Oregon
Oregon Symphony brings video game heroes to life
“Heroes: A Video Game Symphony” takes audiences through a hero’s journey, crafting a unique story using scores from fan favorite video games like The Legend of Zelda, Skyrim, God of War and dozens more. The Oregon Symphony will perform “Heroes” Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Ore.
Courtesy of JMP Enter / Courtesy of JMP Entertainment
If you play any video games, music might not be the first thing you notice — but you probably remember it long after setting down the controller.
Jason Michael Paul has spent the last 20 years creating and producing video game concerts featuring the music from beloved game franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy. His latest concert series, “Heroes: A Video Game Symphony” features musical arrangements and visuals from the worlds of Zelda, Skyrim, God of War, Halo, World of Warcraft and dozens more.
The Oregon Symphony will be performing “Heroes” on Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland.
OPB’s Donald Orr spoke with Jason Michael Paul about his own hero’s journey into producing the concert. Listen in, or read an edited transcript of their conversation below.
Donald Orr: When you sit down to play a new game, does the music stand out to you first?
Jason Michael Paul: Absolutely. It’s something that really brings me in, and reels me in. There’s not really a game I could think of that doesn’t have a good soundtrack along with it.
Orr: What kind of role do you think music plays in games?
JMP: It’s becoming more and more important, I think. The stories become more complex, and we’re going more towards a “Hollywood” kind of style of video game. These soundtracks become ever increasingly more popular, and believe it or not, they’re actually being recorded with full orchestras now — and choirs for that matter.
Orr: So the theme of the concert is the classic framework of a hero’s journey. Video games have no shortage of heroes to choose from — so how did you go about curating this particular selection of games and songs?
JMP: Yeah, every chapter in the story has a game that I felt was appropriate for that particular chapter. As you can tell by the setlist, we have some pretty epic heroes: Dragon Age, of course, Mass Effect. Starfield even, a new game that just came out; Bioshock. And we even have the final fantasy music as well as the Legend of Zelda music. I’ll leave you to see if these games that I chose for each chapter is fitting or not.
Orr: How is it different for an audience to sit in a venue and passively listen to the music, versus listening to the music while actively playing a game?
JMP: I think that’s the wonder of this program. Gamers can actually come to a venue like the Schnitzer in Portland, and they can just sit back and relax. And they can really focus on the beauty of the music being performed live by a full orchestra, and then the visuals are merely an accompaniment. This is the one time probably in a gamer’s life where they can actually just enjoy the show.
Jason Michael Paul has produced over 300 video game music concerts, including concert tours for The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy. For the “Heroes” concert series, a 70-piece orchestra will be joined by a choir to perform new arrangements from multiple video game franchises.
Courtesy of JMP Entertainment
Orr: You’re dealing with franchises that have gone through the hands of a number of different game developers over the years — but also different composers. How does it feel to bring their music to life for generations of fans, but also newer audiences who may have never played these games?
JMP: It’s kind of a dream come true. A lot of these composers whom I’ve worked with over the years, they never could have dreamt of having their music performed by some of the most esteemed orchestras in the world. In the early days of course, it was just bips and bleeps. And truth be told, a lot of these people, these composers were just salaried employees of these gaming companies. So to see their music be appreciated, to have these orchestras, they really add a tremendous amount of credibility, and they actually feel very appreciative. It only further inspires them to want to keep doing what they’re doing — and it also further inspires me to keep doing what I’m doing.
Orr: Before we go, I wanted to know — what games did you grow up playing, and do you have any new favorites?
JMP: So I was born in 1977, so I can tell you that I played on every console when I was a kid — even Pong. I played the Commodore 64, I played the Atari; my first system was the NES. My best friend across the street, we were battling, playing you name it: Castlevania, Legend of Zelda; Duck Hunt, of course, Mario. I grew up on this stuff. Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker… I still remember when that game came out. I haven’t talked about this in a long time, but it’s all part of my quilt that I’ve been weaving together over the years.
