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Oregon voters reject transportation tax package

Lawmakers must now find another way to fund road repairs and transportation projects.

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Oregon voters overwhelmingly rejected <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a hike in gas taxes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/28/oregon-primary-gas-tax-measure-120-gop-governor-race" data-vars-content-id="a59b6d62-c76e-4d00-a31b-96dc09d6a827" data-vars-headline="Oregon voters reject transportation tax package" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/28/oregon-primary-gas-tax-measure-120-gop-governor-race" target="_self">a hike in gas taxes</a> and other vehicle fees to fund transportation in Tuesday&#x27;s primary election, according to the Associated Press.Why it matters: The vote was the culmination of a long-running fight over how to fund road maintenance and transportation projects, but leaves many unanswered questions about where the state goes from here.

Where races stand in Oregon's May primary election

State Rep. Christine Drazan picked up the Republican nominee for governor.

State Sen. Christine Drazan is Oregon&#x27;s Republican nominee for governor, capturing 43 % of the vote in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tuesday&#x27;s primary election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/28/oregon-primary-gas-tax-measure-120-gop-governor-race" data-vars-content-id="a4323354-ff09-42b2-8096-47bf4c66757c" data-vars-headline="Where races stand in Oregon&#x27;s May primary election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/28/oregon-primary-gas-tax-measure-120-gop-governor-race" target="_self">Tuesday&#x27;s primary election</a>, according to the Associated Press.The big picture: Drazan beat out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a crowded field" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/24/oregon-republican-primary-governor-kotek-criticism" data-vars-content-id="a4323354-ff09-42b2-8096-47bf4c66757c" data-vars-headline="Where races stand in Oregon&#x27;s May primary election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/24/oregon-republican-primary-governor-kotek-criticism" target="_self">a crowded field</a> of candidates — including ex-Blazer Chris Dudley, state Rep. Ed Diehl and Marion County commissioner Danielle Bethell — to set up a rematch with Gov. Tina Kotek in November.

The AI backlash is growing in Oregon and beyond

From local data center fights to fears about jobs and energy use, resistance to AI is mounting.

If <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/20/reader-reactions-generative-ai-opinions" data-vars-content-id="f917b535-609e-425a-92c9-d357b7e13c27" data-vars-headline="The AI backlash is growing in Oregon and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/20/reader-reactions-generative-ai-opinions" target="_self">AI</a> were a candidate for political office, it would be losing in a landslide.Why it matters: The AI hype cycle would have you believe the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology" data-vars-content-id="f917b535-609e-425a-92c9-d357b7e13c27" data-vars-headline="The AI backlash is growing in Oregon and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology" target="_self">technology</a> is inevitable. But AI backlash is growing, as people worry it will steal their jobs, jack up electricity rates and further enrich the wealthy, all while hurting the environment.

Sports Bra eyes national expansion with community funding

Fans can buy equity as the Portland bar plans rapid expansion.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sports Bra" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/22/best-day-ever-the-sports-bras-jenny-nguyen" data-vars-content-id="f4047c2b-c710-4eba-bcc7-f16757fffaff" data-vars-headline="Sports Bra eyes national expansion with community funding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/22/best-day-ever-the-sports-bras-jenny-nguyen" target="_self">Sports Bra</a>, the Portland watering hole that put women&#x27;s sports bars on the map, is eyeing a rapid expansion powered by community funding.The big picture: Founder Jenny Nguyen is betting big that surging interest in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s sports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/02/womens-sports-ranking-thorns-fire" data-vars-content-id="f4047c2b-c710-4eba-bcc7-f16757fffaff" data-vars-headline="Sports Bra eyes national expansion with community funding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/02/womens-sports-ranking-thorns-fire" target="_self">women&#x27;s sports</a> can fuel the nationwide growth of such bars.

Soccer, with a side of opera, arrives at Lents Park this weekend

Opera singers, mascots and soccer arrive at Lents Park this weekend.

If you missed the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fire&#x27;s return" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/10/portland-fire-record-wnba-debut-crowd" data-vars-content-id="f8f3055e-37b9-4db7-a64e-8ac0c6260c98" data-vars-headline="Soccer, with a side of opera, arrives at Lents Park this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/10/portland-fire-record-wnba-debut-crowd" target="_self">Fire&#x27;s return</a> to town last week, you&#x27;ve got two chances to see Portland teams open their seasons this weekend.Why it matters: The Bangers and the Cherry Bombs, the city&#x27;s pre-professional men&#x27;s and women&#x27;s soccer clubs, are debuting a larger Lents Park venue as the Cherry Bombs launch their inaugural season.

Portland Fire debut before record WNBA crowd

Nearly 20,000 raucous fans packed Moda Center for the Fire's debut.

