Oregon

Tired of your state politics? These residents are looking to secession as the solution.

Published

2 years ago

May 19, 2024

Press Room

Tired of your state politics? These residents are looking to secession as the solution.

An Oregon ballot initiative is the latest in a long line of secession efforts that speak to the nation’s sharp divide.

PRINEVILLE, Oregon ‒ Tens of thousands of rural, conservative eastern Oregon residents are so frustrated with their liberal urban neighbors they’ve decided they can no longer even share a ZIP code.

The “Greater Idaho Movement” would shift the Oregon border 200 miles west, a secession effort aligning the conservative farming, ranching and logging communities of eastern Oregon with their like-minded neighbors to the east. A dozen counties in eastern Oregon have already approved the plan, and voters in Crook County and the county seat of Prineville are currently considering the non-binding measure with results due Tuesday.

“I love Oregon but I just don’t love the people running it right now,” said Eric Smith, 48, who owns two retail shops on Prineville’s main street. “It doesn’t feel like they want to keep us anyway.”

Across Crook County, pop. 26,325, even voters who oppose the measure say they’re tired of the dictates from liberal lawmakers in the state capital of Salem and the state’s population center of Portland, citing marijuana legalization, efforts to reduce fossil fuel use, gun-control measures and how the state handled the coronavirus pandemic.

The sentiment in eastern Oregon reflects a broader national frustration and divide over the direction of the country that’s playing out in school districts, university campuses and big cities, all the way up to Congress.

A 2023 study by a Colby College professor found that more than 25% of Americans support some sort of secession by states, and nearly 25% percent agreed it “makes sense to split the country up.”

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican, highlighted the division many Americans feel when she tweeted in February 2023 that “we need a national divorce. We need to separate by red states and blue states and shrink the federal government…”

Ryan D. Griffiths, a political science professor at Syracuse University, said the Oregon ballot initiative is the latest in a long line of efforts, though most have never amounted to more than slogans and bumper stickers. Among them: the failed “State of Jefferson” proposal in Northern California, simmering secession movements in Vermont and Texas, and a short-lived effort to move a chunk of Northern Colorado into Wyoming.

Griffiths said like other secession efforts, the Greater Idaho Movement lacks a significant groundswell of public support, and in most cases is more of a referendum on state-level governance.

“It’s a pipe dream, in a way. What they’re doing is partly performative, for ideological purposes,” he said. “A lot of time, secessionist movements are really just bargaining efforts.”

Griffiths said scholars who study secession efforts, like those of the former U.S.S.R., see U.S.-based movements as “pretty lightweight stuff.” But he also acknowledged secession efforts like Greater Idaho keep bubbling up.

“It’s gaining a weird creeping momentum,” he said of proposed partisan divorces.

“If you imagine a full-blown project to divide America into red and blue states, that would be incredibly dangerous because you’d have to partition people off,” he said. “You don’t actually have neatly sorted populations, despite what many people think.”

Should neighbors share the same values?

In Oregon, the measure’s backers say they’re using a peaceful, existing political process to reduce friction between people at opposite ends of the political spectrum who are already living separate lives within the state. Supporters say they don’t want to just sell their homes and move to another state because they like living where they are.

“People have already sorted themselves into like-minded communities,” said Matt McCaw, a Greater Idaho movement spokesman. “People like to live around people who share the same values they do.”

Smith, the shop owner, used to live in nearby Bend, part of the far more liberal Deschutes County, but left in frustration over its political direction.

In the 2020 presidential election, Deschutes County voted 52% for Joe Biden, while Crook County, where he now lives, gave Trump 73% of its vote. The measure’s backers say they likely won’t seek support from Deschutes voters, even though the county is considered part of eastern Oregon.

Smith said he’s not sure how he’ll vote on secession, but he understands why people support it.

“Quit treating us like Portland,” he said, echoing the sentiment of many Crook County residents.

Experts say the kind of self-segregation decisions people like Smith make are reflected in recent migrations nationally to states like Texas and Florida, but also in the “white flight” movement of the 1950s and 1960s, as white city-dwellers moved to the suburbs.

