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Frog Ferry pitches public funding model

Residents can donate to help launch ferry service, with perks like naming rights.

News

Backers of Portland&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Frog Ferry project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/14/portland-frog-ferry-service-willamette" data-vars-content-id="8c92047f-9939-4d8a-ae77-cea0a4f6bfd3" data-vars-headline="Frog Ferry pitches public funding model" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/14/portland-frog-ferry-service-willamette" target="_self">Frog Ferry project</a> unveiled a new funding model Tuesday, allowing residents to donate toward launching ferry service.Why it matters: Project leaders are betting Rose City residents will help pay for ferry service to get a boat in the water.

Get to know Portland's bridges: Sellwood

It's the sole Willamette crossing designed to survive a major earthquake.

Portland&#x27;s Sellwood Bridge is the city&#x27;s southernmost Willamette crossing — and the only one <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for several miles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/17/ross-island-bridge-100-rare-cantilever-design" data-vars-content-id="9ad23dab-ec6b-46a6-9c14-cbbbb6a17200" data-vars-headline="Get to know Portland&#x27;s bridges: Sellwood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/17/ross-island-bridge-100-rare-cantilever-design" target="_self">for several miles</a> — making it a critical route for Southwest and Southeast residents and commuters alike. The big picture: Opened in 2016, the Sellwood is the newest of the bunch, replacing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an impressively high" data-vars-click-url="https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=oregon/sellwoodbridge/" data-vars-content-id="9ad23dab-ec6b-46a6-9c14-cbbbb6a17200" data-vars-headline="Get to know Portland&#x27;s bridges: Sellwood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=oregon/sellwoodbridge/" target="_blank">an impressively high</a> continuous deck truss structure built in 1925.

Oregon diners leave higher tips than West Coast neighbors

Diners are still spilt on whether they prefer tipping or paying a service fee.

Food and Drink

When dining out, Oregonians tend to leave a 19% tip or higher on average, per Toast&#x27;s latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant trends report" data-vars-click-url="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/toast-restaurant-trends-report-coffee-prices-2026" data-vars-content-id="6a955075-8a97-426f-aae5-163cda107995" data-vars-headline="Oregon diners leave higher tips than West Coast neighbors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/toast-restaurant-trends-report-coffee-prices-2026" target="_blank">restaurant trends report</a>.The big picture: That&#x27;s about the same as the nationwide average for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tips" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/01/no-tax-on-tips-jobs-trump-bill" data-vars-content-id="6a955075-8a97-426f-aae5-163cda107995" data-vars-headline="Oregon diners leave higher tips than West Coast neighbors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/01/no-tax-on-tips-jobs-trump-bill" target="_self">tips</a> left at full-service restaurants in Q4 2025, but higher than both our West Coast neighbors.

Why these spring bugs annoy Portlanders most

Even in the nature-loving Pacific Northwest, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="some bugs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/28/oregon-spotted-lanternfly-invasive-species" data-vars-content-id="9b308f10-53df-491b-b8a1-3d1acbef07fb" data-vars-headline="Why these spring bugs annoy Portlanders most" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/28/oregon-spotted-lanternfly-invasive-species" target="_self">some bugs</a> are public enemy No. 1.Why it matters: As spring temperatures climb past about 55 degrees, cold-blooded insects emerge from winter hiding spots seemingly all at once, which is why it can suddenly feel like they&#x27;re everywhere.

Oregon's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows

A Yale analysis finds about 72% of Oregon hospitals are concentrated under a few systems.

Health

Oregon&#x27;s health care system is heavily consolidated among just a few hospital systems, a dynamic that has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="raised concern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/18/ohsu-legacy-health-merger-oregon" data-vars-content-id="17aeab07-b44b-4096-8285-2c6fe4b46dee" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/18/ohsu-legacy-health-merger-oregon" target="_self">raised concern</a> among critics and state lawmakers in the past.Why it matters: As rising health care costs put more financial strain on Americans, &quot;one major and underappreciated factor driving price increases is rising consolidation among U.S. hospitals,&quot; according to Yale&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Health Care Affordability Lab" data-vars-click-url="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" data-vars-content-id="17aeab07-b44b-4096-8285-2c6fe4b46dee" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" target="_blank">Health Care Affordability Lab</a>.

Opioid use in pregnancy has more than doubled

A new study links a sharp rise in opioid use to poor outcomes for mothers and babies.

