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Good morning, Northwest.
Two members of Oregon’s state Board of Education left earlier this year following tense debate over a controversial executive order from the governor.
OPB’s Elizabeth Miller starts today’s newsletter looking into the state board, what it does and the ripple effects of those members’ departures.
In other news, the man accused of starting a large wildfire in Spokane says he also started lots of others in the past year.
Here’s your First Look at Friday’s news.
— Bradley W. Parks
Top story
Former Oregon State Board of Education members Becky Tymchuk, left, and Shimiko Montgomery, right. Tymchuk and Montgomery left the Oregon State Board earlier this year.
Courtesy of Becky Tymchuk, Shimiko Montgomery
Exit of 2 members of Oregon Board of Education points to tension over changing state role
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek issued an executive order earlier this year, making it harder for school districts to cut instructional time.
The order and the reaction it received revealed the unclear role, scope and authority of the state Board of Education. The departures of board members Becky Tymchuk and Shimiko Montgomery have enlivened that debate.
Some former board members feel like they have little room to provide feedback on policy. Meanwhile, some local school leaders want the board to take on a stronger position.
These concerns are especially relevant in Oregon, the only state where the governor is both the state superintendent and empowered to appoint members of the state board. (Elizabeth Miller)
3 things to know
Arson suspect Aaron Farinacci waits for his initial court appearance by video at the county courthouse in Spokane, Wash., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Young Kwak / AP
- Aaron F. Farinacci told police that he was responsible for the Old Trails Fire that burned hundreds of buildings in Spokane. In an interview with detectives, he also said he started 25 other fires in the last year. (Casey Frizzell)
- Portland and Multnomah County officials hammered out the framework for their looming negotiations with the Portland Trail Blazers over renovations to the Moda Center at separate marathon meetings yesterday. (Alex Zielinski)
- A humpback whale severely entangled in derelict fishing gear 20 miles offshore of Newport was freed by a team of experts and a local fisherman, but is unlikely to survive because of damage to its jaw. (Lincoln Chronicle staff)
The sudden backlash to data centers in Oregon
Oregon, like many places, is seeing a fast-growing backlash to data centers, so today we’re going to talk about their politics, policies and environmental impact. (Dirk VanderHart, Holly Bartholomew and Courtney Sherwood)
Northwest headlines
FILE - An undated photo of an adult emerald ash borer.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources via AP / AP
- Destructive emerald ash borer reaches more Oregon towns (Kristian Foden-Vencil)
- Could Oregon end up building more prisons to address earthquake safety concerns? (Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle)
- Portland Fire beat Tempo 97-83 to snap 5-game skid (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):
- REBROADCAST: US Poet Laureate Ada Limón on ‘The Hurting Kind’
One more look
It only takes 3 ingredients to make perfect peach sorbet
Heather Arndt Anderson / OPB
Superabundant recipe: Make perfect peach sorbet with just 3 ingredients*
This summer sorbet is an elegant sweet treat for Oregon’s fire season, and you don’t have to heat up your house with the oven or stove.
To choose perfect peaches at the market, let your nose be your first guide. Select fragrant specimens that feel heavy for their size and yield to gentle pressure.
Blitz peaches with a little lemon juice and sugar (and, fine, a sprinkle of cardamom if you want) and freeze. (Heather Arndt Anderson)
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