AGP Executive Report

Emergency Communications Upgrade: Oregon is moving ahead with statewide Next Generation 9-1-1, partnering with Lumen and Intrado to modernize the system across all 36 counties. Public Safety & Environment: A Longview, Washington pulp and paper mill implosion left at least two dead and nine missing, with officials warning of Columbia River contamination. Legal Fight Over Immigration Enforcement: The Trump administration sued Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington over undercover license plates for federal agents, arguing the states’ policies are unconstitutional and endanger officers. Health & Mental Health: An OHSU-led study finds veterans diagnosed with cancer face elevated suicide attempt risk that can persist for years. Oregon Sports & Community: Portland’s expansion Fire beat the Connecticut Sun 71-61; and Oregon’s high school playoffs delivered more local second-round results, including Glencoe’s 8-1 win over Lake Oswego. Local Growth: Easy Mile Fitness plans a $30M expansion of Planet Fitness in Oregon, adding six new clubs and upgrading four.

Oregon Ballot Fight: A proposed Oregon initiative to criminalize hunting and fishing has cleared enough uncertified signatures to land on November ballots, raising alarms from hunters and anglers about major economic impacts tied to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Public Safety & Courts: A former Gladstone police sergeant pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the 2011 death of his wife, with sentencing set for July 1. Health Watch: Whooping cough (pertussis) was confirmed in Union County, with officials urging vaccination—especially for infants and pregnant people. Local Business: “Three Bees” opened in Oregon, offering all-organic beekeeping and local honey plus hive-based body care products. Weather: The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of Oregon near the California border, including Siskiyou and Klamath counties, with damaging winds and hail possible. Sports (Oregon ties): Oregon baseball’s NCAA regional at PK Park is set to return to home field, with the program highlighting recent ballpark upgrades and growth.

Industrial Accident (WA): Crews in Longview, Washington say there’s no hope of finding more survivors after a paper mill tank imploded, killing at least one and injuring nine, with nine still missing as responders work to stabilize the unstable caustic “white liquor” tank. Public Health (OR): Tick reports are rising in Oregon, especially around Powell Butte, and health officials urge outdoor-goers to use repellents, wear protective clothing, and check for ticks after trips. Local Transit (Philly): SEPTA rolled out its first real-time arrival display at a South Philadelphia bus stop, with more solar-powered screens planned across the system. Oregon Higher Ed (Bend): OSU-Cascades launched an Energy Innovation Center to speed up energy storage, carbon capture, and power controls research with industry partners. Sports (OR): Oregon girls claimed a regional softball title and placed fourth at an IHSA track meet, with several young athletes contributing in both sports. Business (OR): Champion Homes agreed to buy Homes Direct, adding 11 retail locations across Western markets including Oregon.

Chemical Disaster: A chemical tank imploded at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, Washington, killing at least one person and injuring others, with officials still sorting out how many workers were missing as responders decontaminate and stabilize the site. Local Sports: WSU baseball is back in the NCAA Tournament, set for an Eugene Regional matchup with Oregon State, while Kamiakin High School celebrated 24 athletes on college signing day and Justin-Siena punched into its NCS title game after knocking off top-seeded John Swett. Education & Community: One teacher’s fight to save her son helped spotlight Oregon’s reading crisis, and a truck-driving training program is turning beginners into licensed professionals in about 10 weeks. Policy & Courts: A federal appeals panel blocked a judge’s fluoride-water limits order, and Oregon AG Brown joined a coalition opposing the KIDS Act over fears it would weaken state protections for kids online. Activism & Safety: Anti-ICE protesters wove messages into Eugene’s federal building fence, and Salem police arrested a teen after a downtown shooting sent another teen to the hospital.

Child-Safety Probe: Connecticut AG William Tong says his state is investigating Roblox after reports of child exploitation, arguing the company may have known more than it disclosed and calling for real “duty of care” from platforms. Public Safety Update: In Jackson County, a Central Point fire shrank the evacuation picture—Level 2 was downgraded to Level 1 (and another Level 1 zone was canceled), with road closures lifted as firefighters stopped forward spread. Health Watch: A passenger who tested positive for hantavirus weeks after leaving an infected cruise ship is raising new questions about how outbreaks spread and how quickly health systems respond. Sports—Oregon Focus: Forest Grove rolled past Nelson 10-0 in the first round of state softball playoffs, while Oregon and Oregon State are set for an NCAA baseball Eugene Regional matchup. Tech/Charging: Carbon DC says it helped power America’s first fully off-grid ZEV fast-charging stations, built for 24/7 solar charging without a grid connection.

