Erik Neumann
@erikneumann.bsky.social
OPB Southwest Washington Bureau Chief
Reposted by Erik Neumann
Willapa Bay in Southwest Washington is know around the world for its oysters, but every summer it also turns into a shark superhighway. Northwest researchers have been trying to figure out why, and they have some turned up some clues.
Why do sharks love Willapa Bay? Northwest scientists have some ideas
Scientists at Oregon State University are studying broadnose sevengill and other sharks to find out why so many of them migrate into Willapa Bay during the summer.
www.opb.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Willapa Bay in Southwest Washington is know around the world for its oysters, but every summer it also turns into a shark superhighway. Northwest researchers have been trying to figure out why, and they have some turned up some clues.
Sad news today about a community leader in Southwest Washington
City of Washougal announces death of councilor Molly Coston
Coston served as mayor, councilor and president of numerous civic organizations in Southwest Washington.
www.opb.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Sad news today about a community leader in Southwest Washington
Reposted by Erik Neumann
The bi-state effort to build a new bridge spanning the Columbia River reached a deal to pay four companies a combined $140 million, the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program announced Tuesday.
Interstate Bridge Replacement announces $140 million payout to 4 Columbia River users
The deal was struck to compensate companies upriver of the I-5 bridge whose businesses could be affected by a 116-foot, fixed-span bridge.
www.opb.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 PM
The bi-state effort to build a new bridge spanning the Columbia River reached a deal to pay four companies a combined $140 million, the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program announced Tuesday.
In lighter news to start to your week, I spent some time recently with athletes at the Washington State School for the Blind learning about goalball, a sport based around sound
Washington School for the Blind goalball players gear up for national competition
The Vancouver school recently held the Junior Cascade Classic tournament, where blind and low vision students competed in the Paralympic sport.
www.opb.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:32 PM
In lighter news to start to your week, I spent some time recently with athletes at the Washington State School for the Blind learning about goalball, a sport based around sound
Reposted by Erik Neumann
The ruling last week from U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, followed a three-day trial in which both sides argued over whether protests at the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building met the conditions for using the military domestically under federal law.
Trump administration appeals judge’s ruling barring troop deployment in Portland
The administration criticized the decision and said the troops were needed to protect federal personnel and property in a city that Trump has described as “war ravaged.”
www.opb.org
November 15, 2025 at 2:00 AM
The ruling last week from U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, followed a three-day trial in which both sides argued over whether protests at the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building met the conditions for using the military domestically under federal law.
A truly amazing work by OPB's @lmiller12.bsky.social and Rob Manning is out today. They followed Oregon students FOR 13 YEARS!!! to document their lives from kindergarten through high school to track the goal of 100% graduation rates
Class of 2025: Growing up in Oregon schools
OPB's hourlong documentary, Class of 2025: Growing Up In Oregon Schools, tells the story of 7 students as they move through the state's public education system.
www.opb.org
November 7, 2025 at 4:25 PM
A truly amazing work by OPB's @lmiller12.bsky.social and Rob Manning is out today. They followed Oregon students FOR 13 YEARS!!! to document their lives from kindergarten through high school to track the goal of 100% graduation rates
Reposted by Erik Neumann
Anne McEnerny-Ogle won a third term as mayor of Vancouver on Tuesday night, beating her opponent Justin Forsman by a wide margin. Voters in Vancouver also appeared to be approving Proposition 5, based on early results.
Vancouver voters re-elect Mayor McEnerny-Ogle, show strong support for levy increasing police
The Southwest Washington mayor won a third term on Tuesday and voters appeared to be passing Proposition 5.
www.opb.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Anne McEnerny-Ogle won a third term as mayor of Vancouver on Tuesday night, beating her opponent Justin Forsman by a wide margin. Voters in Vancouver also appeared to be approving Proposition 5, based on early results.
A lot has been said about Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez's wins in Southwest Washington. Some are now trying to copy that success to flip the U.S. House in 2026
National groups are betting on blue-collar Democrats following Gluesenkamp Perez’s success
Southwest Washington Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s centrist politics are being seen as a template for the 2026 mid-terms.
www.opb.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
A lot has been said about Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez's wins in Southwest Washington. Some are now trying to copy that success to flip the U.S. House in 2026
Reposted by Erik Neumann
Crosscut is dead. Long live Crosscut. Today’s the official last day for me and my Cascade PBS newsroom colleagues. We did good work over the decades and it is supremely sad to see it shut down.
October 31, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Crosscut is dead. Long live Crosscut. Today’s the official last day for me and my Cascade PBS newsroom colleagues. We did good work over the decades and it is supremely sad to see it shut down.
