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The month-old union representing Portland City Hall staff has filed its first labor complaint against city management. In an Unfair Labor Practice charge filed Tuesday, the union accused City Councilor Loretta Smith of firing an employee in retaliation for labor organizing.
Portland Councilor Smith accused of firing staff in retaliation for union drive
In an Unfair Labor Practice charge filed Tuesday, the union accused City Councilor Loretta Smith of firing an employee in retaliation for labor organizing.
www.opb.org
January 14, 2026 at 3:55 AM
The month-old union representing Portland City Hall staff has filed its first labor complaint against city management. In an Unfair Labor Practice charge filed Tuesday, the union accused City Councilor Loretta Smith of firing an employee in retaliation for labor organizing.
State transportation officials estimate damage to roads from historic recent flooding in Washington will cost between $40 million and $50 million.
Road damage from Washington flooding to cost at least $40 million
Last month’s heavy flooding inflicted at least $40 million to $50 million of damage on Washington’s highways, state transportation officials estimated to lawmakers Monday.
www.opb.org
January 13, 2026 at 10:00 PM
State transportation officials estimate damage to roads from historic recent flooding in Washington will cost between $40 million and $50 million.
Oregon wheat growers now know what the Trump administration’s $12 billion bailout for farmers will do for them. They are saying that the $39 per acre they will receive will cover only a fraction of the cost of producing their crop.
Trump’s farm bailout probably won’t cover Pacific Northwest wheat growers losses
Oregon wheat farmers continue to deal with low crop prices and high input costs. They’ve recently learned the Trump administration’s $12 billion bailout package likely won’t help much.
www.opb.org
January 13, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Oregon wheat growers now know what the Trump administration’s $12 billion bailout for farmers will do for them. They are saying that the $39 per acre they will receive will cover only a fraction of the cost of producing their crop.
If the motion is granted, Oregon would join Washington, D.C., and Colorado in preventing ICE’s practice of making warrantless arrests of people in Oregon.
Oregon immigrant rights attorneys sue to stop warrantless ICE arrests
Portland-based Innovation Law Lab filed the preliminary injunction motion in U.S. District Court in Eugene on Friday. It’s part of a 2025 lawsuit on behalf of two individuals suing ICE after they were detained late last year without a warrant.
www.opb.org
January 13, 2026 at 8:00 PM
If the motion is granted, Oregon would join Washington, D.C., and Colorado in preventing ICE’s practice of making warrantless arrests of people in Oregon.
The festival features 37 films created by local and international filmmakers that are divided into six themed two-hour blocks aiming to educate audiences about the ocean. After each block, viewers can attend panels to take a deeper dive into topics of interest.
An ocean-themed film festival returns to Newport this month to educate audiences
The festival will be held Jan. 23-24 at the Hatfield Marine Science Center and the Newport Performing Arts Center. It will showcase 37 films created by local and international filmmakers that aim to educate audiences about the ocean.
www.opb.org
January 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM
The festival features 37 films created by local and international filmmakers that are divided into six themed two-hour blocks aiming to educate audiences about the ocean. After each block, viewers can attend panels to take a deeper dive into topics of interest.
In her second annual address, Mayor Kaarin Knudson called for further improvements to public safety in downtown area and building more housing.
In State of the City address, Eugene mayor focuses on safety, especially on Highway 99
In her address, Mayor Kaarin Knudson highlighted several challenges for the city this year, including the Highway 99 corridor, public safety, housing and the need to change the way it provides fire services.
www.opb.org
January 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM
In her second annual address, Mayor Kaarin Knudson called for further improvements to public safety in downtown area and building more housing.
In a continued crackdown on immigrant truck drivers, the Trump administration recently highlighted the Oregon crash that killed a newlywed couple. The mother of one of those killed said the couple would have been “broken-hearted” by the anti-immigrant rhetoric following the incident.
Immigrant truck driver to enter plea in Deschutes County Court after fatal crash
Rajinder Kumar of India to plea in Deschutes County court after fatal trucking accident that killed two in rural Central Oregon. The case is the most recent to draw the attention of the Trump administration.
www.opb.org
January 13, 2026 at 4:30 PM
In a continued crackdown on immigrant truck drivers, the Trump administration recently highlighted the Oregon crash that killed a newlywed couple. The mother of one of those killed said the couple would have been “broken-hearted” by the anti-immigrant rhetoric following the incident.
The council deadlocked at 6-6 last week as a marathon debate turned personal. More progressive members accused the current council president of racism while moderate members accused her challenger of having a "juvenile" leadership style.
Portland City Councilors will again attempt to elect council president Wednesday
After several delays, the Portland City Council will meet on Wednesday to elect its legislative leader for 2026.
www.opb.org
January 13, 2026 at 3:30 PM
The council deadlocked at 6-6 last week as a marathon debate turned personal. More progressive members accused the current council president of racism while moderate members accused her challenger of having a "juvenile" leadership style.
