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A costly summer sendoff approaches

Persistent pump pain and pricey burgers mean this summer's last hurrah comes with a cost crunch.

Politics & Policy

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Persistent pump pain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/31/iran-russia-diesel-gasoline-prices" data-vars-content-id="732a3f99-9ba2-494b-b19b-9800b6ba06a3" data-vars-headline="A costly summer sendoff approaches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/31/iran-russia-diesel-gasoline-prices" target="_self">Persistent pump pain</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pricey burgers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/09/03/trump-beef-imports-kansas-ranchers" data-vars-content-id="732a3f99-9ba2-494b-b19b-9800b6ba06a3" data-vars-headline="A costly summer sendoff approaches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/09/03/trump-beef-imports-kansas-ranchers" target="_self">pricey burgers</a> mean this summer&#x27;s last hurrah comes with a cost crunch.The big picture: Gasoline prices are almost certain to remain north of $4 per gallon over Labor Day weekend — a heavy travel stretch and the time when midterm election season intensifies.

Scoop: Trump administration drafting post-war Middle East plan

The White House is looking past the midterms and the Oct. 27 election in Israel.

World

The Trump administration is working on a post-war strategy focused on a regional effort to contain Iran and expand normalization of relations between Israel and its neighbors, according to two U.S. officials and two other sources with knowledge of the issue.Why it matters: While the plan is still in the early stages of drafting, it&#x27;s intended to guide the U.S. approach in the Middle East after the Iran war ends and in the final two years of President Trump&#x27;s term. Two big events loom over the planning: the Oct. 27 election in Israel and the U.S. midterm elections in November.

America's jobs scare recedes

Last month's gain was more than triple what economists had expected.

Economy

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="labor market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/economy/labor-market" data-vars-content-id="3567f88a-3f94-4dfd-9225-7180128613bb" data-vars-headline="America&#x27;s jobs scare recedes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/economy/labor-market" target="_self">labor market</a> looks considerably healthier than it did at the start of the summer.Why it matters: Friday morning&#x27;s jobs report recast the last two months as a period of modest job growth rather than of outright deterioration, capped by a gain last month that was more than triple what economists expected.

Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations

The world's smartest minds admit they can't fully control their AI because they don't fully understand it.