“We’ll talk later about whether that’s contempt,” the judge responded"
National Guard troops briefly deployed to Portland despite judge’s order, federal trial reveals
The revelation came to light today in federal court in Portland, where U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut will decide if President Trump acted lawfully or violated the state’s rights by trying t...
www.opb.org
October 30, 2025 at 12:26 AM
“We’ll talk later about whether that’s contempt,” the judge responded"
On top of cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, some families are now contending with closures of low-income child care www.opb.org/article/2025...
Head Start programs in Southwest Washington start to shrink as federal funding dries up
Grant funding for the low-income early learning program will expire for some programs starting on Saturday. Oregon Head Start is still funded for two more months.
www.opb.org
October 30, 2025 at 12:19 AM
On top of cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, some families are now contending with closures of low-income child care www.opb.org/article/2025...
Remember to vote! There are some important and contested races in Southwest Washington. Here are a few that stand out
In Oregon, voters in just 17 of the state’s 36 counties are casting ballots by Nov. 4 in special elections. Each of Washington’s 39 counties will have an election, due to the statewide constitutional amendment that would allow the state’s long-term care fund to be invested.
Oregon, Washington voters have one week to get their ballots in
Oregon and Washington voters have a few more days to fill out their ballots. Here’s what you need to know.
www.opb.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Remember to vote! There are some important and contested races in Southwest Washington. Here are a few that stand out
Reposted by Erik Neumann
A controversial billboard on I-5 between Seattle and Portland has a new owner, the Chehalis Tribe, and a simple message: “Native land.”
Uncle Sam billboard on I-5 goes from right-wing zingers to a statement of Native rights
The 70-year saga of the Uncle Sam billboard on I-5 south of Chehalis and its provocative, right-wing messaging took an abrupt turn this summer when the billboard and the 3.5 acres on which it sits was...
www.kuow.org
October 27, 2025 at 10:56 PM
A controversial billboard on I-5 between Seattle and Portland has a new owner, the Chehalis Tribe, and a simple message: “Native land.”
Hard to explain the significance of salmon being recorded in Upper Klamath Lake, beyond all the river’s dams. Another example of the success of the largest dam removal in U.S. history
Salmon clear last Klamath dams, reaching Williamson and Sprague rivers
Just a year after four dams were removed, a group of fall Chinook have migrated nearly 300 miles into the Upper Klamath Basin.
www.opb.org
October 19, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Hard to explain the significance of salmon being recorded in Upper Klamath Lake, beyond all the river’s dams. Another example of the success of the largest dam removal in U.S. history
An ethics complaint was filed against a Vancouver city councilor. The allegations have mostly been dismissed but it was filed curiously close to her re-election bid on Nov. 4.
Vancouver City Councilor Kim Harless fends off ethics complaint ahead of general election
City officials on Monday said an investigation is expected to conclude in early December.
www.opb.org
October 15, 2025 at 3:20 PM
An ethics complaint was filed against a Vancouver city councilor. The allegations have mostly been dismissed but it was filed curiously close to her re-election bid on Nov. 4.
The small protests at Portland's ICE building are filled with a whole variety of social media influencers and online streamers.
As one researcher described it to me: "they start out with an ideological vision of the world and then narrate what they see in a way that fits that vision."
As one researcher described it to me: "they start out with an ideological vision of the world and then narrate what they see in a way that fits that vision."
Right-wing influencers shape nation and Trump’s understanding of Portland protests
Social media personalities, conservative media outlets and the Trump administration itself are blending online content to serve the administration’s policies.
www.opb.org
October 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The small protests at Portland's ICE building are filled with a whole variety of social media influencers and online streamers.
As one researcher described it to me: "they start out with an ideological vision of the world and then narrate what they see in a way that fits that vision."
As one researcher described it to me: "they start out with an ideological vision of the world and then narrate what they see in a way that fits that vision."
Loved this snapshot of life in rural California from @romanbattaglia.com. A much-needed break from the news
Please give me more dog related stories to do because this one was so much fun 🐶🐑 @jpradio.bsky.social #publicradio #sheepdogs #bordercollie #journalism www.ijpr.org/outdoors-lei...
