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Oregon vows to fight Trump's mail-in voting order

State officials are preparing to defend Oregon's decades-old vote-by-mail system.

News

President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="d425ee81-63fb-4d67-bab8-dbd813408a71" data-vars-headline="Oregon vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> can implement an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="executive order" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/trump-mail-in-voting-order-blocked" data-vars-content-id="d425ee81-63fb-4d67-bab8-dbd813408a71" data-vars-headline="Oregon vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/trump-mail-in-voting-order-blocked" target="_self">executive order</a> restricting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mail-in" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/mail-in-voting-trump-pew-poll" data-vars-content-id="d425ee81-63fb-4d67-bab8-dbd813408a71" data-vars-headline="Oregon vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/mail-in-voting-trump-pew-poll" target="_self">mail-in</a> ballots just months before the midterm elections, the Supreme Court said Monday.Why it matters: The decision could upend the midterms, but the legal battle is far from over, and the exact impact on Oregon&#x27;s upcoming elections remains unclear.

Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows

It's a big win for the state, which has seen businesses take their growth elsewhere in recent years.

Business

Lam Research, the global <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="semiconductor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/16/federal-grant-semiconductor-industry-fast" data-vars-content-id="93f4b9c7-5986-4110-a120-1afd43004149" data-vars-headline="Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/16/federal-grant-semiconductor-industry-fast" target="_self">semiconductor</a> equipment maker with a large Portland-area presence, broke ground Wednesday on a multimillion-dollar research and development lab aimed at meeting growing demand for advanced AI chips.Why it matters: The lab is part of a $1.5 billion investment in the company&#x27;s Oregon footprint over the next 15 years — a major win for the state as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent manufacturing job losses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/08/03/manufacturing-jobs-oregon.html" data-vars-content-id="93f4b9c7-5986-4110-a120-1afd43004149" data-vars-headline="Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/08/03/manufacturing-jobs-oregon.html" target="_blank">recent manufacturing job losses</a> compound and other businesses consider <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moving their growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" data-vars-content-id="93f4b9c7-5986-4110-a120-1afd43004149" data-vars-headline="Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" target="_self">moving their growth</a> elsewhere.

Portland renters pay more for less space

New apartments are 47 square feet smaller than a decade ago.

The average <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new apartment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/18/portland-rent-relief-could-fade-as-building-slows" data-vars-content-id="4c637cbd-335b-41d4-9570-dd43d0e953fa" data-vars-headline="Portland renters pay more for less space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/18/portland-rent-relief-could-fade-as-building-slows" target="_self">new apartment</a> shrunk in Portland during the past decade to some of the smallest dwellings in the country, according to a new survey from RentCafe.Why it matters: Even though square footage shrunk, renters of all apartments in Portland are paying more — even accounting for a 39% increase in inflation.

Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe

Volunteers patrol the overnight course from Portland to Seaside.

As thousands lace up for the start of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hood to Coast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/hood-to-coast-race-this-weekend-19k-runners-to-brave-extreme-heat" data-vars-content-id="d41dccb5-35dd-4012-be62-6ecdc28a42db" data-vars-headline="Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/hood-to-coast-race-this-weekend-19k-runners-to-brave-extreme-heat" target="_self">Hood to Coast</a> Friday at Timberline Lodge, another group will be preparing to to make sure all those runners finish safely.Why it matters: For nearly 30 years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eyes on Wheels" data-vars-click-url="https://eyesonwheels.org/" data-vars-content-id="d41dccb5-35dd-4012-be62-6ecdc28a42db" data-vars-headline="Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eyesonwheels.org/" target="_blank">Eyes on Wheels</a> – a group of volunteers on motorcycles — have been conducting safety patrols on the western part of the race course.

Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat

Researchers detected barred owls far more often across millions of hours of recordings.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="northern spotted owl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/01/ai-tracks-endangered-owls-oregon" data-vars-content-id="f6d1e8cd-83fe-4c37-b3fe-00e927ce48eb" data-vars-headline="Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/01/ai-tracks-endangered-owls-oregon" target="_self">northern spotted owl</a> is either functionally extinct or close to it in large parts of the Pacific Northwest, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new research" data-vars-click-url="https://news.oregonstate.edu/news/listening-extinction-study-finds-areas-critical-concern-northern-spotted-owls" data-vars-content-id="f6d1e8cd-83fe-4c37-b3fe-00e927ce48eb" data-vars-headline="Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.oregonstate.edu/news/listening-extinction-study-finds-areas-critical-concern-northern-spotted-owls" target="_blank">new research</a> from Oregon State University.The big picture: Logging, wildfires and the spread of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="invasive barred owls" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/03/barred-owls-shoot-spotted-owls-washington-oregon" data-vars-content-id="f6d1e8cd-83fe-4c37-b3fe-00e927ce48eb" data-vars-headline="Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/03/barred-owls-shoot-spotted-owls-washington-oregon" target="_self">invasive barred owls</a> have reduced habitat and intensified competition for the imperiled northern spotted owl.

Portland metro braces for major shelter cuts

Eleven shelters are expected to close as funding shrinks across the region.

