Bradley W. Parks
@bradleywparks.bsky.social
š¤ 149
š„ 38
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Journalist and weekday writer of OPB's First Look newsletter. Faster than your average hobby jogger.
Tillamook goes to space. Salem gets more details on its drinking water emergency. Phoenix gets an outdoor preschool. And some guy in Portland kicks rocks. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Tillamook goes to space
An aerospace materials company on the Oregon Coast has been aiding space exploration for years. Here's your First Look at Monday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/22/opbs-first-look-tillamook-goes-to-space/
about 8 hours ago
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The "Oregon Way" might be over. Portland's red-light and speed cameras have been offline for months. And what high-profile resignations in Tigard and Bend mean for their respective cities. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: The āOregon Wayā might be over
The current transportation funding debate signals a major shift in Oregon politics. Here's your First Look at Friday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/19/oregon-politics-centrist-moderate-first-look/
3 days ago
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- Why are gas prices so high? - West Coast states issue vaccine guidance. - Nvidia invests $5 billion in Intel. - And a field of dreams, in a manner of speaking, takes root in Portland. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Why are gas prices so high right now?
West Coast states tend to pay more at the pump even outside of this recent spike, and there are a few reasons why. Here's your First Look at Thursday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/18/gas-prices-high-oregon-washington-first-look/
4 days ago
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The loss of a Baker City maternity ward could be a harbinger for rural Oregon once Trump's Medicaid cuts take hold. The special legislative session is paused again. And no, Mount St. Helens did not erupt yesterday. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Losing maternity care in rural Oregon
The loss of a maternity ward in Baker City may be a harbinger for rural Oregon once President Trump's Medicaid cuts take effect. Here's your First Look at Wednesday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/17/maternity-care-baker-city-first-look/
5 days ago
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@hbarth.bsky.social
reports on efforts to make sure Washington County history doesn't become a thing of the past. Plus, where are most of Portland's soon-to-be-dead ash trees? Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Preserving Washington County history
The closure of a Washington County museum raises questions about what to do with its collection. Here's your First Look at Tuesday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/16/five-oaks-museum-washington-county-first-look/
6 days ago
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reposted by
Bradley W. Parks
Bryan from Stumptown Savings
10 days ago
I'm looking for people on SNAP and/or seniors on fixed incomes in the
#Portland
or
#SWWashington
area who'd be willing to share their grocery strategies for a column. If that's you, I'd love to connect! Email me at
[email protected]
to learn more.
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Portland's mayor wants PBOT to tow more RVs and make it more expensive for people to get them back. Plus, a jury found a man guilty of plotting a mass attack at Smith Rock. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Portland homes in on RVs
The city is cracking down on derelict, "lived-in" vehicles, one of the most visible signs of the housing crisis. Here's your First Look at Friday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/12/rvs-towing-portland-first-look/
10 days ago
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reposted by
Bradley W. Parks
Erik Neumann
18 days ago
Last night, small cities in Clark County successfully lobbied to hold onto their voting power on the C-TRAN board. But it could put millions at stake in transit funding
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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C-TRAN committee opposes Washington guidance on transit board, potentially risking millions
Representatives from Clark County said they will continue trying to get approval from state transit officials about who gets to oversee the county transit agency.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/04/ctran-board-vancouver-ridgefield-camas-washougal/
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How the valiant efforts of firefighters and the preparation of residents kept the Flat Fire from going from bad to worse. Plus, an explainer of Oregon's first-in-the-nation sanctuary law. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Keeping the Flat Fire in check
The story of the Flat Fire in Central Oregon is as much about the homes saved as it is the homes lost. Here's your First Look at Thursday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/04/flat-fire-oregon-first-look/
18 days ago
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It's been a year since Oregon reinstated criminal penalties for drug possession. How's it going? Plus, why the special session is on hold and West Coast states join forces on vaccines. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: How recriminalization is affecting drug use in Oregon
Itās been a year since Oregon gave up its pioneering experiment to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs. Here's your First Look at Wednesday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/03/drug-recriminalization-statistics-oregon-first-look/
19 days ago
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I love you, Taco Bell.