The Greater Idaho movement would need approval from both Oregon and Idaho’s legislatures, along with Congress. Also undetermined would be how the Native American reservations in Eastern Oregon would be incorporated, as they span county and state borders.

McCaw, a foster parent who lives north of Prineville, said he doesn’t want to be forced to accept that there are more than two genders, or that people can change genders, and is frustrated by liberals who reject the role of the Christian church in daily life.

He said he and many of his neighbors are also still upset by how Oregon required businesses and churches to close during the coronavirus pandemic, compared to the looser restrictions in Idaho.

“We were forced into things we didn’t want and it was all done under the threat of punishment from the western part of state,” he said. “That opened a lot of people’s eyes. It’s one thing to see the legislature pass policies you don’t agree with, and another to have your business closed, couldn’t go to church.”

Workers and owners shop in the same stores

Above all, Crook County residents say, is the idea they know their neighbors, from the farmers and ranchers to the tech support workers at the massive Facebook and Apple data centers, and the ladies behind the counter at the Sandwich Factory.

Prineville shop worker Amanda Halcom, 30, said she’s still unsure how she’ll vote. She said the cost of housing is going up, and she worries drug abuse is increasing. She said she believes many of the laws passed by Oregon’s legislature will ultimately make Crook County more urban.

She said knowing her neighbors, taking personal responsibility for her actions and solving local problems locally are important values.

“We are supposed to be a small town. That’s whole point,” said Halcom, who worries about raising her kids in what she considers an increasingly liberal environment. “That’s the kind of stuff we move here for.”

One concern: what would happen to Halcom’s pay if eastern Oregon joined Idaho. While minimum wage in Crook County is $13.20 per hour, it’s $7.25 an hour in Idaho.

The nearest Walmart to Prineville is 30 miles away, and political concerns are usually more focused on whether a new dollar store fits into the community, and if nonprofit cleanup groups should get free access to the county dump.

Generally, Crook County has more in common with Idaho than most of its own state: The county is overall less racially diverse than both Oregon as a whole and the entire United States, and people living there earn less money than Oregon’s average. Crook County’s median family income is about $75,000, while it’s about $70,000 in Idaho and almost $87,000 for Oregon statewide.

“The mill owner and the mill worker have to go to the same restaurant, shop at the same grocery store. That keeps things in check,” said Seth Crawford, a Crook County commissioner.

Crawford hasn’t taken a formal position on the proposal, but he understands why many of his neighbors support it. He said he shares their concerns with how things are decided by “The Valley” ‒ the western Willamette Valley that’s home to 70% of the state’s population in Portland, Eugene and Salem.

Crawford has knocked on hundreds of his neighbors’ doors during his election campaigns and said he regularly hears the same concerns, from statewide marijuana legalization that Crook County opposed to complaints about how legislators want to regulate guns. People are also frustrated about paying higher taxes to fund government services they oppose, and want the freedom to raise their families as they see fit.

And while he said he still believes Crook County can make its voice heard at the statehouse, he understands why his neighbors might be willing to take the drastic step of secession.

“They want to be able to send a message to Salem: We’re not happy with the situation we’re in,” Crawford said.

People are tired of arguing

Competing signs across Prineville call to “Move Oregon’s Border” or urge voters to reject the effort with an “IdaNo!”

Secession supporter Josh Derrick, 44, said he thinks things go further than disagreements over how to live. He said fundamental lifestyle differences indicate a lack of common ground.

Derrick sells RVs, mostly the kind that require a large pickup to tow. But he keeps smaller ones on hand too, to sell to SUV-driving liberals who won’t buy trucks.

“People are just tired of arguing,” he said. “I want to work, make money, play with my toys and go fishing.”

Derrick said he never used to pay much attention to local politics, but got involved as the Greater Idaho movement came to his attention.

“I love Oregon. The chances of (the initiative) going through are pretty slim. But it’s getting a lot more people involved in politics,” he said. “If this gets more people involved, I count that as a win.”

