AGP Executive Report

Governor’s Race: Oregon’s November contest is tightening as Tina Kotek and Republican Christine Drazan vie for the governor’s office, with Portland-area school closures and the state’s direction among the issues in focus. Data Centers: Kotek has paused environmental permits for new or expanded data centers until 2027, as the state weighs their impacts. Jobs and Housing: Oregon’s unemployment rate held at 5% in September as employers added 5,800 jobs; state funding is also supporting more than 500 affordable homes. Wildfire Readiness: Oregon is offering insurance help to wildfire-affected residents, while officials tested recovery plans in a statewide volcano-disaster exercise. Public Safety: Four Bend men have been arrested in an ongoing investigation into the alleged trafficking and abuse of a minor. Ducks Football: Oregon fell 17-15 to UCLA, and quarterback Dante Moore is ruled out for Saturday’s game against Nebraska.

State Government: Gov. Tina Kotek ordered flags lowered Saturday for David Taylor, an Oregon-raised federal wildlife officer who died helping evacuate residents from an Oklahoma wildfire; his memorial service is in Salem. Data Centers: Oregon has paused environmental permits for new or expanded data centers until 2027. Developer Verrus says the move won’t affect the current phase of its Salem project. Elections: Kotek and Republican challenger Christine Drazan clashed over development in their final debate. Ballots are on the way, and state officials urge voters to plan ahead. Jobs and Housing: Oregon’s unemployment rate held at 5% in September as employers added 5,800 jobs. State funding is also supporting more than 500 affordable homes. Preparedness: State officials are testing readiness for a volcanic eruption, while Oregonians join the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill today. Wildfire Recovery: Insurance open houses are planned statewide for residents facing nonrenewals after wildfires. Schools: Oregon will officially sanction girls’ flag football starting in spring 2027.

Data Center Pause: Gov. Tina Kotek has ordered environmental regulators to stop approving air and water permits for new or expanding data centers until next July, giving the state time to weigh policy changes. Jobs: Oregon added 5,800 jobs in September, led by construction and health care, while unemployment held at 5%—above the national 4.2% rate. Housing: State funding will support 516 affordable homes for rent or purchase in seven Oregon communities, including Eugene, Bend, Grants Pass and Portland. Climate: An Oregon State University-led report says seven of 16 global climate indicators are at record extremes and warns that faster emissions cuts and ecosystem protection are needed. Election 2026: Tina Kotek and Republican challenger Christine Drazan focused on development at their final gubernatorial debate in Bend ahead of the Nov. 3 election. On the field: Oregon hosts Nebraska Saturday night in Eugene as both teams look to rebound from narrow losses.

State Politics: Tina Kotek and Christine Drazan clashed over housing, development and economic growth in their final televised debate before Oregon ballots go out. Kotek also signed an order aimed at protecting healthcare access and paused environmental permits for new or expanding data centers until 2027. Corvallis Labor: City workers plan to strike Wednesday after contract talks failed, with wages and healthcare costs among the sticking points. Police, fire and emergency services are not affected. Voting: Lane County is adding four ballot drop boxes, including Oregon’s first smart drop box, as ballots begin mailing today. Portland Tech: City officials are weighing rules for Waymo’s planned driverless-car service, including fleet limits and a requirement to log 50,000 local miles before charging for rides. Oregon Ducks: After a narrow upset loss to UCLA, Oregon faces Nebraska with its quarterback situation unresolved and its playoff hopes under pressure. Oregon Zoo: Elephant Samudra is set to move to the St. Louis Zoo next year as part of a species-preservation effort.

Election 2026: Oregon’s voter-registration deadline has passed, and ballots are set to go out soon for the Nov. 3 election. Deschutes County voters will decide whether to elect commissioners by district, a change supporters say would improve local representation while opponents warn it could narrow voters’ choices. Wildfire Recovery: Oregon is directing $10 million to projects in Douglas, Grant, Jackson and Josephine counties to reduce fire risk across more than 6,400 acres. Separately, the Akawa Butte recovery plan has been scaled back after public feedback, cutting commercial salvage by 2,000 acres and reducing temporary road construction. Schools: Portland Public Schools is weighing closures at up to 14 schools, while Salem-Keizer recommends closing six elementary schools. Neither district has made a final decision. Health Care: Oregon lawmakers may consider new ways to shore up the Oregon Health Plan as federal Medicaid cuts loom, including asking some employers with many workers on Medicaid to help cover costs.