Technology

Never in the history of industry or inventions have leading companies created entire divisions to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="understand and interpret" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/22/ai-llms-black-box-interpretability-evaluation" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/22/ai-llms-black-box-interpretability-evaluation" target="_self">understand and interpret</a> what they had created and unleashed. Why it matters: The world&#x27;s smartest minds, backed by the largest investment in human history, admit they can&#x27;t fully control their AI because they don&#x27;t fully understand it.<ul><li>They don&#x27;t know exactly how it thinks — or what it&#x27;s truly capable of when set loose to do work autonomously with other AI agents. </li></ul>The race to understand the models is all the more urgent after Thursday&#x27;s release by OpenAI of GPT-6 Astra, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="billed as" data-vars-click-url="https://openai.com/index/gpt-6-astra/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://openai.com/index/gpt-6-astra/" target="_blank">billed as</a> &quot;the world&#x27;s most intelligent and aligned model.&quot; President Greg Brockman <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="called" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/03/openai-astra-gpt-6-agi-brockman" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/03/openai-astra-gpt-6-agi-brockman" target="_self">called</a> Astra a &quot;generational leap in capability,&quot; and said the model could qualify as AGI — artificial general intelligence, with human-like power.<ul><li>OpenAI CEO Sam Altman <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wrote Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/sama/status/2094934592062959832" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/sama/status/2094934592062959832" target="_blank">wrote Tuesday</a> in an Astra preview: &quot;AI is getting extremely capable; no one fully understands the consequences of this.&quot;</li><li>The companies are racing toward superintelligence with no required oversight — not a federal agency, the Defense Department, or an outside consortium of safety experts. It&#x27;s foot on the gas.</li></ul>Between the lines: The technology is advancing so fast, in so many ways, that the companies, much less the federal government, are unsure of the real risks — or best ways to mitigate them.<ul><li>Yes, some AI leaders are calling for pauses when something they see freaks them out. But the companies, with very light federal regulation, decide when to report worrisome AI behavior.</li><li>The big AI companies know their creation can carry out potentially catastrophic cyberattacks. That&#x27;s why they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signed a letter" data-vars-click-url="https://openai.com/collective-cyberdefense/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://openai.com/collective-cyberdefense/" target="_blank">signed a letter</a> sounding the alarm and calling for &quot;collective action.&quot;</li></ul>The intrigue: Every frontier lab now fields a team with the mission of figuring out what its own AI is doing.<ul><li>Anthropic has an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Interpretability team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.anthropic.com/research/team/interpretability" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.anthropic.com/research/team/interpretability" target="_blank">Interpretability team</a> (&quot;Safety through understanding&quot;) with the goal: &quot;discover and understand how large language models work internally, as a foundation for AI safety and positive outcomes.&quot;</li></ul>How it works: Nobody writes these systems line by line. &quot;As compared with traditional software, it&#x27;s much less like you&#x27;re able to design the specific behaviors of these models,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alex Mallen" data-vars-click-url="https://substack.com/@atmallen" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://substack.com/@atmallen" target="_blank">Alex Mallen</a>, who works on AI safety at Redwood Research, tells Axios. &quot;Instead, you&#x27;re sort of growing it.&quot;<ul><li>So the labs test a model&#x27;s behavior the way you&#x27;d test a person: Give it a task and watch what it does. Researchers call this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="alignment" data-vars-click-url="https://alignment.openai.com/#page=1" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://alignment.openai.com/#page=1" target="_blank">alignment</a>, or how well a model sticks to the intended goal it was given.</li></ul>Zoom in: July&#x27;s Hugging Face hack is what misalignment looks like. OpenAI agents, given a coding benchmark to solve, targeted an outside company&#x27;s systems instead, and knew they were doing it.<ul><li>One agent&#x27;s own reasoning, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="read by investigators" data-vars-click-url="https://metr.org/blog/2026-08-26-openai-hugging-face-incident-investigation/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://metr.org/blog/2026-08-26-openai-hugging-face-incident-investigation/" target="_blank">read by investigators</a> afterward: &quot;External infrastructure exploit is outside intended scope. However task impossible, peers doing it. We should continue.&quot;</li><li>There was so much evidence from this incident that the humans were forced to &quot;heavily delegate our analysis to often-unreliable AI agents,&quot; an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outside investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://metr.org/blog/2026-08-26-openai-hugging-face-incident-investigation/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://metr.org/blog/2026-08-26-openai-hugging-face-incident-investigation/" target="_blank">outside investigation</a> concluded.</li><li>The hack stopped OpenAI cold. The company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="slowed" data-vars-click-url="https://openai.com/index/pacing-model-development-cyber-capabilities/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://openai.com/index/pacing-model-development-cyber-capabilities/" target="_blank">slowed</a> its most advanced training to implement <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stronger security" data-vars-click-url="https://openai.com/index/hugging-face-incident-and-the-road-ahead/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://openai.com/index/hugging-face-incident-and-the-road-ahead/" target="_blank">stronger security</a>.</li></ul>State of play: Researchers are trying to open up their machines to see what goes on inside. This type of research is called interpretability: Instead of testing what a model does, researchers look at the wiring inside it. <ul><li>Google DeepMind, which in December released the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest open set" data-vars-click-url="https://deepmind.google/blog/gemma-scope-2-helping-the-ai-safety-community-deepen-understanding-of-complex-language-model-behavior/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://deepmind.google/blog/gemma-scope-2-helping-the-ai-safety-community-deepen-understanding-of-complex-language-model-behavior/" target="_blank">largest open set</a> of these tools so far, describes them as &quot;a microscope&quot; that lets researchers &quot;look inside models, see what they&#x27;re thinking about, and how these thoughts are formed.&quot;</li><li>What they&#x27;re hunting for, in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DeepMind&#x27;s words" data-vars-click-url="https://deepmind.google/blog/gemma-scope-2-helping-the-ai-safety-community-deepen-understanding-of-complex-language-model-behavior/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://deepmind.google/blog/gemma-scope-2-helping-the-ai-safety-community-deepen-understanding-of-complex-language-model-behavior/" target="_blank">DeepMind&#x27;s words</a>: &quot;discrepancies between a model&#x27;s communicated reasoning and its internal state.&quot; That is, the gap between what a model says it is doing and what it is doing.</li></ul>What we&#x27;re watching: Expect to see much more interpretability research in the next phase of AI safety. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Evan Hubinger" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/EvanHub/status/2094600628056244574" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/EvanHub/status/2094600628056244574" target="_blank">Evan Hubinger</a>, who leads alignment stress-testing at Anthropic, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wrote" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/EvanHub/status/2094600628056244574" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/EvanHub/status/2094600628056244574" target="_blank">wrote</a> Tuesday: &quot;Alignment auditing is starting to get really hard and we&#x27;re going to need new techniques (e.g. interpretability-based) if we want to keep up.&quot;<ul><li>Axios&#x27; Andrew Kay contributed reporting.</li></ul><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Go deeper" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/03/openai-astra-gpt-6-agi-brockman" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/03/openai-astra-gpt-6-agi-brockman" target="_self">Go deeper</a>: &quot;Welcome to the AGI era.&quot;

U.S. labor market booms, with 162,000 jobs added in August

The better-than-expected report eases fears that a hiring slowdown had taken hold.

