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Inside America’s unfinished and abandoned mansions – from Oregon’s ‘zombie’ seven bedder to Montana’s island hideaway and Michael Jordan and Kanye West’s custom pads – and why no one wants them

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Inside America’s unfinished and abandoned mansions – from Oregon’s ‘zombie’ seven bedder to Montana’s island hideaway and Michael Jordan and Kanye West’s custom pads – and why no one wants them


Mansions in the US have been left untouched and undesirable, including Kanye West’s unfinished Malibu home and Michael Jordan’s 56,000 square-foot custom pad in Illinois. 

Another massive home on a remote island in Montana, and a ‘zombie mansion’ near Portland, Oregon have also sat vacant for years. 

The properties have struggled to sell because they have been left unfinished and lack basic necessities like electricity and water. 

The customization on Jordan’s home has made it extremely difficult to find a buyer who is willing to shell out cash to erase his style and adoration of basketball. 

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Kanye West bought his 4,000 square-foot Malibu pad (middle) in 2021 and started to gut the space, but never completed the project

Kim Kardashian's ex-husband just recently dropped the asking price to $39million for the space that comes without both water and electricity

Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband just recently dropped the asking price to $39million for the space that comes without both water and electricity

West, 46, originally bought his 4,000 square-foot Malibu pad in 2021 and started to gut the space, but never completed the project. 

He listed his concrete Malibu beach home in December for $53million after he failed to remodel it into a ‘bomb shelter.’ 

Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband just recently dropped the asking price to $39million for the space that comes without both water and electricity. 

His renovations have also left the home without windows or electricity because he had plans to turn it into ‘a bomb shelter from the 1910s,’ TMZ reported. 

The rapper found himself entangled in a lawsuit after the former manager of the remodel project, Tony Saxon, sued the artist for allegedly firing him after he ‘expressed concerns about the extreme danger’ of the renovations. 

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West is working with Selling Sunset star realtor, Jason Oppenheim, 47,  to sell the four-bedroom, five-bathroom home.

‘It will take several million dollars for the house to be finished,’ Oppenheim told the Wall Street Journal. 

The rapper found himself entangled in a lawsuit after the former manager of the remodel project, Tony Saxon, sued the artist for allegedly firing him after he 'expressed concerns about the extreme danger' of the renovations

The rapper found himself entangled in a lawsuit after the former manager of the remodel project, Tony Saxon, sued the artist for allegedly firing him after he ‘expressed concerns about the extreme danger’ of the renovations

Michael Jordan has been trying to sell his Highland Park, Illinois compound since February 2012. (pictured: his customized front gate with his iconic jersey number '23' on it)

Michael Jordan has been trying to sell his Highland Park, Illinois compound since February 2012. (pictured: his customized front gate with his iconic jersey number ’23’ on it) 

Jordan, 61, has been trying to sell his personalized nine-bedroom, 19-bathroom, since he put it on the market in February 2012. 

For more than a decade, the Highland Park, Illinois compound has gone through drastic price drops, as it was first listed for $29million, and is now being sold for $14.9million. 

The closest he came to selling it was at an auction in November 2013, but nobody was prepared to bid the $13million minimum. 

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The basketball legend stamped the home with his iconic jersey number ’23’ on his private front gate, and on a full-sized basketball court. 

In addition to the array of rooms and bathrooms, the house comes with a putting green, cigar lounge, and giant outdoor space that sits on 7.39 acres. 

In 2019, Bruce Bowers of Bowers Realty Group told Business Insider: ‘It’s clearly his home. It’s a tough sell. There’s a lot of work that would have to be done to make it your own.’ 

The NBA star owns a total of five homes, including one in Jupiter, Florida that he recently bought for $16.5million

The NBA star owns a total of five homes, including one in Jupiter, Florida that he recently bought for $16.5million

The NBA star owns a total of five homes, including one in Jupiter, Florida that he recently bought for $16.5million. 

His three other multi-million dollar homes include two in North Carolina and one in Utah that is also up for sale. 

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A sprawling mansion in Flathead Lake, Montana has also struggled to sell. 

The 45,000 square-foot mansion, situated on Cromwell Island, was started in the late 1990s, but was never completed. 

The massive home sits on 350 acres, including three miles of shoreline. According to the listing, the original owner was Robert M. Lee, the founder of Hunting World- a sporting and hunting gear international company. 

Lee purchased the land in the 1980s and planned to build the home for him and his wife, but after he died in 2016, the building was stalled. 

A sprawling mansion in Flathead Lake, Montana has also struggled to sell. The massive home sits on 350 acres, including three miles of shoreline

A sprawling mansion in Flathead Lake, Montana has also struggled to sell. The massive home sits on 350 acres, including three miles of shoreline

According to the listing , the original owner was Robert M. Lee, the founder of Hunting World- a sporting and hunting gear international company

According to the listing , the original owner was Robert M. Lee, the founder of Hunting World- a sporting and hunting gear international company

Anne Brockinton Lee, his widow, told the Wall Street Journal that the couple stayed at their home in Lake Tahoe full time. 

