AGP Executive Report

Governor’s Race: Oregon’s contest remains tight: Christine Drazan reported a $1 million check as two new polls suggested Gov. Tina Kotek may be ahead. Kotek is also turning to supportive influencers to reach voters. Schools and Accountability: Salem-Keizer plans to close six elementary schools, while a court ordered Portland City Councilor Dan Ryan to preserve all phone records. Local Services: Grants Pass extended a homeless shelter’s stay, but city concerns remain. Ducks Showdown: No. 13 Oregon hosts No. 21 UCLA today without injured quarterback Dante Moore; Dylan Raiola is set to start against the unbeaten Bruins.

Privacy and Surveillance: Sen. Ron Wyden is pressing the White House to release a long-withheld report on privacy risks from federal surveillance, including license-plate readers and phone records. Public Health: An OHSU-led study links late-night eating with higher risk of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, adding to concerns about meal timing and health. Portland Police: Newly released body-camera footage shows a suspect pointing a gun at officers before a shooting that fatally wounded a police K-9. Oregon Football: With quarterback Dante Moore ruled out, Dylan Raiola is set to start as the Ducks host unbeaten UCLA. Eugene Arts: Oregon’s first professional international piano competition brought eight semifinalists to the University of Oregon, with finalists competing Saturday for cash prizes and performance opportunities. State Politics: Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama says he won’t seek another term leading the Democratic caucus.

Food Insecurity: Umatilla County food banks are receiving less federal food as more households lose benefits. Oregon Food Bank’s USDA supplies fell about 17% in 2025-26, and one local pantry has seen donations cut in half. Consumer Protection: Oregon says it recovered $32.8 million for consumers as federal safeguards weakened; a multistate settlement also seeks refunds for people overcharged for generic drugs. State Politics: Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama will not seek another term leading the Democratic caucus. Housing and Growth: A new state law expands design options for factory-built homes, while Hillsboro is moving to restrict land for data centers. A large student housing project is also planned near Oregon State University. Higher Education: Oregon State’s agricultural college is facing a worsening funding shortfall, even as out-of-state students help drive the university’s enrollment near a record. Oregon Sports: Ducks quarterback Dante Moore is out of Saturday’s ranked matchup with UCLA while recovering from a concussion; Dylan Raiola will make his first start. Oregon basketball coach Dana Altman has retired after 16 seasons.

Oregon Politics: Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican challenger Christine Drazan faced off in Medford, with their second debate focused on policy. Multnomah County voters have until Oct. 13 to register or update their registration for the Nov. 3 election. Taxes: A coalition of unions and advocacy groups is launching a signature drive for a 2028 ballot measure that would tax some multimillionaires and cut taxes for low-income residents. Ducks: Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is out against No. 21 UCLA while recovering from a concussion; transfer Dylan Raiola will make his first start for the No. 13 Ducks. Oregon Basketball: Dana Altman retired after 16 seasons, leaving as the program’s winningest coach, with a Final Four run and nine NCAA Tournament appearances. Housing: A new report says Oregon’s permanent supportive housing program helped thousands remain housed; Portland also plans 24 permanently affordable townhomes at the former Mt. Tabor Annex, with construction expected in 2028. Climate: Oregon’s drought has eased slightly, but forecasters warn conditions could keep the problem going or make it worse. Education: Oregon State welcomed 37,460 students this fall, including nearly 10,000 new students.

Oregon Basketball: Dana Altman is retiring after 16 seasons, saying he no longer has the energy to lead the Ducks to their potential. Assistant Tony Stubblefield will take over for the coming season as Oregon searches for a successor. Governor’s Race: Tina Kotek and Christine Drazan clashed in a Medford debate over housing, homelessness, health care, senior services and data centers, with ballots set to arrive next week. Women’s Health: Phil and Penny Knight pledged $1.1 billion to build Oregon’s first hospital dedicated to women’s health at Providence St. Vincent and expand heart care and research. Tech and Jobs: Intel and Applied Materials will collaborate on chipmaking research at Intel’s Hillsboro campus, including advanced packaging for AI computing. Housing Stability: A new report says Oregon’s permanent supportive housing programs helped thousands of residents remain housed. Energy Costs: A think tank estimates Oregon households could pay about $9,000 more for energy through 2040 under federal policy changes.

Oregon Basketball: Dana Altman retired immediately after 16 seasons, leaving as the Ducks’ winningest coach. Assistant Tony Stubblefield will lead the team this season. Ducks Football: Quarterback Dante Moore is unlikely to play against UCLA as he recovers from a concussion, putting transfer Dylan Raiola in line for his first Oregon start. Housing: A state report says supportive-housing funds backed 1,136 homes from 2020 to 2025; 763 are open and operating, helping people with chronic homelessness stay housed. 2026 Election: Oregon’s governor’s race remains tight as Tina Kotek and Christine Drazan trade criticism on the campaign trail. Privacy: Sen. Ron Wyden is backing a push to ban Flock surveillance cameras in Oregon, calling them a tool of mass inspection. Education: Eugene teacher Nate Jackson was named Oregon’s 2026-27 Teacher of the Year for his teaching and mentorship.

