AGP Executive Report

Queer & Feminist Publishing: The Oregon Queer History Collective’s “Lavendar Beacon” spotlights how regional LGBTQ+ and feminist print magazines shaped culture in the 1970s–80s, with Portland State’s archives as a springboard. Reality TV Buzz: “Love Island USA” season 8 premieres June 2 on Peacock, with Oregon’s own Vasana Montgomery removed from the cast after a racial slur controversy. Local Sports: Oregon’s men’s rugby team rebounded to win the D1AA Sevens title, while Oregon Ducks baseball advanced in the Eugene Regional and heads to a Super Regional. Community & Arts: “The Home Project” opens at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum in Ashland, using portrait photography and interviews to amplify voices of people facing housing insecurity. Wildfire Prep: Smoke Ready Week kicks off June 1, urging Oregonians to get filters and ventilation ready for a potentially early, smoky season. Public Safety: A domestic disturbance in Sandy left multiple people dead and ended with a suspect in custody. LEGO for Adults: June’s LEGO lineup includes major franchise sets like a huge Lord of the Rings build and the first-ever Shrek sets.

Oregon Education & Community: A Bend reader argues public schools are the “backbone” of communities, urging Anchorage to protect school quality and availability. Arts Education Under Pressure: A national debate over the “death of art school” highlights closures and the shift toward market-driven models, with Oregon College of Art and Craft cited among casualties. Local Health & Care: Good Shepherd expanded specialty clinic space in Hermiston, adding rooms for dermatology, endocrinology, neurology, interventional radiology, and more. Rogue Valley Fundraiser: Unite for Ukraine Rogue Valley hosted a sunflowers-and-solidarity barn benefit for 24 resettled families, with live music and auctions. Sports Spotlight (Oregon): Phoenix’s Ethan Dobbins won the 4A high jump at state in Eugene; Crater’s track program earned multiple titles and a boys team trophy. Reality TV: Love Island USA removed Oregon’s Vasana Montgomery after resurfaced racist slur videos. Public Policy: Oregon’s IP 28 measure would ban hunting, fishing, and livestock farming, with signature counts pushing toward the ballot threshold.

Oregon Sports Spotlight: The Portland Fire kept rolling, beating the Indiana Fever 100-84 in a sellout, with Caitlin Clark held to six points while Carla Leite and Emily Engstler posted double-doubles. NCAA Baseball (Eugene Regional): Oregon’s Will Sanford struck out a career-high 14 as the Ducks shut out Washington State 4-0, then OSU stayed alive with a 9-2 win over Yale; OSU and WSU meet again Sunday in an elimination game at PK Park. High School Track (Salem/Eugene): OSAA state meets wrapped with standout performances across 6A, 5A and 4A, including West Linn’s strong showing in the team standings. Local Community & Outdoors: Eugene’s Trainsong Park dioxin cleanup plans are getting clearer after new soil testing found contamination down about two feet. Entertainment & Pop Culture: Love Island USA Season 8 is set to premiere June 2, but Vasana Montgomery was removed after racist video allegations. Weather: A rare blue moon should be mostly visible across Oregon with mostly clear skies.

Oregon Sports Spotlight: Oregon opened the Eugene Regional with a 14-2 rout of Yale, then will face Washington State next after WSU edged Oregon State 3-2. WNBA Night in Portland: The Indiana Fever visit the Portland Fire at Moda Center (8 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+). State Fair Music: Oregon State Fair added Walker Hayes (Aug. 30) and Ben Fuller (Sept. 2) to its 2026 concert lineup, with “Weird Al” Yankovic closing the series Sept. 7. Local Arts & Travel: The Society turned a 1937 Columbia Gorge schoolhouse into a boutique hotel spa—soaking pools, sauna, and quiet views included. Food Fun: Portland’s June calendar leans hard into strawberry shortcake, with statewide specials plus a “Score, a Baker Fair” event benefiting Zenger Farm. Outdoor/Community: Wildwood Folk School is teaching foraging with a purpose—turning invasive plants into soap, baskets, and dye. Legal/Brand Clash: Patagonia sued Bend drag climate activist Pattie Gonia over trademark claims, and she’s fighting back.

