PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two felons were arrested for their alleged connection to a shooting in Southeast Portland that left one man seriously wounded.
Jeroshea M. Wilson and Sir James A. Williams were booked into the Multnomah County Jail two days after the August 22 shooting near SE 148th and Stark, police said in a release.
The shooting happened around 2:45 p.m. that day and the victim, who has not been publicly identified, was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.
As the investigation continued, the suspect’s car was spotted in a parking lot near 16000 East Burnside. Officers took Wilson and Williams into custody without incident, officials said.
Wilson, 27, was booked for attempted murder, assault, unlawful use of a gun, reckless endangering and two gun charges.
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Williams, 37, was booked on three separate gun charges: unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The case remains open and under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Portland police.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man who was hit and killed by a pickup truck in Portland’s Woodlawn neighborhood last week has been identified by police.
Officials with the Portland Police Bureau say 45-year-old Robert Rodriguez Jr. died at the scene of the crash on Northeast Columbia Boulevard on Friday just before 5 a.m.
The initial investigation suggests the pickup driver, only identified as a woman at this time, was driving westbound on Northeast Columbia Boulevard when Rodriguez, a pedestrian, was hit and killed, according to PPB.
The driver immediately stopped at the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to police.
Police also say the pickup driver didn’t display observable signs of impairment at the scene.
Anyone with any information who has not spoken with investigators is asked to contact them.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Eleven days after the Flat Fire started in Central Oregon, the blaze is now over 50% contained.
On Monday morning, fire officials shared that the Flat Fire, sitting at 23,346 acres, is now 52% contained; 13% more than on Sunday.
Due to improving conditions, the Red Flag Warning that was in place over the weekend is no longer in effect; however, weather is expected to remain dry and hot.
“We are thankful for all the hard work firefighters have put in and hope everyone has a safe Labor Day,” says Eric Perkins, Deputy Incident Commander for the Oregon Department of Forestry CIMT Team 3.
Throughout the day, officials said firefighters will be working to restore areas impacted by the fire response in order to strengthen containment.
Authorities are also asking everyone to remain cautious in the area as crews continue to work and to allow space for firefighters to do their work.
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The fire, which started on Aug. 21, has destroyed 5 homes and 11 other structures, while damaging two other homes and two other structures. It has threatened more than 1,457 homes as it burns four miles northeast of Sisters, fueled by tall and short grass along with brush. The cause of the fire remains undetermined as the investigation into the Flat Fire continues. Investigators have previously said the fire started on private land.
(WJW) — Costco stores may see fewer customers in the mornings as a new policy for executive members takes effect this month.
Starting in September, Costco locations will enforce a new policy allowing executive members to shop one hour earlier than other members, opening at 9 a.m. instead of 10 a.m., according to FOX News.
Costco stores are closed on Labor Day – Sept. 1, 2025 – so the new policy will take effect Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Costco initially informed its members about the early opening hours for executive members via email on June 11. The policy has been in effect since then, but many locations have not strictly enforced it.
FOX, citing a report from business outlet “The Street,” reports that the deadline for implementing the new policy was Aug. 31. From September onwards, non-executive members attempting to shop before 10 a.m. may be denied entry.
With the enforcement of this policy, executive members will enjoy exclusive early access to Costco stores, potentially reducing morning congestion for other shoppers.
EARLY EXECUTIVE MEMBERSHIP SHOPPING HOURS:
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Executive members pay $130 annually versus Gold Star members who pay $65 annually.
Additionally, Executive members receive additional perks in exchange for their higher membership fee, including 2% off most purchases and extra discounts on travel, auto or insurance services.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJW. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJWstaff before being published.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon House passed the transportation funding package during a special legislative session, and the bills now move to the Senate for consideration.
The vote was almost exclusively along party lines except for one Republican and one Democrat.
Not surprisingly, House Democrats hailed the package while Republicans condemned it in statements released nearly simultaneously.
“Safe, reliable roads, bridges, and transit are what make it possible for workers to get to their jobs, parents to bring their kids to school, seniors to reach medical appointments, and small businesses to move goods,” House Speaker Julie Fahey said, noting this package was passed on Labor Day.
House Republican Leader Christine Drazan took a different tone.
