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Franz turns 120: Why its outlet deals are worth the trip

Portlanders are lucky to have three outlets offering products at steep discounts.

Food and Drink

<figure><img alt="Animated sign shaped like a loaf of bread atop a building reads Franz Bakery, Since 1906, with the wrapper twisting as if unwrapping. Blue sky, power lines crossing, tree leaves in corner above the roof." height="457" id="20b0d743-e7e5-4caf-b297-769fab25887c" src="https://images.axios.com/1GG0F5t3o04igRWvXGpPSXRW-lg=/2026/04/10/1775849021048.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Fun fact: The spinning bread sign weighs 5,000 pounds and was installed to celebrate Franz&#x27;s 50th anniversary in 1956. Image: Meira Gebel/Axios</figcaption></figure>In 1906, three Austrian-born brothers purchased their uncle&#x27;s bakery, launching what became Franz Bakery — a Portland institution known for producing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly a million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-life/2026/04/franz-bakery-buns-bread-portland" data-vars-content-id="6755af2d-874f-4572-a214-98050f3d5a52" data-vars-headline="Franz turns 120: Why its outlet deals are worth the trip" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-life/2026/04/franz-bakery-buns-bread-portland" target="_blank">nearly a million</a> buns and rolls per day at its five-block headquarters in Kerns.The big picture: Franz has grown into one of the West&#x27;s largest family-owned bakeries over the last 120 years. It now has multiple brands under its umbrella and sells dozens of pantry staples, including classic and specialty loaves as well as a variety of baked goods.

Blazers get 2 shots at playoff berth

A win over Phoenix would send Portland back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Sports

The Portland <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trail Blazers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/14/portland-trail-blazers-tom-dundon" data-vars-content-id="f4996cd6-89dd-4336-9ebf-86bcaae0e9a5" data-vars-headline="Blazers get 2 shots at playoff berth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/14/portland-trail-blazers-tom-dundon" target="_self">Trail Blazers</a> have two chances to extend their season as the NBA play-in gets underway this week.Why it matters: A single win will put Rip City back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Strong El Niño could worsen Northwest fire season

Warmth in the Pacific could dry out the region early and increase wildfire risk this summer.

News

A potentially powerful &quot;super&quot; El Niño may be taking shape, raising the chances for a longer and drier <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfire season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/el-nino-weather-years-world-climate-impacts" data-vars-content-id="47b94e84-4252-4884-85b1-1633b6df67b1" data-vars-headline="Strong El Niño could worsen Northwest fire season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/el-nino-weather-years-world-climate-impacts" target="_self">wildfire season</a> in the Pacific Northwest this year.Why it matters: El Niños — driven by unusually warm Pacific Ocean temperatures — can reshape global weather patterns, push temperatures to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record highs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/08/el-nino-declared-noaa-extremes" data-vars-content-id="47b94e84-4252-4884-85b1-1633b6df67b1" data-vars-headline="Strong El Niño could worsen Northwest fire season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/08/el-nino-declared-noaa-extremes" target="_self">record highs</a>, and create conditions for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="devastating wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/21/cram-fire-oregon-wildfires" data-vars-content-id="47b94e84-4252-4884-85b1-1633b6df67b1" data-vars-headline="Strong El Niño could worsen Northwest fire season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/21/cram-fire-oregon-wildfires" target="_self">devastating wildfires</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smoke" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/29/washington-health-risks-wildfire-smoke-climate-study" data-vars-content-id="47b94e84-4252-4884-85b1-1633b6df67b1" data-vars-headline="Strong El Niño could worsen Northwest fire season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/29/washington-health-risks-wildfire-smoke-climate-study" target="_self">smoke</a> that have increasingly come to define West Coast summers.

Portland power bills hold near national average

Portland power bills average $158 monthly, even after sharp rate increases.