Oregon Baseball (Eugene Regional): No. 11 Oregon rolled past Yale 14-2 and sets up a Saturday showdown with Washington State at PK Park, with Toby Twist praised for relief work and Naulivou Lauaki Jr. going deep. Oregon Sports Spotlight: Oregon State dropped its Eugene Regional opener to WSU 3-2 and is back in the losers bracket. Local Arts & Community: Welding students in Eastern Oregon built 70+ sunflower sculptures for Cason’s Place in Pendleton, blending real-world skills with grief-support fundraising. Film/TV Pop Culture: Peacock revealed the cast for “Love Island USA” Season 8, including Paralympian Beatriz Hatz. Oregon Culture & Travel: A Frank Lloyd Wright Gordon House in Silverton reopens for its annual Open Museum on June 6. Food & Drink: A Rogue Valley vineyard is launching orange wines—complete with a federal label disclaimer—plus a sparkling version. Public Safety: SeaTac is distributing naloxone to hotels ahead of World Cup crowds.

Local Sports Branding: Corry athletics unveiled new middle-high school logos and marks after years of borrowing Oregon State-style branding, aiming for a cohesive identity on scoreboards and uniforms. Portland Dining: A Tigard whole-roasted-chicken deal has food fans buzzing, while a separate roundup spotlights four Oregon pizzerias named among America’s best by Italy’s 50 Top Pizza list. WNBA Night in Portland: The Portland Fire host the Atlanta Dream at Moda Center on Friday, riding a three-game win streak. Eugene Infrastructure: The Chambers Street bridge in Eugene has reopened after a $4.3 million seismic retrofit and long construction delays. Oregon Arts & Pride: Newberg’s Art Elements Gallery launches “Places of Hope” June 2, and Lake Oswego plus Wilsonville plan Pride Month celebrations in June. Tech/Privacy: Connecticut joins Oregon and other states in banning the sale of precise geolocation data. Legal Fight: DOJ escalates its ICE standoff by suing Oregon and Washington over refusal to issue undercover license plates. Sports TV Guide: Dream vs. Fire and NCAA baseball regional coverage are set for Friday viewing.

Jacksonville Culture & Outdoors: Jacksonville’s June lineup leans hard into experiences—paragliding and hang gliding take over for Rat Route 238 (June 8-13) with vineyard stops and live music, while the Southern Oregon Lavender Trail opens for two lavender-filled weekends (June 19-21 and July 10-12) across six farms. Wine & Town Vibes: The Jacksonville Wine Trolley keeps rolling in June with hop-on, hop-off access to tastings and downtown stops, and the town’s three-trolley system is back in full swing for weddings, shuttles, and special events. Food & Entertainment: José Andrés’ Barmini in Washington, DC starts serving Wildtype’s cultivated salmon on June 3, adding another high-profile chef embrace of lab-grown seafood. Shopping: Woodburn Premium Outlets brings back National Outlet Shopping Day June 11-14 with four days of extra discounts and loyalty perks. Local Sports: East Valley High’s June 3 college signing day spotlights 17 student-athletes heading to schools across the region. Sports TV/Events: NCAA baseball regionals kick off Friday with a full TV schedule and streaming options.

WNBA Spotlight: Portland Fire kept rolling, beating the Connecticut Sun 71-61 as Carla Leite scored 20 and the Fire held the lead late. Salmonella Recall: A specialty beverage recall tied to Salmonella has spread across 25 states, including Oregon. Oregon Sports Pipeline: New York Jets rookie TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon) is out after hernia surgery, with coach Aaron Glenn saying he should return during training camp. Public Safety Tech: Oregon is moving forward on statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 through a partnership with Lumen and Intrado. Local Arts & Community: Salem’s Elsinore Theater marks 100 years and is finishing a façade restoration while awaiting more upgrades. Summer Fun in Oregon: Elgin’s downtown outdoor market returns June 5 with weekly live music, produce, and vendors. Health & Mental Well-Being: An OHSU-led study finds veterans with cancer face elevated suicide attempt risk that can last for years. Mural Festival: Clatskanie’s 2026 Mural Festival is set for June 20 with tours, art activities, and local muralists.

