Erika Bolstad

Interior department issuing hundreds of oil and gas drilling permits during government shutdown - Center for Western Priorities New tracker monitors Trump administration permitting activity DENVER—As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, a new analysis by the Center for Western Priorities finds the Trump administrati...

“In the first 3 weeks of the government shutdown, the BLM has approved 308 applications for permits to drill (APDs) on national public lands. The majority of those permits (245) are in NM, with another 38 in WY. The rest of the permits were issued in Utah, Texas, North Dakota, Montana, & Oklahoma.”

Portland cyclists strip down in pouring rain to protest ICE facility and Trump troop deployment “We’re cold, but not as cold as ICE,” said a sign on one rider’s back.

“We’re cold, but not as cold as ICE,” said a sign on one rider’s back.

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.

Right-wing media influencers are now being welcomed into the federal government to promote its messages. This kind of media access shows a deepening alliance between the Trump administration and an online world willing to misrepresent facts if it means furthering political goals.

Exclusive: Fake cellphone tower likely surveilled protesters at Portland ICE facility Law enforcement officials may have deployed a secretive cellphone surveillance technology last weekend at Portland’s ICE facility.

“Although warrants are required to operate cell-site simulators, the devices can be used without judicial authorization in certain circumstances, such as when there is an immediate threat to national security.”
san.com/cc/exclusive...

Federal judge blocks Trump from deploying Oregon National Guard to Portland • Oregon Capital Chronicle This is a breaking news story and will be updated. A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from federalizing and deploying Oregon National Guard troops to Portland following a c...

BREAKING: A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from federalizing and deploying Oregon National Guard troops to Portland following a challenge from the state and the city of Portland.

oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/10/04/f... by @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social

What Happens When Socialists Are in Charge? Portland Offers a Glimpse.

Not only does this story get a number of basic facts wrong, it doesn’t take time to actually explore why Portlanders elected these folks. Coming in with a pre-baked PDX story to fit a NYT narrative about NYC is harmful, especially at this moment.

Federal agents fire tear gas, make multiple arrests during protest outside Portland ICE facility Hundreds of protesters marched to facility from nearby Elizabeth Carruthers Park in Southwest Portland.

Federal officers gassed a crowd of hundreds of protesters today outside the ICE facility in Portland.

Federal officer blasts chemical spray into vocal but nonviolent Portland protester, video shows

The interaction illustrates how federal law enforcement officers do use aggressive tactics against protesters who yell and needle officers but don’t appear to present clear physical threats.

Following suit against Trump, Oregon asks judge to issue order blocking Guard deployment • Oregon Capital Chronicle The request for temporary restraining order blocking troop deployment is part of a broader lawsuit against the Trump administration over its federalizing of Oregon National Guard troops.

A hearing on Oregon’s motion to block the federal government from deploying troops to Portland is set for Friday.

oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/09/29/f...

Oregon sues to block Trump from sending National Guard to Portland • Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon and the city of Portland are suing President Donald Trump to block the federal government from deploying hundreds of Oregon National Guard members in an unprecedented crackdown in Oregon’s…

Oregon and the city of Portland are suing President Donald Trump to block the federal government from deploying hundreds of Oregon National Guard members in an unprecedented crackdown in Oregon’s largest city. buff.ly/FHQxLhV

I ❤️ this trolley! And it goes through the $$$est zip code in the Portland area just before it stops near ICE.

It’s Called America’s “Weirdest” City. But Just Wait Until You Hear What’s Going On in Its Coffee Shops. Biking is just better with a caffeine buzz.

This is an article about Portland and coffee, but every time I sat down to write it I felt like it needed to tie into right-wing threats to the city too. Then the morning it came out, Trump sent the military authorized to use "full force," so I think my intuition was right.
slate.com/life/2025/09...

Oregon Gov Tina Kotek said she only learned about Trump’s potential deployment of troops this morning from social media like everyone else. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson did not get any communication from Trump, Noel, Hegseth or Fed agencies.

Trump says he’ll send troops to Portland to handle ‘domestic terrorists’ The president made the announcement on social media, writing that he was directing the Department of Defense to “provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland.”

Trump said the decision was necessary to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he described as “under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.”

States scramble to plug transportation funding holes • Stateline States are scrambling for the money to fill potholes, plow roads, maintain bridges and pay bus drivers as they face inflation- and tariff-driven cost increases and declining gas tax revenues.