Oregon Politics & Policy: Oregon’s Secretary of State won’t investigate a police chief’s statements, while lawmakers and advocates keep pushing on campus sexual assault and housing “2.0” ideas as the governor’s race tightens. Elections & Accountability: A crypto political group is backing a bipartisan slate of House candidates, including Oregon Rep. Janelle Bynum with $1 million. Public Health: A new study finds bans on gender-affirming care for minors don’t increase suicide rates, even as an Oregon professor disputes whether the research is precise enough. Wildlife & Environment: Oregon wildlife officials expand chronic wasting disease testing and check stations for deer and elk, aiming for early detection before the disease spreads. Local Community: The Alano Club of Portland highlights recovery support and expanded meeting services, and Eastern Oregon University reports major enrollment and graduation momentum. Sports (Oregon-focused): Oregon prepares for UCLA with quarterback uncertainty, while Philomath’s girls soccer rolls to a 9-0 win and Oregon CWD testing remains a key statewide watch item.

Newborn health in Oregon: Oregon is starting enrollment for a nationwide study testing whether genome sequencing can be added to routine newborn screening, with recruitment through PeaceHealth-Eugene and OHSU and families able to self-enroll statewide. Local powerlifting in Sisters: The High Desert Museum? No—Sisters hosted the USPA State Championships at Level 5 Barbell Club, where local lifters set multiple Oregon state records. Klamath arts boost: Klamath Community College launched its first artist-in-residence program, with a two-month residency and a stipend, display space, and campus lab access. County governance: Grant County Court will appoint a new public health administrator at its Oct. 7 meeting and consider an agreement for animal shelter kits during disasters. Energy costs: AAA reports gas and diesel prices continue to edge down in Oregon, though they remain high for this time of year. Sports tech: WSU athletics signed a multi-year AI communications partnership with FanWord to automate more consistent storytelling.

Sisters assault arrest: Deschutes County deputies arrested 31-year-old Royce Shipley of Sisters after a reported disturbance at a North Woodson Street apartment left an adult woman and two juveniles injured; authorities say he entered without permission and assaulted occupants, then surrendered after CERT and a K-9 unit helped contain him. He faces first-degree burglary, strangulation, assault, harassment, menacing, and interfering with a report. Oregon health care access: Oregon launched a new Medicaid in-home option, “Agency with Choice,” letting eligible older adults and people with disabilities manage recruitment, training, scheduling, and supervision of in-home care providers. Oregon education costs: OSU’s Student Fee Committee set parameters for the 2028 incidental fee, prioritizing basic needs and student org costs, with a likely 2–4% increase. Local community support: Right Track Resource Center in La Grande named Madison Smith as its new manager as it prepares for winter warming shelter operations and a search for a new home. Sports (UO): Dan Lanning said QB Dante Moore practiced in concussion protocol with pads and a helmet ahead of Oregon’s ranked matchup with UCLA at Autzen.

Oregon Government Watch: The Oregon Department of Administrative Services released its three-year progress report on Gov. Tina Kotek’s agency expectations, highlighting improvements in customer service, performance, coordination, audit follow-through, and modernization across the executive branch. Public Safety & Health: Oregon Caves is bringing back Haunted Candlelight Tours for two nights only—Oct. 24 and Oct. 31—with reservations on Recreation.gov. Local Sports: Bend High won the boys and girls team titles at the Oxford Classic in Drake Park, with Caldera’s Maddie Carney and Bend High’s Caden Wenger taking individual honors. Campus Accountability: The University of Oregon reported five sexual assault cases in the first week of classes, tying the discussion to state protections under the Campus Survivors Act. Statewide Outdoors: Oregon officials are urging early flu and other seasonal immunizations as respiratory virus season ramps up. Business & Community: Mountain Capital Partners announced $9 lift tickets at all nine of its U.S. ski resorts, including Oregon, for this winter. Oregon Spotlight: An Oregon fisherman was rescued after using Apple earphones and Siri to call for help when trapped under a boulder.

Public Safety: Portland police say a 15-year-old student faces attempted murder and domestic terrorism charges after mixing chemicals in a Benson Polytechnic High School cafeteria on Sept. 8, sending him to the hospital in critical condition and prompting evacuation of more than 100 people. Education & Budgets: Portland Public Schools will release Monday’s first list of schools that could close, as enrollment drops from 49,000 in 2019 to about 43,000 last year and officials warn the trend will keep shrinking kindergarten cohorts. Health & Animals: Warm Springs orphan foal “Adrian” remains in critical condition at Bend Equine Medical Center as pneumonia and weakness complicate recovery, with costs rising. Local Governance: The Coquille Indian Tribe will take ownership of the Na-So-Mah Memorial Garden in Bandon under a land transfer approved Sept. 15, creating a permanent place for tribal members to connect with ancestors. Sports (Oregon): Oregon’s Gamache/Snipes fell to UW’s Brown/Hay in AVCA Pairs action at the Alki Fall Classic, while Lake Oswego coach Steve Coury hit 300 career wins.