Arts Tax Overhaul: Portland City Council advanced major reforms to the Arts Education and Access Tax, aiming to protect arts funding for public school teachers while easing the burden on low-income residents. State Parks Day: Oregon will waive parking fees at state parks on June 6, with special events planned across the system. Eugene 4J Budget: Eugene 4J adopted next year’s $531.9M budget after closing a $46.4M deficit, relying on cuts to staff, services, and programs plus one-time funds. Pet Care & Behavior: A new Veterinary Apothecary segment spotlights drug therapies for canine noise aversion and separation anxiety, including the FDA-approved Tessie. Immersive Storytelling: UO Snap AR Scholars are using augmented reality to preserve a Coquille Sasquatch legend for modern audiences. Sports Betting Policy: A bipartisan AG coalition led by Ohio’s Dave Yost urged the CFTC to recognize state authority over sports-related prediction markets, arguing they function like unregulated sportsbooks. WNBA in Portland: Portland Fire host the Indiana Fever May 30 at Moda Center, with Caitlin Clark expected to draw a big crowd.

State Parks Day: Oregon State Parks is waiving day-use parking fees for Oregon residents on June 6, with staff clearing storm damage and upgrading utilities ahead of the summer rush. Community Arts: Eastern Oregon University’s Nightingale Gallery wraps its 2025-26 season with an All-Campus Juried Student Exhibition (May 20–June 12), plus a juror talk and awards. Music & Performance: EOU’s Chamber Choir presents “We Are One” on May 28 (free admission) with student conductors leading a unity-themed program. Local Entertainment Calendar: First Fridays Open Mic returns June 5 at the Oregon VFW (free, lottery for performer slots at 6:15). Sports Spotlight: Oregon’s own Jillian Hammer headlines regional track success, while NCAA baseball and softball postseason coverage keeps Oregon teams in the mix. Wildlife & Environment: A Gulf whale conservation interview spotlights the Rice’s whale and the stakes for one of the rarest populations on Earth. Consumer/Local News: An Oregon man won $800,000 after a jury found his cat died from bird-flu-tainted pet food.

Eastern Oregon Chinese cowboy dig: Archaeologists and community historians are digging into Stewart Ranch in Grant County, a remote site now part of ODFW’s Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area, to recover the stories of early Chinese ranch hands and cowboys—names like Buckaroo Sam and Hi Moon—who left few paper trails but shaped the frontier. Washington chemical disaster: Across the Columbia River, a major chemical explosion/implosion at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview has killed at least one person and left multiple workers injured, with others unaccounted for as crews work around unstable tanks. Local fires and recovery: In Southern Oregon, the Blackwell fire’s containment line is complete and evacuation levels were lowered, while mop-up continues. Sports on the move: Portland’s Pickles debut their new bat dog Wilma at Walker Stadium, and Oregon’s college and high school athletes keep stacking postseason moments. Kids online fight: Oregon AG Nick Brown joins a coalition pushing back on the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state protections for children online.

Online Safety Crackdown: Connecticut AG William Tong says his state is investigating Roblox after reports of child exploitation, arguing the company profited while failing to protect kids. Local Crime: In Medford, an Oregon man accused of posing as a utility worker and using a stun gun in a kidnapping attempt was stopped by an 85-year-old resident, who helped the victim escape. Native Land Restoration: Northwestern Shoshone leader Brad Parry won the Schnitzer Prize of the West for restoring the Bear River Massacre site near Preston, Idaho—“our Arlington Cemetery,” he calls it. Oregon Sports: Oregon hosts NCAA Baseball Regionals with the Ducks as the No. 11 overall seed and Oregon State the No. 2 seed at PK Park. Planning & Growth: Sisters’ Urban Growth Boundary expansion cleared a key step with a 3-2 Planning Commission vote. World Cup Buzz: FIFA’s 2026 base-camp map is out, showing where national teams will train across North America.