“This is a massive tax increase that ignores the voices of thousands of Oregonians. Taxes are not the solution to every challenge we face as a state. It is wrong and shameful that we are doubling the payroll taxes for Oregon workers on Labor Day, while also increasing the cost of gas and DMV services,” Drazan said in a statement.
The two bills in the transportation package, HB 3991 and HB3992, passed the Oregon House hours apart during Monday’s special session.
“You know, I am disappointed that we couldn’t be more persuasive with my colleague,” Drazan told KOIN 6 News. “But this process is one where we all go home at the end of the day and we face our constituents.”
Anessa Hartman, the lone Democrat to vote against the bill, said in a statement: “I remember the days when just a $20 unexpected cost would negatively impact us for weeks … I remember the days where the choice to risk not paying your car registration and getting caught was less than the risk of not being able to pay for food.”
The bills, sponsored by Gov. Tina Kotek, call for a 6-cents-per-gallon hike on the gas tax, a hike in titling fees, doubling registration fees and doubling the payroll tax for public transit. The package now moves to the Senate for consideration.
The Senate will have a second reading of the bills on Tuesday. The goal is to have a vote by Wednesday.
Every weekend you can find Portland seniors on bridges and busy street corners with signs that implore us to reject fascism. This steady consistency is a reminder to everyone who visits the city that they aren’t welcome if what they want is domination over others. They are a counter to the big white truck nationalism we see in counties surrounding Portland and a reminder that every single day is political under fascism. Thank you!
Summer’s winding to a close, but don’t even think about hibernating. This week, the city will keep your cup full and the loneliness (and vampires) at bay with a fresh hop beer fest serving whiffs of harvest heaven and festivals of the garlic-loving, rich-people-hating, and poetry-celebrating varieties. The Time-Based Art Festival gets going, too, and comedian Solomon Georgio is exactly the kind of gay super comedian we need right now.
Read on!
Monday, September 1
Early Harvest Fresh Hop Beer Fest
Breweries and beer drinkers alike prize fresh hop beers for their grassy and vegetal aromas and flavors. Thus, hop harvest, which happens between late summer and early fall, is a highly anticipated time of year. To celebrate, Imperial is reprising their Early Harvest Fresh Hop Festival so folks can whiff and quaff fresh brews including StormBreaker Brewing’s If You Fresh Hop It They Will Come IPA, Vice Beer’s Fresh to Death pilsner, and more, which utilize hop varieties like Centennial, Crosby, and Strata. See what all the fuss is about before these beers tap out for the season. (Imperial Bottle Shop and Taproom, 3090 SE Division, free, more info) JANEY WONG
Tuesday, September 2
Earth
Earth’s reputation precedes them—the Olympia-born drone gods have held sonic weight since the ’90s, with a dynamic line-up including Slim Moon, Joe Preston, Karl Blau, Lori Goldston, and Kurt Cobain at different points. Across three decades, they’ve evolved from seismic drone metal releases to desolate, dust-blown minimalism. On Full Upon Her Burning Lips, core duo Dylan Carlson and Adrienne Davies strip things to the bone with a barren landscape of limited effects and what Carlson describes as an “upfront, drier sound.” (Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 8 pm, $26.05, more info, 21+) LINDSAY COSTELLO
Wednesday, September 3
Caught Stealing
Darren Aronofsky’s latest film feels like a departure for the guy who made existential, mind-bending waves with Mother!, Requiem for a Dream, and Black Swan. Caught Stealing is a crime thriller high on car chases and Austin Butler’s bod; it features a very cute Siberian forest cat, and Bad Bunny plays a Puerto Rican gangster named Colorado. The premise—a New Yorker cat-sits for his punky neighbor and is suddenly threatened by gangsters—sounds kooky and a bit forgettable, but sometimes a film like this gives us the opportunity to loosen up a little. (Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, through Thurs Sept 11, $10-$12, more info, R) LC
Thursday, September 4
Poetry Festival
Staged at its new-ish location in the historic Nathaniel West building, Mother Foucault’s four-day poetry festival benefits l’école buissonnière, a nonprofit aiming to “build and sustain spaces for art, literature, translation, and scholarship.” (They’re currently crowdfunding to purchase the building the store occupies.) The fest promises renowned poets and unannounced “celebrity guests,” plus surrealist parlor games, a cake walk, poetry workshops, and a live auction. Left-field rockers Sama Dams will take the mic on September 6. (Mother Foucault’s Bookshop, 715 SE Grand, Sept 4-7, 5-10 pm, $25-$100, more info) LC
