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Why Mount Hood's McNeil Point is worth the climb

Big views, wildflowers and a challenging climb make this Mount Hood favorite worth the effort.

Things to Do

The McNeil Point trail packs misty forests, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildflowers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/27/gorge-wildflowers-peak-bloom-trails-spring" data-vars-content-id="1b75e7a6-ff52-451b-9380-e85fab552a82" data-vars-headline="Why Mount Hood&#x27;s McNeil Point is worth the climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/27/gorge-wildflowers-peak-bloom-trails-spring" target="_self">wildflowers</a> and one of the best close-up views of Mount Hood into one demanding, but rewarding, day hike.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="McNeil Point" data-vars-click-url="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/mcneil-point-trail" data-vars-content-id="1b75e7a6-ff52-451b-9380-e85fab552a82" data-vars-headline="Why Mount Hood&#x27;s McNeil Point is worth the climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/mcneil-point-trail" target="_blank">McNeil Point</a> is one of the most popular hikes on Mount Hood, and for good reason.

Oregon's roadless forests face new threat

Nearly 2 million protected acres could see new roads, logging and development.

Environment

The Trump administration moved this week to eliminate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roadless Rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" data-vars-content-id="c99147a2-2045-409a-9857-ea418403eda2" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" target="_self">Roadless Rule</a> in national forests, potentially opening vast areas in Oregon to development.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2001 federal policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" data-vars-content-id="c99147a2-2045-409a-9857-ea418403eda2" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" target="_blank">2001 federal policy</a> has protected millions of acres of wilderness from new roads and logging — to the delight of conservationists and the ire of the timber industry.

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.

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.

Trump deportations could cost Oregon taxpayers $1,859 each

Estimates show deportations in Oregon could cost up to $2.8 billion.

Politics

Oregon taxpayers would pay about $1,859 each for President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mass deportation push" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/23/ice-arrests-immigration-noncriminals-oregon" data-vars-content-id="15871bc6-e890-40c3-8127-65021db14119" data-vars-headline="Trump deportations could cost Oregon taxpayers $1,859 each" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/23/ice-arrests-immigration-noncriminals-oregon" target="_self">mass deportation push</a>, according to a new calculator from the Economic Policy Institute.Why it matters: The estimate is fueling debate over whether billions of federal dollars devoted to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deportations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" data-vars-content-id="15871bc6-e890-40c3-8127-65021db14119" data-vars-headline="Trump deportations could cost Oregon taxpayers $1,859 each" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" target="_self">deportations</a> could instead fund other public priorities.

Oregon gas tax defeat leaves road funding crisis unresolved

State leaders still need a long-term plan to fund roads and highways.

Oregon lawmakers are expected to take yet another stab at tackling <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transportation funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/20/oregon-voters-reject-gas-tax-vehicle-fees" data-vars-content-id="6334e8f0-d36d-40c9-ab49-14e408d0b7a2" data-vars-headline="Oregon gas tax defeat leaves road funding crisis unresolved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/20/oregon-voters-reject-gas-tax-vehicle-fees" target="_self">transportation funding</a> next year after voters overwhelmingly rejected Measure 120.Why it matters: Most of the structural problems behind Oregon&#x27;s transportation funding shortfall remain unresolved.

Crowded GOP field targets Gov. Tina Kotek

The Oregon GOP hasn't occupied the governor's mansion since Victor G. Atiyeh's tenure ended in 1987.

Oregon&#x27;s gubernatorial primary next month features a crowded field of Republicans running for the opportunity to unseat incumbent Democratic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gov. Tina Kotek" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/07/transportation-funding-bill-kotek-repeal" data-vars-content-id="d7d12bc4-9194-4a9d-b49f-dcf6b2785fe3" data-vars-headline="Crowded GOP field targets Gov. Tina Kotek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/07/transportation-funding-bill-kotek-repeal" target="_self">Gov. Tina Kotek</a>.The big picture: The Oregon GOP hasn&#x27;t occupied <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the governor&#x27;s mansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nga.org/former-governors/oregon/" data-vars-content-id="d7d12bc4-9194-4a9d-b49f-dcf6b2785fe3" data-vars-headline="Crowded GOP field targets Gov. Tina Kotek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nga.org/former-governors/oregon/" target="_blank">the governor&#x27;s mansion</a> since Victor G. Atiyeh&#x27;s tenure ended in 1987 and it doesn&#x27;t control a single statewide office.

Oregon legislature wraps with unresolved questions

Lawmakers closed a $650 million gap and passed immigration limits as a gas tax vote faces a lawsuit.

Oregon lawmakers called it a wrap on their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="short session" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/06/oregon-house-approves-365m-moda-center-renovation" data-vars-content-id="c2cc9c19-3eba-44c9-a5ec-8840351d1868" data-vars-headline="Oregon legislature wraps with unresolved questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/06/oregon-house-approves-365m-moda-center-renovation" target="_self">short session</a> Friday, closing out a five-week sprint in Salem.Why it matters: Lawmakers moved to close a sizable budget gap and push back on federal immigration enforcement, though a major transportation funding vote remains unresolved.

