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Good morning, Northwest.
Political activist Charlie Kirk, a close ally of President Trump and ardent gun rights supporter, died yesterday after he was shot in the neck at a rally in Utah.
The governors of Oregon and Washington, plus a host of other political leaders in the region, quickly condemned the killing. OPB’s Troy Brynelson leads off the newsletter with Northwest leaders’ reactions.
NPR also has the latest on the killing and the search for the shooter.
In other news, the invasive emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Portland. Over time, the shiny green beetle will kill virtually all ash trees in the area.
And Evergreen schools in Southwest Washington reached a tentative deal with striking classified workers late last night. Students could finally begin the school year Friday.
Here’s your First Look at Thursday’s news.
FILE - Charlie Kirk speaks during a town hall meeting on March 17, 2025, in Oconomowoc, Wis.
Jeffrey Phelps / AP
Oregon, Washington leaders condemn violence after Charlie Kirk’s killing
Oregon and Washington officials joined a chorus of lawmakers condemning the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk yesterday.
Kirk, 31, died after being reportedly shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University. The event was set to be the first stop on Kirk’s planned “American Comeback Tour.”
Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that aims to sway young people to the conservative movement and which had been considered integral to President Donald Trump’s reelection. A Turning Point USA spokesperson confirmed Kirk’s death, according to media reports.
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and House Republican Leader Christine Drazan all swiftly denounced the shooting. Drazan, a Republican from Canby, called the killing an assassination. (Troy Brynelson)
Evergreen Public Schools reaches tentative deal with union to end strike
Officials with Evergreen Public Schools and a union representing classified staff reached a tentative agreement late Wednesday, according to the district.
The deal marks the end of a strike that pushed the start of the school year back three weeks for the district’s nearly 22,000 students. (Erik Neumann)
Oregon Department of Forestry invasive species specialist Wyatt Williams analyzes a tree for emerald ash borer at the Douglas Aquatic Center in Portland, Ore., on Sept. 10, 2025.
April Ehrlich / OPB
3 things to know this morning
- An invasive, tree-killing pest has made its way to Portland, spelling trouble for the many ash trees that cool residential neighborhoods on hot summer days. Forestry officials say Oregon will lose 99% of its ash trees to the emerald ash borer in time. (April Ehrlich)
- Tigard Mayor Heidi Lueb announced her resignation Tuesday night, referencing an investigation into workplace complaints made against her. (Holly Bartholomew)
- Between April and July, Oregon experienced its fourth driest period since record keeping began in 1895, according to the state’s climatologist. (Alex Baumhardt)
Yardy Rum Bar in downtown Eugene, pictured on Sept. 10, 2025.
Zac Ziegler/KLCC
Headlines from around the Northwest
- Eugene’s Yardy Rum Bar named one of New York Times’ 50 best restaurants in the US (Zac Ziegler)
- Port of Portland reaches agreement with terminal operator, keeping Oregon shipping containers moving into the future (Kyra Buckley)
- How the Almeda Fire reshaped wildfire strategy in the Rogue Valley (Justin Higginbottom)
- State boosts rates to keep Oregon Health Plan contractors (Nick Budnick)
- Public health officials prepare for fall respiratory illness season (Jane Vaughan)
- Judge hears arguments in Mountain West’s motion to dismiss lawsuit by Pac-12 over 'poaching fees' (Associated Press)
Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation
“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):
- 2 Oregon restaurants are on The New York Times’ 50 Best Restaurants list
- Invasive emerald ash borer spreads to Portland
13 years with OPB’s Class of 2025
OPB’s 13-year journey following students through Oregon’s public schools has reached its conclusion.
We first met the group of more than two dozen students as they entered first grade. It was around that time Oregon elected officials made it a goal to achieve a 100% high school graduation rate by the year 2025.
The Class of 2025 project followed the kids on their various paths through school — some of which ended on graduation stages and some of which did not.
Here’s an early glimpse of our final film coming soon.
Subscribe to OPB’s First Look to receive Northwest news in your inbox six days a week.
