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Portland Dining Month delivers big restaurant deals

Score three- or five-course meals at top spots for a fraction of the usual cost.

Food and Drink

That <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="29962f4d-b39a-4b22-985d-b9149be0d3c3" data-vars-headline="Portland Dining Month delivers big restaurant deals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/food-and-drink" target="_self">new restaurant</a> you&#x27;ve been meaning to try? March may be the time to finally book a reservation.The big picture: More than 100 of the city&#x27;s top dining establishments are participating in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portland Dining Month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pdxdiningmonth.com/" data-vars-content-id="29962f4d-b39a-4b22-985d-b9149be0d3c3" data-vars-headline="Portland Dining Month delivers big restaurant deals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pdxdiningmonth.com/" target="_blank">Portland Dining Month</a>, where exclusive, limited-time prix-fixe meals — with either three or five courses — will be a fraction of the cost.

Oregon paid an estimated $670M in Trump's rejected tariffs

If or when that money is ever returned remains an open question.

News

Roughly $670 million is now potentially up for grabs in Oregon after the Supreme Court <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struck down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" data-vars-content-id="d4e96304-57e9-4bc4-820c-1d871c38c9a6" data-vars-headline="Oregon paid an estimated $670M in Trump&#x27;s rejected tariffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" target="_self">struck down</a> a swath of President Trump&#x27;s tariffs on Friday, according to the Trade Partnership Worldwide economic research firm.Why it matters: Those tariffs, reversed in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a case led by" data-vars-click-url="https://www.doj.state.or.us/oregon-department-of-justice/federal-oversight/federal-litigation-tracker/tariffs-oregon-v-trump-u-s-court-of-international-trade-125-cv-00077/&#x27;" data-vars-content-id="d4e96304-57e9-4bc4-820c-1d871c38c9a6" data-vars-headline="Oregon paid an estimated $670M in Trump&#x27;s rejected tariffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.doj.state.or.us/oregon-department-of-justice/federal-oversight/federal-litigation-tracker/tariffs-oregon-v-trump-u-s-court-of-international-trade-125-cv-00077/&#x27;" target="_blank">a case led by</a> Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, likely made <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="all kinds of stuff more expensive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/03/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-china-cost" data-vars-content-id="d4e96304-57e9-4bc4-820c-1d871c38c9a6" data-vars-headline="Oregon paid an estimated $670M in Trump&#x27;s rejected tariffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/03/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-china-cost" target="_self">all kinds of stuff more expensive</a> as businesses passed higher costs onto everyday Americans.

Portland homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high

59% of homebuyers last year paid less than the original asking price, per Redfin.

Real Estate

The average discount for Portland <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/08/portland-home-values-drop" data-vars-content-id="1c354fad-c3b0-4b7e-9579-5c8cf7eb838a" data-vars-headline="Portland homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/08/portland-home-values-drop" target="_self">homes</a> that sold below their original asking price last year was 6.6% — the largest such gap since 2012, according to a Redfin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" data-vars-content-id="1c354fad-c3b0-4b7e-9579-5c8cf7eb838a" data-vars-headline="Portland homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" target="_blank">report</a>.Why it matters: Still-high mortgage rates and home prices have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sidelined" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="1c354fad-c3b0-4b7e-9579-5c8cf7eb838a" data-vars-headline="Portland homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">sidelined</a> many shoppers. But those who remain in the market are scoring the biggest deals in years.

How Dawson Park's origins contrast with its legacy

The Albina park became a cornerstone of Black Portland and civil rights activism.

Dawson Park has long been considered <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a cultural landmark" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/27/historical-black-landmarks-portland" data-vars-content-id="5083da48-740d-4e64-8e0d-b7ba287e52f8" data-vars-headline="How Dawson Park&#x27;s origins contrast with its legacy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/27/historical-black-landmarks-portland" target="_self">a cultural landmark</a> for Black Portland — where civil rights rallies originated and prominent historical figures visited — but it was originally developed in the early 20th century to keep children segregated.The big picture: The park&#x27;s evolution reflects the Albina neighborhood&#x27;s transformation: Shaped by racial tension and molded by redlining and displacement, it became a symbolic home base for Black life in the city.