Time-Based Art Festival—TBA: 25
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA) turned 30 this year, making it both a millennial and the creator of the city’s shiniest experimental performance jewel, the Time-Based Art Festival (TBA). This year’s fest brings a full-force two-weekend lineup packed with multimodal poetry, queer opera, and shape-shifting dance. You’ll find programming at four venues—PICA’s cavernous Hancock headquarters, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Winningstad Theatre, and Reed College—featuring a lineup that leans West Coast, with artists hailing from Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles. Read the Mercury‘s festival preview. (Various locations, Sept 4-14, various times and prices, more info) LC
Also worth it:
Warp Speed: Contemporary Conversations inFiber, Pacific Northwest College of Art, more info
Friday, September 5
Rose City Comic Con
It’s time for another geek-tastic edition of the Rose City Comic Con—it’s like Christmas for comics lovers, but it’s also the best time of the year for fans of anime, sci-fi, cosplay, and more. This year’s edition is popping off with an another array of special guests (including Wil Wheaton, Bruce Campbell, and David Harbour), a Goonies cast reunion, cosplay meetups, LARP battlegames, comics production seminars, K-pop dance tutorials (!!), and experts talking about just about anything your beautiful, geeky heart fancies. Don’t miss this opportunity to be with your people! (Oregon Convention Center, Sept 5-7, Fri 1-8 pm, Sat 10 am-7 pm, Sun 10-5 pm, $17-$785, more info, all ages)WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Solomon Georgio
The disarmingly charming Solomon Georgio is exactly the kind of gay super comedian we need right now. While he may come across as innocent in his delivery, his material is absolutely savage, covering topics such as being an “aggressively” gay Italian-African immigrant, his mother screaming “YOUR GOD IS NOT REAL” in a mosque, and of course, Trump (“He looks like lactose intolerance turned into a person”). Get ready for an evening of absolutely scalding and hilarious truth-spitting. (Siren Theater, 3913 N Mississippi, 8 pm, $20, more info, 18+) WSH
Saturday, September 6
Gays Eating the Rich Carnival
This is a real-deal community and activism gathering that has so much going on, there will be something for everyone! There will be a piñata in the shape of our least favorite president to bash, cornhole, queer art, and opportunities for connection with direct action and advocacy groups. You’re encouraged to wear a mask to the FREE event, and bring mutual aid donations, i.e. clean clothes and shelf-stable food. Wrangle your pals into coming, and meet new friends who are into community-centered activism! (Laurelhurst Park, SE Cesar E Chavez and Stark, 3-6 pm, free, more info, all ages)NOLAN PARKER
Lowrider Super Show
If you’re a fan of the legitimately cool things in life, we’ll almost certainly see you at the Lowrider Super Show at the Expo Center, featuring the most wicked cool, customized vehicles—which also happen to be symbols of Mexican American and Chicano culture, as well as examples of wildly entertaining artistic expression. Sporting low chassis, intricate paint jobs, hydraulic systems, chrome accents, and absolutely boomin’ sound systems, these cars (and yes, motorcycles and bicycles are here too) are works of art, and should be viewed as such. (Portland Expo Center, 10 am-5 pm, $55-$250, kids 12 and under free, more info, all ages) WSH
Also worth it:
Portland Dragon Boat Festival, Tom McCall Park, more info
Sunday, September 7
Garlic Festival
In the Mercury‘s May food issue, artist Meech Boakye described the annual Garlic Festival as a “community-rooted love letter to garlic.” “It’s a one-day gathering to celebrate those who love garlic, who cook with garlic, who grow garlic…it’s just a way to get together based on shared love,” they explained. The fest represents a slow, fragrant shift in seasons, basking in the tail end of summer while leaning toward fall’s gentler rhythms. This year’s festivities include a garlic tasting, hand-painted photo booth, and live music, plus (natch) locally grown garlic braids for purchase. (Fiachra Farm, 3007 SE Malcolm, 5-8 pm, free, more info, all ages) LC
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Kim Novak, the 92-year-old film legend who lives in Oregon, will be awarded a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival on Monday.
