AGP Executive Report

Federal Courts & Student Debt: Oregon AG Dan Rayfield and a coalition of attorneys general sued the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule they say unlawfully narrows which graduate “professional” programs qualify for higher student-loan caps—potentially hitting healthcare and other workforce fields. Wildfire Preparedness: Oregon’s State Fire Marshal finalized a defensible space model code, giving communities voluntary, Oregon-specific steps to protect homes from wildfire spread. Elections Watch: Tuesday’s primaries across Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Idaho, and Pennsylvania are being framed as another test of how far President Trump’s influence reaches with GOP voters. Local Spotlight: Sisters’ Fourth Friday Artwalk adds two new venues, and KeizerFEST wrapped up a busy four-day run despite rain forecasts. Business/Tech: Beaverton-based Smart Banner Hub says the USPTO issued federal trademark protection for CLUSTROLIN®, its DBSCAN creative engine.

Election Countdown: Oregon’s high-stakes primary is Tuesday, with voters rushing last-minute ballots and weighing a major statewide referendum on Measure 120, which would raise the gas tax and vehicle fees as pump prices spike. Governor Race: Gov. Tina Kotek faces a crowded Democratic field, while Republicans try to nominate a challenger that can make November competitive—Christine Drazan is in the mix, pitching lower costs, fewer regulations, and a shift in homelessness strategy. Housing Authority Shake-Up: Home Forward’s new interim director, Michael Buonocore, promised a “reset” after controversy over vacancies, safety complaints, and taxpayer-funded travel by the former CEO. Local Infrastructure: CTUIR, ODOT and Umatilla County reopened the Thornhollow Bridge after years of delays from unsafe conditions. Sports: Oregon’s baseball Ducks rallied to win a Big Ten series at USC, and the softball season ended after NCAA Regional losses at home.

Fatal crash on Highway 97: A truck hit and killed an 18-year-old walking in the travel lane near Klamath Falls early Saturday, shutting down the road for about two hours while investigators worked. Wildlife and public land fight: The Trump administration has cleared the way for lethal cyanide devices on vast public lands, a move that’s reignited alarms about harm to wildlife and pets. Local business shake-up: Stumptown’s founder is bringing back one of the roaster’s original Portland-area cafes, as corporate coffee reshuffles keep opening doors for new operators. Election pressure building: Oregon’s primaries are in full swing with voters urged to drop ballots by May 19, while Tuesday’s broader primary calendar across multiple states adds to the churn. Health and safety reminders: An organic ice cream recall is in effect in Oregon and many other states due to possible metal fragments. Community spotlight: The Prism Awards honored local leaders, including students and nonprofits, underscoring how civic groups keep momentum going.

White House Security Stumble: The Senate parliamentarian says a $1 billion White House security add-on—including funding tied to Trump’s new ballroom—can’t fit inside a narrow GOP immigration bill, forcing Republicans to “redraft, refine, resubmit.” Oregon Sports Spotlight: Oregon track and field completed a rare Big Ten sweep, winning both men’s and women’s outdoor titles and finishing a “triple crown” year across cross-country, indoor, and outdoor. NCAA Softball Shakeup: The Eugene Regional ended Oregon’s season with a 5-4 loss to Saint Mary’s, while Mississippi State advanced after a regional sweep and now faces Oklahoma in super regionals. Public Health Watch: The FDA issued warning letters to four food businesses in California and Oregon over Listeria and sanitation/HACCP failures. Community & Culture: Sikhs of America held its Vaisakhi Gala honoring diaspora leaders, including Oregon-area philanthropist Sardar Bahadur Singh.

White House Fight: The Senate parliamentarian blocked Trump’s proposed White House ballroom funding from moving through budget reconciliation, forcing Republicans to rethink how to pay for the East Wing overhaul. NCAA Spotlight: Tennessee softball is back in the regional final, beating Virginia again to set up a shot at super regionals. Public Health: The FDA says select organic ice cream sold in Oregon is being recalled over possible metal fragments. Local Watch: Portland’s behavioral-health co-response program CHAT is under threat as city budget hearings loom, raising alarms about fewer crisis interventions. Sports & Science: Miami track won three ACC golds, while OHSU researchers report the cancer protein MYC can help tumors repair DNA after treatment. Weather/Travel: A strong aurora forecast could push northern lights as far south as Oregon this weekend.