Election Countdown: Oregon residents have until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday to register for the Nov. 3 election; ballots start going out Wednesday, and Lane County drop boxes open the same day. Disaster Readiness: A statewide exercise running Oct. 13–16 will test Oregon’s long-term recovery plans for a major volcanic eruption, with community members helping evaluate the response. Wildfire Prevention: The state is investing $10 million in forest projects across southern and central Oregon to reduce fire risk and improve forest health. Federal Lawsuit: Oregon is suing the U.S. government over unemployment cuts. Health Alert: Broccoli sprout seeds tied to a multistate Salmonella outbreak have been recalled; 32 people have fallen ill, including cases in Oregon. College Football: Oregon fell out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2022 after its 17–15 loss to UCLA, and the Big Ten acknowledged officials wrongly spotted the Ducks’ late two-point try.

Unemployment Funding: Oregon has joined 13 states suing the federal government over its withdrawal of pandemic-era grants to modernize state unemployment systems, arguing the move broke grant agreements. Wildfire Resilience: Oregon is investing $10 million in projects across four counties to reduce fire risk on more than 6,400 acres; Oakridge’s rebuilt airport runway also adds capacity for firefighting aircraft. Animal Health: State officials report rising cases of pigeon fever in horses and urge owners to control flies, disinfect shared equipment and report suspected infections. College Football: Oregon fell out of the AP Top 25 after losing 17-15 to UCLA, and the Big Ten acknowledged officials wrongly spotted the ball on the Ducks’ late two-point try. Oregon State, meanwhile, routed San Diego State 66-14. Psilocybin Safety: A study found Oregon’s licensed centers followed screening and supervision rules, but sessions averaged about $1,900 and no center accepted insurance.

Public Health: Deschutes County and state officials are investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak and have asked Central Oregon clinicians to watch for cases; no source or case count has been announced. Salem: Police say federal agents used tear gas after a crowd blocked ICE vehicles during a Friday confrontation; reports describe protesters surrounding the vehicles. Oregon Football: The Big Ten acknowledged officials wrongly spotted the ball on the Ducks’ final two-point try in their 17-15 loss to UCLA. The loss knocked Oregon out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2022. Weather: A freeze warning is in effect into Monday morning across southern Oregon and Northern California, with a warmer stretch expected later this week. Around the State: Crater High’s girls cross-country team won the Clovis Invitational and set a team-time record; Oregon’s governor’s race is also drawing attention as Republican Christine Drazan reports a $1 million contribution.

Salem Protests: Federal agents used tear gas after protesters blocked ICE vehicles in northeast Salem; reports also describe damage to a federal vehicle and threats to agents. Coastal Health: A domoic acid bloom has reached Clatsop Beach, with toxin readings at or near safety limits. Officials are testing razor clams before determining when digging can proceed. Ducks Football: UCLA edged Oregon 17-15 in Eugene, handing the Ducks a second loss. Oregon committed seven turnovers, and quarterback Dylan Raiola was benched. Beavers Football: Oregon State rolled past San Diego State 66-14 as quarterback Braden Atkinson threw five touchdown passes for the second straight week. Oregon Heritage: Tillamook’s historic Hangar B, home of the air museum, is set to reopen Oct. 29 after storm damage forced a nearly 10-month closure. Ducks Basketball: Longtime Oregon coach Dana Altman retired after 16 seasons, weeks before the season opener.

Salem Incident: Federal agents used tear gas Saturday after about 30 protesters blocked their vehicles near Lancaster Drive and Sunnyview Road. Salem police said they didn’t coordinate with ICE, provided medical aid and are investigating. Ducks’ Setback: UCLA edged Oregon 17-15 at Autzen, handing the Ducks a second loss after they committed seven turnovers. Coach Dan Lanning said the offense, including play-calling, needs evaluation. Beavers’ Big Win: Oregon State routed San Diego State 66-14 for its fourth straight victory. Freshman Jesse Legree set a program record with his sixth consecutive 100-yard receiving game; quarterback Braden Atkinson threw for 409 yards and five scores. Portland MLB Bid: Portland is among cities floated for Major League Baseball expansion. The Portland Diamond Project has a proposed riverfront stadium site and funding, but still needs an anchor investor. Oregon Basketball: Dana Altman retired after 16 seasons as the Ducks’ winningest coach, leaving Oregon to find a successor less than a month before the season.