Portland's midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring

Climate

It&#x27;s no mirage: Portland is experiencing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="midwinter warmup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/20/oregon-warm-winter-snowpack-risk" data-vars-content-id="8bccf167-5cbf-41e6-a4ee-3e5489e898aa" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring" 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">midwinter warmup</a>.Driving the news: The Pacific Northwest is having a stretch of unusually warm weather, with temperatures in Oregon and southwest Washington expected to climb into the upper 50s and lower 60s this week, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the National Weather Service" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=pqr&amp;issuedby=PQR&amp;product=AFD" data-vars-content-id="8bccf167-5cbf-41e6-a4ee-3e5489e898aa" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=pqr&amp;issuedby=PQR&amp;product=AFD" target="_blank">the National Weather Service</a>.

Portland's first freeze is arriving later

Later freezes could extend allergy season and harm crop yields.

As La Niña is expected to bring a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="colder, wetter winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/23/la-nina-forecast-winter-weather-oregon" data-vars-content-id="3ae43188-c860-4dfb-91bd-8071aeed171b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s first freeze is arriving later" 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">colder, wetter winter</a> to Portland, we&#x27;re only a few weeks out until our first freeze, too.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first freezing temperatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/22/first-freeze-frost-dates-map" data-vars-content-id="3ae43188-c860-4dfb-91bd-8071aeed171b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s first freeze is arriving later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/22/first-freeze-frost-dates-map" target="_self">first freezing temperatures</a> after summer are coming later on the calendar than they used to, according to a new analysis.

La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon

Forecasters say La Niña will bring more snow and rain across Oregon this winter.

Portlanders should prepare for another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wet, cold winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/01/19/winter-depression-storm-pacific-northwest" data-vars-content-id="168ff589-0d31-4282-93dc-eebe4bad4ddc" data-vars-headline="La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/01/19/winter-depression-storm-pacific-northwest" target="_self">wet, cold winter</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the latest outlook" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/media/abr/sitreport/2025-2026WinterOutlook.pdf" data-vars-content-id="168ff589-0d31-4282-93dc-eebe4bad4ddc" data-vars-headline="La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/media/abr/sitreport/2025-2026WinterOutlook.pdf" target="_blank">the latest outlook</a> from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.The big picture: The Pacific Northwest is expected to see above-average precipitation totals and below-average temperatures for December, January and February, in part due to a developing weak La Niña — similar to what we saw <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/18/wet-and-cold-winter-ahead" data-vars-content-id="168ff589-0d31-4282-93dc-eebe4bad4ddc" data-vars-headline="La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/18/wet-and-cold-winter-ahead" target="_self">last year</a>.

Most Portland students attend school in urban heat zones

70% of students attend schools in areas that are up to 8° hotter due to the urban heat island effect.

Most K–12 public students in Portland attend schools in extreme <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urban heat zones," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/heat-islands-us-record-temperatures" data-vars-content-id="bc46d55d-1e63-43c7-bce6-f44922cc7ca8" data-vars-headline="Most Portland students attend school in urban heat zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/heat-islands-us-record-temperatures" target="_self">urban heat zones,</a> a new analysis finds.Why it matters: The heat island effect can make some neighborhoods notably warmer than others, especially during heat waves like the one we&#x27;re in currently.

Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer

June through September has a 50-60% chance of being hotter than average for most of the state.

Most of Oregon is staring down a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hotter and drier" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/06/09/portland-summer-temperatures-rise" data-vars-content-id="c9405571-c903-4bbe-9a50-5a6d2ad4f806" data-vars-headline="Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/06/09/portland-summer-temperatures-rise" target="_self">hotter and drier</a> than average summer, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new climate forecasts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" data-vars-content-id="c9405571-c903-4bbe-9a50-5a6d2ad4f806" data-vars-headline="Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" target="_blank">new climate forecasts</a>.Why it matters: Warmer temperatures and less precipitation raises the chances of drought conditions, wildfire risk and the potential of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat-related deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/12/multnomah-county-officials-warn-of-rising-heat-risks" data-vars-content-id="c9405571-c903-4bbe-9a50-5a6d2ad4f806" data-vars-headline="Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/12/multnomah-county-officials-warn-of-rising-heat-risks" target="_self">heat-related deaths</a>.

Portland gets a "C" for ozone pollution

The city ranked 105th worst for the number of high ozone days among other metros.