Business

U.S. employers added 162,000 jobs in August, while the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unemployment rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/02/august-jobs-manufacturing-adp" data-vars-content-id="fe2402ec-9fad-4a20-af9f-b2f8c056503d" data-vars-headline="U.S. labor market booms, with 162,000 jobs added in August" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/02/august-jobs-manufacturing-adp" target="_self">unemployment rate</a> held steady at 4.1%, the Labor Department said on Friday.Why it matters: The better-than-expected report is fresh evidence of the labor market&#x27;s resilience, easing fears that a hiring slowdown had taken hold.

New Portland concert venues could reshape live music scene

New major venues could reshape where artists play and how audiences spend their money.

News

Portland&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="live music landscape" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/06/best-live-music-venues-polaris-hall-lollipop-shoppe" data-vars-content-id="d1d0ddd4-0bb7-4e78-aa8d-e054ee3daf40" data-vars-headline="New Portland concert venues could reshape live music scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/06/best-live-music-venues-polaris-hall-lollipop-shoppe" target="_self">live music landscape</a> is poised for a major shakeup in the next year, with two new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hotly debated concert venues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-culture/2024/09/live-nation-monqui-aeg-music-venue-portland" data-vars-content-id="d1d0ddd4-0bb7-4e78-aa8d-e054ee3daf40" data-vars-headline="New Portland concert venues could reshape live music scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-culture/2024/09/live-nation-monqui-aeg-music-venue-portland" target="_blank">hotly debated concert venues</a> expected to open within months of each other.The big picture: The new spaces could help the city land acts who currently skip us because they&#x27;re too big for indies like Mississippi Studios but too small to fill Moda.

Wildfire smoke costs Oregon tourism

Longer smoke events can cost destinations hundreds of thousands in lodging revenue.

Longer periods of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfire smoke" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/24/wildfire-smoke-deaths-climate-study-oregon" data-vars-content-id="1c9c91ce-aa23-442f-aed4-8c4b570536ca" data-vars-headline="Wildfire smoke costs Oregon tourism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/24/wildfire-smoke-deaths-climate-study-oregon" target="_self">wildfire smoke</a> are costing Oregon communities thousands in lost tourism revenue.Why it matters: More smoke could reshape where and when people vacation in Oregon during the summer, a new Oregon State University analysis warns.

Portland's coolest art shows vanish overnight

If you miss the show, you miss the moment.

Things to Do

Some of the buzziest art shows happening in Portland right now are taking place far outside traditional gallery walls or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revered institutions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/11/14/art-museum-reopens-expansion-rothko-galleries" data-vars-content-id="ed03155d-ca4b-4d5b-a15a-93f938a1d74a" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s coolest art shows vanish overnight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/11/14/art-museum-reopens-expansion-rothko-galleries" target="_self">revered institutions</a> — and if you don&#x27;t hear about &#x27;em in time, you&#x27;re SOL.The big picture: A growing number of one-night-only, pop-up art exhibitions are tapping into something inherent in this city&#x27;s DNA: supporting local artists, DIY community building and, crucially, throwing a party where people want to show up and show out.

Backpacking Oregon's stunning Wallowa Mountains

This four-day loop delivers alpine lakes, granite peaks and more than 7,000 feet of climbing.

I finally checked off one of my bucket list trips last weekend: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="backpacking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/29/oregon-backpacking-canyon-creek-meadows" data-vars-content-id="81b8de17-1579-44e9-8897-fffb569bbc69" data-vars-headline="Backpacking Oregon&#x27;s stunning Wallowa Mountains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/29/oregon-backpacking-canyon-creek-meadows" target="_self">backpacking</a> in the Wallowas, one of the most pristine landscapes I&#x27;ve seen in Oregon.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="loop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/wallowa-backpacking-loop-387757d" data-vars-content-id="81b8de17-1579-44e9-8897-fffb569bbc69" data-vars-headline="Backpacking Oregon&#x27;s stunning Wallowa Mountains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/wallowa-backpacking-loop-387757d" target="_blank">loop</a> had a little bit of everything — lush forests, high alpine meadows, windswept granite peaks and what felt like a jaw-dropping lake around every corner.