Portlanders pay about $158 a month for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="electricity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/06/oregon-electricity-costs-up-more-than-5-in-last-year" data-vars-content-id="b9d48dcc-c3a4-4788-86f2-808b182ec7a1" data-vars-headline="Portland power bills hold near national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/06/oregon-electricity-costs-up-more-than-5-in-last-year" target="_self">electricity</a>, roughly matching the national average, per a new Axios analysis of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" data-vars-content-id="b9d48dcc-c3a4-4788-86f2-808b182ec7a1" data-vars-headline="Portland power bills hold near national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" target="_blank">data</a> from climate newsroom Heatmap News.Why it matters: Despite sharp rate increases in recent years, Portland residents still pay less than those in some higher-cost U.S. regions.

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.

Portland passes $56M housing plan using unspent money

The funds in the housing bureau had accumulated over several years, but were never budgeted.

Portland city councilors made their first steps this week toward spending $56 million in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing fund" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/03/portland-unspent-housing-funds-oversight" data-vars-content-id="b370b5a0-a650-45e3-a80c-9d7e86dab839" data-vars-headline="Portland passes $56M housing plan using unspent money" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/03/portland-unspent-housing-funds-oversight" target="_self">housing fund</a>s that were discovered unspent over the last several months.Why it matters: The city is simultaneously in a housing crisis and a budget crisis, so the money — accumulated over years — represents a rare windfall.

Frog Ferry pitches public funding model

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

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.

Appeals court weighs tear gas limits in Portland

Judges are reviewing whether federal agents should be restricted in using tear gas on protesters.

A federal appeals panel heard arguments Tuesday on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="limits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/26/appeals-court-blocks-tear-gas-limits-protests" data-vars-content-id="fceb828c-4a73-4450-8c86-5bf2a0c4c15a" data-vars-headline="Appeals court weighs tear gas limits 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/2026/03/26/appeals-court-blocks-tear-gas-limits-protests" target="_self">limits</a> to federal agents&#x27; use of chemical munitions during protests outside an ICE facility in Portland.Why it matters: The case could determine how broadly federal agents can use force-control tactics like tear gas during protests.

Hillsboro Hops debut new $150M stadium

The Hops are opening a $150M stadium with new seating, food and concert space.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hillsboro Hops" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/23/hillsboro-hops-new-stadium-concerts-conferences" data-vars-content-id="d197f467-f8fa-415a-afd2-8c56ad380964" data-vars-headline="Hillsboro Hops debut new $150M stadium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/23/hillsboro-hops-new-stadium-concerts-conferences" target="_self">Hillsboro Hops</a> open their home season Tuesday with the debut of a new stadium, marking a major shift for the team and the city.Why it matters: The $150 million stadium underscores a long-term partnership between the Portland area&#x27;s only Minor League Baseball team and Hillsboro.

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.

Forest Service overhaul threatens Portland's role

Federal changes could move research and policy roles out of Portland.

A sweeping reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service is poised to reshape how millions of acres of Western <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="forests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/09/public-trails-hiking-research-forest-oregon-state" data-vars-content-id="8a111d47-cf98-4870-8cb9-0edcacfe3f83" data-vars-headline="Forest Service overhaul threatens Portland&#x27;s role" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/09/public-trails-hiking-research-forest-oregon-state" target="_self">forests</a> are managed, and will likely force the relocation of hundreds of researchers from Portland.Why it matters: Portland has long been a hub for wildfire planning, timber policy and scientific research across Oregon, Washington and Alaska.

Sound off: Portland's least favorite springtime bug

Share the pests you hate most and your wildest bug encounters.

Spring is here! The sun is finally shining in the Pacific Northwest, and as temperatures rise, so do uninvited houseguests — ants patrolling the countertops, spiders setting up shop in forgotten corners and mystery flies emerging from drains. We want to hear from you: Which springtime bug do you hate the most, and why?

Axios Seattle

Axios What's Next

A choropleth map showing the estimated average 2025 monthly electric bill by U.S. county. The national average is estimated to be $158 per month. Some areas have averages above $200 per month, like Alabama, Texas and California. States in the Mountain West tend to have the lowest average bills, at $100 or less.

Estimated average monthly electric bill in 2025

Data: Heatmap News, OEDI, EIA, HUD, U.S. Census; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

News 🗞

Strong El Niño could worsen Northwest fire season

Portland power bills hold near national average

Former NE 82nd quarry becoming Portland nature sanctuary

Why these spring bugs annoy Portlanders most

Kill your lights, help the birds