $90 million gift
The Oregonian | By Matthew Kish
Penny and Phil Knight have given $90 million to Stanford University for research into brain resilience and aging.
Inflation hits a 3-year high as gas prices surge 28% in a year
The Oregonian | By Veronica Nocera
Inflation reached its highest level since 2023 last month.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the figures Tuesday, measuring prices at 3.8% higher in April than they were one year ago.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
‘We still have a long way to go’: Oregon overdose deaths decline for second year in a row, OHA says
KOIN 6 | By Becca Yanez
Overdose deaths in Oregon have made declined in back-to-back years for the first time since 2016, according to a study released by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
‘He’s in a lot of pain’: Man arrested by Clackamas County deputies was in mental health crisis, family says
OPB | By Holly Bartholomew
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said Dakota Hadley was resisting arrest, prompting the use of force.
Oregon teen dies month after proposing to high school sweetheart when doctors failed to remove 'plant matter' from stitched wound: lawsuit
New York Post | By Caitlin McCormack
An intrepid teenage powerlifter died of sepsis a mere two months after graduating high school and one month after getting engaged when his doctors failed to clean a stitched-up wound infested with “plant matter,” his grieving father alleged in a lawsuit.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Oregon farmers brace for irrigation shortages
AXIOS | By Kale Williams
Oregon's near-record low snowpack is raising fears of severe irrigation shortages ahead of farms' summer growing season.
In 2 lawsuits, Oregon communities say plan to help fish could harm drinking water
OPB | By Courtney Sherwood
Two lawsuits filed over the past week allege the drinking water systems that serve more than a quarter of a million Willamette Valley residents are being harmed by a federal agency that says it’s trying to help threatened fish.
Supreme Court to decide key farm labor enforcement questions
Capital Press | By Mateusz Perkowski
At issue is whether subjects of DOL disputes can go to the federal courts.
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