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Good morning, Northwest.
Northwest leaders are speaking out against the actions of immigration agents in Minnesota, where they’ve killed two civilians this month, and in their respective states.
Today’s newsletter starts with a look at how Oregon and Washington are responding — with words and actions.
Also this morning, a former Trail Blazer takes another crack at the governor’s mansion, and the Portland aerial tram turns 19.
Here’s your First Look at Tuesday’s news.
—Bradley W. Parks
FILE - Washington Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson addresses the media during a news conference in Seattle on Nov. 7, 2024.
Gene Johnson / AP
‘Not our America,’ Washington state leaders say, condemning ICE shootings in Minnesota
Two civilians have died this month after being shot by federal immigration agents in Minnesota, spurring widespread condemnation from officials in the Pacific Northwest and across the country.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown held a press conference yesterday to criticize the Trump administration in the wake of the shootings. The two also said the state is making preparations if such a crackdown occurs in Washington.
“We will not allow this administration to turn our nation into an authoritarian regime,” Ferguson said. “That is not our America.”
On Saturday, the same day federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek also said the state is planning steps to push back against the federal government’s tactics. (Scott Greenstone/KUOW and OPB staff)
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FILE - Voters cast ballots at the Multnomah County Elections Division in Portland, Ore., Nov. 8, 2022.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
3 things to know this morning
- A federal judge has dismissed a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit seeking to obtain unredacted voter rolls from Oregon. (Claire Rush)
- Former Portland Trail Blazer Chris Dudley is running for governor again. Dudley last ran in 2010, when he lost by one percentage point to John Kitzhaber. (Lauren Dake)
- Today, Portland city councilors will discuss a citywide ban on the sale of foie gras, a fatty liver dish traditionally made by force-feeding ducks or geese. (Alex Zielinski)
Main Street in downtown Medford in an undated provided photo.
Jim Craven/City of Medford
Headlines from around the Northwest
- Person accused of shooting 2 officers in Northeast Portland arrested, police say (OPB staff)
- Recall effort underway for 3 members of Springfield school board (Zac Ziegler and Rebecca Hansen-White)
- How fans in Seattle are reacting to Seahawks win ahead of Super Bowl matchup with Patriots (NPR)
- Medford removing controversial bike lanes on Main Street (Roman Battaglia)
- Holiday returns to cheers from Boston fans as Celtics beat Blazers 102-94 (Jimmy Golen)
The aerial tram in Portland, Ore., in 2017.
Bruce Forster
From controversy to icon: Portland’s aerial tram turns 19
Nineteen years ago today, two silvery orbs began floating 3,000 feet between Marquam Hill and South Waterfront over the roofs and backyards of one of Portland’s oldest neighborhoods.
Millions of rides later, Portland’s aerial tram is now seen as one of the city’s most transformational projects ever, leading to the dramatic waterfront expansion of OHSU and the creation of a new neighborhood.
The tram’s elegant towers and cars came courtesy of the city’s first international design competition since the early ‘80s and have since grown into glittering landmarks, making it easy to forget that when the tram was being conceived it was the center of a brutal political fight.
This story was originally published in 2017. (Randy Gragg and Aaron Scott)
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