Local Sports Signings: Aspen High School held a signing ceremony sending off seven athlete signees, with paths ranging from college hockey to soccer development in Spain. Health & Science: OHSU researchers report a serotonin link to tinnitus—explaining why some antidepressant-related changes can make ringing worse—while another study finds the cancer protein MYC helps tumors survive chemotherapy by repairing damaged DNA. Cancer Treatment Update: Extended follow-up from a phase 3 trial says aglatimagene plus radiotherapy improves prostate cancer-specific disease-free survival. Public Safety Drill: Newport emergency teams ran a major Cascadia Subduction Zone disaster exercise focused on triage and rural coordination. Community & Environment: Hillsboro residents rallied against data centers over electricity, water, and tax-break concerns. Food Recall: Straus Family Creamery recalled select ice cream flavors in 17 states due to possible metal fragments. Lottery: Powerball numbers for May 16 were 8-37-40-44-65 with Powerball 18.

Public Safety: A 14-year-old girl was hospitalized after a shooting near a bus stop in Wood Village; deputies say her injuries are non-life threatening and a suspect fled as detectives investigate. Health & Food Safety: Straus Family Creamery recalled select organic ice cream flavors and sizes sold in 17 states, including Oregon, due to possible metal fragments; no injuries reported. Youth & Risk: UC San Diego researchers say childhood cannabis use can harm cognitive development, adding to growing concerns about teen use. Local Planning: The Salmonberry Trail Council will hold a virtual meeting May 21 on the proposed 82-mile corridor between Tillamook and Banks, with governance shifting to advise Oregon Parks and Recreation. Sports: Oregon softball opened the Eugene Regional with a 5-1 win over Idaho State, while Washington landed a 2027 safety commitment from St. John Bosco.

Public Safety: A tanker crash near McKenzie Bridge spilled diesel and thousands of gallons of milk into the McKenzie River, but early containment is expected to protect Eugene’s drinking water while wildlife officials monitor impacts. Food Safety: The FDA issued a nationwide recall of select Straus Family Creamery Organic ice cream in 17 states, including Oregon, after the company flagged possible metal fragments in certain “best by” dated runs. Local Government & Health Care: PeaceHealth moved to remove former Oregon Network CEO James McGovern after staffing and licensing-related concerns, effective immediately. Environment & Courts: A federal judge halted a logging project near Yoncalla, citing claims that old-growth trees were cut. Sports & Community: Oregon softball’s NCAA regional at Eugene continues with ace Lyndsey Grein nursing an eye injury, while Medford is set to open a 19-court pickleball complex next month. Politics & Policy: Oregon SNAP interviews begin June 1 for households applying or renewing benefits.

City Hiring: Lawrence has named five finalists for its city manager job, with onsite interviews next week and a community meet-and-greet Wednesday—four of the candidates come from Texas cities. Public Health: Oregon health officials report a possible measles exposure at Providence Immediate Care in Happy Valley on May 12, urging anyone who visited during a specific window to contact a provider. Local Safety: Fire season is underway in Jackson and Josephine counties, bringing new restrictions on debris burning, fireworks, and smoking near state-protected land. Portland Politics: A new poll finds 55% of Portland voters oppose using $75 million in climate funds for Moda Center renovations. Environment: Crews responded to a tanker crash near Belknap Springs that released diesel and milk into the McKenzie River, with drinking water not expected to be impacted. Salem Spotlight: Salem-Keizer educators took home Crystal Apple Awards, highlighting standout counseling and classroom leadership.

Hantavirus Update: A Bend, Oregon oncologist tied to a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship has been cleared to leave a high-level biocontainment unit in Nebraska and move to standard quarantine monitoring, with health officials stressing the risk to the general public remains low. Northern Lights Watch: NOAA is flagging a possible G1 solar storm that could bring aurora to northern U.S. states overnight Friday into Saturday, with a darker sky Saturday improving visibility. Homelessness Funding: Gov. Tina Kotek announced $102M in statewide shelter support, including $1.71M for CAPECO and $296,917 for Community Connections of Northeast Oregon. Local Sports: Oregon State rolled past Air Force 7-4 behind a quick pitching reset, while Oregon baseball fell to USC 2-1 in 11 innings and Oregon softball hosts the Eugene Regional starting Friday. Campus News: Portland Community College President Adrien Bennings will leave June 30 under a mutual separation deal, with Katy Ho stepping in as acting president.

SNAP Rules Tighten: Starting June 1, Oregon SNAP households must complete an interview to apply or renew benefits, ending pandemic-era skips and affecting even seniors and disability households that previously didn’t need one. Ashland Safety Incident: A driver intentionally crashed into Southern Oregon University’s Stevenson Union building, triggering a gas meter hit and a leak; students were evacuated from one room and the driver was taken to the hospital. Wildfire + Water Prep: Ashland launched a “Fire. Water. Get Ready.” campaign as drought and wildfire risk rise, while the Loveless Creek Fire in Lake County grew to 50 acres and crews pushed toward full containment. Health Watch: California is flagged as a hotspot for “fungal storms,” when wind and dust can lift disease-causing spores into the air. Local Water Fight: Marion County filed suit to halt a proposed “deep drawdown” of Detroit Lake over drinking-water concerns. Weather: A Pacific Northwest system brings strong winds, cooler temps, and mountain snow into the weekend.