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Anne said that she has thought about finishing the Montana home, but it brings back sad feelings and memories about her late husband. 

The home is currently on the market for $72million. 

A graffiti-filled, boarded up 9,052 square-foot home in Tigard, Oregon, known as the ‘zombie mansion’  has also made the list. 

Located about 10 miles outside of Portland, the seven-bedroom house has not been lived in since it was abandoned in 2008. 

Construction began on the home in 2006 but the project was never completed. 

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A graffiti-filled, boarded up 9,052 square-foot home in Tigard, Oregon, known as the 'zombie mansion' has also struggled to find a buyer

A graffiti-filled, boarded up 9,052 square-foot home in Tigard, Oregon, known as the ‘zombie mansion’ has also struggled to find a buyer 

Located about 10 miles outside of Portland, the seven-bedroom house has never been lived in since it was abandoned in 2008

Located about 10 miles outside of Portland, the seven-bedroom house has never been lived in since it was abandoned in 2008

According to the listing, which shows reimagined photos of the neglected property,  the home sits on a 1.5 acre lot. 

The home does not come with water, heating or electricity, and squatters frequently live in the space, according to The Oregonian.

The property is currently on the market for $1.5million as the listing agent, Eric Squire, said that the price was ‘gusty.’ 

‘There is truly value here. The bones are good, and when it’s built out, it will be a $3 to $6 million property,’ Squire told The Oregonian.



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Puffins return to the Oregon Coast: where and when to see them

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Puffins return to the Oregon Coast: where and when to see them


Summer is in full swing, and across the country, the songs of birds and the cheeps of baby chicks are filling the air. While birdwatching season is happening just about everywhere right now, the Pacific Northwest offers something truly special: the chance to see puffins along the Oregon Coast. If you’re wondering when, where and how to see puffins in Oregon, you’re in the right place.

Few wildlife sightings feel as magical as spotting a Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) in the wild. These beloved seabirds return to the Oregon Coast each year during their breeding season, drawing birdwatchers, photographers and nature lovers hoping for a glimpse of their bright orange beaks, expressive faces and unmistakable charm. For many visitors, seeing puffins in their natural habitat is a heartwarming coastal experience that captures the spirit of the Pacific Northwest.

Because puffins are seasonal migratory birds that nest in specific coastal areas, timing and location are key. With a bit of planning—and a little luck—you can witness one of Oregon’s most iconic wildlife moments along its rugged coastline. Here are the best places to see puffins on the Oregon Coast.

What Are the Best Places to See Puffins in Oregon?

If you’re wondering where you can you see these cute creatures, there are three spots that are worth going to and are hailed as the best places to see puffins in Oregon.

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Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach

Haystack Rock is a popular place where puffins nest in Oregon.Getty Images Big5 Studio

Few wildlife encounters feel as effortless as spotting puffins right from shore, and Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach is one of the rare places where that’s possible.

This towering sea stack isn’t just an Oregon landmark, it’s also a seasonal nesting site for Tufted Puffins, who return here each year to raise their young on the rocky ledges. From the beach, visitors can often catch glimpses of puffins flying to and from the rock or resting along its cliffs, especially during the warmer months when activity peaks.

Because it requires no boat or hike to access, Cannon Beach remains one of the most rewarding and beginner-friendly places to experience puffins in the wild.

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint (Bandon)

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Image via Getty Images/Moelyn Photos

For a quieter, more immersive coastal experience, Face Rock in Bandon offers a different kind of puffin viewing.

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Here, the focus shifts from crowds to coastline where Tufted Puffins and other seabirds nest along offshore rocks just beyond the shoreline. The setting is calmer than Cannon Beach, making it ideal for visitors who want to slow down and scan the horizon for wildlife activity.

Every Saturday and Sunday from now until July 26, Face Rock Wildlife Interpreters will host on-site sessions at Face Rock Wayside from 9 am to 11 am, where guests will get to look out for puffins nesting on Face Rock with the wildlife interpreters’ help. Whether you go puffin-peeping on your own or with a group, be sure to bring binoculars!

Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge

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Image via Getty Images/Bob Stefko

If looking for something a little closer to Portland, Three Arch Rocks is home to the largest breeding colony of Tufted Puffins in Oregon. A trip to Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge is sure to be a treat for any lovers of the Pacific Northwest’s coastal wildlife.

Not only is it one of the top places in Oregon to spot nesting puffins over the summer, but it is also the only pupping site on the North Oregon coast for the federally-threatened Steller sea lion, one of two sea lion species native to Oregon. Incidentally, the Steller sea lion’s pupping season, which runs from mid-May to mid-July, coincides with the first half of the Tufted Puffin’s nesting season, so right now is the perfect time of year for a visit!

