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The lines at Pipsqueak Bagels are worth it

Pipsqueak doubled production to 2,000 bagels daily after early sellouts, but you'll still want to get there early.

Food and Drink

If you head to Portland&#x27;s hottest bagel destination — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pipsqueak Bagels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/09/pipsqueak-bagels-opens-with-new-york-style-hype" data-vars-content-id="97383bdf-c021-4da3-948b-e7643538708d" data-vars-headline="The lines at Pipsqueak Bagels are worth it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/09/pipsqueak-bagels-opens-with-new-york-style-hype" target="_self">Pipsqueak Bagels</a> — expect pillowy sandwiches, savory schmears and lines that stretch down the block.

Vote for Portland's all-time favorite bridge

Tell us which bridges you love, avoid or think deserve more credit.

News

Bridges are a big part of Portland&#x27;s personality. From the postcard perfect towered arches of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Johns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/03/17/st-johns-bridge-portland-history-architecture" data-vars-content-id="5059f899-080c-4b19-9836-a3374362d5cb" data-vars-headline="Vote for Portland&#x27;s all-time favorite bridge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/03/17/st-johns-bridge-portland-history-architecture" target="_self">St. Johns</a>, to the daily grind of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Marquam" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/15/marquam-bridge-traffic-history-design" data-vars-content-id="5059f899-080c-4b19-9836-a3374362d5cb" data-vars-headline="Vote for Portland&#x27;s all-time favorite bridge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/15/marquam-bridge-traffic-history-design" target="_self">Marquam</a> and the pedestrian-forward design of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tilikum Crossing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/02/tilikum-crossing-portland-car-free-bridge" data-vars-content-id="5059f899-080c-4b19-9836-a3374362d5cb" data-vars-headline="Vote for Portland&#x27;s all-time favorite bridge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/02/tilikum-crossing-portland-car-free-bridge" target="_self">Tilikum Crossing</a> — every span has its fans (and frustrations).We want to hear from you: Which bridges do you love, tolerate or avoid at all costs?

Oregon climate program faces new lawsuit

Opponents say penalties could raise energy costs as climate rules face another lawsuit.

Environment

Oregon&#x27;s signature <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/21/oregon-climate-emissions-regulations" data-vars-content-id="36c36485-4f59-4fee-90ad-2689d1276098" data-vars-headline="Oregon climate program faces new lawsuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/21/oregon-climate-emissions-regulations" target="_self">climate program</a> faces a new lawsuit challenging the state&#x27;s authority to impose financial penalties on carbon emitters.Why it matters: The case again puts the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Climate Protection Program&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cpp/pages/default.aspx" data-vars-content-id="36c36485-4f59-4fee-90ad-2689d1276098" data-vars-headline="Oregon climate program faces new lawsuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cpp/pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Climate Protection Program&#x27;s</a> legal footing at risk just a year after regulators reinstated it.

Readers share mixed feelings on generative AI

Some readers embrace AI for efficiency, while others raise ethical and environmental concerns.

Last week we asked you, our readers, for your thoughts — good, bad or otherwise — on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="generative AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/03/13/portland-s-ai-job-openings-trail-seattle-sf" data-vars-content-id="4101ec68-f7d1-4481-a3df-05753d632604" data-vars-headline="Readers share mixed feelings on generative AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/03/13/portland-s-ai-job-openings-trail-seattle-sf" target="_self">generative AI</a>.Why it matters: As AI spreads across daily life, public opinion is fractured — shaping how quickly and widely the technology is adopted.

Proposed project would tackle Willamette pollution and toxic lagoon

The proposed project would reuse contaminated soil to cut costs and reduce toxic algae.

The Willamette River faces two big problems in Portland: a long-polluted site and a lagoon that spawns <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="toxic algae blooms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/11/ross-island-toxic-algae-bloom" data-vars-content-id="0357c0a4-775b-4839-90e2-ddf93bab5cfc" data-vars-headline="Proposed project would tackle Willamette pollution and toxic lagoon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/11/ross-island-toxic-algae-bloom" target="_self">toxic algae blooms</a>. One new proposal aims to fix them both.Why it matters: The plan could cut cleanup costs and meet state requirements to reclaim the lagoon.

