Ryan Haas
@ryanjhaas.bsky.social
Oregon-based investigative journalist. | Co-founder thewesternedge.media
Former OPB. Podcast producer, Bundyville, Dying for a Fight, and Hush.
www.ryanhaas.net
Tell me secrets on Signal: ryanjhaas.01
Former OPB. Podcast producer, Bundyville, Dying for a Fight, and Hush.
www.ryanhaas.net
Tell me secrets on Signal: ryanjhaas.01
Reposted by Ryan Haas
A reliance on one-time funds to prop up shelter, public safety costs has Portland in deeper budget trouble than anticipated.
Portland is facing a $169 million budget deficit due to shelter and public safety costs
The projected financial shortfall in the coming fiscal year reflects the city’s reliance on temporary cash.
www.opb.org
February 19, 2026 at 12:43 AM
A reliance on one-time funds to prop up shelter, public safety costs has Portland in deeper budget trouble than anticipated.
What are people saying about @thewesternedge.bsky.social?
Wendy absolutely gets the vibe we are going for. Old school reporting that cuts at power, packaged for the digital age.
Wendy absolutely gets the vibe we are going for. Old school reporting that cuts at power, packaged for the digital age.
February 18, 2026 at 8:03 PM
What are people saying about @thewesternedge.bsky.social?
Wendy absolutely gets the vibe we are going for. Old school reporting that cuts at power, packaged for the digital age.
Wendy absolutely gets the vibe we are going for. Old school reporting that cuts at power, packaged for the digital age.
Reposted by Ryan Haas
Fascinating article about attempts at redemption after a serious crime and incarceration, and how those seeking political gain took advantage of the situation.
Salem, Oregon, has always been a prison town. But late last year, city leaders were confronted with what to do when formerly incarcerated people want to join civic life.
@thewesternedge.bsky.social has uncovered how a series of backroom deals and a smear campaign roiled the city for weeks.
@thewesternedge.bsky.social has uncovered how a series of backroom deals and a smear campaign roiled the city for weeks.
Is Redemption Possible in Oregon's Capital City?
The Western Edge uncovered a manufactured crisis, backroom deals, political spending, AI slop and a city council bending to appease a police union.
www.thewesternedge.media
February 17, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Fascinating article about attempts at redemption after a serious crime and incarceration, and how those seeking political gain took advantage of the situation.
Reposted by Ryan Haas
BREAKING: Gov. Bob Ferguson is calling for a 3-day sales tax holiday leading up the start of the school year for items under $1K.
Says it would put another $141M back in folks’ pocket.
Says it would put another $141M back in folks’ pocket.
February 17, 2026 at 9:21 PM
BREAKING: Gov. Bob Ferguson is calling for a 3-day sales tax holiday leading up the start of the school year for items under $1K.
Says it would put another $141M back in folks’ pocket.
Says it would put another $141M back in folks’ pocket.
Reposted by Ryan Haas
U.S. Court Judge Michael Simon said today he would extend the order he first issued Feb. 3 for another 14 days.
Federal judge continues to block ICE officers from using tear gas, other munitions outside Portland facility
A federal judge has extended a temporary order that limits federal law enforcement officers from using certain kinds of force outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland.
www.opb.org
February 17, 2026 at 9:31 PM
U.S. Court Judge Michael Simon said today he would extend the order he first issued Feb. 3 for another 14 days.
Reposted by Ryan Haas
Incredible piece about some of Salem's inner workings. Though none of this is surprising, it's wonderful to see a spotlight on it.
Salem, Oregon, has always been a prison town. But late last year, city leaders were confronted with what to do when formerly incarcerated people want to join civic life.
@thewesternedge.bsky.social has uncovered how a series of backroom deals and a smear campaign roiled the city for weeks.
@thewesternedge.bsky.social has uncovered how a series of backroom deals and a smear campaign roiled the city for weeks.
Is Redemption Possible in Oregon's Capital City?
The Western Edge uncovered a manufactured crisis, backroom deals, political spending, AI slop and a city council bending to appease a police union.
www.thewesternedge.media
February 17, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Incredible piece about some of Salem's inner workings. Though none of this is surprising, it's wonderful to see a spotlight on it.