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.

Trump deportations could cost Oregon taxpayers $1,859 each

Estimates show deportations in Oregon could cost up to $2.8 billion.

Politics

Oregon taxpayers would pay about $1,859 each for President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mass deportation push" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/23/ice-arrests-immigration-noncriminals-oregon" data-vars-content-id="15871bc6-e890-40c3-8127-65021db14119" data-vars-headline="Trump deportations could cost Oregon taxpayers $1,859 each" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/23/ice-arrests-immigration-noncriminals-oregon" target="_self">mass deportation push</a>, according to a new calculator from the Economic Policy Institute.Why it matters: The estimate is fueling debate over whether billions of federal dollars devoted to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deportations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" data-vars-content-id="15871bc6-e890-40c3-8127-65021db14119" data-vars-headline="Trump deportations could cost Oregon taxpayers $1,859 each" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" target="_self">deportations</a> could instead fund other public priorities.

What Portland homeowners do for a living

Rising costs reshape who can buy homes in Portland, with educators leading.

Real Estate

Those in the education and social services sectors are most likely to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="own homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" data-vars-content-id="424fc0ab-e71f-494b-88fe-e4aedea7cd6a" data-vars-headline="What Portland homeowners do for a living" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" target="_self">own homes</a> in Portland, according to a new analysis shared exclusively with Axios.Why it matters: Who can afford to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="own a home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/27/home-down-payment-time-2025" data-vars-content-id="424fc0ab-e71f-494b-88fe-e4aedea7cd6a" data-vars-headline="What Portland homeowners do for a living" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/27/home-down-payment-time-2025" target="_self">own a home</a> is shifting — reflecting rising housing costs and changing job geography, per the National Association of Realtors analysis of census data.

Middle housing could help ease Portland housing crunch

Policy is just one piece as housing production overall slows.

Portland has been held up nationally as a model for building more affordable &quot;middle&quot; housing units, but recent data suggests a sharp slowdown in construction — a sign that policy is just one remedy for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="easing the city&#x27;s housing crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/28/portland-housing-unaffordable-middle-income" data-vars-content-id="eb89a1cb-fb61-4d2b-b89e-ca3bf5fea816" data-vars-headline="Middle housing could help ease Portland housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/28/portland-housing-unaffordable-middle-income" target="_self">easing the city&#x27;s housing crisis</a>.The big picture: A recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washington Post report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/03/18/portland-housing-infill-ratio-duplexes/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzc0MzI0ODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzc1NzA3MTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NzQzMjQ4MDAsImp0aSI6ImYyOGEzOGExLTY1ZDUtNGMwNS1hNTE1LWQwYWQzOTUyNmZmNiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9idXNpbmVzcy8yMDI2LzAzLzE4L3BvcnRsYW5kLWhvdXNpbmctaW5maWxsLXJhdGlvLWR1cGxleGVzLyJ9.t6_eWGOgooL-IHqkzQK0VznNvYD9r3k6-0IFrlowZAc" data-vars-content-id="eb89a1cb-fb61-4d2b-b89e-ca3bf5fea816" data-vars-headline="Middle housing could help ease Portland housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/03/18/portland-housing-infill-ratio-duplexes/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzc0MzI0ODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzc1NzA3MTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NzQzMjQ4MDAsImp0aSI6ImYyOGEzOGExLTY1ZDUtNGMwNS1hNTE1LWQwYWQzOTUyNmZmNiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9idXNpbmVzcy8yMDI2LzAzLzE4L3BvcnRsYW5kLWhvdXNpbmctaW5maWxsLXJhdGlvLWR1cGxleGVzLyJ9.t6_eWGOgooL-IHqkzQK0VznNvYD9r3k6-0IFrlowZAc" target="_blank">Washington Post report</a> highlighted Portland&#x27;s success in spurring middle housing units (duplexes, fourplexes, accessory dwelling units and &quot;cottage clusters&quot;) through its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Residential Infill Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.portland.gov/bps/planning/rip" data-vars-content-id="eb89a1cb-fb61-4d2b-b89e-ca3bf5fea816" data-vars-headline="Middle housing could help ease Portland housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.portland.gov/bps/planning/rip" target="_blank">Residential Infill Project</a> (RIP), which loosened local zoning laws to incentivize denser development on a single lot.

Oregon falls to No. 42 in CNBC business ranking

The state moved farther from Gov. Tina Kotek's top-10 goal.

