OPB’s First Look: Keeping the ‘Jeff’ in Jefferson High

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Good morning, Northwest.

Jefferson High School in Portland is set to undergo an enormous renovation.

Its history as a predominantly Black school in a mostly white city sets this modernization project apart from others in Oregon’s largest school district. OPB’s Elizabeth Miller reports to start today’s newsletter.

In other news, the district attorney is out in Lake County, pointing to what he calls an “untenable” lack of funding.

Thanks to everyone who has filled out our survey on the new First Look design so far. There’s still time to submit your feedback.

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

— Bradley W. Parks

Renovated Jefferson, larger student body means a crossroads for Portland

After years of delays, plans are moving forward to modernize Jefferson High School in Portland.

At the same time, the district aims to boost Jefferson’s enrollment so it’s similar in size to the city’s other high schools.

Policy changes will end the practice of offering students the option of attending other east-side high schools instead of Jefferson, likely leading to white students making up a higher percentage of the student body at the historically Black school.

District leaders are striving maintain the school’s unique legacy, while building a strong foundation for its future with an updated building and a larger, more diverse student body. (Elizabeth Miller)

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3 things to know

• Lake County District Attorney Paul Charas will resign from his position, a little more than a year into his four-year term, citing a chronic lack of funding that has made it difficult to prosecute cases. (Joni Auden Land)
• The acting leader of ICE in a letter to Sen. Ron Wyden cited Oregon’s sanctuary law as one of the reasons for carrying out “Operation Black Rose,” an immigration enforcement campaign in which more than 1,100 people were arrested in Oregon. (Conrad Wilson)
• Republican John Braun on Tuesday snagged President Donald Trump’s endorsement in his bid to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in Southwest Washington, a race that could help decide which party controls the U.S. House. (Jerry Cornfield)

Northwest headlines

• New details released in deadly police shooting near Welches (OPB staff)
• Are prediction markets illicit gambling? Washington state says yes (Clare McGrane and Teo Popescu)
• Bandon community survey finds some families considering leaving the school district (Roman Battaglia)
• UO institute has research-backed solutions to Oregon’s high chronic absenteeism rate (Zac Ziegler)
• State policy contributes to mentally ill Oregonians falling into homelessness, Multnomah County says (Jake Thomas)
• Lane County’s struggling criminal justice system has left unincorporated residents with little patrol (Rebecca Hansen-White)
• Federal judge orders PeaceHealth Oregon’s top exec to testify in lawsuit against hospital system (Tiffany Eckert)
• Leaked records add to PeaceHealth ER controversy (Nick Budnick)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays onOPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics:

• Salem McKay High School teacher wins state award for improving youth financial literacy
• Ukrainian folk singers honor 40th anniversary of Chernobyl nuclear disaster with Portland concert

Trail Blazers’ playoff-making win against Suns brings mixed feelings

The Blazers overcame a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns to seal the win that will send them to their first playoff game since 2021.

It’s the biggest win for Portland following multiple years staying home from the playoffs. Many fans were floored with the news, even if the team’s looming playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs is tempering some of that excitement.

“I say positive thought creates positive energy, which creates positive action, which creates a positive reality,” said John Roe, a fan since 1970. “I say, give them a chance.” (Riley Martinez)

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