add a skeleton here at some point
20 days ago
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A small team of volunteer firefighters kept Breitenbush from being wiped off the map during the 2020 Labor Day fires. Their story leads this morning's newsletter. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Saving Breitenbush
A small team of volunteer firefighters worked round the clock to save Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort from total destruction in 2020. Here's your First Look at Tuesday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/02/breitenbush-hot-springs-first-look/
20 days ago
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reposted by
Bradley W. Parks
Dirk VanderHart
21 days ago
Final vote goes as expected. HB 3991 passes 36-12. One Republicans, Cyrus Javadi, needed to get it across. The bill moves to the Senate, where a transportation package ran into trouble during the regular session. House is adjourning
#orleg
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reposted by
Bradley W. Parks
OPB
21 days ago
Oregon lawmakers have advanced a transportation funding bill after Democrats agreed to slash some funding they sought for public transit.
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Oregon road funding bill, slightly slimmer, moves forward
Democrats agreed to slash some funding theyād sought for public transit, and Gov. Tina Kotek remained scarce.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/31/oregon-road-funding-bill-slightly-slimmer-moves-forward/
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Today we offer a special edition of OPB's First Look newsletter highlighting stories from our series on the 2020 Labor Day fires. We start with a story of survival on the coast by
@aprilehrlich.bsky.social
. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look special edition: Rebuilding after Oregonās Labor Day fires
This morning weāre bringing you a special edition of First Look highlighting stories from our series on the 2020 Oregon Labor Day fires. We start with a story of survival.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/01/labor-day-fires-oregon-newsletter-first-look/
21 days ago
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Oregon's special session starts today and probably won't end today. Two firefighters, one from Oregon, were arrested by Border Patrol while working the Bear Gulch Fire in Washington. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: On the road funding again
Oregon lawmakers are back in Salem to try to reach a deal to fund the Oregon Department of Transportation. Here's your First Look at Friday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/29/special-session-oregon-roads-bridges-funding-first-look/
24 days ago
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EV drivers could start paying 2 cents per mile driven in Oregon to fund upkeep for roads and bridges. In other news, why George Fox in Newberg is seeing record enrollment while other colleges are falling. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Electric vehiclesā two cents
Oregon could require drivers of electric vehicles pay 2 cents per mile they drive to help pay for upkeep of roads and bridges. Here's your First Look at Thursday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/28/road-use-charge-ev-oregon-first-look/
25 days ago
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East Portland city councilors are pounding pavement to make inroads with their oft-ignored constituents. Trees that didn't burn in 2020 fires are starting to die. And Lori Chavez-Deremer heaps praise on the president. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: East Portlandās seat at the table
How door-knocking and weed-pulling are helping Portland District 1 councilors meet their constituents. Here's your First Look at Wednesday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/27/east-portland-city-council-first-look/
26 days ago
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This weekend will mark five years since the deadliest wildfires on record in Oregon. Over the next several days, OPB is looking at how the fires changed Oregon and Oregonians. Here's what else we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Oregon approaches a solemn anniversary
This weekend will mark five years since the Labor Day fires, the deadliest on record in Oregon. Here's your First Look at Tuesday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/26/labor-day-fires-oregon-anniversary-first-look/
27 days ago
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The Flat Fire started late Thursday and took off over the weekend in Central Oregon, destroying at least four homes. And why small Oregon towns are buying their drinking water. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Flat Fire rages in Central Oregon
The Flat Fire in Central Oregon has destroyed at least four homes and threatens thousands more. Here's your First Look at Monday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/25/flat-fire-oregon-newsletter-first-look/
28 days ago
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How a giant soil trap will help clean the Columbia Slough. People jeered Reps. Cliff Bentz and Val Hoyle during district visits for different reasons. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Itās a (soil) trap!
