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Rose Quarter I-5 closure will end early

Southbound lanes will reopen Wednesday night, more than a week early.

News

All lanes of southbound <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Interstate 5" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/09/08/i5-southbound-closure-rose-quarter" data-vars-content-id="8119599d-5f39-4777-82f9-bfae69d57868" data-vars-headline="Rose Quarter I-5 closure will end early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/09/08/i5-southbound-closure-rose-quarter" target="_self">Interstate 5</a> through Portland&#x27;s Rose Quarter will reopen Wednesday night, more than a week ahead of schedule.Why it matters: Reopening will restore a major route through central Portland.<ul><li>The closure was expected to last five weeks. Construction was helped along by good weather and drivers seeking out alternative routes, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per KGW" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kgw.com/article/traffic/odot-interstate-5-rose-quarter-update-reopening-southbound-traffic/283-34dfe1f7-426c-4262-b9c6-70dd46c7bbec" data-vars-content-id="8119599d-5f39-4777-82f9-bfae69d57868" data-vars-headline="Rose Quarter I-5 closure will end early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kgw.com/article/traffic/odot-interstate-5-rose-quarter-update-reopening-southbound-traffic/283-34dfe1f7-426c-4262-b9c6-70dd46c7bbec" target="_blank">per KGW</a>.</li></ul>

New love story puts Southeast Portland on the big screen

He trades restaurants for filmmaking in a romance filmed at familiar local haunts.

Fall in Portland is romantic. Prolific restaurateur turned independent filmmaker Josh Loeb knows this. Why it matters: His debut feature, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="In Spite of Ourselves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.inspiteofourselvesfilm.com/" data-vars-content-id="d21d2aa4-0bb0-4928-b1f3-294be312674a" data-vars-headline="New love story puts Southeast Portland on the big screen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.inspiteofourselvesfilm.com/" target="_blank">In Spite of Ourselves</a>,&quot; takes place against the backdrop of the city&#x27;s vibrant tree-lined streets, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cozy cafes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/11/14/best-coffee-shops-work-from-home" data-vars-content-id="d21d2aa4-0bb0-4928-b1f3-294be312674a" data-vars-headline="New love story puts Southeast Portland on the big screen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/11/14/best-coffee-shops-work-from-home" target="_self">cozy cafes</a> and acclaimed eateries — capturing Portland at its most rom-com-esque.

Oregon flu season gets an early start

Flu activity is rising weeks before its usual winter peak.

Winter may be months away, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flu season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/09/flu-season-oregon-h3n2-2025" data-vars-content-id="3f225dba-112c-4537-8a80-0b5a2e8f6659" data-vars-headline="Oregon flu season gets an early start" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/09/flu-season-oregon-h3n2-2025" target="_self">flu season</a> in Oregon doesn&#x27;t seem to be waiting.The big picture: Oregon&#x27;s respiratory illness season appears to be getting an early start, with flu activity rising weeks before its typical winter peak.

Oregon's talent pipeline can't keep pace

The state isn't producing enough college grads for open roles.

Oregon isn&#x27;t producing enough <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="college graduates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/11/portland-job-market-college-graduates-adp" data-vars-content-id="baf9663b-7fe1-48b6-8db7-b66950eeb4b7" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s talent pipeline can&#x27;t keep pace" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/11/portland-job-market-college-graduates-adp" target="_self">college graduates</a> to keep up with the number of jobs here that require higher education, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new state-mandated report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregon.gov/highered/public-engagement/Documents/Commission/Full-Commission/2026/5-September%2021%20Special/2.0b%20HB%204124%20Preliminary%20Findings%20EY-P.pdf" data-vars-content-id="baf9663b-7fe1-48b6-8db7-b66950eeb4b7" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s talent pipeline can&#x27;t keep pace" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregon.gov/highered/public-engagement/Documents/Commission/Full-Commission/2026/5-September%2021%20Special/2.0b%20HB%204124%20Preliminary%20Findings%20EY-P.pdf" target="_blank">a new state-mandated report</a> highlighted by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oregon Journalism Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonjournalismproject.org/oregon-graduates-26000-fewer-college-grads-than-needed-to-fill-available-jobs" data-vars-content-id="baf9663b-7fe1-48b6-8db7-b66950eeb4b7" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s talent pipeline can&#x27;t keep pace" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonjournalismproject.org/oregon-graduates-26000-fewer-college-grads-than-needed-to-fill-available-jobs" target="_blank">Oregon Journalism Project</a>.Why it matters: The state has long relied on in-migration — attracting college-educated workers from elsewhere — to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bolster its economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/29/oregon-s-economy-leans-small-and-supersized" data-vars-content-id="baf9663b-7fe1-48b6-8db7-b66950eeb4b7" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s talent pipeline can&#x27;t keep pace" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/29/oregon-s-economy-leans-small-and-supersized" target="_self">bolster its economy</a>, but that strategy has since stalled due to waning <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/01/portland-population-growth-immigration-decline-census-data" data-vars-content-id="baf9663b-7fe1-48b6-8db7-b66950eeb4b7" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s talent pipeline can&#x27;t keep pace" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/01/portland-population-growth-immigration-decline-census-data" target="_self">population growth</a> and public universities drawing fewer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="out-of-state students" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/11/18/oregon-international-student-enrollment-drop" data-vars-content-id="baf9663b-7fe1-48b6-8db7-b66950eeb4b7" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s talent pipeline can&#x27;t keep pace" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/11/18/oregon-international-student-enrollment-drop" target="_self">out-of-state students</a>.

