Oregon
Sea level rise threatens critical sites along Oregon coast, analysis warns
FILE: The Pacific City State Airport in Oregon’s Tillamook County floods on Nov. 7, 2022, during a phenomenon known as king tides, which is when a full or new moon causes ocean tides to reach their highest point in the year. Climate change could lead to more significant frequent flooding in the coming decades, according to an analysis released Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of the Oregon King Tides Project
Rising ocean levels could threaten dozens of water treatment plants, fire and police stations and other critical infrastructure along Oregon’s coastline by 2050, according to an analysis by a science advocacy group that published Tuesday.
The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that about 26 sites in Oregon could flood twice a year by 2050, including waste and water treatment plants, fire and police stations, electrical substations and industrial contamination sites. The nonprofit estimates that number could increase to 86 critical sites flooding twice annually by the end of the century. That’s assuming sea levels rise 3.2 feet by 2100.
The analysis maps critical infrastructure sites that are vulnerable to future flooding across the country. The East Coast appears to get hit the hardest. Some cities there, like Boston and Miami, are already disappearing into the ocean, giving West Coast cities a glimpse into what the future may hold for them.
In Oregon, critical infrastructure appears most vulnerable around Astoria, Tillamook and Coos Bay.
About two-dozen electrical hubs, post offices, waste treatment facilities and other critical infrastructure could flood twice annually by 2050, according to an analysis of federal data by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Map courtesy of the Union for Concerned Scientists
Kristina Dahl, climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said local governments should prepare now for a future when floods could inundate sewers, disrupt electrical power and destroy homes.
“We encourage communities to do a really detailed risk assessment,” Dahl said. “Once they know what’s at risk within the community, they can start to prioritize.”
The report calls on policymakers to increase funding for coastal infrastructure, particularly in areas with lower-than-average incomes. It also encourages local governments to protect residents in subsidized housing that could be flooded by helping them relocate.
The global average sea level has been rising 3.3 millimeters — about one-eighth of an inch — every year since the 1990s, according to satellite data from NASA. Oceans are rising as a direct result of climate change, as warming temperatures melt glaciers.
Carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels are the biggest contributors to global warming. Those emissions reached record levels last year, which was also the hottest year on record.
The good times keep on rolling for the Oregon Ducks in the recruiting world. Dan Lanning and the Ducks scored a massive commitment from five-star quarterback Will Mencl out of Chandler, Arizona.
Oregon had been rumored to be leading the race for Mencl’s services for months, but the No. 1 quarterback in the country, per Rivals, cleared the air and committed to the Ducks on Wednesday evening. Mencl chose the Ducks over Auburn and Penn State, both of which battled hard for him down the stretch.
However, Mencl has been connected to Oregon for a long time. While he was offered last fall before breaking out in his junior season, Mencl has been a fan of the program long before he popped up on the Ducks’ recruiting radar. In a post shared by Rivals recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong, Mencl was announced as a quarterback for the Ducks when he was a kid at the 2019 NFL Draft fan experience in 2019.
Now, Mencl is ready to don the green and yellow for real and make his childhood dreams come true. The Ducks have made a point to get Mencl on campus as often as possible and as recently as last week. The continued connection between both sides is ultimately what made the decision easy for the nation’s top passer. Mencl said he told Lanning and the Oregon staff about his decision on Sunday.
“The biggest thing was the relationship with the staff,” Mencl said after committing. “I feel like that continued to grow over time, especially when I first got there last spring. Being able to sit down with Coach Koa, really being an underlooked guy at that time, and kind of blowing up my junior season. And then, the path to the NFL. You can’t deny what they do with quarterbacks and the type of scheme they run. I felt like that was the best fit for me and my family to get to the next level.”
Koa Ka’ai, Oregon’s new quarterback coach, made waves earlier in the offseason after his recruiting test about ice cream flavors went viral, but that doesn’t appear to have scared Mencl off. In fact, the two have a close connection that Oregon hopes will translate to success on the field in the near future.
