Dirk VanderHart

The coast guard has declined to offer any details on why it removed the helicopter without notice. Its leader apparently said today it always planned to return it for crabbing season, which begins in a couple weeks.

US Coast Guard returns rescue helicopter to Newport The U.S. Coast Guard has permanently returned its rescue helicopter to Newport, after removing the aircraft without explanation in October. That’s according to Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, who sh...

The US Coast Guard told Oregon's US Senators that it will return a rescue helicopter to Newport permanently. A lawsuit over the helicopter's sudden removal in Oct is ongoing.

www.opb.org/article/2025...

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says she’s made progress on major issues. Even some fans are skeptical As the governor prepares to launch a reelection bid many believe will succeed, she may need to address the sense that she has underwhelmed.

With Gov. Tina Kotek's (long-expected) announcement that she's running for reelection this morning, it's the perfect time to revisit our comprehensive look at how her first term has gone. #orpol

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Opponents of Oregon gas tax increase say they’ve cleared key hurdle to let voters weigh in The initiative needed roughly 78,000 signatures by Dec. 30 to qualify for next year’s election. Backers say they have more than 150,000.

Here's a look at the signature-gathering campaign -- including a visit to a Portland coffeeshop whose owner is collecting referral signatures. #orpol

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Assuming those signatures are legit, Gov. Tina Kotek will want to start getting ready to lay off hundreds of ODOT workers -- or finding another option.

A successful referral would freeze taxes Dems say they need to fund those positions. #orpol

The campaign hoping to refer Oregon's newly passed gas tax increase to next year's ballot now says it has more than 150,000 signatures -- roughly double of what it needs. #orpol

A federal defense contractor seeks hundreds of coastal Oregon hotel rooms, city of Newport says It’s just one recent sign that interest over an immigrant detention facility on the coast hasn’t faded.

There are new signs of life for a rumored immigrant detention center in Newport. #orpol

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Oregon attorney general, county prosecutors warn federal officers that excessive force will be investigated Elected prosecutors from Oregon’s three largest counties along with Oregon’s attorney general say they’ll investigate federal law enforcement officers when their actions appear criminal.

Four of Oregon’s top lawyers are “highly concerned” about immigration officers stopping a group of teenagers at gunpoint in October and, last week, arresting a high school student on his lunch break.

With ICE (maybe) waiting in the wings, Newport sits in limbo A missing helicopter and a possible immigrant detention center have roiled the coastal city.

We took a look earlier today at the weeks-long saga that has roiled Newport since the helicopter left -- and ICE started sniffing around.

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U.S. Coast Guard must return rescue helicopter to Newport, judge rules The temporary order comes just three days after a lawsuit challenging the removal

That was quick.

A federal judge has ordered the Coast Guard to immediately return a rescue helicopter it quietly moved away from Newport last month.

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A federal contractor is looking to hire ICE detention officers in Newport It’s the latest sign U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcment is planning a major new facility on the Oregon Coast.

There is growing evidence ICE is planning a new detention center on the Oregon coast. The latest: an ICE contractor is hiring "detention officers" in Newport. #orpol

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Inquiry from defense contractor spurred concern about ICE facility on Oregon Coast A letter to the City of Newport last week suggested that unspecified federal operations are planned for December.

New: Speculation that ICE might be planning a new facility on the Oregon coast kicked off last week, when a federal contractor told Newport officials it would assist in a federal mission at the city's airport scheduled Dec 1. #orpol

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The second is that the city recently got an inquiry from a third-party contractor looking to lease space at the airport on behalf of an unnamed federal agency.

There are two reasons to believe they could be right.

The first is that the U.S Coast Guard recently relocated a rescue helicopter it has long stationed at the airport, potentially freeing up space.

Newport officials raise alarm about possible new ICE facility Rumors have spread since last week that the Trump administration is planning an outpost on Oregon's central coast.

I've been hearing all day about rumors that ICE wants to set up a new outpost on the Oregon coast. Newport officials say their airport is in the agency's sites. #orpol

www.opb.org/article/2025...

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek still hasn’t signed transportation funding bill, as pressure grows Even some Democrats are objecting as Kotek runs down the clock on the bill’s opponents.

Background:
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Gov. Tina Kotek has signed the transportation funding bill lawmakers passed over a month ago. Opponents now have until Dec 30 to collect enough signatures to send taxes in the bill to the ballot for voter approval. #orleg #orpol

This ruling has an impact on the lower court level.

U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut had been weighing whether to dissolve a restraining order barring Trump from sending in Guard troops. Now that the earlier appeals ruling is out, she no longer has to.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated a ruling that President Trump lawfully called the National Guard into Portland.

The court will hear the matter "en banc" after its judges voted to take up the case.

Drazan's candidate committee is already showing her in the gov's race. #orpol

Gov. Tina Kotek has not announced her reelection bid yet. But her campaign is tweeting this out on the morning Christine Drazan will announce her own gubernatorial run.

Betsy Johnson ran against both women in 2022. And her tune on Kotek was very different then. #orpol

Related:

Republican Christine Drazan appointed to Oregon Senate The former house republican leader is expected to announce she’ll run for governor in 2026.

State Rep. Christine Drazan just pursued -- and won -- an open Senate seat, even though she plans to run for governor.

That may seem confusing until you realize Senators can raise political cash during legislative session. Reps cannot. #orleg #orpol

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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.

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.

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Before Tom Dundon agreed to buy the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon accused the company he created of predatory lending In 2020, Oregon sued Tom Dundon’s former company for allegedly preying on Oregonians through high-interest car loans they couldn’t afford in a case involving more than 265,000 borrowers nationwide.

Way before Tom Dundon was the potential savior of one of Oregon's most beloved institutions, the state accused him of being a car loan shark. (My words not theirs.)

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New: According to staff, the Senate floor session scheduled for tomorrow is likely to be delayed again -- by perhaps weeks -- because Sen Chris Gorsek can't make it to the Capitol.

Gorsek has been battling health problems, but is needed to pass a tax package. #orleg #orpol

Gov. Tina Kotek’s transportation funding package clears Oregon House, moves to Senate The tax bill needed help from a moderate Republican to make it over the finish line Monday.

Just last week, Hartman was the lone House Democrat to vote against a transportation funding bill proposed by Gov Tina Kotek. #orleg #orpol

www.opb.org/article/2025...

Notable #orleg news. State Rep. Annessa Hartman, D-Gladstone, says she won't run for re-election. Instead she's seeking a seat on the Clackamas County Commission.

Hartman does not have many positive things to say about legislative politics in her announcement.

Oregon state Rep. Cyrus Javadi switched political teams, registers as a Democrat The move comes after Javadi took a tax vote this week that infuriated some Republicans.

NEW: State Rep. Cyrus Javadi is now a Democrat.

After a decisive vote in favor of Gov. Tina Kotek's transportation tax package on Monday, Javadi will seek reelection next year as a member of the majority party. #orpol #orleg

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Oregon Democrats put special session on hold amid key senator’s absence Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Gresham, is unable to come to the Capitol because of unspecified health struggles. His vote may be needed to pass Gov. Tina Kotek’s transportation funding bill.

New: A vote on the Gov Tina Kotek's transportation package is expected to be delayed by two weeks, with Sen. Chris Gorsek out for health reasons. #orleg

www.opb.org/article/2025...