A new consultant review urges Multnomah County to play a larger role in Portland’s economic recovery by investing in apprenticeships, workforce pipelines and coordinated tax policy. The proposals aim to stem traded‑sector job losses and better link social programs to jobs.

A stream of departures and new hires at the Oregon Department of Education collides with a major accountability overhaul, leaving districts to wonder who will deliver guidance and grants.

Commissioners will hold an in‑person town hall in Welches tonight to gather input on a short‑term rental pilot extended through June 30.

Gov. Tina Kotek signed SB 1516 on March 31, 2026, tightening how license‑plate reader data can be stored, audited and shared. The law forces short retention, vendor audits and bans vendor access in most cases.

Mayor Indya Kincannon will unveil her 2026-27 budget at the new Urban Wilderness Gateway Park pavilion on Arbor Day, April 24, with shuttles and a lunchtime program.

Experts at an EdSource roundtable urged expanding preschool and deep P-3 interventions to curb rising special-education costs and staffing shortages. Research shows prevention can save money.

California AG Rob Bonta joined a multistate brief urging the Supreme Court to preserve state failure‑to‑warn claims in the Roundup litigation.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled Columbus can immediately appeal a judge’s injunction that has blocked local magazine limits and a safe‑storage rule. The case returns to the appeals court.

Five candidates debated prosecuting federal immigration agents and the future of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office at a packed Sabathani forum ahead of the August primary.

Novartis and AbbVie sued Washington after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed SB 5981, arguing the 340B transparency law will cause steep losses and legal conflict.

Cuyahoga County will stop using race‑ or sex‑based contracting goals on federally funded projects after a DOT rule paused DBE targets, local bridge and airport work is affected.

Sen. Ted Budd says FEMA announced $103 million in public-assistance grants for 50 projects to clear debris, repair schools and fix roads after Hurricanes Helene and Florence.

Ferguson signed a Washington operating budget that pairs aid for low‑income households with agency cuts and a $1 billion draw from reserves.