Several high-profile cases of teen suicide involving AI chatbots have state regulators sounding alarm bells, and Gov. Bob Ferguson wants lawmakers to establish some safeguards to protect people, especially minors.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson calls for regulations on AI chatbot companions
Senate Bill 5984 would require tools like ChatGPT to remind users they are robots, not humans, at the start of a conversation and at least every three hours during a continued interaction. Those rules apply to minors too, plus additional protections.
www.opb.org
January 12, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Several high-profile cases of teen suicide involving AI chatbots have state regulators sounding alarm bells, and Gov. Bob Ferguson wants lawmakers to establish some safeguards to protect people, especially minors.
On Saturday, an estimated 130 people attended the vigil at Astoria’s Garden of Surging Waves, joining nationwide “ICE Out for Good Weekend of Action” protests.
North Coast rallies in response to Minneapolis, Portland shootings
The vigil was held in Astoria’s Garden of Surging Waves and was prompted in large part by the death of Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7. The 37-year-old Minneapolis woman was shot multiple times by Jonathan Ross, an officer with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
www.opb.org
January 12, 2026 at 8:33 PM
On Saturday, an estimated 130 people attended the vigil at Astoria’s Garden of Surging Waves, joining nationwide “ICE Out for Good Weekend of Action” protests.
On Jan. 2, 2016 a dozen armed men took over the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Eastern Oregon. Today we bring you an audio documentary OPB reporters made afterward, and reporter Conrad Wilson gives us an update from Harney County 10 years after the occupation.
‘The Evergreen’: 10 years after the armed occupation of Malheur Wildlife Refuge
If you’re curious to learn more about the people who took over the wildlife refuge and their philosophy, check out OPB’s “Bundyville” podcast, produced by Leah Sottile and Ryan Haas.
www.opb.org
January 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
On Jan. 2, 2016 a dozen armed men took over the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Eastern Oregon. Today we bring you an audio documentary OPB reporters made afterward, and reporter Conrad Wilson gives us an update from Harney County 10 years after the occupation.
The two people shot in Portland last week by U.S. Border Patrol face criminal charges. Both have been released from hospital and into federal custody.
Man shot by Border Patrol in Portland released from hospital, charged with assaulting federal officer
Six U.S. Border Patrol agents were present during the shooting at a hospital parking lot in East Portland on Thursday afternoon, according to the federal charging document. There is no video of the shooting and the circumstances that led up to it.
www.opb.org
January 12, 2026 at 5:45 PM
The two people shot in Portland last week by U.S. Border Patrol face criminal charges. Both have been released from hospital and into federal custody.
Reposted by OPB
Portland officer reassigned after video appears to show him agreeing with federal officers' tactics in fatal Minnesota shooting. DEQ yet to disclose scope of 2025 data breach. Washington Legislature starts today. Here's what we're following on @opb.org today: www.opb.org/article/2026...
OPB’s First Look: Portland police officer reassigned, protests continue
A Portland police officer has been reassigned from protest duties after videos posted online appear to show him agreeing with tactics used by federal officers who fatally shot a woman in Minnesota. He...
www.opb.org
January 12, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Portland officer reassigned after video appears to show him agreeing with federal officers' tactics in fatal Minnesota shooting. DEQ yet to disclose scope of 2025 data breach. Washington Legislature starts today. Here's what we're following on @opb.org today: www.opb.org/article/2026...
DEQ staff said they have updated the agency’s data retention processes as a response to last year’s breach, but didn't say why they waited months to notify people of the leak. They said it primarily affected people from outside DEQ whose information was stored in the agency’s “older records.”
Oregon DEQ data breach leaked thousands of people’s information, but the agency hasn’t told the public
About 4,800 members of the public had their personal information exposed after a cyberattack on the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s servers — but nine months after that, the agency has yet to publicly disclose the scope of the leak.
www.opb.org
January 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM
DEQ staff said they have updated the agency’s data retention processes as a response to last year’s breach, but didn't say why they waited months to notify people of the leak. They said it primarily affected people from outside DEQ whose information was stored in the agency’s “older records.”
It's a short, 60-day session for Washington lawmakers, but it's packed with proposals from both sides of the political aisle focusing on everything from immigration actions to nuclear energy and taxes.
3 topics Southwest Washington lawmakers are following in Olympia this year
One of the biggest issues facing the Legislature is the state's ongoing budget deficit. In the last session, lawmakers tried to close a $16 billion gap. This time they're looking at a $4.3 billion deficit.
www.opb.org
January 12, 2026 at 4:00 PM
It's a short, 60-day session for Washington lawmakers, but it's packed with proposals from both sides of the political aisle focusing on everything from immigration actions to nuclear energy and taxes.
Republicans in the Oregon Legislature on Sunday criticized Democrats for their initial response to the shooting of two people by federal officers in Portland last week.
Oregon Republicans condemn initial Democrat response to Portland shooting
Republicans say Portland mayor, police chief should have addressed the backgrounds of the people shot sooner.
www.opb.org
January 11, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Republicans in the Oregon Legislature on Sunday criticized Democrats for their initial response to the shooting of two people by federal officers in Portland last week.
Democratic leaders in the Washington state Legislature said Friday they have no plans to hold hearings on two conservative-backed initiatives focused on parental rights of students in public schools and banning transgender athletes from playing girls’ sports.