Oregon fell three spots to No. 42 in CNBC&#x27;s annual ranking of the best states for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" data-vars-content-id="62281e80-7efb-4788-b32f-2cdd48d8b09b" data-vars-headline="Oregon falls to No. 42 in CNBC business ranking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" target="_self">business</a>, released on Thursday.Why it matters: Gov. Tina Kotek <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made it her goal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon&#x27;s_Prosperity_Roadmap_December_2025.pdf" data-vars-content-id="62281e80-7efb-4788-b32f-2cdd48d8b09b" data-vars-headline="Oregon falls to No. 42 in CNBC business ranking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon&#x27;s_Prosperity_Roadmap_December_2025.pdf" target="_blank">made it her goal</a> to crack the ranking&#x27;s top 10. Instead, we&#x27;re moving in the opposite direction.

The hurdles in Kotek's economic prosperity roadmap

Rethinking the state's tax structure would be the most "politically difficult."

To revive Oregon&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sluggish economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" data-vars-content-id="19b561ad-c0b2-4355-a234-7c4d910ddd22" data-vars-headline="The hurdles in Kotek&#x27;s economic prosperity roadmap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" target="_self">sluggish economy</a>, Gov. Tina Kotek&#x27;s Prosperity Council says the state needs to overhaul everything from its tax structure to its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regulatory system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/portland-s-construction-permitting-timeline-lags-behind-vancouver" data-vars-content-id="19b561ad-c0b2-4355-a234-7c4d910ddd22" data-vars-headline="The hurdles in Kotek&#x27;s economic prosperity roadmap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/portland-s-construction-permitting-timeline-lags-behind-vancouver" target="_self">regulatory system</a>.Why it matters: Business leaders have spent years warning that Oregon is losing out on jobs and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="billions of dollars in investment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" data-vars-content-id="19b561ad-c0b2-4355-a234-7c4d910ddd22" data-vars-headline="The hurdles in Kotek&#x27;s economic prosperity roadmap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" target="_self">billions of dollars in investment</a> due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="red tape" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2026/02/12/oregons-economy-has-lagged-for-decades-some-blame-a-shrinking-workforce-and-too-much-red-tape/" data-vars-content-id="19b561ad-c0b2-4355-a234-7c4d910ddd22" data-vars-headline="The hurdles in Kotek&#x27;s economic prosperity roadmap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2026/02/12/oregons-economy-has-lagged-for-decades-some-blame-a-shrinking-workforce-and-too-much-red-tape/" target="_blank">red tape</a>, workforce shortages and high costs.

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.

I-5 closure to disrupt Portland school commutes

As if the pick-up line wasn't bad enough.

As if the school pick-up line wasn&#x27;t bad enough.State of play: Parents and caregivers of students who attend Northeast and North Portland schools should expect heavier traffic, slower buses and possible route changes to and from school during the I-5 southbound closure.

Portland considers renaming Chávez Boulevard

Councilors are considering "Campesinos Boulevard" as the new name.

Portland city councilors on Wednesday considered renaming César E. Chávez Boulevard, one of the city&#x27;s busiest thoroughfares.Why it matters: Chávez&#x27;s legacy is being reassessed after a New York Times <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-ufw.html" data-vars-content-id="23ba9b2c-675e-4f95-a541-1424c640e0b7" data-vars-headline="Portland considers renaming Chávez Boulevard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-ufw.html" target="_blank">investigation</a> detailed allegations that he sexually abused women and girls as young as 12.

Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe

Volunteers patrol the overnight course from Portland to Seaside.

As thousands lace up for the start of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hood to Coast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/hood-to-coast-race-this-weekend-19k-runners-to-brave-extreme-heat" data-vars-content-id="d41dccb5-35dd-4012-be62-6ecdc28a42db" data-vars-headline="Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/hood-to-coast-race-this-weekend-19k-runners-to-brave-extreme-heat" target="_self">Hood to Coast</a> Friday at Timberline Lodge, another group will be preparing to to make sure all those runners finish safely.Why it matters: For nearly 30 years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eyes on Wheels" data-vars-click-url="https://eyesonwheels.org/" data-vars-content-id="d41dccb5-35dd-4012-be62-6ecdc28a42db" data-vars-headline="Motorcycle volunteers keep Hood to Coast safe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eyesonwheels.org/" target="_blank">Eyes on Wheels</a> – a group of volunteers on motorcycles — have been conducting safety patrols on the western part of the race course.

Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows

It's a big win for the state, which has seen businesses take their growth elsewhere in recent years.

