SALEM, Ore. (KATU) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld state laws in Idaho and West Virginia that bar transgender girls and women from competing on girls’ and women’s school sports teams.

The decision could influence future policy debates in Oregon, but does not immediately change the state’s rules.

Oregon continues to allow students to participate in school sports, physical education, and other school activities in accordance with their gender identity.

The Oregon School Activities Association, which oversees high school sports statewide, said it is reviewing the ruling with legal counsel.

“The Oregon School Activities Association is reviewing today’s Supreme Court ruling with our legal counsel. The association will work with the Oregon Department of Education on the ruling’s impacts on state law and OSAA policy in order to provide updated guidance to member schools as needed. The OSAA remains committed to ensuring interscholastic activities remain a safe and welcoming environment for all student-athletes,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

While Tuesday’s ruling leaves Oregon’s current policy in place, political scientists say it could reshape the legal landscape surrounding future proposals.

“This particular decision, coupled with a federal push, may end up altering the landscape of opportunities in states that affirm trans athletic participation,” said Allison Gash, chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Oregon.

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Gash said the Supreme Court’s decision itself does not require Oregon to change its policies.

Instead, she said the more immediate question is how the Trump administration chooses to respond.

“Where we could see some required movement on the part of Oregon or where it may impact Oregon directly is how the federal government determines what it wants to do in light of today’s ruling,” said Gash.

According to Gash, the administration has argued that schools should separate sports teams based on biological sex under its interpretation of Title IX.

“One of the several efforts that the federal government is taking to ensure that all states bar trans female athletes in particular from participating in women’s sports is to tie the provision of federal funding to essentially a ban,” she said.

She added that the Supreme Court’s ruling could make the administration “more muscular in those efforts because now the court has essentially upheld that interpretation.”

Oregon leaders respond

House Republicans unsuccessfully pushed legislation during the 2025 legislative session that would have required school sports teams to be separated based on biological sex, but the bill failed in the Democratic-controlled House.

The bill was sponsored by then state representative Christine Drazan, the 2026 Republican candidate for Governor.

In a news release Tuesday, Drazan welcomed the ruling, calling it “a victory for fairness, for common sense, and for progress.”

“Girls and young women across Oregon are still competing on an unfair and unsafe playing field. I have always supported women’s right to compete, and as Governor, I will do everything in my power to make sure that women’s sports are protected and girls across our state get their shot to compete and win,” said Drazan.

KATU asked Governor Tina Kotek whether she supports legislative or executive action to maintain Oregon’s current policy following the ruling.

The governor’s office had not responded by publication.

Meanwhile, Oregon Senate Democrats said in a news release that the decision does not change students’ rights in Oregon, and they vowed to continue to protect the policy in effect today.

“Nobody wins when states deny children the right to play sports. Sports have the power to unify, but today’s SCOTUS decision will lead to dangerous gender harassment of athletic girls. States banning access to sports are feeding the same regime that is trying to divide and control,” said State Senator Courtney Neron-Misslin.

She continued, “Oregonians must keep our eye on the ball. We must stay focused on addressing actual problems, protecting rights, addressing affordability, and investing in education. Today’s decision erodes LGBTQ+ rights and the rights of women across our country. Here in Oregon, we will continue to stand up to injustices and defend our most vulnerable from Trump-style attacks.”

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — After weeks of long days on the fire line, firefighters battling Utah’s Iron and Cherry fires received some four-legged support.

Golden Healers, a Utah nonprofit that provides therapy and service dogs, visited the wildfire base camp at the invitation of the incident management team, giving firefighters a chance to step away from the demands of the job, if only for a few minutes.

The certified therapy dogs spent time with crews in dining areas, gathering spaces and rest areas, where firefighters petted the dogs, took photos and talked about the pets waiting for them back home.

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“Our firefighters face tremendous physical and emotional demands every day,” said Mike Carlson, founder and CEO of Golden Healers. “Sometimes all it takes is a few minutes with a therapy dog to help someone relax, smile and reset before heading back to work. It was an honor to support these incredible men and women.”

The visit came as hundreds of firefighters continue working to contain the Iron and Cherry fires, which have burned tens of thousands of acres in central Utah.

Golden Healers brought several certified therapy dogs, including Golden Retrievers, doodles, poodles and a corgi. Each dog has completed specialized therapy training designed to help them remain calm in busy, high-stress environments.

Volunteers said the response from firefighters was immediate.

Crews who had spent hours battling wildfire conditions gathered around the dogs, laughing, sharing stories and enjoying a brief reminder of home before returning to their assignments.

One of the most memorable moments came when an entire firefighting crew surrounded one therapy dog, taking turns petting it while talking about their own dogs and families.

For a few minutes, conversations shifted away from fire behavior and operational briefings to life beyond the fire camp.

“Watching these firefighters light up the moment a dog walked over reminded us why therapy dogs are so important,” Carlson said. “These are people who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities, often while spending weeks away from their own families. If we can give them even a few minutes of comfort and emotional support, then we’ve accomplished something meaningful.”

Golden Healers hopes to continue visiting wildfire camps and other first responders across Utah. The nonprofit regularly provides therapy dog visits to hospitals, schools, law enforcement agencies, mental health providers and community organizations.

“Our mission has always been to improve lives through the healing power of dogs,” Carlson said. “Whether we’re helping a child with autism, supporting someone struggling with mental health, or bringing comfort to firefighters after a long shift, these dogs have an incredible ability to connect with people exactly when they need it most.”

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