Oregon
Oregon lawmakers introduce legislation to rein in utility bills
SALEM, Ore. (KPTV) – A pair of Oregon lawmakers introduced two state bills on Thursday that they say are intended to rein in utility costs.
Rep. Nathan Sosa (D-Greater Hillsboro) announced HB3179, the “FAIR Energy Act,” and said it’s designed to “lower utility bills by requiring the Public Utility Commission to thoroughly consider the impact on consumers before approving a rate increase.” Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland) introduced HB 3546, the “POWER Act,” and said it aims to hold large energy users “accountable for paying for their own energy needs.” Marsh said this bill would require the Public Utility Commission to “create new policies that help protect Oregon households from paying for high-energy users such as data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities.” Marsh said it will also make “for-profit utilities identify the costs that high-energy users are adding to the system.” Marsh added that “state regulators can prevent Oregonians from covering the cost of these businesses.”
“I have heard repeatedly from my constituents how frustrated they are with the dramatic and repeated increases in their utility bills. The scope of this problem is staggering. Over the past few years, electric and gas rates from investor-owned utilities have gone up by nearly 50%. This is not sustainable,” wrote Marsh in a release Thursday.
“The bill is intended to reform the rate-setting process in various ways to ensure that the interests of Oregon consumers are prioritized. The FAIR Energy Act is designed to prevent residents from continuing to be hit with repeated and historic utility rate increases,” wrote Rep. Sosa.
“Oregon utility customers should not have to bear the costs of enormous demand for power by data centers and other large energy users. HB 3546 requires those users to pay their fair share,” Rep. Marsh added.
The House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment will hold a public hearing on HB3546 “in the coming weeks.”
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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.
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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.
EUGENE, Ore. – Another Oregon Ducks recruiting target announced his commitment in May after listing the Pacific Northwest program among his finalists.
Like the success coach Dan Lanning and the program had with the offensive line recruiting announcements, things swung in their favor once again with three-star safety Malakai Taufoou’s decision, who announced his decision on the Rivals YouTube channel.
Three-Star Safety Malakai Taufoou Announces Recruiting Decision
Taufoou decided between the Ducks, the California Golden Bears, the Washington Huskies, the BYU Cougars and the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Golden Bears were for a long time considered the favorites in the recruiting race to land the in-state recruit, but Oregon has gained momentum this spring.
The elite recruit is ranked No. 38 at his position and the No. 436 recruit nationally by Rivals. He cited the Ducks’ development and the opportunity to step out of his comfort zone as the big factors in his decision during the announcement with Rivals.
Dan Lanning Wins Recruiting Battle vs. Tosh Lupoi
The Ducks’ former defensive coordinator, Tosh Lupoi, is shaping up to be a formidable foe in recruiting. Lupoi’s Cal squad is pursuing similar targets to Oregon in the state of California, with the Eugene team winning this round.
Between the Golden Bears, the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins, the California programs are reclaiming their advantage with in-state recruits in the 2027 recruiting cycle. There were some concerns that the Ducks wouldn’t be able to have the same success they’ve had in years past with targets from California, with those teams on the rise, which makes Taufoou’s decision more notable.
Oregon Ducks Safety Future
The starting safety position has been a carousel for the Ducks in recent years. Dillon Thieneman starred at the position in 2025 as a transfer, but played his way to a first-round NFL Draft selection.
Lanning secured another standout Big Ten transfer in the offseason with the addition of Koi Perich. If Perich has a breakout season like many expect him to in 2026, he could have the same fate as Thieneman and be one-and-done for Oregon.
Peyton Woodyard and Aaron Flowers are among the returners in the safety room entering 2026, who may also compete for a starting role. They could be back in 2027 and provide the team with stability.
Lanning also has redshirt freshman Trey McNutt as a long-term option at safety that Ducks fans have long been excited about. He missed 2025 due to injury, but is set to make his debut in the fall after catching fans’ attention in the Spring Game.
The Ducks may elect to look in the transfer portal again next spring in search of their next star safety, given the success they’ve had. If they do rely solely on internal development, they have Taufoou, McNutt, as well as 2026 five-star Jett Washington, and secured another commitment from 2027 four-star safety Semaj Stanford.
The 2027 recruiting cycle is far from over. Lanning and the program might still push hard to get an additional safety commitment, either from one of their uncommitted targets or via a recruiting flip.
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