ECONOMY & FINANCE ●Pop Drop. According to Census data analyzed by the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, Oregon saw an increase in out-migration last year: Nearly 160,000 people left the state in 2022, compared to 110,000 in 2020. ●Keeping Pace. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Oregon median household income increased 5.7% in 2022, roughly matching 6% inflation reported that year. HEALTH CARE ●Catch and Release. Marion County filed a lawsuit against the leaders of the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon State Hospital, claiming staffing shortages resulted in people with pending criminal charges being released into the community. POLITICS ●Gun Control on Trial. A state trial surrounding the constitutionality of Oregon’s Measure 114, which prohibits large- capacity firearm magazines and requires individuals obtain a permit before purchasing a gun, began in Harney County. ●Outfoxed. Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed suit against Fox Corporation, alleging that false claims about the 2020 election broadcast on Fox News caused losses to state employees’ retirement funds. ●Lame Ducks. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler announced he wouldn’t seek a third term in 2024. Less than a week later, Rosenblum said she would not seek a fourth term as attorney general. (Neither position is subject to term limits.) ●Rollback. A coalition backed by Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle, Nike founder Phil Knight and real estate mogul Jordan Schnitzer proposed a ballot measure that would adjust several parts of Oregon’s drug-decriminalization law, Measure 110 — notably making possession of hard drugs a crime again and mandating treatment. MANUFACTURING ●Hot Bot. Industrial robot designer Agility Robotics announced plans to build a manufacturing plant in Salem with the capacity to produce more than 10,000 humanoid robots a year. The 70,000-squarefoot plant could employ as many as 500 workers and is set to open later this year. ●Feeling Chipper. Chipmaker Intel signaled an expansion of its semiconductor manufacturing operations in Hillsboro, according to documents filed with state air-quality regulators for “additional fab space and associated emissions.” ●On the Verge of a Merger. A Fred Meyer spokesperson said no stores in Oregon are slated to be sold as Kroger and Albertsons solidify a $24.6 billion merger, but Kroger and Albertsons will sell 49 other Oregon stores to New Hampshire’s C&S Wholesale Grocers. TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ●Summertime Blues. The economic rebound of Portland’s hospitality industry stalled over the summer, according to bookings data from Travel Portland. ●Going Up. The city of Medford announced two four-story hotel constructions on the former site of the city’s I-5 exit 27. SPORTS ●Dame Time’s Up. After 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, All-Star guard Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Days after the deal was announced, Dewayne Hankins, the team’s president of business operations, said, “The team’s not for sale, it continues to not be for sale.” ●Ducking Out. Oregon State and Washington State sued the 10 other member schools that, until recently, belonged to the Pac-12 conference. Those schools, including University of Oregon, began departing in 2022 amid a major reorganization across college sports; OSU and WSU are seeking control of the conference moving forward. EDUCATION ●Climate Pressure. Hundreds of Portland-area students gathered in front of City Hall as part of a nationwide day of action by young people pushing politicians to issue emergency orders on climate change. REAL ESTATE ●On the Down Low. A report from real estate listing website Redfin found Oregon home prices decreased 1% yearover-year in August. FARMS & FORESTS ●Aw, Shoot. An investigation from the Oregon Department of Forestry indicated the Juniper Creek Fire, which started in August and burned 106 acres, was likely sparked by target shooting. ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT ●Justice Friends. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality announced Portland-based social, racial and environmental justice grantmaker Seeding Justice will lead the agency’s Community Climate Investment program, which collects and invests carbon offsets purchased by fuel suppliers. RESTAURANT & RETAIL ●Eat Up! Spending by diners at Oregon restaurants has increased 14% since the start of the year, according to a study published last month by USA Today — 9% higher than the national average. ⁄Newsfeed⁄ No Oregon Fred Meyer stores are slated to be sold as Kroger and Albertsons finalize a $24.6 billion merger. Robots creating jobs? Who knew? SHUTTERSTOCK 8
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