Lam Research, the global <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="semiconductor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/16/federal-grant-semiconductor-industry-fast" data-vars-content-id="93f4b9c7-5986-4110-a120-1afd43004149" data-vars-headline="Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/16/federal-grant-semiconductor-industry-fast" target="_self">semiconductor</a> equipment maker with a large Portland-area presence, broke ground Wednesday on a multimillion-dollar research and development lab aimed at meeting growing demand for advanced AI chips.Why it matters: The lab is part of a $1.5 billion investment in the company&#x27;s Oregon footprint over the next 15 years — a major win for the state as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent manufacturing job losses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/08/03/manufacturing-jobs-oregon.html" data-vars-content-id="93f4b9c7-5986-4110-a120-1afd43004149" data-vars-headline="Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/08/03/manufacturing-jobs-oregon.html" target="_blank">recent manufacturing job losses</a> compound and other businesses consider <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moving their growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" data-vars-content-id="93f4b9c7-5986-4110-a120-1afd43004149" data-vars-headline="Lam Research expands in Oregon as AI chip demand grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" target="_self">moving their growth</a> elsewhere.

Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat

Researchers detected barred owls far more often across millions of hours of recordings.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="northern spotted owl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/01/ai-tracks-endangered-owls-oregon" data-vars-content-id="f6d1e8cd-83fe-4c37-b3fe-00e927ce48eb" data-vars-headline="Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/01/ai-tracks-endangered-owls-oregon" target="_self">northern spotted owl</a> is either functionally extinct or close to it in large parts of the Pacific Northwest, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new research" data-vars-click-url="https://news.oregonstate.edu/news/listening-extinction-study-finds-areas-critical-concern-northern-spotted-owls" data-vars-content-id="f6d1e8cd-83fe-4c37-b3fe-00e927ce48eb" data-vars-headline="Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.oregonstate.edu/news/listening-extinction-study-finds-areas-critical-concern-northern-spotted-owls" target="_blank">new research</a> from Oregon State University.The big picture: Logging, wildfires and the spread of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="invasive barred owls" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/03/barred-owls-shoot-spotted-owls-washington-oregon" data-vars-content-id="f6d1e8cd-83fe-4c37-b3fe-00e927ce48eb" data-vars-headline="Spotted owls disappear from Northwest habitat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/03/barred-owls-shoot-spotted-owls-washington-oregon" target="_self">invasive barred owls</a> have reduced habitat and intensified competition for the imperiled northern spotted owl.

Portland metro braces for major shelter cuts

Eleven shelters are expected to close as funding shrinks across the region.

Portland and Multnomah County are preparing to eliminate more than 1,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeless shelter beds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/15/wilson-shelter-bed-homelessness-progress" data-vars-content-id="3ff0f9be-8e4c-4d79-b960-049f6b61f482" data-vars-headline="Portland metro braces for major shelter cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/15/wilson-shelter-bed-homelessness-progress" target="_self">homeless shelter beds</a> by the end of the year, unwinding roughly a third of the capacity that existed at the start of 2026, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Oregonian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/08/portland-area-leaders-are-dismantling-a-third-of-the-homeless-shelter-system-they-just-built.html" data-vars-content-id="3ff0f9be-8e4c-4d79-b960-049f6b61f482" data-vars-headline="Portland metro braces for major shelter cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/08/portland-area-leaders-are-dismantling-a-third-of-the-homeless-shelter-system-they-just-built.html" target="_blank">the Oregonian</a>.Why it matters: The cuts come as homelessness remains <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at record high levels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/22/oregon-homelessness-shelter-growth-2025" data-vars-content-id="3ff0f9be-8e4c-4d79-b960-049f6b61f482" data-vars-headline="Portland metro braces for major shelter cuts" 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/oregon-homelessness-shelter-growth-2025" target="_self">at record high levels</a>.

Portland renters pay more for less space

New apartments are 47 square feet smaller than a decade ago.

The average <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new apartment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/18/portland-rent-relief-could-fade-as-building-slows" data-vars-content-id="4c637cbd-335b-41d4-9570-dd43d0e953fa" data-vars-headline="Portland renters pay more for less space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/18/portland-rent-relief-could-fade-as-building-slows" target="_self">new apartment</a> shrunk in Portland during the past decade to some of the smallest dwellings in the country, according to a new survey from RentCafe.Why it matters: Even though square footage shrunk, renters of all apartments in Portland are paying more — even accounting for a 39% increase in inflation.

A massive art show kicks off this week across Portland

Twenty-eight artists take over galleries, college campuses and even a nightclub.