She arrived at the Venice festival on August 28, People.com reported. Novak, whose best known roles include Vertigo, Picnic and Bell, Book and Candle, hasn’t made a major public appearance in 10 years.
In a statement, Novak said, “I am deeply, deeply touched to receive the prestigious Golden Lion Award from such an enormously respected film festival. To be recognized for my body of work at this time in my life is a dream come true. I will treasure every moment I spend in Venice. It will fill my heart with joy.”
The executive producer of the documentary is Novak’s longtime manager, Sue Cameron. She told People she’s dreamed of making this documentary for more than 15 years. She said she clicked with the documentary’s director, Alexandre Philippe, who was in Novak’s living room in Oregon shooting just 3 weeks after agreeing to do it.
FILE – Actress Kim Novak presents the Grand Prix award at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, on May 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)FILE – Sydney Sweeney poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film ‘Echo Valley’ on June 10, 2025, in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP, File)
The Venice Film Festival one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Venice is also a reliably starry affair, gathering some of the best films in international cinema and often factoring into the Oscars race.
The festival runs through Sept. 6, when the film awards will be announced. Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Emma Stone, Dwayne Johnson, Adam Sandler and Idris Elba are among the stars expected to grace the red carpets this year.
Other stars in the lineup include Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Jesse Plemons, Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Bill Skarsgård, Colman Domingo, Amanda Seyfried, Callum Turner and Jude Law.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — What started out as a quirky Portland experiment has now turned into a phenomenon that spans from Japan to England.
Local artist Mike Bennett has sparked a movement of keychain libraries, which are filled with keychains made from a wide range of materials and objects.
KOIN 6 News’ Kohr Harlan spoke with Mike Bennett to learn more.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After a mostly sunny Sunday, expect temperatures to increase Monday across the Portland metro area. We should top out in the low-to-mid 80s for daytime highs in the Portland-Vancouver area, while the Oregon Coast will see temperatures mostly in the 60s.
Expect areas of brief morning clouds in the Willamette Valley with clearing along the coast by late morning to early afternoon. All in all, a very nice late summer day is on the way from the Oregon Coast to the Cascades.
The previously advertised warm up is still on the way for midweek.
An area of high pressure begins to build over the area from the desert southwest pushing temperatures into the low 90s across the metro area. Still no rain in sight in the next 7 to 10 days, as summer rolls on.
Hourly planner for Monday, September 1, 2025 (KOIN)Futurecast for Monday, September 1, 2025 (KOIN)
Stay with the KOIN 6 Weather team for all the latest details.
It’s mostly just a shame that we don’t connect anymore. I went through my big rough patch and barely made it to the other side. I know why I hesitate to reach out, but I’m still disappointed when my old friends are still silent. I’m just a lame three lagged dog who can’t play the same games or something. Life is a little better, but it’s just work and sleep most the time. The isolation that comes with a little bit of legal and financial struggles. Some of those mental health issues. Apparently it’s nearly endless
Mark Knoller, a longtime White House correspondent for CBS News, has died, according to the network. He was 73. A cause of death was was not disclosed, but he had reportedly suffered from diabetes and was in poor health.
“Mark Knoller was the hardest-working and most prolific White House correspondent of a generation,” Tom Cibrowski, president and executive editor of CBS News, said. “Everyone in America knew his distinctive voice and his up-to-the-minute reporting across eight Presidential administrations.”
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on Feb. 20, 1952, Knoller worked at WNEW Radio and the Associated Press Radio Network before moving to CBS, where in just a few years he became the White House correspondent for CBS Radio.
Knoller covered the administrations of Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. He left CBS in 2020, telling the Washington Examiner that he was laid off.
“Mark Knoller was the heart and soul of the White House press corps, bringing unmatched passion to a beat he loved,” said White House Correspondents Association President Weijia Jiang. “He wasn’t just one of the most trusted voices covering the presidency — he was also the colleague you could always count on for help, perspective, or a bit of good humor.”
Countless former colleagues described Knoller as a world class journalist with an unrelenting work ethic who was committed to simply reporting the facts for his audience.
He was known in Washington as the unofficial presidential archivist thanks to his encyclopedic knowledge of the White House and the presidency, chronicling details such as how many times a president had gone golfing or had answered questions from the press.
