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Composting rules roll out for majority of Portland businesses

The new requirement is an effort to cut down on excessive food waste .

Business

OSU and WSU weighing Pac-12 options

Officials say they expect to have  more information within about a month.

News

How earthquake research can help save the PNW from "The Big One"

A new center aims to answer questions like how high tsunami waters could go and how long shaking might last.

Oregon's public defender shortage reaches tipping point

The shortage affects both crime victims and criminal defendants

4,000 Kaiser health care workers in Oregon go on strike

The three-day strike of about 75,000 workers nationwide is among one of the largest health care strikes in U.S. history.

Thousands of Kaiser Permanente health care workers were striking at hospitals and medical office buildings across Oregon and southwest Washington as of Wednesday morning.What&#x27;s happening: Kaiser and a coalition of local unions representing its workers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="haven&#x27;t reached a deal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/09/26/oregon-strike-authorization-healthcare-nurses" data-vars-content-id="e4820a60-673c-4ab3-b7aa-b72ead6a4b6c" data-vars-headline="4,000 Kaiser health care workers in Oregon go on strike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/09/26/oregon-strike-authorization-healthcare-nurses" target="_self">haven&#x27;t reached a deal</a> for a new contract that expired Sept. 30.

A group of people walking down the street all holding protest signs.

Poverty falls among Oregon Latinos but disparities linger

Narrowing the gap with Oregon residents overall is slowing though.

The share of Oregon&#x27;s Hispanic residents living in poverty has almost halved since 2005 but gains have recently slowed, per the latest census data.Details: Almost 15% of Hispanic residents lived in poverty in 2022, compared to 12% of Oregon residents overall.

Oregon's divorce rate drops

Meanwhile, half of U.S. adults say they're open to signing a prenup.

As Oregon&#x27;s divorce rate reaches a new low, half of U.S. adults say they&#x27;re open to signing a prenup.<ul><li>Over the last decade, Oregon&#x27;s divorce rate has steadily dropped — from 10.8 per 1,000 people in 2008 to 7.8 in 2021, according to census data.</li></ul>

Oregon lawmakers start to set their agenda

Oregon's legislature is setting its agenda for a five-week session starting in February.

Oregon lawmakers spent last week preparing for their upcoming February <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legislative session" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/06/09/oregon-lawmakers-passed-over-100-new-laws-despite-the-walkout" data-vars-content-id="4de5891e-ece4-44b9-b510-9eae7859c7d6" data-vars-headline="Oregon lawmakers start to set their agenda" 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/oregon-lawmakers-passed-over-100-new-laws-despite-the-walkout" target="_self">legislative session</a> — holding hearings on topics ranging from drug addiction to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grasshopper infestations" data-vars-click-url="https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023I1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/277210" data-vars-content-id="4de5891e-ece4-44b9-b510-9eae7859c7d6" data-vars-headline="Oregon lawmakers start to set their agenda" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023I1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/277210" target="_blank">grasshopper infestations</a>.Why it matters: What lawmakers highlight through these public hearings informs laws they may propose during the Legislature&#x27;s short session — just five weeks long — that alternates annually with their regular six-month session.

Portland's share of new moms returning to work

As child care gets more expensive, more and more families are put in the difficult position.

The percentage of Portland-area women who recently gave birth and are part of the workforce remains high, per new census data.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Remote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/09/15/remote-work-economy-shift" data-vars-content-id="8d13d481-c63a-40ec-b4ed-ac3324c4ea36" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s share of new moms returning to work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/09/15/remote-work-economy-shift" target="_self">Remote</a> and flexible work is making it easier for new moms to juggle parenting and their careers, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="writes Axios&#x27; Emily Peck" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/01/working-mothers-labor-market-women-equality" data-vars-content-id="8d13d481-c63a-40ec-b4ed-ac3324c4ea36" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s share of new moms returning to work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/01/working-mothers-labor-market-women-equality" target="_self">writes Axios&#x27; Emily Peck</a>.

Student loan payment resume for thousands of Oregonians

Many Oregonians with student loan debt will soon need to resume their monthly payments, following a three-year pause.Driving the news: While interest on student loans started back up earlier this month, payments are set to be due beginning Oct. 1 — marking an end to the COVID-era relief put in place in 2020.