Ducks’ Top-25 Test: No. 13 Oregon hosts unbeaten No. 21 UCLA at Autzen, with backup Dylan Raiola starting while Dante Moore recovers from a concussion. Health Coverage: Oregon Medicare members face a key Dec. 7 deadline as most Providence Medicare Advantage plans end in 2027; people who don’t choose a new plan could lose prescription coverage. Governor’s Race: Tina Kotek is reaching voters through friendly influencers as she faces a tight contest. Recent polls offer mixed signals, while Republican Christine Drazan reports a $1 million contribution. Tribal Land Return: A nearly seven-acre coastal parcel near Yachats is set to return to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, part of a broader effort to reclaim ancestral lands. Mental Health: Rep. Cliff Bentz is backing a bill to let larger psychiatric facilities receive Medicaid funding, aiming to expand care for people with serious mental illness.

Schools: Salem-Keizer plans to close six elementary schools, putting major changes to local classrooms on the agenda. Governor’s Race: New polls suggest Tina Kotek may lead Christine Drazan, who reported a $1 million campaign contribution; Kotek is also tapping friendly influencers to spread her message. Elections: Ballots are heading to Oregon voters, with officials urging caution and the state preparing a test of its vote-counting system. Public Funds: Two state-backed rail projects costing more than $70 million remain mostly idle. In Grants Pass, the city extended a deadline for the Parker’s Place homeless shelter, while concerns over drug activity and the project’s future persist. Sports: No. 13 Oregon hosts No. 21 UCLA today, with Dylan Raiola set to start at quarterback as Dante Moore remains sidelined. The Ducks volleyball team also beat No. 22 Michigan State in four sets.

Public Safety: A buried body was found on a rural Josephine County property where two men died after shots were fired at detectives; investigators identified the remains as a missing Nevada man. In Portland, 32 men face child sex-trafficking charges, and eight suspects remain at large. Elections: Oregon ballots are going out, with officials urging voters to take care; check your county elections office for guidance. State Government: Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama won’t seek another term leading the Democratic caucus, opening a key leadership contest ahead of next year’s session. Wildfire Safety: Oregon’s forestry agency says debris burning is banned on its protected lands during fire season. Check beforeyouburn.net and local rules before lighting a burn or campfire. Ducks: With Dante Moore ruled out, Dylan Raiola is set for his first Oregon start against No. 21 UCLA. Blazers: Owner Tom Dundon says he wants to bring a championship to Portland as negotiations continue over a proposed $585 million in public arena-renovation funding.

Transportation: I-5 lanes through Portland’s Rose Quarter began reopening Thursday, a week ahead of schedule, though crews still need to finish restriping and remove equipment. Food Security: Oregon Food Bank received 17% less USDA food in fiscal 2025-26 than the year before, squeezing pantries in Umatilla County and leaving some with less food to distribute. Public Safety: Hermiston police are seeking a man who left the courthouse after facing attempted-murder and assault charges; authorities warn the public not to approach him. Politics: Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican challenger Christine Drazan debated data centers, housing and homelessness in Medford as Oregon’s governor race heats up. Oregon Sports: Ducks quarterback Dante Moore is out against UCLA, leaving Dylan Raiola set for his first Oregon start. Meanwhile, winningest Oregon men’s basketball coach Dana Altman has retired after 16 seasons.

Election 2026: Oregon’s second gubernatorial debate featured few fireworks but plenty of policy discussion. In the race for the state’s 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Cliff Bentz declined four debate invitations from challenger Chris Beck. Public Safety: Two people were found dead at a Williams Highway residence after an incident during an Oregon State Police missing-person investigation. Authorities say an individual fired shots at detectives before going inside. Forest Grove Policy: The city changed police-station restroom rules after an ICE agent was escorted into a restricted area to use one. Federal officers and members of the public can no longer use restrooms in that area. Ducks Basketball: Dana Altman retired after 16 seasons as Oregon’s men’s coach, leaving the program weeks before the season begins. Oregon Football: Quarterback Dante Moore was ruled out of Saturday’s UCLA matchup, with Dylan Raiola set to start for the Ducks.

Beaverton Search: A 3-year-old boy remains missing, Oregon State Police say. The Amber Alert was canceled after the vehicle was found—not the child—and authorities are seeking information. Oregon Basketball: Dana Altman has retired as the Ducks’ winningest men’s coach after 16 seasons, including a 2017 Final Four run. Ducks Football: Oregon ruled out quarterback Dante Moore for Saturday’s game against UCLA as he recovers from a concussion; transfer Dylan Raiola is expected to start. Hillsboro Tech: Intel and Applied Materials are teaming up on chip research, including advanced packaging, at Intel’s Hillsboro campus and Applied’s Silicon Valley center. Wildfire and Wildlife: A conservation assessment says intact Siskiyou Crest forests could provide a climate refuge for plants and animals, but logging and warming threaten that role. Housing: A new report says Oregon’s permanent supportive housing programs have helped thousands of residents remain housed.