The type of weather system Oregon skiers and snowboarders have been hoping for appears to finally be on its way. Weather models are calling for 30-40 inches of badly needed snow at pass level; maybe some flakes in the Willamette Valley across next week: tinyurl.com/5n8df4c4

Oregon’s state parks saw the fewest number of visitors last year (2025) since the pandemic. It was also the first year of a batch of higher fees for parking & camping. Correlation or coincidence? tinyurl.com/rrxfmbmw

A 76-year-old veteran and nurse was tackled and detained at the site of Alex Pretti's killing. Agents told him his phone was evidence in an investigation into him assaulting an officer. “I didn’t assault an officer. I got assaulted by three officers." minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/12/w...

Abiqua Falls, maybe Oregon's most beautiful waterfall, was a fascinating place even before it went up for sale last week. In the latest Explore Oregon Pod, we talked about its backstory, how the sale will work and what's happening in the Oregon Legislature to make it a park: tinyurl.com/hrt37ae5

Hey big shout out to my boy @jonathanmbach.bsky.social for being a finalist for the Oregon book award! www.wweek.com/arts/books/2...

Despite once again having overwhelming support, a bill to help Oregon’s ski areas and outdoor recreation businesses faces the possibility of getting stuck in committee while the clock runs out on the short session. It would be the fourth time: tinyurl.com/rt5da2w4

Been a huge Ryan fan for north of a decade now. This is a real bummer and a real loss for OPB. It's also just a really good look at the struggle of local journalism.

Oregon lawmakers spoke Feb. 9 about the need to preserve public access to Abiqua Falls, and one lawmaker is already making plans for it to happen, after the Statesman Journal reported on the iconic waterfall going up for sale last week: tinyurl.com/2jpnnpm6

A desperate plea sent to me by a Minneapolis resident who's been on the front lines since the beginning of the ICE occupation:

If you haven't got a chance to see the excellent short doc "Oregon's Boat" then make sure to find 35 minutes for it. The film highlights Oregon's original river rats, guides and boat builders as they pioneered a craft to navigate big rapids. Podcast w/director Randy Dersham: tinyurl.com/mr6y76ea

How exactly will Abiqua Falls be sold, for what price and will it stay public? I got into all those issues in a follow up story as one of Oregon’s natural wonders hits the open market: tinyurl.com/9xdbbrnj

Hoodoo Ski Area became just the latest ski area to close due one of Oregon’s smallest snowpacks on record. There is hope they can reopen as a pattern shift in the weather turns wetter and cooler next week: tinyurl.com/24ykkzcm

One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest is up for sale: tinyurl.com/2smzpp33

Oregon has never had such a small amount of snow, on this date, as it has now statewide. But that could change in a big way beginning this coming weekend, as a forecasted pattern shift brings cooler and wetter conditions: tinyurl.com/4y5bc36v

Healthcare fraud in Minnesota, sensationalized by Trump and Rupert Murdoch, is trivial compared to healthcare fraud in Texas and Florida, which lead the nation in this category. News you'll never see on Rupert Murdoch TV. www.startribune.com/trump-claims...

Today at school dismissal, I followed a suspicious pickup around for a bit, keeping an eye on them, trying to figure out if they were ICE. Then I realized they were keeping an eye on me also. Then I realized they were, in fact, other parents. Life in Minnesota, January 2026.

It’s not often that ranchers and environmentalists, rural Rs and urban Ds, find themselves on the same side of an issue — much less a bill to raise taxes. But that’s where a coalition sits as they again support a bill to generate millions for Oregon’s wildlife: tinyurl.com/3nczr7wk

ICE used facial recognition software on a MN resident who was trailing agents in her car. Three days later she received an email from DHS saying her Global Entry and TSA travel privileges had been revoked. No explanation was provided. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/t...

Second grader and a fifth grader.

Rain finally returns to Oregon after an abnormally (but not historically) long dry spell. Problem is, it won't do much for one of the worst snowpacks on record and things only look more bleak in the coming 8-14 days. Details: tinyurl.com/2p8y9ack

Can’t believe Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson/corporal gets paid $210,000 to ignore my requests for comment

Former Portland Trail Blazer Chris Dudley will run for Oregon governor www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/p... via @salem_statesman

Climber dies on Mount Hood after 300 foot fall. What we know www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l... via @salem_statesman

The Star-Tribune is taking donations to help fund the purchase vital newsroom supplies and equipment, including protective and tactical gear for street reporters and photogs. If you live in MSP, pls subscribe. If you don't and want to help, here's a way -- www.startribunecompany.com/donate-payme....

Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti. "Please get the truth out about our son."

Alex Pretti - who DHS labeled a domestic terrorist - honoring a veteran that passed away in the ICU.

Oregon is having its own “dry January,” but this version has more to do with a lack of rainfall than booze. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...

Holy fuck I do not want an ai summary of my email thread at the top of the page by default. 1) I know how to read, and 2) I would rather spend my time READING THE ACTUAL FUCKING EMAIL

Two Oregon state senators — a Republican and Democrat — have teamed up for a bill that would protect the legality of “corner crossing” on the checkerboard of public/private land. It also protects private landowners from lawsuits. It's a big issue in the West: tinyurl.com/376xe6y2

Gov. Tina Kotek has nominated a Nevada forester and fire warden to lead the embattled Oregon Department of Forestry, after its last two leaders resigned under pressure: tinyurl.com/2ek6pvkt

Neither of those were PI IMO

A federal judge vacated approvals for three major logging projects in Oregon and ruled that the U.S. Forest Service could not use a so-called “logging loophole” to approve large-scale timber projects in a decision filed Jan. 13. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...

2025 was the third-hottest year in Oregon in records that date back to 1895. This year’s heat wasn’t as obvious — coming at night and in spring, late fall and early winter (hence the crap snowpack). It was also dry, but not that wildfire-y. Full story: tinyurl.com/dauh9e64

Oregon Coast state park closed by abandoned vessel that washed ashore www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l... via @salem_statesman

The Oregon Legislature is poised to take up an increasingly dire issue for the state’s outdoor recreation industry — liability reform — for the fourth time. Two bills are likely to be introduced for the session that begins Feb. 2 to address what's become a legit crisis: tinyurl.com/yp37ezs5

My goodness. Hoodoo Ski Area is running at just 22 inches right now. I can't ever remember them being open at that thin level of snow!

AI and data centers are a pox on Oregon and are creating an electricity crisis. But great reporting by @rogoway.bsky.social. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...

Read this story. Including ICE agents coordinating to lead one legal observer from her neighborhood while other agents run her plates for her address, go to her home and try to intimidate her wife. Via @minnesotareformer.com minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/13/i...

You need to understand the heroism of these everyday people in Minneapolis minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/13/i...

Interstate 5 will be closed overnight Jan. 12-14 from exit 248 to exit 252 in south Salem. The closures, scheduled to last from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., are part of an ongoing project to widen I-5 from Delaney Road to Kuebler Boulevard. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...

That was pass interference

Hoodoo Ski Area will have its full season opening today (Jan. 8) with all lifts expected to be running by noon and most main trails open. It’s the second time in three years Hoodoo has had to wait until early January to open and they’re hoping it holds: tinyurl.com/mwznrwtj

A friend in Minneapolis just sent me this video. Looks like thousands have come together for a vigil after an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. This was my neighborhood for several years before coming to Portland.

Spent half my life in Minnesota. This one hurts. www.startribune.com/she-was-an-a...

Two of the most popular trails in the Columbia River Gorge will be closed for an extended period due to damage from the December 2025 storm and flooding events: tinyurl.com/am9tm7yh

This winter storm is make-or-break for Oregon’s ski areas, especially Hoodoo and Willamette Pass. Both could see up to 50 inches of snow. That could allow both to open normal operations. If it falls short, the forecast beyond is rough: tinyurl.com/yrr95tj3

Oregon’s big chance for significant mountain snow is coming this week, and is much needed. Wrote about how much we're expecting and what comes after, longer-term: tinyurl.com/2s4by2j2

Conditions for skiing and snowboarding remain brutal to non-existent across Oregon. But there is hope coming next week: tinyurl.com/w2n4uwy5

Major storm damage will keep a number of popular trails at Silver Falls State Park closed for the foreseeable future (some are still open). Shellburg Falls also has some major storm damage and closures. Details on what's closed and when it'll open: tinyurl.com/yswsaa6p