Illustration of an envelope, shaped like a graduation cap, stamped with a "payment due" notice

How a federal shutdown would affect Oregon

From paychecks to research to national parks, impacts will grow with a long shutdown.

A federal government shutdown could start hitting home this weekend.Driving the news: Congress has until midnight tomorrow to<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" fund the government" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/20/government-shutdown-congress-republicans" data-vars-content-id="a6fd8ad0-c385-425b-9ddc-8232f63e6bf5" data-vars-headline="How a federal shutdown would affect Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/20/government-shutdown-congress-republicans" target="_self"> fund the government</a> or see many services shut down, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="writes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/27/government-shutdown-effects-food-stamps-benefits" data-vars-content-id="a6fd8ad0-c385-425b-9ddc-8232f63e6bf5" data-vars-headline="How a federal shutdown would affect Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/27/government-shutdown-effects-food-stamps-benefits" target="_self">writes</a> Axios&#x27; Sareen Habeshian.

Illustration of the Capitol dome disappearing under the hands of a clock

Remaking Portland's stage for Broadway and ballet

The Keller is Portland's biggest theater, the only one with enough seats for Broadway or ballet.

Portland&#x27;s biggest theater, the Keller Auditorium — which hosts traveling Broadway shows, operas and ballets — is facing either a major overhaul or a total replacement, perhaps in a new location.Why it matters: The Keller is big business, bringing in half the revenue of downtown&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="five publicly owned theaters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.portland5.com/" data-vars-content-id="adf5cb52-ee32-452f-b74e-6d48895258b0" data-vars-headline="Remaking Portland&#x27;s stage for Broadway and ballet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.portland5.com/" target="_blank">five publicly owned theaters</a>. Whether it moves or gets a makeover will impact arts opportunities, public coffers and the future landscape of the city.

Two photos: A glass faced building with pillars in front and the same building reimagined, with a prow-like glass facade.

Kaiser Permanente strike looms in Pacific Northwest

A three-day, nationwide strike is planned for Oct. 4-6.

A group of 4,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers from across Oregon and Southwest Washington are gearing up for a potential strike next week after months of failed labor agreement talks with executives.Driving the news: Last Friday, the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions gave a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="10-day unfair labor practice strike notice" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/32828007.88/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2JyaWRnZT91cmw9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY25iYy5jb20vMjAyMy8wOS8yMi9rYWlzZXItcGVybWFuZW50ZS13b3JrZXJzLXRocmVhdGVuLXN0cmlrZS5odG1sJnM9MTI1MDI3Jm49YmUzODBiZjcmdD0xYzUwMzI0NjNlYzVkMTEzNWRmYzBlYWQ3NWNkMWUwMGMzYTFiZTY1JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/63dab5e736e45e7c710e8466Badcfca6a" data-vars-content-id="c57bb7f2-e3ce-4822-9a27-1c2399f619de" data-vars-headline="Kaiser Permanente strike looms in Pacific Northwest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/32828007.88/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2JyaWRnZT91cmw9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY25iYy5jb20vMjAyMy8wOS8yMi9rYWlzZXItcGVybWFuZW50ZS13b3JrZXJzLXRocmVhdGVuLXN0cmlrZS5odG1sJnM9MTI1MDI3Jm49YmUzODBiZjcmdD0xYzUwMzI0NjNlYzVkMTEzNWRmYzBlYWQ3NWNkMWUwMGMzYTFiZTY1JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/63dab5e736e45e7c710e8466Badcfca6a" target="_blank">10-day unfair labor practice strike notice</a> to Kaiser management, on behalf of 70,000 union members in Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, Maryland and D.C.

Illustration of hands in medical gloves holding red picket signs, forming a red cross symbol. 

New businesses in Portland area on upward trend

New business openings are a good measure of economic sentiment.

The number of businesses newly listed on Yelp across the Portland metro area continues a jagged climb out of the pandemic-driven shutdowns, with 437 openings in July, according to the company.Why it matters: New business openings are a good measure of economic sentiment — people generally don&#x27;t risk embarking on a new venture if they foresee economic peril ahead.

A line graph showing a jagged but steady overall rise since 2020.

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