A giant soil mat could trap toxins in part of the Columbia Slough. Plus, we have dispatches from Reps. Cliff Bentz's and Val Hoyle's district visits. Here's your First Look at Friday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/22/opbs-first-look-its-a-soil-trap/
about 1 month ago
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Congress' failure to renew Secure Rural Schools funding is a big part of why this Columbia Gorge middle school has to close. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Why this Columbia Gorge school had to close
The funding gap created by the loss of Secure Rural Schools forced one middle school in the Columbia River Gorge to shut its doors. Here's your First Look at Thursday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/21/opbs-first-look-why-this-columbia-gorge-school-had-to-close/
about 1 month ago
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Funding drought dries up brome on the range in Oregon. Kotek and Ferguson clap back at Bondi. And the long-term forecast calls for a rainy Northwest fall. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Funding drought on the Oregon range
Central Oregon ranchers have been forced to delay wildfire resilience projects as the federal government yanks financial support for that work. Here's your First Look at Wednesday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/20/wildfire-resilience-central-oregon-first-look/
about 1 month ago
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Republicans are planning to make it difficult to pass Gov. Tina Kotek's transportation bill, and Oregon's tallest known tree is on fire. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Previewing Oregonās high-stakes special session
Republican state lawmakers say they plan to make it hard for supermajority Democrats to pass the Oregon governor's transportation bill over Labor Day weekend. Here's your First Look at Tuesday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/19/transportation-tallest-tree-fire-newsletter-first-look/
about 1 month ago
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A paradigm shift in federal funding for Oregon timber counties could affect crucial public services. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: The budget crisis in Oregon timber country
A paradigm shift in federal funding for Oregon timber counties could affect crucial public services. Here's your First Look at Monday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/18/timber-funding-oregon-newsletter-first-look/
about 1 month ago
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A massive gift could chart a new course for OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute at a tenuous time for the American health care system. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: What a record-setting gift means for OHSU
A massive gift could chart a new course for OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute at a tenuous time for the American health care system. Here's your First Look at Friday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/15/ohsu-knight-donation-newsletter-first-look/
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Bradley W. Parks
Alex Zielinski
about 1 month ago
Today in the continued irony of City Hall: "A Portland City Council meeting about how to change council meetings to address the problem of meetings being cut short because they run too long, was cut short after running over time Thursday."
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Portland council couldnāt finish meeting intended to fix drawn-out meetings
Time constraints force city councilors to hit pause on a meeting restructure.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/15/portland-council-meetings-fix-drawnout-meetings/
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Tom Dundon's history as a professional sports owner and his plans for an entertainment district around the Carolina Hurricanes arena could give clues about his vision for Portland. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Who just bought the Blazers?
Tom Dundon's history as a professional sports owner and his plans for an entertainment district around the Carolina Hurricanes arena could give clues about his vision for Portland. Here's your First L...
