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Thousands of Oregonians remain without power, with snow, sleet forecast Tuesday for Portland

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Thousands of Oregonians remain without power, with snow, sleet forecast Tuesday for Portland


More than 100,000 Oregon homes and businesses were still without electricity on Monday morning, as the National Weather Service warned of more challenging conditions to come.

A wind advisory is in effect for the Portland metro area through 10 a.m. Tuesday, and the National Weather Service warned that more trees could fall, prompting further power failures. Snow and sleet are expected to arrive just as the highest winds die down on Tuesday, contributing further to already hazardous conditions, according to forecasts.

The weather agency also issued a winter storm watch for the Coast Range of northwest and central Oregon, warning that fresh ice accumulation, especially on the east side of mountain crests, could down trees and lead to new power outages through the day on Tuesday.

Since extreme cold spread across much of Oregon on Friday, hundreds of downed trees have been reported across the state. At least four people may have died of weather-related causes. And more than 1,000 power company employees have been engaged in the effort to restore electricity.

For a time, more than 200,000 locations were without power across the state. Portland General Electric and Pacific Power have warned that some of their customers could face prolonged outages.

Nearly every Oregon highway has been affected by challenging conditions over the past few days, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation, which encouraged drivers to limit travel, and to expect delays and bring emergency supplies when taking to the road.

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At least four deaths may be tied to cold, falling trees

The Multnomah County medical examiner’s office said on Sunday it is investigating two suspected hypothermia deaths in Portland. One person died Friday in inner Northeast Portland and the other died Saturday in Portland’s 97217 zip code, officials said on Sunday. Both people who died are male, and confirmation on each cause of death will take weeks or months, the county said in a press release. No other details were released.

Separately, Portland Fire & Rescue said a person died after a tree fell, hitting an RV, a power pole and a transformer, which affected their ability to help. Firefighters struggled to respond as they worked around downed electrical wires and found the nearest hydrant was not working, likely due to ice. Three people escaped the RV alive, but a fourth, a woman in her early 30s, was trapped by the fallen RV and died inside. A fire investigator determined the people in the RV were using an open flame stove to keep warm when the tree fell, causing the RV to catch fire.

And in Lake Oswego, a tree crashed through the second floor of a house in the Southwood neighborhood, killing an older man who was inside, according to officials there.

Numerous houses, power lines damaged by trees

Topher Sinkinson was eating breakfast at his Southeast Portland home Saturday when a tree crashed into his roof, sending piles of insulation into his house.

The fallen tree landed on live power lines operated by Portland General Electric, and Sinkinson said the power lines must be removed before crews can remove the tree.

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“I think with the power lines being against the house and being in the tree the way that they are, it’s a little scary for us to be here,” he said.

Topher Sinkinson reported that a tree crashed through his roof, but he could not remove it until Portland General Electric addressed power lines that were also knocked down.

Topher Sinkinson reported that a tree crashed through his roof, but he could not remove it until Portland General Electric addressed power lines that were also knocked down.

courtesy of Topher Sinkinson

As of Sunday afternoon, Sinkinson said, he still could not reach PGE, and the tree remained on top of the house.

Lisa Tadewaldt, an arborist with Urban Forest Pro in Portland, told OPB that her business has been flooded with calls from people who had trees crash into their homes. It could be days before some trees are removed.

“The amount of trees on houses, it’s the most it’s ever been,” Tadewaldt said. “I don’t know what the insurance claim numbers are going to be, but they’re going to be high. It’s going to be insane.”

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City officials from Newport reported that a tree fell on a homeless camp, injuring at least one person, on Saturday. The coastal community saw reports of multiple additional injuries reported due to downed trees, and numerous streets blocked off by downed power lines.

Fallen trees have also hampered emergency response efforts, blocking roads and threatening police and fire crews as they work. While crews were responding to the fallen tree that killed a Lake Oswego man on Saturday, another tree fell onto a vehicle just two doors down, city officials said.