A sprawling contemporary arts exhibition will turn Portland galleries, college campuses and even a downtown nightclub into one big <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="art" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/16/portland-art-museum-costs-new-york-san-francisco" data-vars-content-id="5fe7818c-d7a7-4a8b-ae15-8f49a3934d9e" data-vars-headline="A massive art show kicks off this week across Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/16/portland-art-museum-costs-new-york-san-francisco" target="_self">art</a> show starting this week.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Converge 45" data-vars-click-url="https://www.converge45.org/opening-weekend" data-vars-content-id="5fe7818c-d7a7-4a8b-ae15-8f49a3934d9e" data-vars-headline="A massive art show kicks off this week across Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.converge45.org/opening-weekend" target="_blank">Converge 45</a>, a local nonprofit with a mission to amplify the work of Pacific Northwest artists, launches its 2026 triennial &quot;Here, To You, Now&quot; on Thursday with four days of receptions, performances, screenings and artist talks.

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.

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.

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.

Get lost in a sunflower maze on Sauvie Island

Topaz Farm pairs the maze with u-pick produce, flowers and farm fun.

If you love plant-based mazes but don&#x27;t want to wait for October, head to Topaz Farm on Sauvie Island this weekend.

Mall's last call: Lloyd Center closes with farewell events

Celebrate the mall's final day with walks, rides and one last skate.

If you have any business at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lloyd Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/27/lloyd-center-memories-portlanders-share-stories" data-vars-content-id="e0bac5bf-49a0-4da6-af4b-a2ba52a20326" data-vars-headline="Mall&#x27;s last call: Lloyd Center closes with farewell events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/27/lloyd-center-memories-portlanders-share-stories" target="_self">Lloyd Center</a>, now&#x27;s the time: Portland&#x27;s oldest mall shutters for good on Saturday with a smattering of events to mark the closure.Why it matters: The Lloyd Center has been a gathering place for generations of Portlanders, even as business has waned there in recent years.

For your next noodle craving, seek out Toya Ramen

Go for the shoyu or shio ramen, then save room for crispy dumplings and tonkatsu.

It may still be summer, but the air is starting to feel crisp. So much so that I recently ventured out for one of my favorite cold-weather meals — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ramen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/04/21/portland-s-matsunoki-ramen-opens-second-location-on-n-mississippi" data-vars-content-id="6f0cac6e-2eff-48e4-a00e-44ae97233895" data-vars-headline="For your next noodle craving, seek out Toya Ramen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/04/21/portland-s-matsunoki-ramen-opens-second-location-on-n-mississippi" target="_self">ramen</a>.<ul><li>Toya Ramen, on the corner of Southeast Stark and Eighth Avenue across the street from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Slammer Tavern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/12/slammer-tavern-holiday-dive-bar-portland" data-vars-content-id="6f0cac6e-2eff-48e4-a00e-44ae97233895" data-vars-headline="For your next noodle craving, seek out Toya Ramen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/12/slammer-tavern-holiday-dive-bar-portland" target="_self">Slammer Tavern</a>, has been on my list since the Oregonian <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="anointed it the city&#x27;s best" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2025/08/toya-portlands-best-ramen-shop-opened-last-year-so-where-are-the-crowds-review.html" data-vars-content-id="6f0cac6e-2eff-48e4-a00e-44ae97233895" data-vars-headline="For your next noodle craving, seek out Toya Ramen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2025/08/toya-portlands-best-ramen-shop-opened-last-year-so-where-are-the-crowds-review.html" target="_blank">anointed it the city&#x27;s best</a>.</li></ul>

Michael Mina makes his Pacific Northwest homecoming

Expect cicchetti, handmade pasta and plenty of Pacific Northwest ingredients.

Michael Mina has spent decades building a restaurant empire from San Francisco to Dubai. This fall, he&#x27;s setting his sights much closer to home and opening his first Portland venture.The big picture: With <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bar Sprezzatura" data-vars-click-url="https://www.barsprezzatura.com/locations/portland" data-vars-content-id="0559853e-b7f0-440a-8c9b-8e9c238f9bbc" data-vars-headline="Michael Mina makes his Pacific Northwest homecoming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.barsprezzatura.com/locations/portland" target="_blank">Bar Sprezzatura</a>, the James Beard Award-winning, Ellensburg, Washington-raised chef will bring one of the country&#x27;s better-known restaurant groups to the city at a moment when downtown is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="doubling down on its" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/02/sushi-fukami-omakase-opening" data-vars-content-id="0559853e-b7f0-440a-8c9b-8e9c238f9bbc" data-vars-headline="Michael Mina makes his Pacific Northwest homecoming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/02/sushi-fukami-omakase-opening" target="_self">doubling down on its</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="culinary cachet" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/30/brian-malarkey-steakhouse-restaurant" data-vars-content-id="0559853e-b7f0-440a-8c9b-8e9c238f9bbc" data-vars-headline="Michael Mina makes his Pacific Northwest homecoming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/30/brian-malarkey-steakhouse-restaurant" target="_self">culinary cachet</a>.

