Subscribe to OPB’s First Look to receive Northwest news in your inbox six days a week.
Good morning, Northwest.
Federal law enforcement records suggest at least 60 people have been arrested and roughly 70 people have been given citations for low-level offenses at protests this year at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland. Forty people have been federally charged with crimes.
But that isn’t the full picture. It doesn’t include people who were detained but haven’t been cited or charged with a crime. It also doesn’t fully describe how those people were treated.
OPB politics reporters Alex Zielinski and Troy Brynelson interviewed more than a dozen people who were arrested at the ICE protests between June and October and say those people experienced confusing, discordant treatment. Their stories lead this morning’s newsletter.
And if life seems to be moving by too fast, take a break with OPB Slow TV’s latest — a gentle hike along the top of Silver Star Mountain in the Cascade Range.
Here’s your First Look at Wednesday’s news.
— Sukhjot Sal
Federal officers arrest a protester outside the ICE facility in SW Portland. Earlier on, a small group of demonstrators broke through the front door to the building, June 14, 2025.
Troy Brynelson / OPB
Those arrested at Portland ICE protests recount disparate, confusing treatment by federal officers
On an overcast October afternoon, three protesters led a chanting crowd through the streets of South Portland to the doorstep of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building.
Within moments, they say, they were dragged to the ground and arrested by federal officers who had marched out of the heavily-barricaded building.
None in the trio knows exactly what they did to warrant the arrests, even a month later. They’ve seen no documents explaining how the officers justified taking them into custody. They have not yet been formally charged.
OPB interviewed more than a dozen people who were arrested at the ICE protests between June and October. What they described was an apparent lack of standard operating procedures as various federal law enforcement agencies cycled through the facility. (Troy Brynelson and Alex Zielinski)
A rendering shows the 1803 Fund’s intended transformation of the former Louis Dreyfus Co. grain terminals on the Willamette River near the Oregon Convention Center and Moda Center in Portland, Ore. Renderings were released at a press conference, Dec. 2, 2025. Source images by AD—WO, MALL and Wayside Studio; Rendering by The Light We Make
Courtesy of 1803 Fund
3 things to know this morning
- The 1803 Fund, which is restoring and redeveloping historically Black areas of the city, purchased $70 million worth of real estate in inner North Portland. A media event yesterday unveiled architectural renderings for the group’s signature project thus far. (Lauren Dake)
- Gov. Tina Kotek, who is expected to run for re-election, recently unveiled a set of strategies aimed at bolstering Oregon’s economy — and countering the state’s lackluster business reputation. The state is currently grappling with budget deficits, stagnating population growth and rising unemployment. (Dirk VanderHart)
- Oregon’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s largest sectors is getting a boost from federal funding it was awarded last year. So far, work is on track despite the Trump administration’s efforts to claw back funding for other federal climate programs. (Monica Samayoa)
Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Ore.
Michael Clapp
Headlines from around the Northwest
Lawmaker wants Oregonians to sign waivers to ski, raft and work out (Bryce Dole)
Deschutes County reviews a map that could change future elections (Kathryn Styer Martínez)
Cascade superintendent to leave post as district investigates teacher’s alleged abuse (Rob Manning)
Portland mayor taps Colorado city manager for top administrative role (Alex Zielinski)
Oregon Coast Humane Society buys its headquarters as nonprofit eyes expansion (Rebecca Hansen-White)
Salem declares emergency over increased ICE activity, citing reports of unlawful arrest (Madeleine Moore)
Immigration officers detain 2 people in Warrenton (Katie Frankowicz)An anonymous $50M gift will cover some tuition for medical lab students at University of Washington (Associated Press)
Trail Blazers pull within a basket near the end but fall short to Raptors 121-118 (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):
- OSU-led research suggests huge potential for solar panels floating on reservoirs in Oregon
- Linfield’s nursing school dean elected as first-ever male chair of National League for Nursing
- Ashland Sarcasm Festival brings 3 days of comedy to Southern Oregon
Take a hike on top of Silver Star Mountain in Washington in 4K 60fps — OPB’s Slow TV
Take a break from the day and join OPB on this gentle hike along the final ridge of Silver Star Mountain in the Cascade Range.
The trail plays peekaboo with Washington’s Mount St. Helens and Oregon’s Mount Hood before ending with an epic view, including a red-tailed hawk that happened to be taking in the vista at the same time.
Subscribe to OPB’s First Look to receive Northwest news in your inbox six days a week.