“Today, we have had at least around 20 different trees fall onto homes, which is very rare. I have never seen this many in my 25-year career here at Lake Oswego Fire,” Lake Oswego Fire Marshall Gert Zoutendijk said on Saturday.

The cold weather also strained Portland’s sewer system. The city’s largest pump station is only partially operating due to a frozen pipe, the Bureau of Environmental Services said in a press release sent Sunday.

Power failures have also affected the city’s main treatment plant and some of Portland’s 99 other pump stations.

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Portland's largest sewage pump station, which serves downtown and the surrounding inner city, was under partial service due to a frozen pipe on Jan. 15, 2024. Officials said there was no public impact.

Portland’s largest sewage pump station, which serves downtown and the surrounding inner city, was under partial service due to a frozen pipe on Jan. 15, 2024. Officials said there was no public impact.

Courtesy of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services

A backup generator near East Burnside and 105th Avenue froze on Saturday, sending sewage into about a dozen homes.

Officials said they hope to have repairs to the city’s biggest pump station complete by Tuesday night. If they don’t succeed, the city may have to ask residents to limit flushing and dishwashing — but officials don’t expect that will be necessary.

Warming shelters stay open, some school and event cancellations announced

With temperatures likely to remain below freezing in much of Northwest Oregon until Wednesday, and the threat of high winds and additional precipitation, officials have started to extend warming shelter hours and to announce cancellations for Monday and Tuesday.

Salem-Keizer Schools will be closed on Tuesday, and several smaller districts have also canceled classes.

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Multnomah County officials extended their shelter resources through at least 8 p.m. Monday, and Clackamas County staff said shelters there will stay open until at least Tuesday.

In Lincoln County, where one in five utility customers did not have electricity on Monday morning, several temporary warming shelters are in place, including one in Newport that officials said will stay open until power is restored.

Several Martin Luther King Jr. Day-related gatherings were canceled, including SOLVE’s Day of Service celebration and the racial justice group Don’t Shoot Portland’s annual Reclaim MLK March.

A number of transit agencies have reported cancelations or delays, including Oregon’s largest, the Portland metro area’s Trimet, which suspended all rail service due to weather conditions and said some buses have had to re-route because of road conditions.



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Oregon

Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon earns 4th All-American selection

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Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon earns 4th All-American selection


Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon in action against Oklahoma State on September 6, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)ISI Photos via Getty Images

Emmanuel Pregnon earned his fourth All-American selection.

The Oregon offensive guard was named a first team All-American by the Sporting News.

Pregnon is one step closer to consensus All-American distinction, with the FWAA’s team still to be announced. He was also a first team selection by the AP and a second team honoree by the Walter Camp Foundation and AFCA.

Safety Dillon Thieneman earned second team honors, matching his selection by the Walter Camp Foundation and AP.

James Crepea is the Oregon Ducks beat reporter and Big Ten sports reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive. He primarily covers football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball and softball, as well as…



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Oregon Ducks Address Biggest Need Through Recruiting Class

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Oregon Ducks Address Biggest Need Through Recruiting Class


The Oregon Ducks made key signings through the 2026 recruiting class, and Oregon coach Dan Lanning and the program secured five five-star picks. 

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One of the biggest position needs that the Ducks addressed through recruiting is safety. According to Rivals’ rankings, seven safeties are featured in the top 100 recruits, and the Oregon Ducks made a big splash in recruiting the position.

Oregon Adds Elite Safeties Through Recruiting

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Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning smiles before the game against the Southern California Trojans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

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One of the biggest signings for the Oregon Ducks is five-star safety Jett Washington. Washington is the No. 22 recruit in the nation, the No. 2 safety, and the No. 1 player from Nevada, per Rivals. While the Ducks signed several elite recruits, Washington could prove to be the most important signing for Oregon.

Washington is a natural athlete, and after choosing between USC, Alabama, and Oregon, the five-star recruit will find himself in Eugene in 2026. Athleticism runs in Washington’s family, as he is the nephew of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, and he can be an immediate difference maker on defense in 2026.