Reposted by Ryan Haas
Locals have been talking about this issue for a while now and it's been hard to pierce through the fog of disinformation to figure out what's really going on...this is why the work of diligent local journalists like @leahsottile.bsky.social & @ryanjhaas.bsky.social is so needed...and sadly so rare.
February 17, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Locals have been talking about this issue for a while now and it's been hard to pierce through the fog of disinformation to figure out what's really going on...this is why the work of diligent local journalists like @leahsottile.bsky.social & @ryanjhaas.bsky.social is so needed...and sadly so rare.
Salem, Oregon, has always been a prison town. But late last year, city leaders were confronted with what to do when formerly incarcerated people want to join civic life.
@thewesternedge.bsky.social has uncovered how a series of backroom deals and a smear campaign roiled the city for weeks.
@thewesternedge.bsky.social has uncovered how a series of backroom deals and a smear campaign roiled the city for weeks.
Is Redemption Possible in Oregon's Capital City?
The Western Edge uncovered a manufactured crisis, backroom deals, political spending, AI slop and a city council bending to appease a police union.
www.thewesternedge.media
February 17, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Salem, Oregon, has always been a prison town. But late last year, city leaders were confronted with what to do when formerly incarcerated people want to join civic life.
@thewesternedge.bsky.social has uncovered how a series of backroom deals and a smear campaign roiled the city for weeks.
@thewesternedge.bsky.social has uncovered how a series of backroom deals and a smear campaign roiled the city for weeks.
Reposted by Ryan Haas
A Washington judge ordered the man released from the Tacoma ICE facility after he developed a bone infection, ulcerative colitis and anemia.
Judge: ‘Unreasonable failures of care’ at Washington ICE detention facility preceded man’s amputation
A Washington judge ordered the man released from the Tacoma ICE facility after he developed a bone infection, ulcerative colitis and anemia.
www.oregonlive.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:30 AM
A Washington judge ordered the man released from the Tacoma ICE facility after he developed a bone infection, ulcerative colitis and anemia.
The editor of a large-ish newspaper telling kids they should drop out of school and let AI write for them because it's faster.
I think the student here dodged a bullet.
I think the student here dodged a bullet.
Journalism schools are teaching fear of the future: Letter from the Editor
Journalism schools lag in teaching AI, crucial for modern reporting, which aids in efficient news gathering and frees reporters for fieldwork.
www.cleveland.com
February 15, 2026 at 9:09 PM
The editor of a large-ish newspaper telling kids they should drop out of school and let AI write for them because it's faster.
I think the student here dodged a bullet.
I think the student here dodged a bullet.
Reposted by Ryan Haas
"White people are becoming second class citizens in America because of the radical left agenda." Is it Jeremy Carl in 2026, or an Oregonian's white supremacist screed written in 1959 in opposition to a proposed Civil Rights bill?
February 15, 2026 at 12:31 AM
"White people are becoming second class citizens in America because of the radical left agenda." Is it Jeremy Carl in 2026, or an Oregonian's white supremacist screed written in 1959 in opposition to a proposed Civil Rights bill?
Finished an entire woodworking project only using my gigantic scrap pile.
My sickness is entirely justified for another year.
My sickness is entirely justified for another year.
February 14, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Finished an entire woodworking project only using my gigantic scrap pile.
My sickness is entirely justified for another year.
My sickness is entirely justified for another year.
It has been a crazy week, but I just want to say that the amount of support @leahsottile.bsky.social and I have received is extremely motivating and heartening. Everyone who has checked us out or subscribed rules.
(And even most of the critics are coming from a caring place, imo.)
Thank you 🙏
(And even most of the critics are coming from a caring place, imo.)
Thank you 🙏
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:39 PM
It has been a crazy week, but I just want to say that the amount of support @leahsottile.bsky.social and I have received is extremely motivating and heartening. Everyone who has checked us out or subscribed rules.
(And even most of the critics are coming from a caring place, imo.)
Thank you 🙏
(And even most of the critics are coming from a caring place, imo.)