MLB Debut Buzz: Rikuu Nishida is officially in the majors, launching his Chicago White Sox career with a 3-1 win over the Twins—seven putouts in right field, a run-saving throw to the plate, and yes, he lost his left shoe in the moment. Lottery Watch: Powerball is rolling into Memorial Day with an estimated $141 million jackpot for Monday’s drawing. Gas Watch (Oregon): Diesel prices are easing in parts of the state, with Klamath County hitting a low of $5.95 in the week ending May 16, while Wallowa County’s regular gas dipped to $5.09. Memorial Day in Oregon: Salem hosted the statewide ceremony with Gov. Tina Kotek, and Medford dedicated a new Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall outside Rogue X. Outdoors & Travel: Camp Chimp ranked Oregon’s top campgrounds from 2025 reviews—Ice Cap made the list.

NCAA Baseball Bracket Drops: The Road to Omaha is officially underway after the 64-team NCAA baseball bracket was revealed Monday, with regionals starting May 29 and the College World Series in Omaha ending June 22/23. Big Ten Drama: UCLA won the Big Ten Tournament title in the most dramatic way possible—another walk-off, this time a hit-by-pitch in the 11th to beat Oregon 3-2, after multiple extra-inning wins. Mountain West Momentum: Washington State punched its ticket to the NCAA tournament by run-ruling San Diego State 14-4, then waits to learn its regional destination. Oregon Sports Spotlight: Oregon is set for the Eugene regional as the bracket shakes out, while Oregon’s baseball season keeps turning into a postseason storyline. Wildhorse Foundation Grants: Wildhorse Foundation handed out $495,628 in quarterly grants across 35 Oregon-area organizations, including public health, arts, and salmon restoration. Yakama vs. Data Power: Yakama Nation leaders protested a clean-energy storage project tied to a sacred site, arguing a data center campus could be the real beneficiary.

ODOT Tax Reversal: Oregon voters crushed the transportation tax/fee package, with 83.1% voting to throw it out and no county coming close—an across-the-board “everybody hates ODOT” moment that could shake up state offices fast. NCAA Baseball: UCLA’s Phoenix Call was hit in the 11th, the call stood after review, and the Bruins beat Oregon 3-2 to win the Big Ten title—then Oregon learned it’ll host the 2026 Eugene Regional at PK Park. Regional Reality Check: Oregon State won’t host a regional for the first time since 2023, while NCAA regional sites are set for May 29–June 1. Local Life: A new Portland Art Museum cafe, Coquelico, is drawing downtown lingerers with serious food and a reason to stay. Safety Watch: Firefighters contained a Salem blaze at the Oregon State Fire Marshal warehouse, protecting wildfire equipment. Sports & Community: South Eugene’s distance crew swept SWC distance titles, and a Portland wishing tree keeps collecting strangers’ hopes after 13 years.

Oregon Sports Spotlight: The Ducks are rolling in the Big Ten baseball tournament—No. 12 Oregon beat No. 11 Washington after a weather delay, then shut out No. 2 Nebraska 8-0 to set up a Sunday title game vs. No. 1 UCLA at noon PT. Memorial Day in Oregon: Offices and courts are closed, but emergency services run as usual; stock markets are closed too. Local Summer Fun: Lincoln City is bringing back Fourth of July fireworks over Devil’s Lake (not Siletz Bay) after 2025’s drone show, with shuttle service starting at 7 p.m. Public Safety Debate: The U.S. has nearly 100,000 automated license plate reader cameras, and cities are starting to push back as activists target the surveillance model. Wildfire Prep: Oregon emergency managers are urging residents to build go-bags, map evacuation routes, and check wildfire insurance now. Track & Field: North Eugene’s Derek Earl swept sprint titles, and Oregon’s Jillian Hammer won the 300 hurdles at IHSA state.