Oregon
Giant 7-foot sunfish found on Oregon beach turns out to be newly discovered species
FILE VIDEO: A paddleboarder came across a sunfish who was basking in the sun off the coast of Laguna Beach, California. Sunfish typically live 60 to 120 miles offshore and hunt at depths with very cold water. They come to the surface to float motionless to increase their body temperature from the sun.
SEASIDE, Ore. – A massive ocean oddity that washed up on a northern Oregon beach this week turned out to be a recently discovered species of sunfish, according to the local aquarium.
According to the Seaside Aquarium, a 7.3-foot sunfish was found on Gearhart Beach, north of Seaside, Oregon, on June 3.
“Initially, this large, strange looking fish was creating quite a stir on social media and though it was stormy, folks were flocking to the beach to see this unusual fish,” the aquarium said on Facebook.
A 7-foot hoodwinker sunfish washed up in Gearhart Beach, Oregon on June 3, 2024.
(Tiffany Boothe/Seaside Aquarium)
News of the large fish reached New Zealand, where researcher Marianne Nyegaard quickly identified the marine animal as a different species than the ocean sunfish, or Mola mola. That’s because Nyegaard helped identify and name the hoodwinker sunfish, or Mola tecta. Her research naming the new species was published in 2017.
450-POUND SUNFISH FOUND WASHED ASHORE IN NORTH CAROLINA TO BE PRESERVED FOR MUSEUM DISPLAY
“Dubbed a new species hiding in plain sight, it was genetic sampling and eventual observation that contributed to its finding,” the Seaside Aquarium said. “This fish, hiding in plain sight, has most likely been seen/washed ashore in the Pacific Northwest before but was mistaken for the more common, Mola mola.”
According to Britannica, the Mola tecta or hoodwinker sunfish, can grow up to 7.9 feet long and is smaller than the other members of the sunfish family, which can exceed 10 feet. The fish have distinctive features, including a bullet-like shape, tough skin and a small mouth with beaklike teeth.
Hoodwinker sunfish were initially believed to inhabit only the Southern Hemisphere, but these massive fish have recently washed up on U.S. Pacific Ocean beaches. Divers in Monterey Bay photographed two hoodwinked sunfish in 2019 – among the first confirmed sightings of the new species in Central California, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
After the latest sighting in Oregon, Nyegaard contacted Seaside Aquarium for a genetic sample. The aquarium provided more photos, measurements and tissue samples.
LOST BUOY FROM COASTAL FLORIDA NATIONAL PARK TURNS UP IN FRANCE AFTER 4,000-MILE JOURNEY
“Through photographs, Marianne confirmed that it was a hoodwinker and that this may be the largest specimen ever sampled,” the aquarium said.
Beachgoers in northern Oregon can see this rare massive fish in person for at least a few more weeks because its tough skin makes it hard for scavengers to puncture.
“It is a remarkable fish and the aquarium encourages people to go see it for themselves,” the Seaside Aquarium said.
The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 24, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 24 drawing
1PM: 8-4-0-3
4PM: 4-9-3-7
7PM: 3-0-1-9
10PM: 5-4-7-4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
- Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) —With Memorial Day comes the annual tradition of jet flyovers throughout Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington.
This year, the U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagles will pass 1,000 feet above the ground, at a breakneck speed of 400 miles per hour, over select communities, per Memorial Day Oregon.
Below is the complete list of flyerovers slated for Monday, May 25, 2026:
10:31 a.m. — Vancouver, Washington
10:36 a.m. — Ridgefield, Washington
10:41 a.m. — Vernonia, Oregon, at Vernonia Memorial Cemetery
10:45 a.m. — North Plains, Oregon, at Veterans Memorial Park
10:46 a.m. — Forest Grove, Oregon, at Forest View Cemetery
10:49 a.m. — Beaverton, Oregon, at Veterans Memorial Park
10:51 a.m. — Portland, Oregon, at Willamette National Cemetery
10:52 a.m. — Oregon City, Oregon, at Mountain View Cemetery
10:55 a.m. — Woodburn, Oregon, at Belle Passi Pioneer Cemetery
10:58 a.m. — Salem, Oregon, first at WWI Memorial, then at Restlawn Memory Gardens
11:00 a.m. — Dallas, Oregon, at Dallas Cemetery
11:07 a.m. — Depoe Bay, Oregon
11:18 a.m. — Reedsport, Oregon, at Reedsport Masonic Cemetery
11:25 a.m. — Springfield, Oregon, at Veterans Memorial Plaza
11:26 a.m. — Eugene, Oregon, at Eugene Pioneer Cemetery
11:35 a.m. — Mount Angel, Oregon, at Cavalry Cemetery
11:36 a.m. — Molalla, Oregon, at Adams Cemetery
11:50 a.m. — Wasco, Oregon
The flyovers this year are incorporating the latest addition to the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing, the Air Force’s all-new F-15EX Eagle II, making their debuts above Oregon skies this Memorial Day.
This year, there are no Southwest Oregon flyovers as the 173rd Fighter Wing based in Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls is currently making a transition to newer aircraft.
Oregon
‘Resources were protected’: Salem firefighters respond to blaze at Oregon State Fire Marshal warehouse
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Salem Fire Department said they helped protect millions of dollars’ worth of equipment and infrastructure when they put out a fire at the Oregon State Fire Marshal warehouse.
The commercial building associated with the statewide wildland fire response is located in Salem.
City firefighters responded at 11:18 a.m., finding the warehouse emitting a heavy deluge of black smoke from the roof.
-
The Salem Fire Department put out a blaze at the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s warehouse in Salem on May 23, 2026 (courtesy Salem Fire Department).
“Crews quickly located and extinguished the fire, minimizing damage,” the Salem Fire Department said. “Through these quick actions, crews were able to protect millions of dollars in equipment for the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office and prevented millions of dollars in damage to the building.”
Officials said that with wildfire season upon us, it is as vital as ever to protect vital equipment and resources.
The fire remains under investigation.
-
New York42 minutes agoThis Memorial Day Starts a Summer That Is Longer Than Most
-
Los Angeles, Ca48 minutes agoMan found shot to death in car in Boyle Heights: LAPD
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoMSU Gaining Traction in Recruitment of Detroit-Area Athlete
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoSF 19th Avenue repavement project complete, all lanes now open: Caltrans
-
Dallas, TX1 hour ago11 Food Tours in Dallas That Let You Eat Your Way Across the City
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoMiami Earns Two Seed as Regional Destination is set for the Path to Omaha
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoThe 2026 Boston Red Sox are a chore to watch
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoKalshi Promo Code DENVER: Get $10 Bonus for Memorial Day MLB, Knicks-Cavs Game 4 – Denver Stiffs