Thank you 🙏
“Though Eugene is known as a largely accepting city for LGBTQ folks, there's a difference between being accepted and being welcomed. And this space is really to be welcoming to the LGBTQ community, specifically designed for meeting their needs,” said Yandel.
The Lavender Network opens first permanent LGBTQ community center in Lane County
The Lavender Network is an LGBTQ collaborative resource hub and is the first permanent LGBTQ center in Lane County.
www.klcc.org
February 13, 2026 at 4:25 PM
“Though Eugene is known as a largely accepting city for LGBTQ folks, there's a difference between being accepted and being welcomed. And this space is really to be welcoming to the LGBTQ community, specifically designed for meeting their needs,” said Yandel.
The Oregonian (probably through its parent company) seems really bent on using AI to produce more and more of its product in recent years. Looks like AI is now narrating some stories for them.
February 13, 2026 at 4:09 PM
The Oregonian (probably through its parent company) seems really bent on using AI to produce more and more of its product in recent years. Looks like AI is now narrating some stories for them.
The fox is in the henhouse.
In testimony on a journalism funding bill, a Carpenter Media representative reveals that the company that owns the largest share of newspapers in Oregon employs 60 journalists. Before Carpenter bought them, the Pamplin chain employed 110 people and EO 185, though not all were journalists.
February 13, 2026 at 1:46 AM
The fox is in the henhouse.
Reposted by Ryan Haas
PubliCola confirmed this morning that the city settled with Jaahnavi Kandula's family for $29,011,000. The added $11,000, which the family requested in their lawsuit, is a reference to then-police guild vice president Daniel Auderer's "joke" that Kandula's life was only worth that much.
Family of Jaahnavi Kandula, Pedestrian Killed by SPD Officer in 2023, Reaches $29,011,000 Settlement with City - PubliCola
In an incident that sparked widespread outrage, police guild leader Daniel Auderer joked that the 23-year-old student was only worth…
publicola.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:20 PM
PubliCola confirmed this morning that the city settled with Jaahnavi Kandula's family for $29,011,000. The added $11,000, which the family requested in their lawsuit, is a reference to then-police guild vice president Daniel Auderer's "joke" that Kandula's life was only worth that much.
Reposted by Ryan Haas
Worth a read from @leahsottile.bsky.social, who frames journalism pay/industry issues well (and who Spokanites have to thank for helping launch Volume Music Festival). ⬇️
When OPB both cancelled Hush and fired me in an email, I had to think hard about why I ever worked for an outlet who couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter.
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
My first contribution to @thewesternedge.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/westerne...
Why I Won't Quit
"Why had I compromised my independence for an organization that couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me why my journalism didn’t matter?"
open.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Worth a read from @leahsottile.bsky.social, who frames journalism pay/industry issues well (and who Spokanites have to thank for helping launch Volume Music Festival). ⬇️
Reposted by Ryan Haas
Many of you know the work @leahsottile.bsky.social and @ryanjhaas.bsky.social do here in the Northwest, but ahead of the launch of our first reported story next week, we wanted to share a recap of some of our past work. You may be new to us or you may have missed some; either way, let's catch up.
We Like to Dig.
Where we've been, and where we're going.
www.thewesternedge.media
February 12, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Many of you know the work @leahsottile.bsky.social and @ryanjhaas.bsky.social do here in the Northwest, but ahead of the launch of our first reported story next week, we wanted to share a recap of some of our past work. You may be new to us or you may have missed some; either way, let's catch up.
Utah being the state to repeatedly take on Big Tech and its harms is something I wouldn't have predicted, but I am here for it.
Utah wants to tax your social media ads to protect kids
The tax directly targets Big Tech giants Facebook and Google.
www.deseret.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Utah being the state to repeatedly take on Big Tech and its harms is something I wouldn't have predicted, but I am here for it.
Having worked a bit on the first version of this bill that failed in the previous legislative session, I do think this would be a win for journalism in Oregon.
Big Tech made billions off the backs of people who produce information while giving little back. Write your reps!
Big Tech made billions off the backs of people who produce information while giving little back. Write your reps!