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/14/trail-blazers-tom-dundon-moda-newsletter/
about 1 month ago
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Back tax payments from PeaceHealth St. John could benefit the city of Longview, which is projecting a big budget shortfall in coming years. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Missed tax payments hamper Washington hospital
Back tax payments from PeaceHealth St. John could benefit the city of Longview, which is projecting a big budget shortfall in coming years. Here's your First Look at Wednesday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/13/peacehealth-longview-portland-homeless-newsletter/
about 1 month ago
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The steepest cuts to services in Oregon from President Trump's spending plan are in health care and food assistance. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: What Oregon stands to lose from the Big Beautiful Bill
The steepest cuts to services in Oregon from President Trump's spending plan are in health care and food assistance. Here's your First Look at Tuesday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/12/opbs-first-look-what-oregon-stands-to-lose-from-the-big-beautiful-bill/
about 1 month ago
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Good morning. A West Linn evangelical pastor is on a mission to save Portland, the "least churched city in America." Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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OPBās First Look: Saving āgodlessā Portland
A West Linn evangelical pastor has a mission to save Portland, the "least churched city in America." Here's your First Look at Monday's news.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/11/extreme-heat-portland-christian-revival-newsletter/
about 1 month ago
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Good morning. Oregon could feel the sting of sweeping tariffs enacted this week. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
about 2 months ago
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Good morning. Back in the driver's seat of OPB's First Look newsletter after a few days off. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
about 2 months ago
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Good morning. The news is newsing today. Let's hop to it. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
about 2 months ago
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Good morning. Oregon and Washington saw little damage from tsunami waves yesterday, but the alert brought coastal communities' preparedness levels into clearer focus. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
about 2 months ago
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Good morning. The West Coast woke up to a tsunami advisory after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
about 2 months ago
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Good morning. The city of Salem has declared a drinking water emergency in anticipation of a deep drawdown of Detroit Lake next year. Here's what
@opb.org
is following today:
about 2 months ago
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Good morning. Oregon's failure to pass a transportation bill threatens a critical piece of its emergency response network, during wildfire season no less. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
about 2 months ago
2
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Good morning. Video of an immigration arrest outside a Beaverton Montessori school shows federal officers with their faces covered. What's the deal? Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
about 2 months ago
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Good morning.
@trimet.org
yesterday announced a 10% service cut starting in November ā but a new transportation funding plan could stave off more reductions down the line. Here's what we're following on
@opb.org
today:
2 months ago
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Good morning. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has called state lawmakers back to Salem to make a deal to fund transportation. Here's what we're following at
@opb.org
today:
2 months ago
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Good morning. OPB obtained video of the immigration arrest of a father dropping his child off at a Beaverton Montessori school. Here's what else we're following on
@opb.org
today:
2 months ago
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Good morning. Alaska Airlines is back up after a hiccup last night, and we've got photos from Portland's annual Pride parade. Here's what we're following today on
@opb.org
:
2 months ago
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Good morning. The U.S. House voted last night to approve President Trump's rescission package, which claws back $1.1 billion in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Here's what else we're following on
@opb.org
today.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
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House gives final approval to Trumpās $9 billion cut to public broadcasting and foreign aid
The vote marked the first time in decades that a president has successfully submitted such a rescissions request to Congress, and the White House suggested it wonāt be the last.
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/07/17/rescission-package-public-media-2/
2 months ago
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Good morning. The U.S. Senate voted overnight to rescind $1.1 billion in funding for public media. The amended bill now goes back to the House for a final vote. Here's what else we're following on
@opb.org
today:
2 months ago
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Good morning. It's a busy day in Northwest news AND a busy day for public media. Here's what we're following at
@opb.org
today.
2 months ago
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OPB's flagship newsletter First Look has a new look! Starting this week, each edition will lead off with a note from me,
@winstonszeto.bsky.social
,
@sukhjot.bsky.social
or another producer. Our goal is to more vital, more personal and easier to read.
2 months ago
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After Steve Prefontaine's death (50 years ago today), his supporters and the Eugene running community sought ways to memorialize the track superstar. They soon built the Steve Prefontaine Parcourse, now lovingly known as Pre's Trail. From 2019:
www.opb.org/news/article...
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The Swiss Fitness Sensation That Inspired Pre's Trail In Eugene
Pre's Trail is a runner's oasis in the busy college town of Eugene, Oregon, but it was a Swiss exercise craze that inspired the trail's creation.
https://www.opb.org/news/article/steve-prefontaine-trail-eugene-parcourse/
4 months ago
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This chart shows the daily change in the total number of people in Oregon's justice system without an attorney. Gov. Tina Kotek fired the head of the Oregon Public Defense Commission yesterday.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
5 months ago
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Some news on the search for lithium in southeastern Oregon. An Australian company has been exploring this area for years. The more drilling the company does, the more confident it can be in quality of the deposits.
add a skeleton here at some point
6 months ago
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