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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.

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.

Health

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.

Many Oregon pharmacies restrict syringe access

"We were very surprised by the extent of their reluctance," one researcher said.

Nearly half of the more than 400 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pharmacies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/11/stressed-small-pharmacies-vanishing-oregon" data-vars-content-id="45de0369-6cd4-4229-ab3d-7942f101fe98" data-vars-headline="Many Oregon pharmacies restrict syringe access" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/11/stressed-small-pharmacies-vanishing-oregon" target="_self">pharmacies</a> Oregon State University researchers surveyed in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new study" data-vars-click-url="https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-025-01190-3" data-vars-content-id="45de0369-6cd4-4229-ab3d-7942f101fe98" data-vars-headline="Many Oregon pharmacies restrict syringe access" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-025-01190-3" target="_blank">a new study</a> would not sell over-the-counter sterile syringes without a prescription — revealing a significant access barrier in the fight against infectious disease.Why it matters: Oregon has historically had one of the highest infection and mortality rates for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hepatitis C" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/with-highest-hepatitis-c-mortality-rate-in-u-s-oregon-expands-access-to-life-saving-drugs" data-vars-content-id="45de0369-6cd4-4229-ab3d-7942f101fe98" data-vars-headline="Many Oregon pharmacies restrict syringe access" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/with-highest-hepatitis-c-mortality-rate-in-u-s-oregon-expands-access-to-life-saving-drugs" target="_blank">hepatitis C</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="HIV" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/diseasesconditions/communicabledisease/diseasesurveillancedata/hivdata/pages/index.aspx" data-vars-content-id="45de0369-6cd4-4229-ab3d-7942f101fe98" data-vars-headline="Many Oregon pharmacies restrict syringe access" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/diseasesconditions/communicabledisease/diseasesurveillancedata/hivdata/pages/index.aspx" target="_blank">HIV</a> in the country, largely driven by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="injection drug use" data-vars-click-url="https://hivalliance.org/news/addressing-oregons-hepatitis-c-transmission-crisis/#:~:text=Injection%20drug%20use%20is%20a,considerable%20portion%20of%20new%20cases." data-vars-content-id="45de0369-6cd4-4229-ab3d-7942f101fe98" data-vars-headline="Many Oregon pharmacies restrict syringe access" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hivalliance.org/news/addressing-oregons-hepatitis-c-transmission-crisis/#:~:text=Injection%20drug%20use%20is%20a,considerable%20portion%20of%20new%20cases." target="_blank">injection drug use</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing opioid epidemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/20/oregon-overdose-deaths-fentanyl" data-vars-content-id="45de0369-6cd4-4229-ab3d-7942f101fe98" data-vars-headline="Many Oregon pharmacies restrict syringe access" 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">ongoing opioid epidemic</a>.

⚕️ 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 🩺

Opioid use in pregnancy has more than doubled

Oregon ranks 19th in national health report

Potentially severe flu season looms for Oregon

Oregon approved $7.5M to keep Planned Parenthood doors open

Oregon sues Trump over SNAP freeze