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Good morning, Northwest.
Congress has just a few days to agree on a plan to fund the federal government. Otherwise, the U.S. could be facing a lengthy government shutdown.
That would have significant effects on Oregon and Southwest Washington, where tens of thousands of people work for the federal government.
OPB’s Kristian Foden-Vencil kicks off this morning’s newsletter explaining what a shutdown would mean for our region.
Also this morning, we have the trailer for Season 2 of OPB investigative podcast “Hush,” which looks into an unsolved death in Columbia County.
Here’s your First Look at Thursday’s news.
—Bradley W. Parks
Capitol Police officers adjust security barriers around the East Plaza at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. With just days to go before federal money runs out with the end of the fiscal year on Tuesday, Sept. 30, Congress has failed to pass legislation to keep the government running after becoming deadlocked during votes late last week.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
What a government shutdown might mean for Oregon and Southwest Washington
If members of Congress cannot reach a funding agreement by the end of the day next Tuesday, the federal government will shut down on Wednesday.
In Oregon and Southwest Washington, that means about a third of the federal workforce could stop working. Some like air traffic controllers or law enforcement may continue working during a shutdown but won’t get paid until later.
National parks, forests and monuments could also be affected.
If the government shuts down, it could last awhile. Congress has not passed any of the 12 required appropriations bills. (Kristian Foden-Vencil)
Firefighters wait to board a crew helicopter while working the Bear Gulch Fire on Washington's Olympic Peninsula in this provided image from August 2025.
Image via Inciweb
3 things to know this morning
- An Oregon firefighter arrested by Border Patrol while working a fire on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula has been released. His freeing surprisingly came without a judge’s order. (Troy Brynelson)
- Portland’s mid-year budget woes are growing. According to City Administrator Michael Jordan, the city’s homeless shelter system is short $11 million to cover anticipated costs this year. (Alex Zielinski)
- Clark County’s transit agency, C-TRAN, could lose millions of dollars in future grants if a Thurston County Superior Court judge determines its board membership isn’t representative of the local population and it remains out of compliance with the state. (Erik Neumann)
Hush season 2 explores how a young woman's death shook a rural Oregon community and the ways true crime media has helped keep answers out of reach.
Van Cooley / OPB
‘Hush’ Season 2 coming Oct. 8
In Season 2 of OPB’s investigative podcast “Hush,” Leah Sottile and Ryan Haas investigate the unsolved 2019 death of Sarah Zuber in rural Columbia County, Oregon.
They delve into the ways declining local media, citizen sleuthing and a police department that can’t find answers led to serious rifts in the community — as well as the damage done when true crime tropes take over. (Leah Sottile and Ryan Haas)
Protesters gather outside the federal building in downtown Eugene on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025.
Nathan Wilk / KLCC
Headlines from around the Northwest
- Protesters pepper-sprayed, detained at Eugene federal building (Nathan Wilk)
- Multnomah County sheriff releases murder suspect by mistake (Conrad Wilson)
- 2 Tigard city councilors to vie for newly open mayor’s seat (Holly Bartholomew)
- Court action from Portland Thorns, Fire ownership group could complicate Trail Blazers’ sale (Rob Manning)
- OHSU president says careful growth, not layoffs, will turn around organization’s financials (Amelia Templeton)
- University of Oregon’s historic debate program faces cuts amid university budget deficit (Tiffany Camhi)
- No. 6 Oregon faces its toughest test so far this season in Saturday’s road game against No. 3 Penn State (Associated Press)
Books With Pictures in Southeast Portland.
Courtesy of Katie Pryde
One of the best comic shops in the world is in Portland
Comic book shops across the globe this weekend will mark Local Comic Shop Day. It recognizes, you guessed it, local comic shops and the role they play in the community.
That includes Portland shops like Books With Pictures, which in 2022 was named the best comic book shop in the world at the acclaimed Eisner Awards.
Today we revisit a conversation with store owner Katie Pryde about what sets the store apart and what makes the Rose City special in the comics world at large. (Allison Frost)
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