“My relationship with Coach Koa, I feel like that is super, super strong,” Mencl told Rivals. “I’ve had a lot of discussions with Coach Lanning about the culture there and how they’re going to continue to sustain greatness throughout the program.”
Mencl exploded onto the national recruiting scene with a massive junior season for Chandler. He completed more than 70% of his passes for 3,815 yards and 33 touchdowns against five interceptions in his junior season, leading Chandler to a state title berth. He also rushed for 741 yards and an additional 17 touchdowns.
The Ducks expect to have some competition for Mencl to compete with when he joins the team for the 2027 season, with Dylan Raiola and Akili Smith Jr. already on the roster and competing for a role as the backup. Oregon has gone to the transfer portal as well in recent seasons, finding success with Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel, and now Dante Moore.
Oregon has recruited well at quarterback in the past, establishing an NFL pedigree that attracted Mencl. Maybe he will be the one to buck the trend and give the Ducks a true, homegrown product under center.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
‘Pour in the largest glass you can find while slow dancing in your socks,’ a Wine Enthusiast contributor said of an Oregon wine
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Wine Enthusiast released a list of the top 40 sparkling wines around the world in 2026 – highlighting two bottles of bubbly from Oregon.
“While it can seem like you need a fortune to enjoy high quality sparkling wine, you honestly don’t. Excellent affordable bubbles are being produced around the world, often in places you might not expect. Each of the selections on our inaugural Top 40 Sparkling Wines list delivers personality, freshness, and celebration for under $75,” Wine Enthusiast wrote.
Wine Enthusiast divided its list into separate sparkling categories including, Champagne, Italian Bollicine, American sparkling and bottles $25 and under.
Snagging a spot on the American sparkling list: Corollary Wines in McMinnville.
Corollarly’s 2021 Momtazi Carbonic Rosé Pinot Noir scored 96 points from Wine Enthusiast.
“This is a Peter Max print of a wine, with vivid aromas and flavors to match the wine’s electric Kool-Aid color. It is filled to the brim with aromas and flavors of macerated strawberries, candied rose petals, apricots, and a bitter note similar to watermelon rind. Pour in the largest glass you can find while slow dancing in your socks,” wrote Wine Enthusiast contributor Michael Alberty.
The second Oregon winery to earn a spot on the list: Lytle-Barnett in Dundee.
Wine Enthusiast also gave Lytle-Barnett’s 2018 Brut Rosé Pinot Noir Chardonnay 96 points.
“Bubbles as persistent as an eight-year-old with a question deliver aromas of dried rose petals, macerated strawberries, and a touch of fresh hay and talc. This 70/30 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend is packed with flavors of lemon zest, Honeycrisp apple slices drizzled in caramel, and a dollop of raspberry,” Alberty wrote.
The nods to Corollary and Lytle-Barnett come as the wineries recently helped launch Method Oregon, a nonprofit made up of 50 Oregon wineries aiming to turn Oregon into a global sparkling wine destination.
-
Florida1 minute agoFlorida Lottery Powerball, Lotto, Fantasy 5 results for April 22, 2026
-
Georgia7 minutes agoWildfires rage across Georgia and northern Florida amid severe drought
-
Hawaii13 minutes agoBench in Honokaʻa to Hilo storefront: Knickknackery Hawaii brings old-time island charm to Hilo
-
Idaho19 minutes agoIdaho ranks last in per pupil spending, again – Local News 8
-
Illinois25 minutes agoArlington Heights Bears fans cheer as ‘Megaprojects’ bill passes Illinois House
-
Indiana31 minutes ago99th Fire Department Instructors Conference draws 38,000 firefighters to Indy
-
Iowa37 minutes agoSee where all 9 Iowa State women’s basketball transfers ended up
-
Kentucky49 minutes agoIntrepido horse trainer, jockey, owner for Kentucky Derby 2026