MLB Debut Buzz: Chicago White Sox rookie Rikuu Nishida made his major-league start Monday, playing right field and helping seal a 3-1 win over the Twins with seven putouts and a key throw to nail a runner at home—then joked he lost his left shoe and needed “tighter” ones. NCAA Baseball Stakes: The NCAA Division I baseball field of 64 is set, with UCLA earning the No. 1 overall seed and Oregon landing a Eugene Regional spot against Yale, while Oregon State and WSU open in the same regional. Local Sports Playoffs: OSAA 6A state playoffs kicked off Monday night, with Tualatin beating Sandy 4-1 and advancing to face Lincoln. Memorial Day in Southern Oregon: Eagle Point National Cemetery held its Memorial Day ceremony with remarks from Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Cliff Bentz, plus a WWII-era flyover. Public Safety: Walla Walla police arrested two people after an overnight shooting investigation on Rose Street.

Legal Showdown in Washington: Washington state is asking a federal judge to toss the DOJ’s lawsuit demanding private voter data, calling it a “lawless demand” and warning it’s part of a push for a “shadow national voter registration list.” The state points to a string of court losses for the DOJ in similar cases. NCAA Baseball Road to Omaha: The 64-team NCAA baseball bracket is set to be revealed Monday at noon ET, kicking off regionals starting May 29 and running through June 1 (with super regionals and Omaha next). Oregon Baseball Hosting: Oregon is set to host an NCAA regional after a strong season and a runner-up finish in the Big Ten tournament, with Eugene’s PK Park in the spotlight again. Wildfire Watch: AccuWeather flags another active 2026 fire season for the West—fewer fires possible, but faster spread and bigger burns driven by drought and heat. Community Calendar: Senior meal schedules are posted across Baker City, Boardman, Heppner, Hermiston, Irrigon, John Day, and more for late May into early June.

NCAA Baseball: UCLA won the Big Ten Tournament title in Omaha, beating Oregon 3-2 in the 11th on a hit-by-pitch after a long review—another walk-off in a weekend full of them. Regional Watch: Oregon is set to host the 2026 Eugene Regional at PK Park next week, while Oregon State missed out on hosting for the first time since 2023. Softball: The WCWS field is set in Oklahoma City, with Texas Tech joining Alabama, Nebraska, Arkansas, Tennessee and UCLA after run-rule wins, and Mississippi State knocking off Oklahoma. Local Life: Portland Art Museum’s new Coquelico cafe is drawing downtown lingerers, and a new Oregon Historical Society exhibit spotlights the story of U.S. 101 along the coast. Safety/Weather: Salem firefighters contained a warehouse fire tied to Oregon State Fire Marshal wildfire equipment ahead of the season.

Memorial Day Meaning: Memorial Day’s original purpose—honoring those who died in U.S. service—gets drowned out by sales and travel, but Oregon readers are seeing the pushback as veterans and families stress the difference between remembering the fallen and celebrating the weekend. Local Shelter Spotlight: Eugene-area shelters are spotlighting new adoptables, including Greenhill Humane Society’s Dexter and Oregon Coast Humane Society’s Travieso, both framed as ready-for-home companions. Oregon Sports: Oregon baseball steamrolled Nebraska 8-0 in the Big Ten semis and now faces UCLA for the conference title Sunday, while North Eugene’s Derek Earl surged to sweep sprint district titles. Community & Safety: Lincoln City says fireworks are back for July 4, moving from a 2025 drone show to Devil’s Lake over wildlife and fire concerns. Health Watch: Researchers report hantavirus is more widespread in Pacific Northwest rodents than expected, raising exposure risk for nearby communities.

Big Ten baseball showdown: No. 14 Oregon is one win from a conference title after routing Nebraska 8-0 in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, setting up a Sunday championship game vs. top-seeded UCLA after UCLA stunned USC 7-5 on a walk-off three-run homer. NCAA softball: The super regional round is underway, with Oregon’s softball season continuing and the WCWS in Oklahoma City starting May 28. Wildfire + travel: A wildfire near Biggs Junction briefly shut down I-84, while another blaze near Kennewick burned about 250 acres—both disrupting commutes before reopening. Gas prices + Iran war: Memorial Day travel is hitting Oregonians hard as gas tops $5 statewide, with leaders tying the spike to the Iran conflict. Local sports spotlight: Northwest Oregon Conference track photos and district meets kept athletes in the spotlight, while Oregon’s youth and postseason runs kept momentum rolling.

Farm Bill Pressure on Alaska Prices: A Senate vote is the next hurdle for a 2026 Farm Bill that could ease inflation-hit grocery costs in Alaska, with lawmakers pointing to a California Prop 12 fix that’s been driving up pork and egg prices. Oregon Politics: With Kotek and Drazan set for a November rematch, Oregon voters are also watching a leftward shift in Deschutes County after recent commission results. Healthcare Oversight: A new report flags payment errors and delays tied to private equity-backed contractors running parts of Medicaid in multiple states, including Oregon. Public Safety: In Southern California, about 40,000 people faced evacuation orders after a hazardous chemical tank overheated at a plastics facility. Sports (PNW): Oregon’s Lyndsey Grein’s eye infection story continues to draw attention as college and high school tournaments roll on. Weekend Watch: TSA says plants are generally allowed through checkpoints and in checked bags on domestic flights within the U.S. Mainland and Alaska.

