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Good morning, Northwest.
The soaring cost of fuel is cutting into already slim earnings for fishermen on the Oregon and Washington coasts.
That poses big financial risks to people working in the industry who can’t be sure just how good fishing will be this year. Rachel Miller-Howard reports from Garibaldi, Oregon, to start today’s newsletter.
In other news, a pair of Portland city councilors is looking to balance the city budget by cutting jobs in upper management.
Here’s your First Look at Friday’s news.
— Bradley W. Parks
Top story
Capt. Hank Slavens was out to sea for three days aboard the Nedian fishing for salmon. He says he spent $1,500 on fuel and his earnings were slim.
Courtesy of Joe Bentley
Rising fuel costs ripple through Northwest’s fishing industry
Oregon’s commercial troll salmon season opened April 14. It’s early in the season and many of the biggest catches come later in the summer, but trawlers are already fishing up and down the coastline.
This year, though, the fishing industry is getting squeezed by rising fuel prices brought on by the war in Iran. It’s cutting into profits, not just for the fishermen but also the processors and packers on shore. Altogether, it’s created new uncertainty in an already volatile business.
After three days of fishing, Hank Slavens said he spent $1,500 on fuel.
“We found probably seven grand worth of fish,” he said. Fuel ate up 20% of the trip’s value, and that percentage is much worse if the fishing isn’t good. (Rachel Miller-Howard for OPB)
3 things to know
FILE - People walk to the Portland State University campus on Feb. 4, 2025 in Portland, Ore.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
- Clackamas County voters face a choice on their ballots: Approve a property tax hike at a time when the prices for everything keep climbing, or allow for deep cuts to public safety including the loss of dozens of sheriff’s deputies. (Holly Bartholomew)
- Portland State University President Ann Cudd announced the planned elimination of two signature programs and reductions across seven departments yesterday. Fifty-two staff members received 12-month layoff notices as a part of the cuts, which Cudd said will save the university $16 million. (Tiffany Camhi and Elizabeth Miller)
- Faced with a second consecutive year of major budget cuts, two Portland city councilors are looking to axe some senior management positions to save money and programs. (Alex Zielinski)
East of the Cascades, affordability and housing are on the ballot
We spent last week talking about the suburbs. This week we’re taking a closer look at the politics playing out east of the Cascades. Reporters Bryce Dole, Kathryn Styer Martínez and Antonio Sierra break down the issues of note.(Bryce Dole, Kathryn Styer Martínez and Antonio Sierra)
Northwest headlines
FILE - People look at vehicles at a Beaverton Kia dealership, with electric vehicles at left, on April 15, 2026, in Beaverton, Ore.
Jenny Kane / AP
- Oregon’s popular EV rebates are shrinking (Monica Samayoa)
- Wildfire survivors ask Oregon Supreme Court to take on PacifiCorp case (April Ehrlich)
- Washington state tech layoffs are second highest in the country (Monica Nickelsburg, KUOW)
- Jackson and Josephine counties enter fire season amid a dry spring (Maria Carter, JPR)
- New York’s big third quarter propels Liberty past Fire 100-82 (AP)
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):
- Oregon Supreme Court upholds Washington County’s flavored tobacco ban
- Providers of medication abortion for Oregon patients say access to this care remains unchanged
One more look
Powdered garlic chives are an easy project to preserve your spring bounty
Heather Arndt Anderson / OPB
Powdered garlic chives are the flavor powerhouse you never knew you needed
Because everything is growing so fast right now that it’s making heads spin, this week’s Superabundant recipe is more of a suggestion than an actual recipe.
Once you have a jar of bright green powdered garlic chives kicking around the kitchen, you’ll be finding plenty of ways to use it.
Sprinkle it on popcorn or french fries, mix it into plain yogurt for dipping, add it to salad dressings.
This is an easy project to preserve your spring bounty. (Heather Arndt Anderson)
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