Oregon's affordable housing costs draw scrutiny

State-funded projects have exceeded a national cost benchmark for three straight years.

Oregon is spending more than the national average to build <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordable housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/10/crime-costs-threaten-affordable-housing-units" data-vars-content-id="b389bafe-3bbf-4ef1-b6f9-abdb77a5aa0c" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s affordable housing costs draw scrutiny" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/10/crime-costs-threaten-affordable-housing-units" target="_self">affordable housing</a>, raising questions about how efficiently the state is using public dollars, according to a new investigation by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oregon Journalism Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonjournalismproject.org/state-housing-agency-regularly-exceeds-benchmark-for-construction-costs" data-vars-content-id="b389bafe-3bbf-4ef1-b6f9-abdb77a5aa0c" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s affordable housing costs draw scrutiny" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonjournalismproject.org/state-housing-agency-regularly-exceeds-benchmark-for-construction-costs" target="_blank">Oregon Journalism Project</a>.Why it matters: Higher construction costs could limit how many affordable homes Oregon can build with its housing budget.

Portland weighs tax hike on big businesses

A proposed tax overhaul could benefit 18,000 small businesses while raising taxes on 410.

Portland&#x27;s largest businesses could soon pay significantly more in taxes, while thousands of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smaller companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/11/small-businesses-rising-costs-reputation-challenges" data-vars-content-id="d83adc6f-8545-4532-8323-d64a6536f222" data-vars-headline="Portland weighs tax hike on big businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/11/small-businesses-rising-costs-reputation-challenges" target="_self">smaller companies</a> would get a break under a proposal considered by a City Council committee Thursday.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.portland.gov/council/documents/ordinance/fairsharetax" data-vars-content-id="d83adc6f-8545-4532-8323-d64a6536f222" data-vars-headline="Portland weighs tax hike on big businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.portland.gov/council/documents/ordinance/fairsharetax" target="_blank">plan</a> aims to raise millions for city services while easing the financial burden on small businesses, but it could also make Portland a more expensive place for major employers.

Bare Knuckles is having a banner year

The label is winning over fans with its obsessively considered fits and worn-in basics.

Chart-topping country singer Shaboozey, K-pop star J-Hope and &quot;Love Island&quot; winner Bryce Alakai have all been spotted wearing Portland menswear brand Bare Knuckles this year.Why it matters: Nearly a decade in, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bare Knuckles" data-vars-click-url="https://bareknuckles.co/" data-vars-content-id="5ba18251-20cc-4d3a-9e18-8b8e5869a79b" data-vars-headline="Bare Knuckles is having a banner year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bareknuckles.co/" target="_blank">Bare Knuckles</a> has quietly grown from a side project between the two longtime Portland retail pros into a fashion-world favorite.

Regional leaders set homelessness reduction goals

Regional leaders set their first firm homelessness targets in a decade.

A committee of regional leaders quietly endorsed new goals to reduce <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homelessness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/06/homelessness-multnomah-county-shelter-cuts-projected-rise" data-vars-content-id="05b3ccfc-b03a-4d45-9c21-1f13287ccbba" data-vars-headline="Regional leaders set homelessness reduction goals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/06/homelessness-multnomah-county-shelter-cuts-projected-rise" target="_self">homelessness</a> last month, giving the region firm targets for the first time in a decade.Why it matters: Some 18,000 people were experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County as of May, a number that has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climbed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/22/oregon-homelessness-shelter-growth-2025" data-vars-content-id="05b3ccfc-b03a-4d45-9c21-1f13287ccbba" data-vars-headline="Regional leaders set homelessness reduction goals" 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">climbed</a> in recent years.

PPS names 14 schools that could close

PPS has released its first potential school closure scenarios.

Portland Public Schools on Monday outlined plans that could see as many as 14 schools close as the district shrinks its footprint amid falling enrollment and budget pressure.Why it matters: After months of discussion, the list marks the first concrete details on how the state&#x27;s largest school district could address changing demographic and financial realities.

Portland public transit ranks No. 8 nationally

A national ranking puts Portland at No. 8, despite recent TriMet service cuts.

Transit

Portland&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public transportation system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/08/14/trimet-max-bus-i5-closure" data-vars-content-id="3b40a9e0-e0fe-4780-943d-8f1fab465166" data-vars-headline="Portland public transit ranks No. 8 nationally" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/08/14/trimet-max-bus-i5-closure" target="_self">public transportation system</a> is among the top 10 in the country, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Consumer Affairs ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.consumeraffairs.com/movers/cities-with-the-best-public-transit#full-data" data-vars-content-id="3b40a9e0-e0fe-4780-943d-8f1fab465166" data-vars-headline="Portland public transit ranks No. 8 nationally" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.consumeraffairs.com/movers/cities-with-the-best-public-transit#full-data" target="_blank">Consumer Affairs ranking</a>.Why it matters: That&#x27;s something to be proud of, and it could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="save you some cash " data-vars-click-url="https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/APTA-POLICY-BRIEF-Transit-Savings-09-27-2023.pdf" data-vars-content-id="3b40a9e0-e0fe-4780-943d-8f1fab465166" data-vars-headline="Portland public transit ranks No. 8 nationally" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/APTA-POLICY-BRIEF-Transit-Savings-09-27-2023.pdf" target="_blank">save you some cash </a>if you jump on board.

News 🗞

Oregon's affordable housing costs draw scrutiny

New love story puts Southeast Portland on the big screen

Portland weighs tax hike on big businesses

Oregon's talent pipeline can't keep pace

Rose Quarter I-5 closure will end early