OPB’s First Look: DMV closures put rural Oregonians in a pinch

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Good morning, Northwest.

DMV offices in rural parts of Oregon have been closing more often in recent years, partially due to short staffing.

OPB’s Antonio Sierra starts today’s newsletter with a story about how more frequent DMV closures make it hard to access routine services — and how looming potential budget cuts could make it worse.

Also this morning, Oregon’s record-low snowpack is unlikely to recover by the end of winter.

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

—Bradley W. Parks

As DMVs struggle to keep their doors open, rural Oregonians are harder hit

Rural DMV offices across Oregon are having trouble keeping their doors open.

Some locations, like the one in Milton-Freewater, have been closed for months. Others, like John Day or Baker City, were closed for only a day or several days while staff were unavailable.

And DMV officials are also bracing for the impact of potential budget cuts. Oregon is grappling with a $297 million transportation funding gap, an issue further complicated by a ballot measure that will ask voters to approve or reject transportation taxes previously approved by the Legislature.

If transportation cuts end up being too deep, then DMV field offices around the state might see permanent closures or further service reductions, according to the agency’s administrator. (Antonio Sierra)

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3 things to know this morning

• Oregon is in the middle of a record-breaking snow drought. If conditions don’t change, it could spell a challenging year ahead and possibly a longer-lasting wildfire season. (Alejandro Figueroa) 
• In the first public hearing on a bill to fund renovations to the Moda Center, Trail Blazers president of business operations Dewayne Hankins suggested the team would be willing to play in the building for 20 more years if necessary upgrades are made. (Dirk VanderHart) 
• Lawmakers hope a new bill could help Oregon’s strained electrical grid by harnessing "virtual power plants," taking excess energy generated in homes and putting it back on the grid. But utilities like PGE say they already have similar programs in place. (Monica Samayoa)

Headlines from around the Northwest

• Oregon congresswoman questions legitimacy of Gresham family’s detention (Holly Bartholomew)
• Boy in foster care stuck in Oregon months after grandparents agree to care for him (Lauren Dake)
• Springfield School District superintendent to resign (Rebecca Hansen-White)
• PeaceHealth’s split with local emergency physicians sparks disappointment, resolve (Tiffany Eckert)
• Bandon School Board dismisses more complaints, selects 2 new members (Jane Vaughan)
• How Washington state lawmakers are trying to regulate data centers (Aspen Ford)
• Blazers commit 25 turnovers in a 133-109 loss to Timberwolves (Associated Press)

Seattle’s 12s celebrate Super Bowl champion Seahawks

Twelfth man? More like millionth man.

Hundreds of thousands of Seattle Seahawks fans were at Lumen Field and lining downtown streets yesterday morning to celebrate their Super Bowl LX champions.

Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald, who has led the team since just 2024, thanked the fans during a trophy ceremony at Lumen Field before the parade kicked off.

“Having a football team is just the best thing going,” Macdonald said. “We love the 12s. You guys are the best in the world. And now, we’re the best football team in the world.”

The Seahawks crushed the New England Patriots in Sunday’s big game, never losing the lead and winning 29-13. (Katie Campbell and Noel Gasca)

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