Oregon Ducks Football: Oregon jumped to No. 13 in the latest AP Top 25 while on a bye, setting up a ranked matchup next week at home against No. 21 UCLA; the big question is QB Dante Moore’s concussion status after backup Dylan Raiola led the win over USC. Oregon State Beavers Soccer: Oregon State men’s soccer picked up its first conference win, beating UC Riverside 4-1 at Paul Lorenz Field with a late scoring surge. College Football Rankings: The AP Top 25 saw major shakeups after Week 5—Missouri surged to No. 14 after routing Florida, while Alabama moved to No. 6 and Indiana to No. 7; Texas stayed No. 1. Public Health: A multistate alfalfa sprout outbreak tied to one seed lot has grown to 76 illnesses across 16 states, prompting wider recalls. Medicaid Watch: Five governors, including Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, warned Medicaid work-rule paperwork could cause coverage losses when federal requirements start in January. Legal/Privacy: A federal judge ruled warrantless access to Flock location data violated the Fourth Amendment, throwing out drug evidence in a separate case.

USC vs. Washington: Jahkeem Stewart returned a fumble 48 yards for the go-ahead TD as No. 18 USC rallied to beat the Huskies 25-21, easing pressure on Lincoln Riley after last week’s loss to Oregon. Oregon State football: The Beavers opened Pac-12 play with a 56-26 road win over Colorado State, with Braden Atkinson throwing for 413 yards and five TDs and Jesse Legree hauling in three TD catches. Coaching shake-up in Colorado: Colorado State fired defensive coordinator Tyson Summers after he was removed from play-calling mid-game during the Oregon State blowout. Local high school spotlight: Lake Oswego routed Oregon City 48-12, with Griffin Ellingson scoring the game-winning TD. Weather watch: October is expected to run warmer than average in the West, but forecasters warn of a “notable cold shot” that could bring frost risk and raise wildfire concerns. Portland teen charged: A 15-year-old Benson Polytechnic student faces attempted murder and terrorism charges after allegedly mixing toxic chemicals in a school cafeteria.

Portland Politics & Sports: The Portland Trail Blazers abruptly fired newly hired play-by-play broadcaster Braiden Bell after racist/sexist social media posts from his teen years resurfaced, hours after the team announced his job. Oregon Workforce: Central Oregon’s Heart of Oregon Corps opened a new $7.3 million youth workforce campus in Redmond, aiming to train 225 young adults a year for trades and wildfire-related work. Oregon Sports Safety: Oregon coach Dan Lanning drew praise for how he handled the Dante Moore injury after a dangerous hit, with former NFL player Dan Fouts calling the response “perfect.” Oregon College Football: Oregon State hosts Colorado State in Week 5, with OSU favored and the matchup framed as a test of Colorado State’s defense against Oregon State’s efficient offense. National Health Policy: The White House announced $90 payments for more than 20 million older Americans, tied to Medicare funding and pitched as a way to lower health costs. Local Tech & Privacy: Norfolk, Nebraska’s use of Flock license-plate cameras is facing renewed backlash from residents worried about privacy.

Oregon Politics: Gov. Tina Kotek and Sen. Christine Drazan traded sharp barbs in their first 2026 debate in Eugene, battling over taxes, data centers, affordability, and wildfire funding, with both sides also tying the other to Trump-era policies. Health & Money: A new explainer highlights how many patients with hospital bills may not have been properly screened for nonprofit charity care, and lays out what people can ask for and how long they have to apply. Local Fire Update: Evacuations for the Hatch Grade Fire in Walla Walla County were lifted after the blaze was reported at 70% contained. Sports (Oregon): Oregon volleyball rallied to beat Purdue 3-2 at Matthew Knight Arena after dropping the first two sets, while Oregon women’s soccer fell 1-0 to No. 10 UCLA on a late, heartbreaking finish. Business/Tech: Nvidia paused an AI program with Oregon schools and colleges, raising questions about how Oregon will keep building AI capacity.

Medical Debt & Access to Care: A new push in health care is using “presumptive eligibility” to automatically screen patients for hospital financial help, aiming to prevent people from getting stuck with bills they shouldn’t owe. Campus Safety: The University of Oregon says it received five sexual assault reports in the first week of classes, prompting a fresh crime warning as a national Cornell case drives renewed scrutiny. Climate & Transportation Policy: States and cities sued the Trump administration over EPA moves rolling back power-plant emissions limits, while another coalition challenges weakened fuel economy standards—both raising costs and climate concerns. Oregon Community Notes: Habitat for Humanity Rogue Valley opens a new ReStore in Medford Oct. 13, and the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport launches its 8th annual “MFR Sky Feet” socks design contest. Sports (Oregon angle): Oregon State volleyball beat Texas State in a tight Pac-12 opener, and Oregon high school football has a marquee West Linn vs. Tualatin matchup tonight.