One reason why the US continues to lean right politically is our over-reliance on corp media. We need something like @senkhanhpham.bsky.social's local media bill to provide support for small outlets like @thewesternedge.bsky.social and @eastportlandvoice.bsky.social
bikeportland.org/2023/02/09/o...
bikeportland.org/2023/02/09/o...
February 11, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Having worked a bit on the first version of this bill that failed in the previous legislative session, I do think this would be a win for journalism in Oregon.
Big Tech made billions off the backs of people who produce information while giving little back. Write your reps!
Big Tech made billions off the backs of people who produce information while giving little back. Write your reps!
Oh hey, look at that! @leahsottile.bsky.social was nominated for an Oregon Book Award for her absolute fever dream of incredible reporting, Blazing Eye Sees All.
Go get a copy if you haven't checked it out already! (And give me your fav recs from this list of incredible books.)
Go get a copy if you haven't checked it out already! (And give me your fav recs from this list of incredible books.)
The 2026 Oregon Book Award Nominations Are Here
You have two months to read the 2026 Oregon Book Award nominees before awards are announced.
www.wweek.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Oh hey, look at that! @leahsottile.bsky.social was nominated for an Oregon Book Award for her absolute fever dream of incredible reporting, Blazing Eye Sees All.
Go get a copy if you haven't checked it out already! (And give me your fav recs from this list of incredible books.)
Go get a copy if you haven't checked it out already! (And give me your fav recs from this list of incredible books.)
Reposted by Ryan Haas
This is extraordinary! The Trump administration’s push for mass deportations has resulted in more cases, known as habeas petitions, filed in federal court in the last year than under ***the last three administrations combined***, including Trump’s first term.
w/ @texastribune.org
w/ @texastribune.org
More Immigrants Are Challenging Their ICE Detention Than Ever Before
Immigrants claiming their detention is illegal have filed more than 18,000 challenges in federal court. This total is more than were filed under the last three administrations combined — including Tru...
www.propublica.org
February 10, 2026 at 11:43 AM
This is extraordinary! The Trump administration’s push for mass deportations has resulted in more cases, known as habeas petitions, filed in federal court in the last year than under ***the last three administrations combined***, including Trump’s first term.
w/ @texastribune.org
w/ @texastribune.org
Reposted by Ryan Haas
Super Bowl viewers Sunday speculated that 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos appeared in the halftime show. In fact, he has been in hiding with his family.
“He can’t sleep well at night. He wakes up three or four times a night screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy,’” Liam's father Adrian Conejo Arias, said.
“He can’t sleep well at night. He wakes up three or four times a night screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy,’” Liam's father Adrian Conejo Arias, said.
‘He’s not the same’: Father of Liam Conejo Ramos says 5-year-old continues to suffer
Some people thought they say the 5-year-old during the Super Bowl halftime show. But Liam is still in hiding with his family, after he and his father were detained and then released from a Texas deten...
www.mprnews.org
February 10, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Super Bowl viewers Sunday speculated that 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos appeared in the halftime show. In fact, he has been in hiding with his family.
“He can’t sleep well at night. He wakes up three or four times a night screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy,’” Liam's father Adrian Conejo Arias, said.
“He can’t sleep well at night. He wakes up three or four times a night screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy,’” Liam's father Adrian Conejo Arias, said.
Reposted by Ryan Haas
If you want to understand how far-reaching the corporate rot in media is, read this gutting piece about the fall of Oregon Public Broadcasting.
(And follow @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and @leahsottile.bsky.social’s new publication @thewesternedge.bsky.social which will be amazing bc they’re amazing)
(And follow @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and @leahsottile.bsky.social’s new publication @thewesternedge.bsky.social which will be amazing bc they’re amazing)
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:58 AM
If you want to understand how far-reaching the corporate rot in media is, read this gutting piece about the fall of Oregon Public Broadcasting.
(And follow @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and @leahsottile.bsky.social’s new publication @thewesternedge.bsky.social which will be amazing bc they’re amazing)
(And follow @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and @leahsottile.bsky.social’s new publication @thewesternedge.bsky.social which will be amazing bc they’re amazing)