As 2025 nears its end, we wanted to reflect on the biggest stories of the year.

The big picture: Lawmakers tackled a billion-dollar transportation fix (sorta), Damian Lillard is a Blazer once again to everyone's delight, Portland's restaurant scene continues to smash it and our love of all things nude was on full display.

• We covered the power struggle in Portland's new form of government, how the Trump administration's crackdown on spending impacted Oregon and why downtown business owners are optimistic — oh, not to mention the National Guard situation and ensuing court battle.
• Plus: We had fun eating our way around the city, learning about one resident's backyard monarch sanctuary, detailing our art museum's new digs and fighting with our northern neighbor about who is actually the best in the Pacific Northwest.

State of play: We compiled a list of the stories that racked up the most views this year.

• Troops coming to Portland spawns "emergency" naked bike ride
• Oregon comes in 35th in a ranking we don't believe in
• Absurdity inflates at Portland's ICE protests
• Solo campers seek calm in wild places
• Next Adventure to close all stores (luckily that didn't happen!)
• Why Oregon gets more than it gives to Washington, D.C.
• Road trips to make you fall in love with Oregon again
• No-mow lawns: A photo tour of Portland's wild yards

What's next: In the coming weeks, we'll be mapping out our coverage for 2026, and we'd love to know what you want to see.

• What topics or issues would you like covered? More city politics and business? What about new restaurant openings, or arts and culture reviews?
• Send an email to [email protected] or hit reply to let us know, and thanks as always for reading.

Many workers across the country will get a raise on Jan. 1 as minimum wages rise in 19 states, but Oregonians will have to wait a few months.

Why it matters: Oregon is the most recent state to tie raises in its minimum wage to inflation.

Zoom in: As of July 1, 2025, minimum wage workers in Oregon earned $14.05 an hour in rural counties, $14.70 in the rest of the state (known as the standard) and $15.95 in the Portland metro, per the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

• That's all going to change on July 1, 2026.

The intrigue: That's when the state will shift to a standard minimum wage adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.

• Workers in rural counties will make $1 less per hour than the adjusted standard and Portland workers will earn $1.25 more.

🔥 Any wildfire-related settlement payments will be subject to federal income taxes starting next year after Congress failed to pass an extension for the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

The Trump administration is sending Northwest immigration detainees sometimes more than 1,000 miles away, leaving many to miss key court dates and impacting their ability to contact lawyers and their families, an analysis found. (OPB)

🫡 City Hall veteran and Portland's inaugural city administrator under its new government structure is retiring after 40 years of public service and warns the city is "facing a perfect storm from a fiscal perspective" down the road. (The Oregonian)

😋 Did your favorite restaurant land on this list of the city's 50 best? (Portland Monthly)

🚗 Oregon Democrats are considering appealing some parts — or all — of the transportation funding bill in next year's legislative session after being faced with a grassroots effort to send the unpopular proposal to voters next fall. (Willamette Week)

Ready for a brisk and exhilarating start to 2026? 

Join dozens of Oregonians on Jan. 3 at Willamette Park in West Linn as they plunge into the frigid river to start the new year off with a splash.

The plunge is at noon. Warm up after with a hot drink from Travelin' Tom's Coffee Truck. It's recommended to sign up beforehand (it's free!) and the donation drive benefits the Special Olympics Oregon.

• Wear water shoes or old sneakers to protect feet from slippery rocks.
• Remember to breathe when you hit the water and don't stay in too long.
• Keep your outer clothing on until the last second and get out of your wet clothes and into something dry once out of the water and drink something warm.

Host your own: Popular local cold plunge spots include Broughton Beach, Sellwood Park and Milwaukie Bay Park.

• Be sure to check the local tide chart (Willamette and Columbia can be found here).
• Set a time and invite your friends. Bring hot drinks, tunes and extra towels.