When Do Puffins Arrive on the Oregon Coast?

For a large part of the year, Tufted Puffins live far out at sea across the North Pacific Ocean (in fact, they can be found as far eastward as Japan). However, from right now through August, Tufted Puffins are making their way back to coastal islands along the Oregon coastline to create their nests and raise their young until they are strong enough to join them out at sea. Therefore, if you want to catch a glimpse of them, now’s the perfect time.

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What’s the Best Time of Day to See Puffins in Oregon?

These birds don’t follow a predictable shoreline schedule, which is part of what makes spotting them such a rewarding experience. So when’s the best time to see puffins in Oregon? Throughout the day during the breeding season, they move between offshore feeding areas and nesting sites on rocky cliffs and sea stacks. However, early morning and late afternoon often offer the most consistent viewing opportunities, when bird activity around colonies tends to increase and lighting conditions make movement easier to spot from shore.

For visitors hoping to increase their chances, choosing calm, clear days can make distant movement easier to detect against the waves.

What Do Puffins Eat and Why Do They Come to Oregon?

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Tufted Puffins return to the Oregon Coast each summer.Getty Images Enrique Aguirre Aves

The presence of puffins along the Oregon Coast is closely tied to the health of the surrounding ocean ecosystem.

Oregon’s offshore waters provide an especially productive feeding environment thanks to cold currents that bring nutrients to the surface, supporting large fish populations. After all, Tufted Puffins rely on small schooling fish such as sand lance, anchovies and herring, which they catch by diving underwater and carry multiple fish back to feed both themselves and their chicks during the nesting season.

Combined with nearby rocky islands that offer protected nesting sites, the region creates an ideal seasonal habitat for breeding puffins and is what brings them back each year. It’s also why Oregon remains one of the most important puffin-viewing regions on the West Coast.

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Tips for Spotting Puffins in Oregon

At one point, the Tufted Puffin’s distribution in North America stretched from northern California to British Columbia and the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. However, starting in the 1990s, the North American Tufted Puffin population plummeted in numbers, and now only a few thousand visit the Pacific Northwest every summer, including only a little over 500 puffins in Oregon. If you want the best odds at spotting these rare birds in Oregon, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Puffins are easiest to spot when you know what to look for—and where to focus your attention. Bring binoculars and scan rocky cliffs and offshore waters, especially during calm mornings or late evenings when the sea is quieter. Watch for quick, low flights over the water or brief pops of movement near the surface as they dive for fish. Patience pays off, since puffins often appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly.

Why Puffin Sightings in Oregon is Special

Puffin sightings along the Oregon Coast are special because they’re both seasonal and fleeting. These seabirds spend most of their lives far offshore, only returning briefly to coastal nesting areas. That short window makes each sighting feel rare, especially when you catch them diving, flying, or gathering near rocky shorelines. Their bright beaks and energetic behavior make even a quick glimpse feel memorable.

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Texas man wanted for child sex crimes, theft arrested in SW Oregon

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Texas man wanted for child sex crimes, theft arrested in SW Oregon


CURRY COUNTY, Ore. (KPTV) – A Texas man wanted for child sex crimes was arrested in Curry County on Tuesday afternoon.

The Curry County Sheriff’s Office says Kenneth Leatherwood of Bastrop, Texas, was arrested with the help of Oregon State Police and U.S. Marshals just after 12:30 p.m.

Kenneth Leatherwood(Curry County Sheriff’s Office)

Leatherwood, who is accused of sex-related crimes involving a child in Texas, was reportedly found camping in a heavy wooded area near Lucas Lodge in Agness.

Investigators say Leatherwood has been on the run from Curry County law enforcement since June 16 after reports that he had been seen with a stolen car in the Agness area.

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Leatherwood was also believed to have stolen weapons with him.

His dog was also found and returned to the suspect’s family in good shape, according to the sheriff’s office.

Copyright 2026 KPTV-KPDX. All rights reserved.



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Fireworks on sale in Oregon until July 6

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Fireworks on sale in Oregon until July 6


PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Fireworks are on sale in Oregon until July 6, but state and local rules limit where they can be used and what types are allowed.

In Portland, fireworks use and sales are banned year-round.

Fireworks are also banned on beaches and in state and national parks.

Statewide, fireworks that fly into the air, explode, act unpredictably or move more than 12 feet horizontally are illegal. Banned fireworks include sky lanterns, missiles, rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers, cherry bombs and M-80s.

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Fountains, sparklers, ground spinners and smoke devices are among the fireworks allowed under state rules.

Officials said people should not call 911 to report illegal fireworks. They said reports should go to the non-emergency line for the area.

First responders said there were 263 fires across Portland during last year’s fireworks season, and 27 were caused by fireworks.

For more details about fireworks regulation in Oregon, click here.

In Washington, fireworks sales legally begin Sunday and run through July 4.

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Copyright 2026 KPTV-KPDX. All rights reserved.



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