My best memory is really when my dad started playing with me, and that was when we got the [Sega] Genesis 16 bit. And boy, my block was hot, let me tell you. Because not only were the kids playing, but the parents were playing with us — and that was pretty fun.
Oregon
Oregonians can go crabbing, fishing fee-free for 1 weekend in June
Video shows retirement party for Oregon Fish & Wildlife Conservation K-9
Oregon’s first Fish & Wildlife Conservation K-9, Buck, was deployed 184 times across the state before his retirement.
Oregonians can fish, clam and crab for free during Oregon’s annual Free Fishing Weekend in June.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said it will hold another free fishing weekend June 6-7, offering all Oregonians and nonresidents the chance to fish for free across the state for two days.
No fishing or shellfish licenses or tags, endorsements or validations are required on these days. Oregon State Parks will also offer free parking at state parks on June 6.
While fishing may be free, ODFW said that all other fishing regulations apply. That includes single rod limitations, bag limits, size restrictions and closures.
Fishing regulations are available online and MyODFW.com for any in-season regulation updates.
Here’s what to know about Oregon June 2026 free fishing weekend.
Will Oregon lakes be stocked for 2026 free fishing weekend?
ODFW will be stocking many of Oregon’s lakes and ponds with rainbow trout for free fishing weekend.
People are encouraged to visit the recreation report at ODFW’s website to find the best fishing spots, and to check out the trout stocking schedule for stocking locations.
ODFW said that drought conditions will make a difference this year and some smaller lakes and ponds might be warmer than usual. The agency suggested fishing earlier in the day or fishing for warm water fish like bass, bluegill and crappie.
How to go crabbing and clamming during Oregon’s June 2026 free fishing weekend
For Oregonians who have never tried crabbing or clamming, free fishing weekend can be a good opportunity to learn.
ODFW provides information on how to get started crabbing on its website. It includes tips and tricks on how to crab, where to crab, how to measure a crab and how to tell if it is male or female.
People can also visit the website for information on how to get started clamming, including how to dig for clams, where to dig for clams and what species to look for.
As of May 26, crabbing is open coastwide. Razor clamming is only allowed from the Washington border to Cape Blanco. It is currently prohibited from Cape Blanco to the California border.
The agency warns that closures can happen at any time, especially closures related to shellfish biotoxins, or toxins carried by shellfish that can cause serious illness.
For updated recreational shellfish biotoxin closures, visit the ODA website or call the shellfish biotoxin hotline at 1-800-448-2474.
To get updated harvesting statuses, people can visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture website.
To check for additional closures during free fishing weekend, people can visit myodfw.com.
What are some events happening during fishing weekend?
ODFW and volunteers will be hosting free events around Oregon on June 6. These events will offer equipment and hands-on instruction for beginners learning how to fish.
Some of the scheduled events include:
- Twin Ponds in Ukiah from 9 a.m. to noon on June 6
- Olalla Reservoir in Toledo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 6
- Silverton Marine Park in Silverton from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 6
- Cleawox Lake in Florence from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 6
- Henry Hagg Lake in Gaston from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 6
- Alton Baker Park in Eugene will hold a youth-only event for anglers 17 and younger from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 6
- Small Fry Lake in Estacada from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 6.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval is a lifelong Oregonian who covers trending news, entertainment, food and outdoors. She can be reached at GSandoval@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.
Oregon
Oregon Shuts Down Washington State 4-0 in Eugene Regional
Oregon State Baseball Stays Alive With 9-2 Win Over Yale
Through the first four innings, the game was a pitcher’s duel, with the only base runner being Washington State’s Cam Macleod, who was hit by a pitch in the third inning. Oregon starting pitcher Will Sanford was putting on a clinic, striking out ten Cougars in the first four innings.
In the top of the fifth, the Duck bats started working. Burke-Lee Mabeus hit a double to right center, and then Maddox Molony was walked. Oregon had two base runners, but two outs on the board, and the eighth player in their rotation, Jax Gimenez, was coming to the plate. Gimenez got the job done, hitting a short single to right to score Mabeus and put Oregon up 1-0.
