Portland News

Oregon Minimum Wage to Rise July 2026, Inflation Drives Increase

Oregon Minimum Wage to Rise July 2026, Inflation Drives Increase

Oregon’s Unique Minimum Wage System Oregon’s minimum wage system is designed to reflect the state’s diverse economic conditions. With a tiered approach, the state adjusts wages based on geographical areas, ensuring that the wage structure is responsive to local economic realities. Currently, Portland workers earn $16.30 per hour, while

What Rising GDP Means for Your Daily Cost of Living

What Rising GDP Means for Your Daily Cost of Living

Rising GDP often makes headlines as a sign of economic strength, but its connection to daily cost of living isn’t always obvious. Gross Domestic Product measures the total value of goods and services produced within a country, and when that number goes up, it’s usually seen as a positive

Tsunami Shelter Construction in Oregon Faces FEMA Funding Cuts

Tsunami Shelter Construction in Oregon Faces FEMA Funding Cuts

On the Oregon coast, Columbia Memorial Hospital is pushing forward with the construction of a tsunami shelter capable of holding nearly 2,000 people, despite recent challenges with funding. The hospital began the project after securing a $14 million federal grant to address the urgent need for disaster preparedness, particularly

The Role of Credit Counseling in Debt Management

The Role of Credit Counseling in Debt Management

Managing debt is a challenge many individuals face at various points in their lives. Whether due to unexpected expenses, job loss, or simply the accumulation of credit card balances, debt can quickly become overwhelming without proper guidance. Credit counseling has emerged as a valuable resource to help people understand

Portland Preschool For All Expansion Sparks Funding Debate

Portland Preschool For All Expansion Sparks Funding Debate

Multnomah County’s Preschool for All program is expanding at a faster pace than expected, with the goal of providing more than 7,400 preschool seats in the 2026–27 school year. This increase nearly doubles the current enrollment and exceeds early expectations, bringing the program closer to its vision of universal

Willamette and Pacific to Merge Reshaping Oregon Higher Education

Willamette and Pacific to Merge Reshaping Oregon Higher Education

The decision by Willamette and Pacific University to merge represents a significant shift in Oregon’s higher education landscape. If finalized, this merger will create the largest private institution in the state, bringing together two long-established universities with strong reputations in different academic areas. With a combined student body of

Layoffs and Rising Costs Put Oregon’s Economy Under Pressure

Layoffs and Rising Costs Put Oregon’s Economy Under Pressure

The evolving picture of Oregon economic trends suggests growing pressure on both job security and the cost of living. Recent data show employment losses in key sectors even as households face rising expenses for essentials like food, housing, and utilities. The result: many residents are navigating uncertainty and adapting

Portland Meets Shelter Bed Goal as Mayor Declares Milestone

Portland Meets Shelter Bed Goal as Mayor Declares Milestone

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson announced that the city has reached its ambitious goal of creating more than 1,500 emergency overnight shelter beds. The milestone was achieved ahead of winter, a season when demand for safe sleeping spaces traditionally rises. Officials emphasized that the accomplishment demonstrates Portland’s ability to expand

Oregon Issues Fuel Emergency Order Amid Pipeline Repair Delays

Oregon Issues Fuel Emergency Order Amid Pipeline Repair Delays

On November 26, 2025, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued a statewide fuel emergency declaration after the Olympic Pipeline was shut down for repairs. The pipeline, which supplies more than 90% of Oregon’s transportation fuel, developed a leak in Snohomish County, Washington, prompting operators to halt its operations. The fuel

Portland Now Charges Fees to Reclaim Towed Homeless RVs

Portland Now Charges Fees to Reclaim Towed Homeless RVs

Portland has introduced a new enforcement policy requiring fees to reclaim Homeless RVs that have been towed from public streets. For years, RVs used as shelter by unhoused residents have been a prominent part of the city’s landscape, often parked for extended periods in neighborhoods or industrial areas. The

Portland Power Outage Disrupts Over 5,000 Homes

Portland Power Outage Disrupts Over 5,000 Homes

A power outage in Portland on Saturday afternoon left over 5,000 Pacific Power customers without electricity, impacting neighborhoods in Southeast and Northeast Portland. The outage was traced back to an issue at one of the city’s substations, which caused widespread disruption across residential and commercial areas. Crews were dispatched

Portland’s Overnight Shelter Model Sparks Debate Over Homeless Services

Portland’s Overnight Shelter Model Sparks Debate Over Homeless Services

Portland has made significant strides in increasing the availability of shelter beds for individuals experiencing homelessness. The city has added hundreds of new overnight shelter spaces in recent months as part of its efforts to provide immediate relief. This expansion aims to offer a safe place for people to

Oregon Rural Hospitals Gain $200M in Funding to Modernize Services


Oregon Rural Hospitals Gain $200M in Funding to Modernize Services


Oregon Rural Hospitals are set to receive $197.3 million in federal funding to enhance healthcare services and infrastructure in rural communities. This funding comes through the Rural Health Transformation Program, a nationwide initiative aimed at improving healthcare access in rural areas. This program is part of a broader effort

Managing Stress in High-Pressure Work Environments

Managing Stress in High-Pressure Work Environments

In Portland’s fast-evolving job market, managing stress has become a critical skill, not just for personal well-being, but for professional sustainability. Whether it’s a startup founder in the Pearl District, a nurse at OHSU, or a software engineer working remotely from Southeast Portland, high-pressure work environments are part of

Oregon’s Struggling Economy Finds Hope In Women’s Sports

Oregon’s Struggling Economy Finds Hope In Women’s Sports

Oregon’s economy has faced significant challenges in recent years. Reports indicate that the state has been grappling with slow growth, rising living costs, and potential risks of a recession. Traditional sectors like manufacturing, technology, and housing have struggled to maintain consistent gains, leaving many policymakers searching for new avenues

Clean Tech Growth Boosts Portland Jobs and Green Economy

Clean Tech Growth Boosts Portland Jobs and Green Economy

Portland has long been known for its environmental consciousness, but the city’s clean tech sector is taking that commitment to the next level. As renewable energy and sustainable technology industries rapidly expand in the region, Portland is solidifying its place as a leader in clean tech innovation. The clean

The Critical Importance of Online Privacy in Portland

The Critical Importance of Online Privacy in Portland

In today’s digital age, online privacy has become a critical concern for individuals and organizations alike. In Portland, the issue of online privacy is especially pertinent as residents increasingly rely on the internet for communication, commerce, and daily activities. Understanding the gravity of online privacy in Portland involves examining

Portland Bans AI Rent‑Setting Tools to Tackle Housing Costs

Portland Bans AI Rent‑Setting Tools to Tackle Housing Costs

Portland’s City Council has taken a bold step in addressing the ongoing housing affordability crisis by banning the use of AI-powered rent-setting tools. On November 19, 2025, the council voted 8–2 in favor of the ordinance, which prohibits landlords and property managers from using software that automatically determines rental

The Digital Detox Trend Portland's Guide to Travel Without Phones

The Digital Detox Trend: Portland’s Guide to Travel Without Phones

Digital detox is gaining momentum across Portland, where wellness culture and outdoor access make unplugged travel not just possible, but popular. As screen fatigue and overstimulation reshape how residents think about rest, more locals are choosing to leave their phones behind and embrace intentional disconnection. Whether it’s a weekend