The Portland metro area lands in the middle of the pack for ozone pollution, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="b907228e-266a-4922-bdbd-cd5e7a653189" data-vars-headline="Portland gets a &quot;C&quot; for ozone pollution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" target="_self">a new report</a> from the American Lung Association, but Oregon still faces <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mounting climate challenges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/13/oregon-climate-change-report-utility-costs" data-vars-content-id="b907228e-266a-4922-bdbd-cd5e7a653189" data-vars-headline="Portland gets a &quot;C&quot; for ozone pollution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/13/oregon-climate-change-report-utility-costs" target="_self">mounting climate challenges</a> that affect air quality.Why it matters: Air pollution threatens <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the health of everyone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/15/climate-change-air-quality-oregon" data-vars-content-id="b907228e-266a-4922-bdbd-cd5e7a653189" data-vars-headline="Portland gets a &quot;C&quot; for ozone pollution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/15/climate-change-air-quality-oregon" target="_self">the health of everyone</a> — especially children, seniors, and people with asthma or heart and lung conditions.

Cold, dry conditions to continue across Portland next week

Expect more clear skies and cold temperatures this week.

Portland could see its driest January on record this month, as a persistent ridge of high pressure has brought dry conditions, clear skies and sharp cold with no signs of rain in the forecast for the next week.Why it matters: This is not normal for this time of year.

Oregon's climate cost concerns

Electricity rates have gone up by nearly 50% for some people over the last five years.

Oregon is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="getting hotter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/16/climate-change-records-surprise-scientists" data-vars-content-id="f80445da-dbe5-4815-bec0-c2f716268985" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s climate cost concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/16/climate-change-records-surprise-scientists" target="_self">getting hotter</a> for everyone, according to a new report, but it&#x27;s not affecting all Oregonians equally.Why it matters: The sixth <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oregon Climate Assessment" data-vars-click-url="https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/occri/oregon-climate-assessments/" data-vars-content-id="f80445da-dbe5-4815-bec0-c2f716268985" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s climate cost concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/occri/oregon-climate-assessments/" target="_blank">Oregon Climate Assessment</a> was released last week, finding that the state has warmed by 2.2° over the last century, which advocates say impacts low-income communities the hardest.

Why Portland gets so many different kinds of rain

"The only good weather is bad weather," a local meteorologist told Axios.

It doesn&#x27;t just rain in Portland — it mists, drizzles, pours and, sometimes, it ices, sleets or delivers moisture via a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bomb cyclone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/18/atmospheric-river-rain-bomb-cyclone-oregon" data-vars-content-id="3dff9ef1-b1d7-4966-a4b7-76d1af1712bd" data-vars-headline="Why Portland gets so many different kinds of rain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/18/atmospheric-river-rain-bomb-cyclone-oregon" target="_self">bomb cyclone</a>.Why it matters: With rain back in the forecast this weekend, understanding the nuances of our precipitation patterns helps explain why we <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="despise umbrellas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/20/why-oregonians-dont-use-umbrellas" data-vars-content-id="3dff9ef1-b1d7-4966-a4b7-76d1af1712bd" data-vars-headline="Why Portland gets so many different kinds of rain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/20/why-oregonians-dont-use-umbrellas" target="_self">despise umbrellas</a>, why our yards are so lush and green and why our weather is so dynamic.

What past climate shifts tell us about today's wildfires

The findings come from methane trapped in 67,000-year-old Antarctic ice.

Researchers studying ancient methane trapped in Antarctic ice have found new clues about how a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="changing climate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/16/climate-change-records-surprise-scientists" data-vars-content-id="d3bdfb95-4f42-4d8b-acd9-c53530f8f0f3" data-vars-headline="What past climate shifts tell us about today&#x27;s wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/16/climate-change-records-surprise-scientists" target="_self">changing climate</a> can cause a cascade of events that result in increased <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfire activity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/06/oregon-wildfires-cost-funding-record" data-vars-content-id="d3bdfb95-4f42-4d8b-acd9-c53530f8f0f3" data-vars-headline="What past climate shifts tell us about today&#x27;s wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/06/oregon-wildfires-cost-funding-record" target="_self">wildfire activity</a>.Why it matters: Learning about how previous shifts in climate impacted our world can help us understand what to expect as our own climate goes through <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rapid change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/07/hottest-year-record-2024-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="d3bdfb95-4f42-4d8b-acd9-c53530f8f0f3" data-vars-headline="What past climate shifts tell us about today&#x27;s wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/07/hottest-year-record-2024-climate-change" target="_self">rapid change</a>.

Climate 🌿

Portland's midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring

Portland's first freeze is arriving later

La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon

Most Portland students attend school in urban heat zones

Pacific Northwest cities swelter as summer nights get hotter