“Mark represented the best of the White House press corps,” said AP Executive Editor Julie Pace, who worked alongside Knoller as the AP’s chief White House correspondent. “He demanded the same level of accountability and transparency from every president he covered, regardless of party. He carried out his work in the spirit of true public service, sharing his meticulous records of the presidency with any colleague who asked for a data point.”
Pace recalled how she “took advantage of his record keeping numerous times as a reporter” and was “always grateful for both his generosity and dedication to his craft.”
Nancy Benac, the AP’s former White House editor, recalled that “you could go to Mark with any question, and he had the answer.”
Mark Smith, who worked with Knoller at AP Radio and for nearly two decades as an AP White House correspondent, described their relationship as “competitors/comrades.” He said that Knoller “was famous for keeping brutal hours” and on foreign trips “was almost always the last person in the filing center — and there again to open it in the morning.”
Smith continued: “As a result presidents got used to seeing him and familiar with his booming voice asking questions. He was blunt and to the point, persistent but not hectoring. He absolutely loved getting a rise or a laugh out of the president (and I’m thinking here of Clinton, Bush and Obama), but he also never accepted casual evasion.”
Indeed, Knoller’s stellar reputation extended not just to his fellow reporters in the press corps, but to the administrations he was covering.
“Mark was a gem of a man and the definition of what a good reporter should be,” said Ari Fleischer, who served as White House press secretary under Bush from 2001 to 2003. “Mark never betrayed any bias, any personal views. He was probably of the last generation of reporters who viewed their job as just telling the news with no inkling at all of their personal thoughts.”
Fleischer, who described Knoller as “the classic old school, get the story, get it right reporter,” also recalled his “booming voice” and penchant for compiling statistics that he frequently shared with his competition. He spoke of Knoller’s love for Crawford, Texas, home of the Bush family ranch, and how the Brooklyn native fit in seamlessly.
Above all though, Knoller is remembered by those who knew him as a thoughtful, generous and funny man in a town known for egos and power.
Benac pointed to his “amazing sense of humor” with dry zingers that would land minutes later. She described him as “just a wonderful person and a wonderful journalist.” For Smith, what set Knoller apart was his “playfulness.” Fleischer called him “one of the kindest, most courteous, modest people in the press corps.”
“You know I’m smiling as I think about him even though this is really hard because Mark kept the humanity in the White House for me,” said Ben Feller, who worked with Knoller as the AP’s chief White House correspondent. “He knew it was always about the people, even in that deeply intense beat where it feels like the whole world’s happening in that briefing room.”
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The ongoing strike by support staff at Evergreen Public Schools, which already caused the start of the school year to be delayed by a week, will now delay the start for a second time.
In a letter addressed to families and staff of Evergreen Public Schools, Superintendent Christine Moloney said the school year will not begin on September 2, but meal service for families will start.
“The Board and I had hoped that delaying school for a week would have allowed the district and the PSE Large Group’s bargaining teams time to reach an agreement without further disruption to families,” Moloney wrote. “The PSE Large Group could opt to work under the previous agreement, which the terms of the contract allow for a full year. However, union leaders have opted to continue their strike. Beginning on Tuesday afternoon, we will send a daily message around 4 p.m. to update the community about the status of school for the following day.”
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — As conditions around the Flat Fire, about two miles northeast of Sisters, “continue to stabilize,” a Red Flag Warning remains in effect Sunday as well as Levels 1 and 2 evacuations for portions of Jefferson and Deschutes counties.
The Flat Fire, which began August 21, has now burned 23,346 acres and is 39% contained, officials said Sunday.
More than 1,000 personnel have worked to contain the fire and the “primary control lines have held strong” despite some challenging weather.
Firefighters from Lincoln, Washington and Lane counties were set to be released from the Flat Fire on Sunday, as officials are confident in the progress that’s been made.
Authorities noted firefighters remain in the area battling the blaze even as the increased traffic from the Labor Day weekend means more residents head back to the affected areas.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — As the Oregon legislature convenes for a special session Sunday, two lawmakers are already planning ahead for next year’s short session, announcing their intent to introduce a bill to ban “secret police” in the state.
Representatives Tom Anderson (D-South Salem) and Cyrus Javadi (R-Tillamook), both co-sponsors of the bill, said it would allow Oregon voters to amend the state constitution to not allow law enforcement to be masked or unidentifiable.