Sports

<figure><img alt="Animated gif shows the opening tipoff of the Portland Fire&#x27;s first game from the sideline." height="450" id="5212856f-06f4-4725-98d1-b1a1970b0be1" src="https://images.axios.com/AxX2wH0hKG5yFhBkfjjaKbElz1k=/2026/05/10/1778422141645.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Portlanders have a feisty new team to root for. Image: Kale Williams/Axios</figcaption></figure>It was part coming-out party, part homecoming and all celebration at Moda Center on Saturday as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="WNBA&#x27;s newest franchise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/22/wnba-portland-fire-debut-schedule-labor-dispute" data-vars-content-id="c9c2c91c-0271-4826-bfca-1c9a4bc5c859" data-vars-headline="Portland Fire debut before record WNBA crowd" 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/wnba-portland-fire-debut-schedule-labor-dispute" target="_self">WNBA&#x27;s newest franchise</a> tipped off their inaugural season.Why it matters: The Portland Fire didn&#x27;t win their first game, but that was the least of concerns for the record-setting crowd that roared with every point scored for the home team.

Blazers blow back-to-back leads, face elimination

Portland heads to San Antonio needing a win after two late-game collapses.

Two games, two blown leads and two losses to the Spurs over the weekend have the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Blazers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/13/blazers-two-chances-nba-playoffs-play-in" data-vars-content-id="29301817-de95-449b-ac76-92be1b49f144" data-vars-headline="Blazers blow back-to-back leads, face elimination" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/13/blazers-two-chances-nba-playoffs-play-in" target="_self">Blazers</a> on the precipice.Why it matters: Portland will play to keep their season alive Tuesday in San Antonio after a pair of late-game letdowns.

Blazers fans roast new owner over cost cuts

Fans push back as Tom Dundon's cost-cutting moves draw scrutiny and jokes online.

The honeymoon, if it ever existed, is over for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Blazers owner" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/13/trail-blazers-sale-tom-dundon" data-vars-content-id="0caa5f47-1be4-4bdb-82ac-0e3f28f3566c" data-vars-headline="Blazers fans roast new owner over cost cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/13/trail-blazers-sale-tom-dundon" target="_self">new Blazers owner</a> Tom Dundon.Why it matters: A series of stories detailing the billionaire&#x27;s attempts to cut costs with the team have landed poorly with the fan base.

Blazers doc revisits turbulent early 2000s era

The film explores a talented but troubled Blazers era, with few new insights.

Netflix is out this week with a look back at the early 2000s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Blazers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/13/blazers-two-chances-nba-playoffs-play-in" data-vars-content-id="9d905d88-06f7-4166-9738-fbb226212e88" data-vars-headline="Blazers doc revisits turbulent early 2000s era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/13/blazers-two-chances-nba-playoffs-play-in" target="_self">Blazers</a>, a talented and troubled squad that came close to competing for a championship but was plagued by on- and off-court drama.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Untold: Jail Blazers&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.netflix.com/title/81759611" data-vars-content-id="9d905d88-06f7-4166-9738-fbb226212e88" data-vars-headline="Blazers doc revisits turbulent early 2000s era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81759611" target="_blank">&quot;Untold: Jail Blazers&quot;</a> offers the perspectives of the players, fans, media members and management on the turbulent time for Rip City, but adds little new insight beyond what fans already know.

Blazers get 2 shots at playoff berth

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

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.

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.

Portland Fire start roster build in expansion draft

Portland selects first as WNBA expansion draft shapes its inaugural roster.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portland Fire" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/15/wnba-fire-new-logo-launch-basketball" data-vars-content-id="0e8f353d-ba89-4c24-b234-e35d570c1e3c" data-vars-headline="Portland Fire start roster build in expansion draft" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/15/wnba-fire-new-logo-launch-basketball" target="_self">Portland Fire</a> will begin building its inaugural roster Friday in the WNBA&#x27;s expansion draft.Why it matters: After a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="labor dispute" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/18/wnba-labor-deal-fire-season-on-schedule" data-vars-content-id="0e8f353d-ba89-4c24-b234-e35d570c1e3c" data-vars-headline="Portland Fire start roster build in expansion draft" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/18/wnba-labor-deal-fire-season-on-schedule" target="_self">labor dispute</a> threatened to delay the season, Rip City will finally learn who we&#x27;ll be rooting for.

Timbers prep for MLS sprint season shift

The MLS will shift to a  new schedule next year to match the international calendar.

The Timbers will play a mini-season early next year as Major League Soccer makes a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major calendar change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/17/mls-summer-spring-calendar" data-vars-content-id="278d8ac2-3f2b-482e-8cbd-1fe5d43fcee3" data-vars-headline="Timbers prep for MLS sprint season shift" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/17/mls-summer-spring-calendar" target="_self">major calendar change</a> that will align it with much of the rest of the world.Why it matters: The long-awaited scheduling change will make the league more competitive during the summer transfer window, something Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said is long overdue.

Sports 🏅

Sports Bra eyes national expansion with community funding

Soccer, with a side of opera, arrives at Lents Park this weekend

Portland Fire debut before record WNBA crowd

Blazers blow back-to-back leads, face elimination

Blazers fans roast new owner over cost cuts