From @erikabolstad.bsky.social: States are scrambling for the money to fill potholes, plow roads, maintain bridges and pay bus drivers as they confront inflation- and tariff-driven cost increases and declining gas tax revenues.

stateline.org/2025/09/25/s...

DOJ is sharing state voter roll lists with Homeland Security • Stateline The U.S. Department of Justice is sharing state voter roll information with the Department of Homeland Security in a search for noncitizens, the Trump administration confirmed.

NEW: The U.S. Department of Justice is sharing state voter roll information with the Department of Homeland Security in a search for noncitizens, the Trump administration confirmed.

@jonshorman.bsky.social reports:
stateline.org/2025/09/12/d...

Firefighters question leaders’ role in Washington immigration raid • Stateline Wildland firefighters were stunned when federal immigration authorities last week raided an active wildfire response in Washington state, arresting two firefighters and sidelining crews for hours.

Following an immigration raid at an active wildfire in Washington state, wildland fire professionals are raising alarms that the leadership team in charge of the fire response may have sent their crews into an ambush.

stateline.org/2025/08/31/f...

States fast-track wind, solar permits and contracts to beat Trump’s deadline • Stateline Across the country, state leaders are racing to fast-track wind and solar projects before the expiration of federal tax credits to support clean energy.

States fast-track wind, solar permits and contracts to beat Trump’s deadline stateline.org/2025/08/27/s...

They Can’t Get Answers From the Oil Industry. North Dakota’s Oversight Program Hasn’t Helped. Frustrated by oil companies mysteriously withholding large amounts of royalties, North Dakota mineral owners lobbied for change. Instead, lawmakers provided an oversight program that, owners say, fail...

NEW: Frustrated by oil companies mysteriously withholding large amounts of royalties, North Dakota mineral owners lobbied for change.

Instead, lawmakers provided an oversight program that, owners say, fails to address the issue it was created to solve.

With @northdakotamonitor.com

Confederate general statue toppled in 2020 to be reinstalled in D.C. The bronze statue depicting Confederate Gen. Albert Pike, which was torn down and burned by protesters in 2020, is being restored, the Park Service said Monday.

A statue of a Confederate general that demonstrators toppled and burned in D.C. in 2020 will be reinstalled, the National Park Service announces.

Women’s contributions and men’s racism erased from history of Muir Woods National Monument An initiative to fill in historical gaps from the Muir Woods National Monument disappeared under pressure from the Trump administration.

Prior to the executive orders, the Trump administration was already taking action to revise information on park websites that did not align with its priorities. @jkutzie.bsky.social reports.

Oregon law schools to receive funding for criminal defense clinics There are currently defense clinics at Willamette University in Salem, Lewis & Clark College in Portland, and the University of Oregon in both Portland and Eugene.

Now, state lawmakers have passed a bill which allocates $3.4 million to support criminal defense clinics. They had previously approved $2.1 million in one-time funding in 2024.

More more more of this kind of journalism everywhere in the USA, please! Looove it!

Independence Day seems like a good day to share that I’m directing a film about the symbols of democracy. Check out the trailer below!
See the film’s website to make a tax-deductible contribution toward production, via @filmindependent.org (And view the full trailer, too.) makingmonumental.com

Journalist searched and detained at US airport CBP searched an Australian journalist’s phone. He noted he was questioned over materials in his blog, social media posts, and reporting

🚨 ATTN: Journalists crossing through a U.S. border 🚨

Alongside @eff.org, we now have an extensive guide on preparing your devices for travel through a U.S. border, including a digital security checklist and additional resources.

Read, bookmark and share:

New signs at incarceration camps raise historical erasure concerns – AsAmNews The Trump administration’s directive aimed at historical sites stirs debate over history of Asian Americans.

New signs at incarceration camps raise historical erasure concerns asamnews.com/2025/06/19/d... via @AsAmNews

A terrific analogy only a human could conjure up.

The situation at historic preservation offices is growing more dire. The nation is turning away from its 60-year commitment to preservation not through elected reps, but through OMB's intransigence.

Still can't get anyone to bite on my piece about this issue!

preservewa.org/advocacy-ale...

Bill to require big tech to pay Oregon newsrooms advances with fewer legal concerns The proposed policy has undergone significant changes to address legal concerns.

Oregon moves one step closer to passing one of the most substantive local news funding bills in the country, requiring Google and Meta pay for news content they’ve used for free to grow their enormous profits while newsrooms shutter from lost revenue
www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...