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Good morning, Northwest.
Gov. Tina Kotek has her eye on running for reelection at a pivotal time for Oregon.
Over the last month, OPB political reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake have interviewed dozens of lawmakers, lobbyists, businesspeople, bureaucrats and activists.
The resulting story reveals a picture of a governor who has increasingly perplexed fans and delighted Republican rivals — though both groups struggle to point out signature achievements of Kotek’s first 2.5 years.
In other politics news, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield has asked a federal judge to throw out Marion County’s lawsuit over the sanctuary law, saying state law takes priority.
Here’s your First Look at Wednesday’s news.
— Sukhjot Sal
Governor Tina Kotek sits for an interview with OPB reporter Monica Samayoa in the State Library of Oregon, Salem, Ore., Jan. 29, 2025.
Anna Lueck for OPB
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says she’s made progress on major issues. Even some fans are skeptical
In recent weeks, Gov. Tina Kotek has pushed back in her typically calm, polite style against President Donald Trump’s push to deploy the National Guard in what he described as “war-ravaged” Portland.
Supporters see a politician who’s found her footing.
As Kotek prepares to run for reelection, though, an interesting divergence has emerged: It seems most everyone expects her to win another term, even if many aren’t sure she deserves one.
Some of the lawmakers, lobbyists, activists and others in her political circle note she’s lacking in splashy wins. Kotek disagrees.
“What does splashy look like?” she said. “I feel like we’re pretty splashy.” (Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake)
Smoky conditions from nearby wildfires have led some farmworkers to go home early in Hood River, Oregon.
Conrad Wilson / OPB
3 things to know this morning
- Oregon’s attorney general is asking a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit that seeks to clarify whether Oregon counties can provide immigration officials with any information about people convicted of crimes. (Troy Brynelson)
- With the federal government still shut down, people shopping for insurance on the marketplace next month may need to choose a plan without knowing exactly how much it will cost them. Here’s what to know about the subsidies at issue in the shutdown, and how they’ll impact Oregonians this year. (Amelia Templeton)
- PacifiCorp has agreed to pay $125 million to dozens of Oregon wineries and vineyards that sued the electric utility over the 2020 Labor Day wildfires. (April Ehrlich)
Jennifer Massey speaks at the Sarah Zuber Memorial Scholarship Foundation fundraiser in St. Helens, March 15, 2025. Massey started the Justice for Sarah Zuber Facebook page, using it to push for greater transparency in this case.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
‘Hush’ Episode 3: We all fam
In the absence of information about Sarah Zuber’s death and in reaction to issues around law enforcement in Columbia County, Jennifer Massey — a citizen sleuth and wife of a St. Helens Police officer — launches the Justice for Sarah Zuber Facebook page.
But some community members soon ask if Massey’s motives are as pure as she portrays them. (Ryan Haas, Leah Sottile)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) brings the ball to center during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Jan. 14, 2025, in Portland, Ore. The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised their team options on contract extensions for Murray, guard Scoot Henderson and center Donovan Clingan.
Amanda Loman / AP
Headlines from around the Northwest
- Proposal for 1,300-acre solar farm goes again to Washington governor for approval (Jerry Cornfield)
- Trail Blazers ink extensions and set opening night lineup (Associated Press)
- San Francisco leaders push back against Trump’s National Guard threat (Olga R. Rodriguez and Janie Har)
Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation
Noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):
- Exploring the intricacies of open adoption
- Portland program places unhoused people with family and friends outside the city
Zoo radiographs reveal hauntingly beautiful skeletons
Oregon Zoo
Oregon Zoo radiographs reveal hauntingly beautiful skeletons
The Oregon Zoo’s head veterinarian Carlos Sanchez regularly uses radiographs for routine exams and preventive medicine, like noticing when an animal is starting to develop arthritis.
Besides their important diagnostic value, Sanchez also loves these X-ray images purely for their aesthetics.
“When you see a bat radiograph, it’s just like looking at a piece of art,” he says.
In this story from 2023, Sanchez guides us through the artistry behind this medical imagery. (Eric Slade)
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