Washington Democrats won’t hold hearings on parental rights, trans athlete initiatives
It all but guarantees the Let’s Go Washington measures will go before voters this fall, if thousands of signatures in support are verified.
www.opb.org
January 11, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Democratic leaders in the Washington state Legislature said Friday they have no plans to hold hearings on two conservative-backed initiatives focused on parental rights of students in public schools and banning transgender athletes from playing girls’ sports.
Terri Lee Brown, who the Oregon Supreme Court found was wrongly returned to prison after an earlier release, has sued Gov. Tina Kotek, Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton, clemency coordinator Nicole Townsend and other officials for $10,000,000 in damages.
Josephine County woman sues Oregon governor for $10M after wrongful imprisonment
A Grants Pass woman who was wrongly sent back to prison is suing Gov. Tina Kotek and other top officials.
www.opb.org
January 11, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Terri Lee Brown, who the Oregon Supreme Court found was wrongly returned to prison after an earlier release, has sued Gov. Tina Kotek, Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton, clemency coordinator Nicole Townsend and other officials for $10,000,000 in damages.
Jason Davis, public information officer for Lane County Health and Human Services, told KLCC that the Homeless Management Information System and its By Name List launched in 2019 are now considered more reliable.
Citing need for accuracy, Lane County drops PIT count for unhoused community
Since 2005, the county’s conducted annual counts of sheltered individuals, and biennial counts of those without shelter in areas where unhoused people are known to congregate.
www.opb.org
January 11, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Jason Davis, public information officer for Lane County Health and Human Services, told KLCC that the Homeless Management Information System and its By Name List launched in 2019 are now considered more reliable.
A Portland police officer has been reassigned after he was captured on film Friday appearing to agree with the tactics used by federal officers when they fatally shot a Minnesota woman last week.
Portland police officer reassigned after comments on Minneapolis shooting, chief says
While the unidentified officer did not say if he’d seen the video of Renee Nicole Good’s killing, he said he would have shot “if she drove a car at me, yes.” City officials have condemned his statements.
www.opb.org
January 11, 2026 at 8:19 PM
A Portland police officer has been reassigned after he was captured on film Friday appearing to agree with the tactics used by federal officers when they fatally shot a Minnesota woman last week.
A proposal went to the Pasco City Council last year to eliminate fluoride from the city’s water system because of concerns about the health effects and wanting citizens to make their own decisions about fluoride.
Fluoride fights bubble up around Washington
At least seven city councils have grappled with whether to remove fluoride from drinking water. Dental experts point to benefits and say the mineral is safe at levels used in the U.S.
www.opb.org
January 11, 2026 at 7:30 PM
A proposal went to the Pasco City Council last year to eliminate fluoride from the city’s water system because of concerns about the health effects and wanting citizens to make their own decisions about fluoride.
The state’s most recent gray wolf population estimates from 2024 show at least 230 wolves in Washington. That includes 43 known wolf packs and at least 18 breeding pairs.
Could artificial intelligence help prevent wolf-livestock conflicts in Washington?
Artificial intelligence could one day help deter wolves from preying on livestock in Washington state. That’s the hope of the nonprofit Wildlife Protection Solutions.
www.opb.org
January 11, 2026 at 6:30 PM
The state’s most recent gray wolf population estimates from 2024 show at least 230 wolves in Washington. That includes 43 known wolf packs and at least 18 breeding pairs.
Washington’s current tax code is unsustainable, hurts public schools and middle-class families, and needs reform. That was state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal’s top message Thursday during his annual “State of Education” address.
‘Our kids need help.’ Washington schools chief calls for tax reforms to fund education
Washington’s current tax code is unsustainable, hurts public schools and middle-class families, and needs reform.
www.opb.org
January 11, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Washington’s current tax code is unsustainable, hurts public schools and middle-class families, and needs reform. That was state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal’s top message Thursday during his annual “State of Education” address.
Several hundred people attended a planned immigrant rights rally at Legacy Emanuel in North Portland today in response to the shooting and allegations that Legacy is allowing ICE to dictate patient care at the hospital. Legacy has denied those claims. www.opb.org/article/2026...
January 11, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Several hundred people attended a planned immigrant rights rally at Legacy Emanuel in North Portland today in response to the shooting and allegations that Legacy is allowing ICE to dictate patient care at the hospital. Legacy has denied those claims. www.opb.org/article/2026...
Washington banned thin, single-use plastic shopping bags in 2021. But since then, the state has seen an increase in plastics used for retail transactions. That’s due to a loophole allowing thicker plastic bags.
A new push to ban plastic bags could be in store for Washington
A proposal to fix the issue of thicker plastic bags will go before lawmakers in January. The legislation was pre-filed in the House and Senate last month, and the first hearings are scheduled for Jan. 14 and 15.
www.opb.org
January 11, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Washington banned thin, single-use plastic shopping bags in 2021. But since then, the state has seen an increase in plastics used for retail transactions. That’s due to a loophole allowing thicker plastic bags.