The rate of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opioid use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/20/oregon-overdose-deaths-fentanyl" data-vars-content-id="52aad546-e52c-4fee-a1c6-6bb5174e8791" data-vars-headline="Opioid use in pregnancy has more than doubled" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/20/oregon-overdose-deaths-fentanyl" target="_self">opioid use</a> in pregnancy more than doubled over the past decade, a new Oregon Health &amp; Science University <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="study" data-vars-click-url="https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/abstract/9900/maternal_opioid_related_diagnosis_in_pregnancy_and.632.aspx" data-vars-content-id="52aad546-e52c-4fee-a1c6-6bb5174e8791" data-vars-headline="Opioid use in pregnancy has more than doubled" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/abstract/9900/maternal_opioid_related_diagnosis_in_pregnancy_and.632.aspx" target="_blank">study</a> using California hospital data found.Why it matters: Researchers warn the sharp rise puts both mothers and babies at risk — increasing the chance for negative complications such as hypertension, respiratory distress, preterm birth, infant withdrawal syndrome and death.

Potentially severe flu season looms for Oregon

A new, mutated strain of the virus is out and about.

Oregon may be facing a harsher flu season this year, as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a more severe virus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/h3n2-new-flu-strain-symptoms-virus" data-vars-content-id="cfc4f1d1-a19c-4e29-ae74-1d7674509a88" data-vars-headline="Potentially severe flu season looms for Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/h3n2-new-flu-strain-symptoms-virus" target="_self">a more severe virus</a> is beginning to spread earlier and faster nationwide, though it remains to be seen how sickly things will get.Why it matters: The flu can cause a whole slew of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nasty symptoms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html" data-vars-content-id="cfc4f1d1-a19c-4e29-ae74-1d7674509a88" data-vars-headline="Potentially severe flu season looms for Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html" target="_blank">nasty symptoms</a> — like sore throat, runny nose, fever, cough and more — that can lead to hospitalization and even death in some cases.

Oregon sues Trump over SNAP freeze

Oregon says the Trump administration is unlawfully withholding food assistance benefits during the shutdown.

Oregon, along with two dozen other Democratic-led states, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sued" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/trump-snap-food-stamps-lawsuit-democrats" data-vars-content-id="27b26510-dbcd-495d-adfc-457d91fb7eda" data-vars-headline="Oregon sues Trump over SNAP freeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/trump-snap-food-stamps-lawsuit-democrats" target="_self">sued</a> the Trump administration this week to force it to resume <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food assistance payments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/24/gov-shutdown-snap-payments-emergency-funds" data-vars-content-id="27b26510-dbcd-495d-adfc-457d91fb7eda" data-vars-headline="Oregon sues Trump over SNAP freeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/24/gov-shutdown-snap-payments-emergency-funds" target="_self">food assistance payments</a> as the federal government shutdown drags on.The big picture: More than 750,000 Oregonians rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Department of Agriculture has warned benefits will stop on Saturday.

Obesity spikes among Oregon's young adults

More than a quarter of Oregon adults under 25 are now considered obese.

Oregon saw the highest obesity rate increase of any state from 2019 and 2024, according to new data — a troubling statistic experts say could impact <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/03/27/multnomah-county-among-healthiest" data-vars-content-id="c0917dc2-d606-483a-9e64-fc8eb5558faa" data-vars-headline="Obesity spikes among Oregon&#x27;s young adults" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/03/27/multnomah-county-among-healthiest" target="_self">public health</a> for decades to come.Why it matters: Obesity is tied to several health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and more.

Ping-pong brings relief to Portland Parkinson's patients

Table tennis is improving balance and building community for Portlanders with Parkinson's.

In Southeast Portland, a group of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Parkinson&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/20/deep-brain-stimulation-parkinsons-relief" data-vars-content-id="7c1c6502-cbb4-451f-978d-fffc501ac4a7" data-vars-headline="Ping-pong brings relief to Portland Parkinson&#x27;s patients" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/20/deep-brain-stimulation-parkinsons-relief" target="_self">Parkinson&#x27;s</a> patients have found an unlikely ally in their battle against the disease: ping-pong paddles.Why it matters: Table tennis is emerging as a surprising source of therapy and community for those with Parkinson&#x27;s disease — boosting balance, easing tremors and creating meaningful connection.

Several Portland-area hospitals aren't prescribing COVID shots

Without clear federal guidance or state protections, some doctors are turning patients away.