“I think the options are limitless when you see a player of Jett’s ability. He’s got great ball instincts, he can attack. He’s a physical hitter. You look at a lot of things that we were able to do with Dillon this year, Dillon Thieneman on his stack position, I think Jett translates to a lot of that stuff really well as well,” Lanning said of Washington.

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Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks also signed four-star safety Devin Jackson, another top 100 recruit. According to the Rivals’ Industry Rankings, Jackson is the No. 68 recruit in the nation, the No. 5 safety, and the No. 9 player from Florida. Despite efforts from the Florida Gators and several other top programs, the effort the Oregon Ducks put in landed them another elite safety in 2026. 

MORE: Dan Lanning Challenging Mike Bellotti In Oregon Coach Milestone

MORE: Oregon Ducks Recruiting Another Multi-Sport Athlete to Eugene

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MORE: Oregon Ducks Who Are Still Pending NFL Draft Decisions 

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Despite not being rated in the top 100, the Ducks also signed four-star safety Xavier Lherisse. Oregon has a strong history of developing players on both sides of the ball, and Lhresse has a high ceiling. With the Ducks, he could break out on the defense and become a top safety over time.

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Oct 28, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning congratulates players after defeating the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

Why Recruiting At Safety Was Important For Oregon

The Oregon Ducks are earning a valuable addition at safety, which could be critical for the Ducks in 2026. After Oregon’s success in 2025, the team could be losing key defensive back depth.

One significant player who could be leaving the team after the season is safety Dillon Thieneman. He could return to the team next year, but with the season he had, Thieneman could declare for the 2026 NFL Draft.

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Ducks safety Solomon Davis announced his intention to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, and although Davis played primarily on the special teams, that is still another player set to leave the team ahead of 2026. Whether the incoming recruits are ready to play right away or not, the team needed to add depth at the position, and the Ducks landed elite talent in doing so.

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New co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Chris Hampton, right, joins the first practice of spring for Oregon football as they prepare for the 2023 season.

Eug 031623 Uo Spring Fb 06 | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Oregon has had a top defense this season and has done well at stopping the pass. The defense allowed just 5.36 yards per attempt and 144.1 yards per game in the air. 

Despite Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi becoming the head coach of the Cal Bears, the Ducks’ defense has the same amount of potential. Notably, defensive backs coach Chris Hampton is expected to be promoted to defensive coordinator.

Not only is Oregon hiring in-house, but it is the coach who recruited the elite safeties. Hampton will set up the incoming athletes for much success, keeping Oregon as a national title contender. 

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Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield applauds court ruling blocking SNAP fines on states

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Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield applauds court ruling blocking SNAP fines on states


(Update: Video Added)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Monday, a federal judge blocked efforts by the Trump administration to fine states millions of dollars for administering SNAP benefits. 

Read the full press release from the Office Of The Attorney General, including a statement made by Rayfield, below:

Attorney General Dan Rayfield today (Monday) released the following statement after a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to penalize states with millions of dollars in fines related to their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) operations:

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“In Oregon and across the country, SNAP supports families to make ends meet throughout the year. The federal government’s threat to impose this – especially during the holiday season – created needless uncertainty for programs that help people put food on the table. Today’s ruling stops that disruption and allows Oregon to keep administering SNAP without fear of being punished for following the law.”

On November 26, Attorney General Rayfield and a coalition of 20 other attorneys general sued the Trump administration after it attempted to cut off SNAP benefits for tens of thousands of lawful permanent residents. On December 10, the administration reversed itself and issued new guidance, confirming that lawful permanent residents – including former refugees and asylees – remain eligible for SNAP benefits.

Despite that reversal, the administration continued to threaten states with millions of dollars in fines, claiming that states had missed a required “grace period” for implementing the new guidance, even though the final guidance was not issued until December 10.

Today, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon issued an order temporarily blocking those penalties. The court’s decision prohibits the federal government’s efforts to impose severe financial penalties on states and protects the continued operation of SNAP programs while the case proceeds.

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