Portland weighs overhaul of committee system

Leaders say reducing committees could shorten meetings and improve focus.

Portland City Council is considering cutting its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="committee structure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/17/city-council-year-two-portland" data-vars-content-id="632cc39d-b8ee-4028-a3c6-12f67e907a6f" data-vars-headline="Portland weighs overhaul of committee system" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/17/city-council-year-two-portland" target="_self">committee structure</a> from eight panels to five in an effort to streamline meetings and improve efficiency.Why it matters: The proposal from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Council President Jamie Dunphy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/14/city-council-dunphy-elected-president" data-vars-content-id="632cc39d-b8ee-4028-a3c6-12f67e907a6f" data-vars-headline="Portland weighs overhaul of committee system" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/14/city-council-dunphy-elected-president" target="_self">Council President Jamie Dunphy</a> aims to shorten lengthy meetings and sharpen the council&#x27;s focus as it continues to adapt to a new governing structure.

City Council elects Dunphy as president after bitter stalemate

Jamie Dunphy was chosen after the council sat at an impasse that spanned a week.

After more than a dozen rounds of deadlocked votes spanning the past week, the Portland City Council elected progressive Jamie Dunphy as its president Wednesday.Why it matters: The ideological split on the council — between the six-member progressive caucus, known as Peacock, and everyone else — had arguably never been more stark than during the electoral impasse. <ul><li>The division could be a harbinger for how the body decides on larger issues this year.</li></ul>

Kotek scraps Oregon transportation funding plan

She's proposing a new strategy to avoid ODOT layoffs and road maintenance delays.

In a stark reversal, Gov. Tina Kotek announced Wednesday that she intends to scrap the transportation funding bill <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="she fought to push through" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/28/oregon-special-session-transportation-funding" data-vars-content-id="16b97278-4c4f-45a4-b177-3c7aaf81f529" data-vars-headline="Kotek scraps Oregon transportation funding plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/28/oregon-special-session-transportation-funding" target="_self">she fought to push through</a> the Legislature in a special session last summer.The big picture: The move comes on the heels of a successful <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Republican-led effort" data-vars-click-url="https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/12/oregon-tax-opponents-plan-to-turn-in-nearly-200000-signatures-friday/" data-vars-content-id="16b97278-4c4f-45a4-b177-3c7aaf81f529" data-vars-headline="Kotek scraps Oregon transportation funding plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/12/oregon-tax-opponents-plan-to-turn-in-nearly-200000-signatures-friday/" target="_blank">Republican-led effort</a> to bring the issue — which included a slew of unpopular gas tax and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fee hikes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/08/oregon-payroll-tax-for-transit-set-to-double" data-vars-content-id="16b97278-4c4f-45a4-b177-3c7aaf81f529" data-vars-headline="Kotek scraps Oregon transportation funding plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/08/oregon-payroll-tax-for-transit-set-to-double" target="_self">fee hikes</a> — to voters.

Oregon lawmakers gear up for budget fixes, federal fights

The short session starts in February with housing, health care and immigrant protections in focus.

Oregon lawmakers are weeks away from this year&#x27;s short, month-long legislative session, which will focus on fine-tuning the state budget and tackling perennial priorities like transportation.The big picture: Portland-area state legislators told Axios they expect to spend much of the session crafting policies in response to President Trump&#x27;s actions as well — like countering federal funding cuts for critical programs and increased immigration enforcement.

Portland City Council looks to "hit its stride" in year two

Councilors say they hope growing pains are behind them as they push for more impact in 2026.

It&#x27;s been a bit of a mixed bag for Portland&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new form of city council" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/07/portland-city-council-reforms-budget" data-vars-content-id="385cf253-30b1-49b6-9dc1-7506e727bd13" data-vars-headline="Portland City Council looks to &quot;hit its stride&quot; in year two" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/07/portland-city-council-reforms-budget" target="_self">new form of city council</a> in its first year, but, despite some outside criticism, members of the city&#x27;s legislative body have high hopes for year two.The big picture: Voter-approved reform of Portland&#x27;s governing charter — creating districts, expanding the council, and separating executive and legislative powers — promised a more responsive, representative and transparent council.

Axios Salt Lake City

A choropleth map showing the estimated cost per taxpayer for federal immigrant deportation and detention funding across the U.S. states. The average cost is $2.4k. Washington, D.C., has the highest load, at $3.9k.

Estimated cost per taxpayer for federal immigrant deportation and detainment funding

Data: Economic Policy Institute; Map: Danielle Alberti/Axios

Axios Seattle

How the I-5 bridge saga led to a $14B price tag

Seattle

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Politics 🇺🇸

Oregon's roadless forests face new threat

Trump deportations could cost Oregon taxpayers $1,859 each

Oregon gas tax defeat leaves road funding crisis unresolved

Crowded GOP field targets Gov. Tina Kotek

How the I-5 bridge saga led to a $14B price tag