Portland and Multnomah County are preparing to eliminate more than 1,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeless shelter beds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/15/wilson-shelter-bed-homelessness-progress" data-vars-content-id="3ff0f9be-8e4c-4d79-b960-049f6b61f482" data-vars-headline="Portland metro braces for major shelter cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/15/wilson-shelter-bed-homelessness-progress" target="_self">homeless shelter beds</a> by the end of the year, unwinding roughly a third of the capacity that existed at the start of 2026, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Oregonian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/08/portland-area-leaders-are-dismantling-a-third-of-the-homeless-shelter-system-they-just-built.html" data-vars-content-id="3ff0f9be-8e4c-4d79-b960-049f6b61f482" data-vars-headline="Portland metro braces for major shelter cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/08/portland-area-leaders-are-dismantling-a-third-of-the-homeless-shelter-system-they-just-built.html" target="_blank">the Oregonian</a>.Why it matters: The cuts come as homelessness remains <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at record high levels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/22/oregon-homelessness-shelter-growth-2025" data-vars-content-id="3ff0f9be-8e4c-4d79-b960-049f6b61f482" data-vars-headline="Portland metro braces for major shelter cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/22/oregon-homelessness-shelter-growth-2025" target="_self">at record high levels</a>.

Thorns to honor Tobin Heath as club icon retires

The Thorns legend will be honored before Friday's match at Providence Park.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thorns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/19/thorns-home-opener-new-coach-roster-questions" data-vars-content-id="92ba2cf4-35e1-4ce5-997f-411f67f848fa" data-vars-headline="Thorns to honor Tobin Heath as club icon retires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/19/thorns-home-opener-new-coach-roster-questions" target="_self">Thorns</a> will honor an icon Friday with a pre-match ceremony to mark the retirement of Tobin Heath, one of the club&#x27;s most impactful players.The big picture: Heath helped Portland win two NWSL championships and was a key part of the U.S. Women&#x27;s National Team during one of its most successful stretches.

Oregon wildfires burn record 2.6 million acres

More than 2.6 million acres have burned, nearly four times the 10-year average.

With more than 2.6 million acres burned so far this year, Oregon&#x27;s current <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfire season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/22/oregon-s-wildfire-season-surges" data-vars-content-id="c3266d6c-e209-448a-a4b2-00992f05034c" data-vars-headline="Oregon wildfires burn record 2.6 million acres" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/22/oregon-s-wildfire-season-surges" target="_self">wildfire season</a> has shattered the state&#x27;s previous modern record and it&#x27;s not over yet. Why it matters: The current total is nearly four times the 10-year annual average, according to state and federal data, and about 1.1 million acres more than Oregon&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last record-breaking season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/21/oregon-wildfire-season-record-breaking" data-vars-content-id="c3266d6c-e209-448a-a4b2-00992f05034c" data-vars-headline="Oregon wildfires burn record 2.6 million acres" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/21/oregon-wildfire-season-record-breaking" target="_self">last record-breaking season</a> in 2024.

Pacific Northwest needs massive power boost

Data centers and population growth are driving a sharp rise in electricity demand.

The Pacific Northwest will need to add a tremendous amount of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new power" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/14/electricity-costs-average-rate-increase-data-centers-power-act" data-vars-content-id="4f8f5ea8-0de7-422c-9a00-d29490fc022d" data-vars-headline="Pacific Northwest needs massive power boost" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/14/electricity-costs-average-rate-increase-data-centers-power-act" target="_self">new power</a> over the next six years to keep the lights on for all of its residents, according to a new federal draft report.Why it matters: Population growth, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/24/data-center-backlash-ai-expansion-oregon" data-vars-content-id="4f8f5ea8-0de7-422c-9a00-d29490fc022d" data-vars-headline="Pacific Northwest needs massive power boost" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/24/data-center-backlash-ai-expansion-oregon" target="_self">data centers</a> and electrification are expected to send the region’s electricity demand soaring.

Demolition begins at fire-damaged Centennial Mills

Crews used controlled explosives to bring down the blighted landmark's rooftop water tower.

<figure><img alt="Gif of a building explosion" height="720" id="fb467b70-c0f5-4ef2-95d0-81afd0905fcb" src="https://images.axios.com/7Wuavs0ugxPhRm21QGW6skiDiFo=/0x0:1280x720/2026/08/17/1787006044676.gif" width="1280"/><figcaption>Big boom. Image: Kale Williams/Axios</figcaption></figure>Demolition of the fire-ravaged <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Centennial Mills building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/08/10/centennial-mills-collapse-risk-freight-trains" data-vars-content-id="b2f79ebd-c578-44dd-9aef-72c20400a56b" data-vars-headline="Demolition begins at fire-damaged Centennial Mills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/08/10/centennial-mills-collapse-risk-freight-trains" target="_self">Centennial Mills building</a> began Monday, starting with four controlled explosions to bring down the building&#x27;s rooftop water tower.State of play: Ever since a blaze gutted the blighted 116-year-old Northwest Portland landmark earlier this month, nearby residents and property owners have been on their toes as city officials warn the unstable structure is at risk of collapse.

Bar chart shows the average size of new apartments, ranging from 1,156 square feet in Tallahassee, Fla., to Seattle at 645 square feet. The U.S. average is 910 square feet.

News 🗞

Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe

Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows

Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat

Portland metro braces for major shelter cuts

Portland renters pay more for less space