It would further require them to wear official uniforms detailing names and badge numbers. However, there would be exceptions made in the case of SWAT teams and undercover operations.
In a statement, Rep. Anderson said the impetus for this bill came with the increased presence of unidentified ICE officers in the state brought on by Trump administration policies, which he referred to as “malignant forces.”
“This is no longer just some Donald Trump fever dream. It’s happening right now — unidentified federal ICE officers are using violence and the threat of violence in our communities to replace normal law enforcement,” he said. “When I see masked, anonymous quasi-law enforcement ICE employees on our streets, making violent warrantless arrests, I am aghast and angry. We are becoming a nation of clandestine bounty hunters. Simply put, secret police have no place in a free and democratic society because public trust in government erodes when you don’t know who’s enforcing the law.”
Rep. Javadi echoed this sentiment, noting “Oregonians shouldn’t have to wonder who’s knocking on their door in the middle of the night.”
“In a free society, the people who enforce the law should never be faceless or unaccountable,” he added. “This amendment isn’t about partisanship, it’s about protecting the rule of law itself. The Oregon Constitution already safeguards us from unreasonable searches and seizures. This proposal makes sure we also safeguard the principle that law enforcement must be visible, identifiable, and responsible to the people they serve.”
In order for this bill to pass, it will require a majority vote in both the House and Senate during the 2026 short legislative session beginning in January.
If passed, it will then be placed on the ballot for a public vote in the November 2026 general election.
If approved by Oregon voters, the amendment will be added to the state constitution.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Hillsboro Hops are getting ready to say goodbye to their home stadium Sunday afternoon, playing their final game before moving to a new ballpark next season.
The Hops have played at the Hillsboro Ballpark, formerly Ron Tonkin Field, since their inaugural season in 2013. But the current stadium doesn’t meet MiLB’s new facility standards.
Once completed, the stadium will be able to hold 6,000 for baseball games and 7,000 for other events such as concerts and community gatherings. It will be a 229,000-square-foot facility and will include a kids’ play zone and beer garden.
It will also feature a 32-foot cantilevered canopy for protection from rain and sun.
Mortenson, SRG and Populous make up the design team behind the Hillsboro Hops’ soon-to-be baseball stadium. (Courtesy Hillsboro Hops)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After an hours-long delay on Friday yielded little progress, Oregon lawmakers are set to reconvene for the special legislative session Sunday, with Democrats hoping to pass a critical transportation bill.
After the late start, the meeting in the Oregon House ended Friday night without final decisions made on transportation.
Gov. Tina Kotek is sponsoring this bill and called the session after it failed during the regular session that ended in June.
The bill would call for an increase of six cents a gallon to the gas tax, an increase in titling fees, doubling of vehicle registration fees, as well as doubling the payroll tax for public transit.
The big push for the bill was going to be in the House on Friday morning. However, not enough Democrats showed up in time to achieve quorum, delaying any movement for hours. According to Senate Republicans, this was because a Democratic lawmaker was late due to a flight delay.
A reading of the bill finally took place that evening.
The House wasn’t alone, as Senate Democrats failed to get the votes to adopt their special session rules because four of their members were not present.
Though some did show up to give testimony for a public hearing, they eventually went back home when the meeting was so severely delayed.
“We have a bunch of people here who came to take the day off, to see what was going to happen,” said Melissa Unger, with the SEIU Local 503, whose members include ODOT workers facing layoffs. “I mean, they’re facing layoffs and so it was really frustrating to see that they didn’t come, or show up, to do their jobs.”
The governor says they need to pass this bill to fill ODOT’s massive budget gap and prevent up to 500 layoffs. However, although Democrats say the $791 million raised over the next two years would handle immediate needs, it’s not a long-term solution.
Republican leadership is against the bill, saying it relies too much on big increases in those taxes and fees and the state has the money.
When reached for comment on Saturday, House Republican Leader Christine Drazan claimed Democrats’ “incompetence” made them neglect those waiting to testify at the public hearing. She also emphasized the Republicans’ commitment to not raise taxes.
“House Republicans are committed to defeating these massive tax hikes and fee increases and have proposed multiple alternatives that prioritize road maintenance and safety, and don’t raise taxes,” Drazan said. “Our proposed amendment frees up and reprioritizes around $475 million to fill potholes, plow snow, and keep Oregonians safe.”