Tension brews as Oregon agencies push toward climate goals

A draft climate plan is exposing disagreements between state agencies over emissions cuts.

Oregon is far behind its goals of cutting carbon emissions to slow <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/06/climate-change-allergy-season-30-days-longer" data-vars-content-id="b56e5b08-936a-4a25-8885-e8d2be477d97" data-vars-headline="Tension brews as Oregon agencies push toward climate goals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/06/climate-change-allergy-season-30-days-longer" target="_self">climate change</a>, and the state&#x27;s departments can&#x27;t seem to agree on how to narrow the gap.Why it matters: Oregon is pushing to cut carbon emissions by 45% by 2035, and a draft plan to help do so is exposing tensions between state agencies over policy priorities.

Oregon's snowpack falls near record lows

Oregon's snowpack is about 30% of normal after one of its warmest winters on record.

Oregon&#x27;s coldest months are behind us, but you&#x27;d be forgiven if you <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="never noticed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/20/oregon-warm-winter-snowpack-risk" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/20/oregon-warm-winter-snowpack-risk" target="_self">never noticed</a> them in the first place.Why it matters: A warm winter and lack of snow have left Oregon with the lowest snowpack in the Pacific Northwest and its second-lowest level on record.<ul><li>That could spell trouble across the state for farmers, fish and firefighters as the potential for summer water shortages looms.</li></ul>Catch up quick: The winter began with promise — a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weak La Niña" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/23/la-nina-forecast-winter-weather-oregon" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/23/la-nina-forecast-winter-weather-oregon" target="_self">weak La Niña</a> was expected to bring colder and wetter than average conditions.<ul><li>The wetness was there in November and December as strong atmospheric rivers washed over the Pacific Northwest, but they came in riding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record warmth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/rankings/35/tavg/202512" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/rankings/35/tavg/202512" target="_blank">record warmth</a> and did little to build a base of snow at higher elevations.</li><li>January wasn&#x27;t much better, with Portland receiving a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="little more than half" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/pqr/cliplot" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/pqr/cliplot" target="_blank">little more than half</a> its average rainfall.</li><li>Though February brought more precipitation, it also came with statewide temperatures nearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="5°F above average" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/rankings/35/tavg/202602" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/rankings/35/tavg/202602" target="_blank">5°F above average</a>.</li></ul>Overall, the four-month period from November through February tied 1934 for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warmest in Oregon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/rankings/35/tavg/202602" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/rankings/35/tavg/202602" target="_blank">warmest in Oregon</a> on record.Stunning stat: Oregon&#x27;s snowpack is about 30% of normal, nearly tied with 2015 for the worst year on record.<ul><li>&quot;We&#x27;re kind of the epicenter of the snow drought,&quot; Oregon State climatologist Larry O&#x27;Neill told Axios, noting that, as of Monday, only Arizona and New Mexico had lower percentages of their median snowpack. </li><li>We aren&#x27;t alone, though, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="many states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" target="_self">many states</a> across the West seeing much warmer and drier conditions than usual.</li></ul>Threat level: Oregon&#x27;s snowpack acts as a reservoir that slowly releases water in the warmer months.<ul><li>Fish rely on it for adequate stream levels. Farmers rely on it for irrigation. We all rely on it to spin the turbines in our hydroelectric dams.</li><li>&quot;The snowpack is extremely important for our water supply in the spring and summer,&quot; O&#x27;Neill said. &quot;Without it, we usually end up with severe drought.&quot;</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Forecasters are predicting above-average temps — mid-60s in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portland" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=45.51601791381836&amp;lon=-122.68142700195312" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=45.51601791381836&amp;lon=-122.68142700195312" target="_blank">Portland</a>, mid-50s up on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mount Hood" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-121.6688576341901&amp;lat=45.34194381514135#.WDRQ3dg76f0" data-vars-content-id="2f394723-ebc9-4b30-8017-c2d5ad0ab08b" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s snowpack falls near record lows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-121.6688576341901&amp;lat=45.34194381514135#.WDRQ3dg76f0" target="_blank">Mount Hood</a> — for the next several days.The bottom line: It&#x27;s difficult to directly link one winter season to climate change, but experts have long predicted that a warmer climate, caused primarily by humans burning fossil fuels, would result in winters like this one.<ul><li>&quot;It represents our future,&quot; according to O&#x27;Neill. &quot;Low snowpack that melts early or doesn&#x27;t come at all.&quot;</li></ul>

Advocates raise concerns over proposed Columbia River power line

Opponents warn the buried line could harm fish, water quality and cultural sites.