Despite Oregon joining other West Coast states in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="developing its own vaccine guidelines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/03/oregon-covid-vaccines-availability-kotek" data-vars-content-id="52f7c5a1-980d-429d-8a5a-098573d31acc" data-vars-headline="Several Portland-area hospitals aren&#x27;t prescribing COVID shots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/03/oregon-covid-vaccines-availability-kotek" target="_self">developing its own vaccine guidelines</a>, some doctors and hospitals are reluctant to prescribe COVID shots without clear federal recommendations or state-level legal protections.Why it matters: Several Portland-area doctors and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health care systems" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/15/oregon-hospitals-er-visits-average-5-hours" data-vars-content-id="52f7c5a1-980d-429d-8a5a-098573d31acc" data-vars-headline="Several Portland-area hospitals aren&#x27;t prescribing COVID shots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/15/oregon-hospitals-er-visits-average-5-hours" target="_self">health care systems</a>, including Providence and Oregon Health &amp; Science University, are hesitant to prescribe the vaccine or are outright turning patients away, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Oregonian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/09/oregon-doctors-hesitate-to-dispense-latest-covid-19-vaccines-in-vacuum-of-medical-guidance.html" data-vars-content-id="52f7c5a1-980d-429d-8a5a-098573d31acc" data-vars-headline="Several Portland-area hospitals aren&#x27;t prescribing COVID shots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/09/oregon-doctors-hesitate-to-dispense-latest-covid-19-vaccines-in-vacuum-of-medical-guidance.html" target="_blank">the Oregonian</a>.

Oregon pushes back on Trump's COVID vaccine policy

The state joins its West Coast neighbors in establishing a new "health alliance."

Oregon is joining Washington and California in developing its own vaccine guidance in response to what Gov. Tina Kotek is calling the &quot;politicalization&quot; of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Why it matters: The new West Coast Health Alliance is the first blue state public health partnership to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="push back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/03/rfk-jr-resign-hhs-employees-letter-trump-cdc" data-vars-content-id="2fc583e4-dfcb-42d9-a82d-bccb4fa22b40" data-vars-headline="Oregon pushes back on Trump&#x27;s COVID vaccine policy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/03/rfk-jr-resign-hhs-employees-letter-trump-cdc" target="_self">push back</a> against Trump administration policies.

C-section births cost nearly $29K in Oregon

In turn, home births have increased in part due to hospital costs.

Having a baby isn&#x27;t cheap anywhere, but Oregon ranks as the fourth-most-expensive state in the U.S. for delivering a baby via C-section, according to FAIR Health.Why it matters: Birth costs are just one of many financial burdens for new parents, with pediatrician and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="child care bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/03/oregon-infant-care-costs-rise" data-vars-content-id="31b8f9c2-3067-401f-af25-c46e3204e772" data-vars-headline="C-section births cost nearly $29K in Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/03/oregon-infant-care-costs-rise" target="_self">child care bills</a> often following soon after.

1 in 10 Oregonians over 65 has Alzheimer's

More than 7 million seniors now live with Alzheimer's in the U.S., according to a new report.

About 10% of Oregonians aged 65 or older — roughly 79,000 people — are living with Alzheimer&#x27;s, according to 2020 data shared in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Alzheimer&#x27;s Association report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/06/alzheimers-report-americans-dementia-symptoms?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="5046eaa8-4b83-407e-a1f7-e75ea4dfbe6e" data-vars-headline="1 in 10 Oregonians over 65 has Alzheimer&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/06/alzheimers-report-americans-dementia-symptoms?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_self">new Alzheimer&#x27;s Association report</a>.Why it matters: More than 7 million seniors in the U.S. now live with Alzheimer&#x27;s in the U.S. — the highest number ever recorded — but addressing cognitive decline early can help stave off the disease.

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing share of hospitals that are in a highly concentrated market or part of a monopoly in 2025. In North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, all hospitals are highly concentrated or part of a monopoly. In D.C., none are. Market concentration is particularly high in the mountain west and coastal south.

Share of hospitals that are in a highly concentrated market or are part of a monopoly, 2025

Data: Yale Health Care Affordability Lab; Map: Axios Visuals

🏥 Closing the care gap

Oregon eliminates surprise bills for cervical cancer care

⚕️ Oregon's health, ranked

Oregon ranks 19th in national health report

A cartogram displaying the 2025 America's Health Rankings. New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont rank highest. Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas rank lowest in health.

Health 🩺

Oregon's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows

Oregon eliminates surprise bills for cervical cancer care

Opioid use in pregnancy has more than doubled

Oregon ranks 19th in national health report

Potentially severe flu season looms for Oregon