Portland

A picture of the Portland skyline with the letters PDX

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Portland with Kale Williams and Meira Gebel.

Axios Portland

Standard

Portland Alerts

Alert

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Portland.

Axios Portland Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Portland Partners

Portland Members

Membership

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 wildfires burn record 2.6 million acres

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

News

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.

Pay what you can at Bar Carlo one-night only

Diners decide what to pay for their meals during a one-day event.

Food and Drink

Portland has not shortage of great food on the financial spectrum — from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cheap carts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/28/food-cart-pod-peninsula-park-piedmont" data-vars-content-id="4322cfa6-902e-47b4-b058-57befb41ec5b" data-vars-headline="Pay what you can at Bar Carlo one-night only" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/28/food-cart-pod-peninsula-park-piedmont" target="_self">cheap carts</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spendy fine dining" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/11/kann-restaurant-portland-review" data-vars-content-id="4322cfa6-902e-47b4-b058-57befb41ec5b" data-vars-headline="Pay what you can at Bar Carlo one-night only" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/11/kann-restaurant-portland-review" target="_self">spendy fine dining</a> — but on Wednesday one restaurant is leaving the pricing up to you.Why it matters: What began as a community-minded experiment among Mexico City chefs is going global this year — and Mexican-American brunch spot Bar Carlo is joining in.

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.

Blazers hire Minnesota's Micah Nori as new head coach

Portland fills the NBA's final coaching vacancy with a longtime assistant.

Micah Nori will be the next head coach of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Blazers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/29/portland-playoff-run-ends-and-questions-begin" data-vars-content-id="7f8485be-cab5-4ee3-a9cf-a39266e19f2b" data-vars-headline="Blazers hire Minnesota&#x27;s Micah Nori as new head coach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/29/portland-playoff-run-ends-and-questions-begin" target="_self">Blazers</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="media reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/23/micah-nori-trail-blazers-coach/" data-vars-content-id="7f8485be-cab5-4ee3-a9cf-a39266e19f2b" data-vars-headline="Blazers hire Minnesota&#x27;s Micah Nori as new head coach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/23/micah-nori-trail-blazers-coach/" target="_blank">media reports</a>.Why it matters: Portland was the only remaining team in the league with a head coaching vacancy before hiring the former assistant coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Oregon grass takes root at the World Cup

Seven World Cup fields started with seed grown in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

Seven <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/09/world-cup-watch-parties-portland-bars-fans" data-vars-content-id="a5a8406f-64ac-4f56-972c-e54e223b3691" data-vars-headline="Oregon grass takes root at the World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/09/world-cup-watch-parties-portland-bars-fans" target="_self">World Cup</a> pitches use grass seed produced in Oregon, underscoring the Willamette Valley&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outsized role" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kezi.com/news/local/oregon-farms-providing-grass-seed-for-the-world-cup/article_177bbcb1-ef8a-4489-8c32-014c18152893.html" data-vars-content-id="a5a8406f-64ac-4f56-972c-e54e223b3691" data-vars-headline="Oregon grass takes root at the World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kezi.com/news/local/oregon-farms-providing-grass-seed-for-the-world-cup/article_177bbcb1-ef8a-4489-8c32-014c18152893.html" target="_blank">outsized role</a> in supplying turf for major sporting events.Why it matters: Oregon&#x27;s grass seed industry is playing a visible role on one of the world&#x27;s biggest sports stages.

How to watch the World Cup in Portland

Big-screen matches, soccer bars and free watch parties await fans.

Portland won&#x27;t be hosting any <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/08/how-to-watch-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="0b1a7d43-acc8-4f24-bcba-977d96735475" data-vars-headline="How to watch the World Cup in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/08/how-to-watch-world-cup" target="_self">World Cup</a> matches, but there are still plenty of ways for Soccer City residents to get in on the action.The big picture: For one glorious month, fans here and around the world stop to watch the same thing.

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.

Sports 🏅

Thorns to honor Tobin Heath as club icon retires

Blazers face brutal opening stretch

Nori's contract fuels concerns about Dundon's Blazers

Blazers hire Minnesota's Micah Nori as new head coach

Oregon grass takes root at the World Cup