In rural California, the best sheepdogs compete to be North America's top dog
The top 150 sheepdogs in the U.S. and Canada gathered in rural Modoc County, California, this month for the national sheepdog finals.
www.ijpr.org
October 9, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Loved this snapshot of life in rural California from @romanbattaglia.com. A much-needed break from the news
Reposted by Erik Neumann
Lots of federal workers are going without pay right now. Washington and Oregon want you to know stopgap benefits are available
Washington and Oregon employment offices announce benefits for furloughed federal workers
Workers laid off because of the government shutdown may be eligible for state employment benefits.
www.opb.org
October 2, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Lots of federal workers are going without pay right now. Washington and Oregon want you to know stopgap benefits are available
Reposted by Erik Neumann
President Donald Trump is sending 300 California National Guard members to Oregon after a judge blocked the administration from deploying that state’s guard to Portland, according to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
apnews.com/article/nati...
apnews.com/article/nati...
California governor says Trump is sending 300 California National Guard members to Oregon
California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the Trump administration is sending 300 California National Guard members to Oregon.
apnews.com
October 5, 2025 at 5:56 PM
President Donald Trump is sending 300 California National Guard members to Oregon after a judge blocked the administration from deploying that state’s guard to Portland, according to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
apnews.com/article/nati...
apnews.com/article/nati...
“This country has a longstanding and foundational tradition of resistance to government overreach,” Immergut wrote in her opinion, “especially in the form of military intrusion into civil affairs.”
Immergut was appointed by President Trump in 2019.
Immergut was appointed by President Trump in 2019.
Judge grants restraining order halting Trump’s deployment of Oregon National Guard
The judge’s decision in Portland comes as the administration deploys the National Guard to a number of American cities.
opb.org
October 5, 2025 at 12:09 AM
“This country has a longstanding and foundational tradition of resistance to government overreach,” Immergut wrote in her opinion, “especially in the form of military intrusion into civil affairs.”
Immergut was appointed by President Trump in 2019.
Immergut was appointed by President Trump in 2019.
Reposted by Erik Neumann
Apropos of nothing -- Portland police arrested and shot munitions at dozens of journalists in 2020. I don't remember a DOJ investigation then.
Let's talk a bit about the broader context of the DOJ's newly announced investigation of the Portland Police's arrest of "conservative" influencer Nick Sortor. For context, Sortor is one of over a dozen far right "citizen journalists" who has come to Portland. www.cnn.com/2025/10/03/u...
Arrest of conservative influencer Nick Sortor outside Portland ICE building now under federal investigation | CNN
A conservative influencer who this week posted videos of clashes outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon, has been released without bond after he was arrested late...
www.cnn.com
October 3, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Apropos of nothing -- Portland police arrested and shot munitions at dozens of journalists in 2020. I don't remember a DOJ investigation then.
$400 million in climate grants cut
"The projects are in the following states: CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, MD, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OR, VT, WA" -Russell Vought
"The projects are in the following states: CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, MD, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OR, VT, WA" -Russell Vought
Oregon is set to lose an additional $400 million in federal grants awarded for climate action and is among more than a dozen Democratic states losing federal funding after the Trump administration terminated nearly $8 billion for those states this week.
Oregon to lose an additional $400 million in federal climate grants
Oregon and 15 other Democratic states are losing nearly $8 billion toward climate projects, after the Trump administration terminated multiple federal grants.
www.opb.org
October 3, 2025 at 12:58 AM
$400 million in climate grants cut
"The projects are in the following states: CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, MD, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OR, VT, WA" -Russell Vought
"The projects are in the following states: CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, MD, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OR, VT, WA" -Russell Vought
Lots of federal workers are going without pay right now. Washington and Oregon want you to know stopgap benefits are available
Washington and Oregon employment offices announce benefits for furloughed federal workers
Workers laid off because of the government shutdown may be eligible for state employment benefits.
www.opb.org
October 2, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Lots of federal workers are going without pay right now. Washington and Oregon want you to know stopgap benefits are available
With Vancouver pushing another levy to fund police officers next month, here's a look at why there's such a law enforcement shortage in the Southwest Washington city
4 things to know about Vancouver’s proposed police levy this November
After a failed effort in 2024, the city of Vancouver will again put a public safety funding levy on the ballot during the Nov. 4 general election. Ballots will be mailed out Oct. 17.
www.opb.org
October 1, 2025 at 3:21 PM
With Vancouver pushing another levy to fund police officers next month, here's a look at why there's such a law enforcement shortage in the Southwest Washington city
Reposted by Erik Neumann
The 60-day deployment of the National Guard to Portland ordered by President Trump on Sunday is expected to cost federal taxpayers at least $3.8 million.
Portland troop deployment expected to cost at least $3.8 million
Oregon lawmakers held a hearing on President Trump’s order for the first time Tuesday
www.opb.org
October 1, 2025 at 12:39 AM
The 60-day deployment of the National Guard to Portland ordered by President Trump on Sunday is expected to cost federal taxpayers at least $3.8 million.