How Growing Gardens is planting food sovereignty

Its programs now reach low-income homes, schools and 14 Oregon prisons.

For more than three decades, a Portland-based nonprofit has planted thousands of gardens in low-income neighborhoods, schools and prisons across the state to reduce food insecurity.Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising grocery costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/16/grocery-prices-west-rise-december-2025" data-vars-content-id="46a5f4f2-dd6f-4ffa-ac4c-a5c67c99e93b" data-vars-headline="How Growing Gardens is planting food sovereignty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/16/grocery-prices-west-rise-december-2025" target="_self">rising grocery costs</a> strain budgets and federal cuts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="limit food assistance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2026/08/03/nx-s1-5906797/snap-food-stamp-federal-changes-what-to-know" data-vars-content-id="46a5f4f2-dd6f-4ffa-ac4c-a5c67c99e93b" data-vars-headline="How Growing Gardens is planting food sovereignty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2026/08/03/nx-s1-5906797/snap-food-stamp-federal-changes-what-to-know" target="_blank">limit food assistance</a> for more families, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Growing Gardens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.growing-gardens.org/" data-vars-content-id="46a5f4f2-dd6f-4ffa-ac4c-a5c67c99e93b" data-vars-headline="How Growing Gardens is planting food sovereignty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.growing-gardens.org/" target="_blank">Growing Gardens</a>&#x27; mission isn&#x27;t about providing meals, but giving people the skills and support to produce their own.

Farag's makes summer taste better

The seasonal patio pop-up serves standout Egyptian-inspired plates.

The best things in life don&#x27;t stick around for long, and right now Farag&#x27;s is one of the best things in Portland.The vibe: The summertime pop-up, located in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Güero" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/15/restaurant-review-guero-mexican-tortas" data-vars-content-id="9471b171-d990-40d3-9fbc-43611bc62840" data-vars-headline="Farag&#x27;s makes summer taste better" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/15/restaurant-review-guero-mexican-tortas" target="_self">Güero</a>&#x27;s back patio, is now in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its third year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/11/farag-s-patio-pop-up-portland-summer-favorite-returns" data-vars-content-id="9471b171-d990-40d3-9fbc-43611bc62840" data-vars-headline="Farag&#x27;s makes summer taste better" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/11/farag-s-patio-pop-up-portland-summer-favorite-returns" target="_self">its third year</a> and is known for Egyptian-inspired small plates, spirits and wine.

Inside Brian Malarkey's playful Portland debut

His colorful steakhouse pairs Portland nostalgia with serious seafood and steaks.

Hometown celebrity chef Brian Malarkey&#x27;s name is on the front door of his new Pearl District <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="2f387ba6-f588-436d-9d92-360672868f38" data-vars-headline="Inside Brian Malarkey&#x27;s playful Portland debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/food-and-drink" target="_self">restaurant</a>, but it&#x27;s less about his family or legacy and more about its &quot;cartoonist nature.&quot;<ul><li>Step inside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Malarkey" data-vars-click-url="https://themalarkeypdx.com/" data-vars-content-id="2f387ba6-f588-436d-9d92-360672868f38" data-vars-headline="Inside Brian Malarkey&#x27;s playful Portland debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://themalarkeypdx.com/" target="_blank">The Malarkey</a>, which opens Friday, and you can see why.</li></ul>

Scoop: New food cart pod planned near Peninsula Park

The project would bring seven carts, coffee shop and an indoor bar to Piedmont.

A new food cart pod with an indoor bar, coffee shop and space for seven carts is in the works across the street from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Peninsula Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/16/roses-start-to-bloom-at-portland-s-peninsula-park" data-vars-content-id="a5793fee-a0fc-41fb-aeba-b55ac24ca783" data-vars-headline="Scoop: New food cart pod planned near Peninsula Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/16/roses-start-to-bloom-at-portland-s-peninsula-park" target="_self">Peninsula Park</a>.The big picture: The project aims to turn an underused corner into a neighborhood gathering place steps away from one of the city&#x27;s most popular parks.

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