OPB’s First Look: Oregon readies for Medicaid cuts in private

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Good morning, Northwest.

A group of financial stakeholders has been meeting privately to plan for looming cuts to Oregon’s Medicaid program.

The meetings, convened by the governor, have been closed to the media and the public. OPB health reporter Amelia Templeton leads off this morning’s newsletter with details on the group’s makeup, its task and concerns over transparency.

In other news, the Trump administration late last night issued an emergency appeal to keep control of Oregon National Guard troops.

Plus, we visit with the Washington School for the Blind’s goalball team as it prepares for a national competition.

Here’s your First Look at Monday’s news.

—Bradley W. Parks

Oregon’s governor quietly convenes a group to advise on the Medicaid funding crisis

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has chosen a group of health care executives, union representatives and care providers to advise her on how to tackle the looming budget crisis in the state’s Medicaid program.

The group is meeting behind closed doors, and its recommendations are due to the governor no later than July 2026.

The group’s work is inherently sensitive.

Its charge, according to a charter document provided to OPB, is to recommend changes to “achieve sustainability” in the state’s Medicaid program as federal cuts kick in, while preserving access to critical services for the Medicaid population. (Amelia Templeton)

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3 things to know this morning

• Federalized members of the California National Guard who deployed to Oregon on orders from President Donald Trump are set to return home “in the coming days,” according to a military official who was not authorized to speak on the record. (Ryan Haas and Joni Auden Land)
• This week, lawmakers will return to Salem to assess how Oregon might adjust to financial changes that have swept the state since President Trump took office. (Bryce Dole)
• Oregonians who live along the coast spent hours late Saturday night attempting to save a young humpback whale that became stranded near San Marine State Park, just north of Yachats in Lincoln County. (Joni Auden Land)

Celebrating artist and Portlander Mark Rothko

OPB “Oregon Art Beat” producer Eric Slade made a documentary about Rothko, and he joins us to explore what makes his work so special. (Malya Fass and Eric Slade)

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Headlines from around the Northwest

• Trump administration files emergency appeal to keep control of Oregon National Guard troops (Conrad Wilson)
• Boys volleyball becomes Oregon’s newest high school sport (Jen Baires)
• Power outages are getting worse on Colville Tribe homelands. New microgrids could be a big part of the solution (Courtney Flatt)
• 2021 heat dome left Rhode Island-sized damage in Oregon’s, Washington’s western forests (Alex Baumhardt)
• Eugene will appoint interim leader while it continues search for a long-term city manager (Rebecca Hansen-White)
• Portland Thorns fans turn out in waves, even as season comes to end (Joni Auden Land)
• Trail Blazers end rough road trip with 138-133 OT loss to Mavericks (Associated Press) 
• Kenny Easley, Seahawks’ Hall of Fame safety, dies at 66 (Austin Destin)

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):

• Mental health conditions, substance use disorder increasingly cited as causes of maternal mortality

Washington School for the Blind goalball players gear up for national competition

On Nov. 1, the Washington State School for the Blind in Vancouver held its Junior Cascade Classic tournament.

The event was one of many during early November, where teams competed in the only Paralympic sport designed specifically for people who are blind or have low vision.

Teams visited the Vancouver campus from Utah, Montana, California and Florida. The atmosphere was light. Guide dogs sat with their owners in the bleachers, and players didn’t seem overly upset when their opponents scored.

The men’s and women’s teams for the Washington State School for the Blind Lions both earned third place at the Junior Cascade Classic.

They will compete in the National High School Goalball Championships in Austin, Texas, next month. (Erik Neumann)

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Correction: Our Saturday newsletter mistakenly published an incorrect photo alongside an obituary for Portland-born singer-songwriter Todd Snider. OPB regrets the error.

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