Environmental advocates and tribes are raising concerns over a proposal to bury an electric transmission line under the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Columbia River" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/23/gorge-energy-storage-project-tribal-opposition" data-vars-content-id="40ce938e-f44c-4ddb-b461-c435ea146e5a" data-vars-headline="Advocates raise concerns over proposed Columbia River power line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/23/gorge-energy-storage-project-tribal-opposition" target="_self">Columbia River</a> from the east end of the Gorge to Portland.Why it matters: The project would be the first transmission line buried beneath the Columbia River and could expand the region&#x27;s ability to move renewable power west if approved.

Feds approve Gorge energy project opposed by tribes

The Goldendale project promises grid reliability, but tribes say it harms sacred land.

Federal regulators on Thursday approved a new energy storage project in the eastern Gorge that was years in the making and continues to face local resistance.Why it matters: Energy storage is key to moving away from fossil fuels, but area tribes argue no climate benefit justifies damage to culturally and spiritually significant land.

Oregon's warm, dry winter threatens snowpack

Persistent warmth and low snowfall could worsen wildfires and hurt crops later this year.

It&#x27;s the middle of winter and as I write this, the forecast calls for a balmy high of 50°F and we haven&#x27;t seen more than a trace of rain in Portland in almost two weeks.Why it matters: This stretch of dry, warm days in January just feels off, but it could also have severe implications for winter recreation, wildfires and irrigation later this year.

How winter has warmed over time in Portland

Rising temps could shrink snowpack and alter water supplies across Oregon.

Winter is getting warmer in Portland and across the country, due in part to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/04/extreme-heat-streaks-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="409d4680-f18d-4f34-9e42-f5993c3bef90" data-vars-headline="How winter has warmed over time in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/04/extreme-heat-streaks-climate-change" target="_self">climate change</a>, an updated analysis finds.Why it matters: Warmer winters can be a bummer for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skiers and snowboarders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/09/climate-change-winter-sports-recreation" data-vars-content-id="409d4680-f18d-4f34-9e42-f5993c3bef90" data-vars-headline="How winter has warmed over time in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/09/climate-change-winter-sports-recreation" target="_self">skiers and snowboarders</a>, affect water supplies <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tied to annual snowmelt," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/25/california-snowmelt-heat-wave-flooding-threat" data-vars-content-id="409d4680-f18d-4f34-9e42-f5993c3bef90" data-vars-headline="How winter has warmed over time in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/25/california-snowmelt-heat-wave-flooding-threat" target="_self">tied to annual snowmelt,</a> and more.

Kotek orders faster clean energy buildout

The executive order aims to cut emissions and streamline energy project approvals.

Gov. Tina Kotek on Wednesday signed an executive order directing Oregon agencies to accelerate the state&#x27;s clean energy transition and cut emissions.Why it matters: Oregon has some of the nation&#x27;s most ambitious climate laws, and this new order builds on that record.

Heat dome scorched 725K acres of forest

A new study links record heat to canopy damage across 725,000 acres of forest.

The damage wrought by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2021 heat dome" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/09/heat-dome-study-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="4c601519-4566-443d-b71a-9e7c04027bfd" data-vars-headline="Heat dome scorched 725K acres of forest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/09/heat-dome-study-climate-change" target="_self">2021 heat dome</a> continues to reverberate, with researchers identifying an area of forest nearly the size of Rhode Island in Oregon and Washington that experienced scorched foliage during the event.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="study" data-vars-click-url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70571" data-vars-content-id="4c601519-4566-443d-b71a-9e7c04027bfd" data-vars-headline="Heat dome scorched 725K acres of forest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70571" target="_blank">study</a>, from researchers at Oregon State University, will help scientists learn which species are most vulnerable to damage in future heat waves.