The Good, The Bad, and What’s Next After Oregon State’s NCAA Tournament Win Over Yale
Washington State came close to evening things in the bottom of the fifth. After striking out Dustin Robinson and forcing a ground out from Ryan Skjonsby, Sanford walked Ollie Obenour. Cam Macleod then hit a single, WSU’s first hit of the game, to put a runner in scoring position. Sanford remained clutch on the mound however, striking out Kyler Northrup, his twelfth K of the game, to end the inning.
Sanford picked up his 13th strikeout in the bottom of the sixth, and his 14th in the bottom of the seventh, but ended his day shortly after, having walked Dustin Robinson. Tanner Bradley came in for Oregon and finished off the inning, keeping the Ducks one run lead in place.
Oregon State Comeback Bid Falls Short in Eugene Regional Opener, 3-2
Washington State starter had his day end in the top of the eight, after picking up his seventh strikeout. His game will be overshadowed by Sanford, but Myers also had an impressive day, allowing five hits, two walks and one run in his 7.1 innings pitched. Scott Rienguette came in to close out the inning, giving Washington State six outs to get a run.
The Cougs didn’t get one in the bottom of the eighth, going three up three down, and got into trouble in the top of the ninth. Angel Laya led off with a single, and was replaced by pinch runner Elijah Cook. Cook moved to second on a bunt, and then Brayden Jaksa was walked. A fielder’s chocie from Burke-Lee Mabeus got Washington State a second out, but runners at the corners.
Eugene Regional Preview: Meet The Washington State Cougars
Naulivou Lauaki then came to the plate, and blasted the ball over the center field wall, giving Oregon a 4-0 lead headed into the final frame. Gavin Roy grounded out for the first out, but Max Hartman then singled to give the Cougars some hope. A wild pitch Matt Priest advanced Hartmna, but Priest struck out swinging. Dustin Robinson then struck out, sending Washington State to the loser’s bracket.
Washington State and Oregon State will play one last time tomorrow, with the winner having the tough task of taking down the Ducks twice on their home field to keep their Omaha hopes alive.
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Oregon
Cruise ship rescues stranded mariner off Oregon coast
Watch video of high seas rescue off Oregon coast
A cruise ship, the Silver Whisper, rescued a Canadian man whose vessel broke down nearly 500 miles off the Oregon coast May 26.
A cruise ship rescued a Canadian man stranded on his boat nearly 500 miles of the Oregon coast on May 26, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
The 74-year-old man, who the agency did not name, was sailing from Hawaii to British Columbia when his vessel ran into gale-force winds and 30-foot high waves. The 29-foot boat’s engine failed and the mast broke, injuring the man’s shoulder.
He’s made the same trip four times before, Coast Guard officials said, and had food, water, a life raft and a life jacket on board. The mariner used his handheld satellite communicator to contact the U.S. Coast Guard’s Northwest District, which the agency used to track him.
He was rescued 489 miles off the coast of Tillamook.
“This mariner’s experience and preparedness allowed the Coast Guard and other agencies to communicate with him and effect a rescue,” Coast Guard Northwest District Search and Rescue Program Manager Scott Giard said. “His foresight to bring a satellite communicator averted a tragedy.
Coast Guard officials deployed a C-27J cargo plane from Sacramento, California, to function as their “eye in the sky” as they coordinated the rescue because he was so far from the shore.
The plane assessed the state of the sea and the damage to the vessel. It was also equipped with life rafts, communication gear and rations that could sustain a survivor while responders coordinate the rescue, officials said.
Coast Guard officials contacted a cruise ship, the Silver Whisper, that went 120 off its charted course to rescue the stranded Canadian man. The Coast Guard found the Silver Whisper by tapping into its Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue system, a global network that tracks the positions of commercial ships that participate in the program.
Eder Campuzano is the local news editor for the Statesman Journal. He can can be reached at ecampuzano@statesmanjournal.com. Find him on Bluesky at @ederc.bsky.social or Threads @ederc.
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