OPB’s First Look: Drop the needle on Record Store Day

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Good morning, Northwest.

Today is Record Store Day, when dozens of shops across the Pacific Northwest sell brand-new, exclusive and limited releases to promote vinyl as a medium of music appreciation.

OPB reporter Joni Auden Land provides a comprehensive list of shops in Oregon and Southwest Washington where you can find the vinyl records you love.

Earlier this week, OPB’s “All Things Considered” host Crystal Ligori also stopped by the legendary Franz Bakery’s block party in Portland, celebrating its 120th anniversary. She spoke with staff and fans about how the longtime brand has brought them fond memories of its bread.

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

— Winston Szeto

Pacific Northwest vinyl stores, shoppers prepare for Record Store Day

Vinyl record stores across the Pacific Northwest are preparing for Record Store Day, their biggest day of the year. Hundreds of brand-new exclusive and limited releases will be available, beginning this morning, at a variety of locations to boost interest in vinyl as a medium.

More than 40 stores across Oregon and Southwest Washington are participating in the festivities. Many will have long lines of eager customers waiting for hours.

Here is an incomplete list of some of the shops participating in Record Store Day in Pacific Northwest cities — a complete list can be found on the official Record Store Day website. (Joni Auden Land)

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3 things to know

1. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson delivered his second State of the City address last night, 14 months into his first term in office. (Alex Zielinski)
2. Health officials in Oregon are concerned they may not be able to contain a small but growing measles outbreak, and yesterday they asked for the public’s help in turning the tide. (Amelia Templeton)
3. Court documents released Thursday show federal officers’ first-hand accounts of protest activity and what led them to use force outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland over the summer and fall. (Conrad Wilson)

‘OPB Politics Now’: 4 top Oregon Republicans square off in first gubernatorial debate

On the latest episode of “OPB Politics Now,” reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss how the candidates did, what they said to differentiate from one another and much more. (Dirk VanderHart, Lauren Dake and Andrew Theen)

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Northwest headlines

• For Oregon’s aspiring wrestlers, the road to glory always has a starting point (Jason Sauls)
• Crews race to clear wildfire fuels in Southern Oregon before the start of a hot, dry summer (Justin Higginbottom) 
• Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek orders schools to maintain instructional hours: What happens now? (Elizabeth Miller) 
• Seattle sports power couple Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe announce split (Associated Press)

Portland’s Franz Bakery turns 120, baking up a century of memories

Just off Interstate 84 in inner Northeast Portland, a giant spinning loaf of bread sits atop one of the largest family-owned bakeries on the West Coast.

Many people showed up at Portland’s Franz Bakery earlier this week, celebrating the iconic bakery’s 120th anniversary with a block party.

The Portland Franz location bakes up to a million hamburger buns per day, shipped out to grocery stores, restaurants and fast food chains like Wendy’s and Red Robin. (Crystal Ligori)

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