Local Sports Recruiting: Hays High 4-star OL Gus Corsair commits to Oregon, choosing the Ducks over Miami and Vanderbilt. NCAA Softball: Friday’s Division I regionals set up key matchups, including Oregon vs. Idaho State in Eugene. Health & Safety: Paramedics on a Delta flight helped deliver a baby girl shortly before landing in Portland. Public Safety/Community: Search crews found a missing Oroville man near Little Oregon Creek. Politics & Voting: Oregon election officials warn mail-in ballots could face USPS delays; drop boxes or hand-stamped postmarks are urged. Culture & Entertainment: Netflix is set to lose Nicholas Cage’s mystery thriller “Pig” on May 26. International: Hungary’s new foreign minister vows to oppose Russia sanctions that hurt Budapest’s interests. Religion: U.S. bishops plan a June 11 consecration of the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

DOJ vs. Michigan: The Trump administration is sparring with Michigan in federal appeals court over whether the state must hand over sensitive voter data, with the DOJ arguing that blocking access would undercut civil-rights investigations. Elections & enforcement: In a separate federal ruling, a judge ordered ICE in Colorado to stop warrantless arrests that weren’t tied to individualized flight-risk findings. California policy fight: California’s new plastic recycling rules—requiring packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2032—are already triggering lawsuits and counterattacks from both environmental groups and plastic producers. Oregon & neighbors: Eastern Oregon and southern Idaho brace for high-wind power outages after two outages were reported near Halfway. Local good news: Eugene families can join a free YMCA financial literacy class, and Lane County’s sheriff’s office is using a comfort canine to help deputies decompress. Sports: Holly Winterburn was cut by the Atlanta Dream right before her first game, then signed a developmental contract with the Portland Fire.

Portland Politics & Public Safety: A driver crashed into Southern Oregon University’s Stevenson Union, triggering building alerts and an evacuation of one room. Workplace Watch: Oregon OSHA says scammers are posing as the agency to “guarantee” no violations or to settle penalties for less—call 800-922-2689 if you get a suspicious call. Health & Research: PSU and VA Portland researchers report a new single-compound malaria candidate that targets multiple parasite stages. Energy Costs: Gas prices rose again—up about 23 cents in a week—while a smart-thermostat story argues savings can be real if you use the right settings. Sports: Portland’s expansion Fire won their first WNBA game, and Oregon State kept rolling with an 8-3 midweek baseball win over Portland. Community: Hundreds remembered Enchanted Forest creator Roger Tofte, who died in February.

Public Health Alert: A new multi-institution study found the “brain-eating amoeba” (Naegleria fowleri) in water samples from several major Western recreation areas, including Nevada hot springs and national parks—researchers reported no infections tied to the sites. Roads & Daily Life: Keizer drivers on Verda Lane should expect periodic lane closures as ODOT adds sidewalks and bike lanes. Election Countdown: Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read is urging voters to mail ballots by May 12 ahead of USPS postmark changes, with drop boxes the safer bet. Local Government: The Center Street Bridge homeless encampment in Salem was cleared, with a small crew removing remaining items. Politics: Republican governor candidates are sharpening their messages on abortion, mail-in voting, immigration, and housing/behavioral health as the May 19 primary nears. Sports: Oregon landed 4-star OL Cameron Wagner, while Big Ten schedules for 2026-27 men’s basketball set Oregon as an away opponent for Illinois.

Oregon Health & Science University/Commencement: Oregon Tech’s Wilsonville graduation on June 14 will feature Sen. Kate Lieber as keynote, with OHSU President Dr. Shereef Elnahal headlining the Klamath Falls ceremony June 13. Local Governance: PeaceHealth has reversed its plan to shift Lane County emergency care to ApolloMD, renewing its contract with Eugene Emergency Physicians after months of pushback and a lawsuit tied to Oregon’s corporate medicine law. Public Safety: Eugene city leaders condemned former EPD officer Martin Siller after bodycam footage surfaced showing racist and anti-immigrant remarks; Siller resigned May 9. Economy/Politics: Oregon Democrats’ gas tax repeal referendum heads to voters May 19 as prices stay high. Sports: Oregon Tech math contests wrapped with 150 students competing; and Oregon’s spring sports scene continues to heat up, from track meets to high school tennis results.