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Good morning, Northwest.
Congress last night inched closer to a deal to end the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.
We start this morning’s newsletter with the latest from Washington, D.C.
Also this morning, OPB education reporter Elizabeth Miller looks at Oregon’s progress toward its education goal known as 40-40-20.
The Portland Thorns have reached the semifinals in the NWSL playoffs while the Timbers were bounced from MLS Cup contention.
Here’s your First Look at Monday’s news.
—Bradley W. Parks
p.s. First Look is off tomorrow in observance of the federal holiday. We’ll be back in your inbox Wednesday.
American flags fly in front of the U.S. Capitol at sunrise, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, in Washington.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP
Senate moves toward deal to end shutdown
The U.S. Senate last night advanced a plan to partially fund the government through January. Democratic senators from Oregon and Washington rejected the measure. The vote was procedural, and the legislation must still pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the president before it’s final. (Associated Press)
Related: What’s in the legislation to end the federal government shutdown? (Lisa Mascaro)
Class of 2025 student Ava receives her diploma from David Douglas High School on June 5, 2025.
Dan Evans / OPB
A 2025 check in with Oregon’s ambitious 40-40-20 education goal
It’s 2025, and Oregon hasn’t reached its lofty education goal. That goal is 40-40-20.
It’s the idea that by 2025, 40% of young Oregonians should have a four-year degree, 40% should have a two-year degree or other credential, and the remaining 20% would have at least a high school diploma or GED. All 100% would graduate from high school.
Educational outcomes for Oregon students have improved since the 40-40-20 goal became law in 2011, but progress has stalled in the years after the COVID pandemic.
Moving forward, Oregon’s education leaders are rethinking the state’s targets, with K-12 and higher education sectors taking separate paths. (Elizabeth Miller)
Live Wire's Luke Burbank and Elena Passarello interview actor and filmmaker Bruce Campbell during the variety show's 20th year, at Revolution Hall in Portland, Oregon, on Dec. 24, 2024.
Jennie Baker / Courtesy of Live Wire
3 things to know this morning
- A federal program that helps young people from migrant families attend college abruptly halted this year after the Trump administration eliminated funding for migrant education. (Ann Dornfield and Renee Diaz)
- Gov. Tina Kotek said yesterday that Oregonians will still be able to use SNAP benefits they already received. The Trump administration demanded states “undo” full SNAP benefits paid out under judges’ orders last week. (Scott Bauer, Nicholas Riccardi and Joni Auden Land)
- “Live Wire,” a Portland-based public radio variety show, says it needs to raise $150,000 in the next three months to stay afloat. (Emily Cureton Cook)
What to do about freeways
“The Big Dig” podcast from Boston came to town for a conversation with OPB’s Lillian Karabaic about Portland’s own attempts to solve that puzzle and undo the harms of the past. (Sage Van Wing and Lillian Karabaic)
Bernie Woodard, left, operations manager at Elk Island Trading Group, with one of his camp leaders, Bear, on July 16, 2025.
Emma J Nelson/Jefferson Public Radio
Headlines from around the Northwest
- Hermiston plans 2026 launch for curbside recycling program (Antonio Sierra)
- Bend City Council clears path for housing project to help school employees (Kathryn Styer Martínez)
- Roseburg’s private homeless camps blur business and charity (Jane Vaughan)
- Deaths and critical injuries in Washington’s child welfare system near record high (Jake Goldstein-Street)
- Springfield mayor among candidates potentially seeking Lane County Commission seats (Rebecca Hansen-White)
- Turner scores, Thorns beat Wave 1-0 after extra time, advance to playoff semifinals (Theo Lloyd-Hughes)
- Portland Timbers’ playoff run comes to an end, losing 4-0 to San Diego (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):
- Solutions for reducing gun violence should be expanded, says University of Washington-led report
- The production 'Recent Tragic Events' comes full circle for Portland’s Third Rail Repertory Theatre
Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon wrote the book "Life After Cars" because they say "cars ruin everything." They are seen in a provided photo.
Ari Scott Photography / Ari Scott Photography
Is there life after cars? These authors rethink America’s car culture in new book
Car dependence is baked into an American society. We’re in love with our cars. They represent freedom, independence and the American spirit.
Cars are supposed to make life easier and better, but some say that dream is running on empty.
Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon are authors of “Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile,” which examines the historical context for car dependence and solutions to the problem.
OPB “Weekend Edition” host Lillian Karabaic spoke with them about rethinking society’s reliance on automobiles. (Lillian Karabaic)
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