Health & Safety: Providence says it will exit most health insurance lines starting in 2027, shifting Oregon members to other coverage arrangements by end of 2026. Public Safety: A Clackamas County sheriff’s deputy, Benjamin Lyman, was arraigned on felony strangulation-related charges, facing 17 counts and held without bail pending transfer. Politics: David Brock Smith won Oregon’s GOP U.S. Senate primary and will face Sen. Jeff Merkley in November. Sports—Oregon Spotlight: Oregon softball ace Lyndsey Grein revealed her eye infection was potentially life-threatening orbital cellulitis. Sports—Big Ten Baseball: Oregon’s quarterfinal vs. Washington was postponed to Saturday due to weather. Sports—National: NCAA women’s golf is underway with USC taking an early team lead, while a viral spelling-bee story has a Washington-area student ready for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Local Notes: Portland homeowners report a woman allegedly stealing flowers from yards in Woodstock.

Oregon Border Reversal: Wallowa County voters approved a repeal of a 2023 push to join Idaho, making it the first Oregon county to back away from the “Greater Idaho” effort—though actual border changes would still require state legislatures and Congress. School Events Coverage: KOIN and DistrictWON are expanding uReport funding so Portland-area schools can spotlight not just sports but band, theatre, and other activities. Clean Energy Deal (WA): Puget Sound Energy signed a long-term contract for nearly 200 MW of wind power from Avangrid’s Big Horn I project in Klickitat County. Election Fight: Federal judges in Maine and Wisconsin tossed DOJ lawsuits seeking detailed voter-roll data, calling the effort overreach. Oregon Transportation Politics: Oregon voters resoundingly rejected the gas-tax increase, a fresh warning sign for lawmakers as affordability stays front and center. Health Insurance Shock: Providence Health Plan says it will exit most insurance lines by end of 2026, affecting 435,000 members across the region, including 421,000 in Oregon.

Weather Watch: Minnesota got the rain it needed this week, with thunderstorms pushing totals over 2 inches in parts of the Mankato area and a high of 4.36 inches north of Mapleton—while drought worries still loom across much of the U.S. Oregon Sports: Jillian Hammer dominated Oregon’s prelims at state track, winning both hurdles events and helping advance relays, while Portland Fire waived Haley Jones, Sug Sutton, and Kamiah Smalls. Local Development: The Port of Umatilla is continuing redevelopment of the former Umatilla Chemical Depot, aiming to turn the site into long-term industrial growth. Politics & Policy: Oregon voters crushed a highway funding measure tied to a gas tax hike and higher fees, and Washington County’s late returns flipped two tight Democratic primaries toward labor-backed challengers. Public Safety: A rabid bat was confirmed in Douglas County, urging residents to avoid contact and seek treatment if exposed.

Sports & Draft Buzz: Aaron Rodgers says his 2026 season will be his last, and the Steelers are already looking at in-house options like Will Howard and Drew Allar. Local Sports: Oregon Tech’s Lady Owls are 15th after Round 1 at the NAIA Women’s Golf Championships, while Izzy Berg’s 6-0 win over Somonauk sends her team to the regional title game. Oregon Politics: In Washington County legislative races, labor-backed Democrats are pulling ahead as ballots keep getting counted, with results still not official. Health & Access: A coalition is urging UW Health and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to restart gender-affirming care for transgender youth after recent legal shifts. Environment & Research: Mediterranean monk seals are using hidden “bubble caves” to dodge summer tourists, according to a new study. Business & Policy: Oregon is weighing ending the Oregon Promise free-college program and redirecting money to need-based aid. Tech & Industry: A new U.S. data-center readiness index ranks Texas first and Oregon second.

Portland Trail Blazers shake-up: New owner Tom Dundon has laid off a “significant” number of business-side employees, with local reports putting cuts at 70+ as the team restructures under Hankins’ statement that it’s “positioning the organization for long-term success.” Critics say the cost-cutting push has already hit travel and staffing decisions. Health care costs: New KFF data finds private payers’ hospital prices rose far faster than Medicare’s—about 47% more quickly over recent years—keeping pressure on lawmakers and hospitals. Oregon ballot fight: Oregon voters overwhelmingly rejected Measure 120, turning down gas tax and fee increases meant for transportation funding. Local community wins: Albina Vision Trust is pursuing restorative housing and economic development after decades of displacement. Public health watch: Oregon’s agriculture department is asking people to report suspected yellow-legged hornets after a sighting near the Port of Vancouver. Education: Portland teachers reached a tentative contract for a 2% cost-of-living raise starting January 2027.