She continued, “We look forward to returning to the Capitol Sunday to hear from Oregonians who are demanding a measured approach to the transportation needs of the state without forcing the largest transportation tax increase in Oregon’s history.”
Should it clear the House in Sunday’s session, the bill would then be sent to the Senate.
KOIN 6 has also reached out to Gov. Kotek and the Oregon Democratic legislation for comment. This story will be updated if we hear back.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland Mayor Keith Wilson’s agenda of ending unsheltered homelessness by the end of the year is moving forward. But not everyone is happy with the direction of the city and Multnomah County when it comes to solving the problem.
Ken Thrasher has decades of experience in the private sector, including 19 years in executive positions at Fred Meyer as President and CEO.
Among many other civic endeavors, he’s chair of the Northwest Community Conservancy – representing Portland’s Pearl District – and is on the steering committee of the homeless solutions coalition.
With a Pearl District shelter just days from opening, Thrasher returned to Eye on Northwest Politics to share what he and fellow community members think of the city’s current response toward homelessness.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — It was just another day at the office for 19-year-old sensation Connor Zilisch, who took the Pacific Office Automation 147 in Portland on Saturday night.
Earlier in the day, he put on an absolute clinic with one race to go before the Xfinity Series playoffs do begin.
It was a pretty clean race until late in the final stages. Drama then ensued with two late restarts for the field of 36, off a restart with only seven laps to go.
Austin Hill took over the lead briefly on Zilisch, before another caution halted the race. That was right in the wheelhouse for Zilisch.
It would go to overtime to settle it and on the final restart, the now eight-time winner grabbed that lead right back and then went right into victory lane once again.
“It soaks in every week. That’s one thing I’ve learned, is to enjoy every moment,” Zilisch told KOIN 6. “There was a point in time where I was so focused on next week, I forgot to enjoy last week and I’ve really tried to focus on that. So it’s been really fun getting to win all these races.”
Zilisch, who has now finished in the top five in seven career road course starts, just took Portland International Raceway by storm on Saturday night.
“I’ve got a lot more experience than the rest of these guys turning right and left, so I think that’s the biggest thing,” he added. “So I’m very fortunate to have grown up doing what I did, and very fortunate that NASCAR lets us race on road courses a lot. I’m excited to keep this up and hopefully get another one at the Roval.”
He’s also now just the third driver in series history with 13 straight top five finishes. The eight wins now for Zilisch pass Christopher Bell by most wins ever by a rookie in this series.
When: Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. Where: Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St, Portland, OR 97201
Previously Marina and the Diamonds, Marina released her first album as an independent artist under her own record label this year. “Primadonna” and “Oh No!” are just two of the singer-songwriter’s most popular tracks.
When: Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Moda Center, 1 N Center Ct St, Portland, OR 97227
Linkin Park debuted “From Zero,” the first album after the California-formed rock band’s seven-year hiatus, in 2024. Rapper JPEGMAFIA will open for the Grammy Award-winning group.
When: Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Moda Center, 1 N Center Ct St, Portland, OR 97227
The Jonas Brothers are commemorating their 20th anniversary as a group. The brother trio is also performing in support of their seventh studio album, which dropped in August.
When: Sunday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. Where: McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
As the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus and sister of Miley Cyrus, Noah Cyrus began her entertainment career with small roles on shows like “Doc” and “Hannah Montana.” She has since launched her music career, with her newest album “I Want My Loved Ones to Go With Me” featuring country-folk songs.
When: Monday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. Where: Moda Center, 1 N Center Ct St, Portland, OR 97227
Ice Cube joined rap group NWA nearly 40 years ago in 1986. The setlist on his ongoing tour is expected to span across his extensive discography, including songs like “It Was a Good Day” and “You Can Do It.”
When: Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
Disney Channel alums Aly & AJ are hitting the road following the release of their “Silver Deliverer” album. “Potential Breakup Song” and “Chemicals React” are among the sister duo’s best-known tunes.
When: Saturday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. Where: Theater Of the Clouds, 1016-1098 N Center Ct St, Portland, OR 97227
Country songstress Megan Moroney’s sophomore album “Am I Okay?” was her first to peak in Billboard’s top 200. She is now headlining a 50-date U.S. tour, where she will perform songs such as “6 Months Later” and “Tennessee Orange.”