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Good morning, Northwest.
Ballots are set to go out today for an upcoming special election in Southwest Washington that could have implications for public schools.
OPB’s Erik Neumann starts today’s newsletter with a look at the education funding proposals going before voters.
In other news, all this dry weather has led to Oregon’s lowest snowpack levels in decades.
Here’s your First Look at Friday’s news.
—Bradley W. Parks
Pleasant Valley Middle School is one school in the Battle Ground School District No. 119 that would benefit from levy funding during the Feb. 10 special election.
Tyler Mode / Battle Ground Public Schools
School districts across Southwest Washington will seek education funding during February special election
Education funding is the top issue on the ballot at school districts across Southwest Washington in an upcoming special election.
Voters will be asked to vote by Feb. 10 on levies from Pacific County on the coast to Klickitat County in the Columbia River Gorge.
In Longview, a proposed levy would raise money for school safety and security. A levy in Washougal would fund teachers, nurses and counselors.
Another, in White Salmon, is looking for money for middle and high school athletics and alternative education programs. (Erik Neumann)
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A screenshot from a Mt. Hood Meadows webcam on Jan. 23, 2026, shows minimal snow.
Courtesy of Mt. Hood Meadows
3 things to know this morning
- Unusually warm temperatures, dry conditions and a lack of storms have all led to the worst snowpack levels Oregon has seen since 1981, according to state climatologist Larry O’Neill. (Amanda Linares)
- Gov. Tina Kotek has chosen Oregon’s next top forestry executive. If approved by the state Senate, Kacey KC would be the first woman to permanently lead the Oregon Department of Forestry. (Bryce Dole)
- A new report shows that the Oregon Shakespeare Festival made significant financial gains last year during its 90th anniversary season. The festival has struggled in recent years because of the pandemic, a dependence on ticket sales and leadership turnover. (Roman Battaglia)
Marking the first year of the Trump administration
OPB reporters fanned across Oregon and Southwest Washington to hear perspectives on the first year of President Trump’s second term. Here’s what they learned. (Andrew Theen, Emily Cureton Cook and Dirk VanderHart)
The Sheridan Bridge over the South Yamhill River in Sheridan, Ore.
Amanda Loman / Investigate West
Headlines from around the Northwest
- Sheridan to test river where wood treater sent polluted stormwater (Kaylee Tornay)
- Manufactured home park owners sue over Washington cap on rent increases (Jake Goldstein-Street)
- Sharpe scores 27 points as Trail Blazers beat Heat 127-110 for 4th straight win (Associated Press)
- Oregon State outscores Gonzaga in OT to win 92-87 (OPB staff)
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):
- Portland band Sunset Valley reunites for 30-year anniversary
Cozy, one-pan meals like this wild rice casserole will see you through the second half of winter
Heather Arndt Anderson / OPB
Superabundant recipe: A cozy wild rice casserole with smoked sausage and winter squash
One-pan meals are delicious any time of year, but when the weather gets chilly they can really hit the spot.
Make some creamy carbs and top with cheese and something crunchy. It almost doesn’t matter what else is happening in the pan, whether it’s hamburger, tater tots and/or canned “cream of” soup.
With this recipe, fiber- and protein-rich wild rice and winter squash pack a prebiotic punch to nourish your gut microbiome, and you won’t sacrifice the crunchy and creamy/melty stuff you expect in a casserole. (Heather Arndt Anderson)
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