Besides, he laughed, “I don’t hate liberals. I still need their money.”

McCaw, the initiative spokesman, said even if the Crook County vote fails, the Greater Idaho Movement will persist.

He said he believes Americans are just too divided, and that while people who disagree can live side-by-side, Oregon’s liberal politicians consistently force their values onto rural areas. He said if other states decide to follow suit, so be it ‒ there’s a process for changing boundaries for this exact reason.

“I don’t think we can sustain the path we are on,” McCaw said said. “We need to be OK saying your values are yours, mine are mine, and you have to respect our ability to have different views.”

Smith, the shop owner, said he might vote against the initiative because he favors keeping Oregon whole. Munching on a McDonald’s hash brown, Smith said he opened two shops because he’s confident Prineville and Crook County are good places to be.

He just wishes, he said, that politicians in Salem would listen to eastern Oregon’s concerns so that this talk of secession would die down.

Smith said he appreciates that Oregon has a wide diversity of thought and lifestyles, geography and employment: “That’s what made Oregon, Oregon. And I don’t want to let that go.”

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Oregon

Oregon Lottery Pick 4 results for March 1

Published

9 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 1, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing

1PM: 4-1-6-1

4PM: 6-5-5-6

7PM: 2-1-9-9

10PM: 6-2-5-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Oregon

Editorial: A legislative ‘solution’ that only creates more loopholes

Published

21 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Editorial: A legislative ‘solution’ that only creates more loopholes

Legislators are bypassing a straightforward solution that would help ski resorts and other recreational providers stave off lawsuits claiming minor negligence and instead are overcomplicating the picture, the editorial board writes. Lawmakers should follow the example of other states rather than create its own path.

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Oregon

6 Friendliest Towns to Visit on the Pacific Coast in 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

6 Friendliest Towns to Visit on the Pacific Coast in 2026

From Mount Baker’s soaring backdrop to the hillside village of Oceanside with its hidden tunnel beach, the Pacific Coast’s best moments often come in small-town America. Each waterfront has its own mix of boardwalks and marina sunsets, whether you’re strolling the sand in Brookings or catching the last light in Fort Bragg. Add in Victorian mansions, occasional Mediterranean-style flourishes, and that storybook, salt-air atmosphere that feels tailor-made for seaside fun. Below are the 6 friendliest towns on the Pacific Coast.

Brookings, Oregon

Aerial Drone Photo Overlooking Brookings, Oregon and the Pacific Ocean on a sunny day

Although easy to overlook at first, Brookings leaves a lasting impression once visited. Located near the southern tip of Oregon’s coast, just six miles from California, it offers long, sandy beaches ideal for beachcombing, swimming, and relaxing—often with fewer crowds thanks to the area’s “Banana Belt” climate. North of town, Harris Beach State Park provides stunning scenery, diverse trails, and a rocky pocket beach perfect for memorable photos. Chetco Point Park surrounds Macklyn Cove with peaceful oceanfront paths, tide pools, a scenic lookout, and picnic areas nestled among rocks.

Within town, you’ll find bars, grills, a brewery, and a charming selection of shops and galleries, including Manley Art Center & Gallery—ideal for a midday break or relaxing after sunset. During summer, Azalea Park hosts free concerts and features a bandshell, sports facilities, and kids’ play areas. Take a photo at Capella by the Sea, a unique wood-and-stone chapel built by film producer Elmo Williams, then cross the Chetco River to Harbor, another delightful nearby community. At Chetco Brewing Company, the beer is proudly “homegrown,” crafted with ingredients from the property—like Irish moss for clarifying—without pesticides, herbicides, or additives, resulting in a crisp, refreshing taste.

Depoe Bay, Oregon

Perched above the Pacific, Depoe Bay is a charming, compact town famously known as the world’s smallest natural navigable ocean harbor. Marine enthusiasts visit to see this up close, but that’s just part of the appeal. Combining its small-harbor claim with a larger reputation, Depoe Bay is celebrated as the whale-watching capital of the Oregon coast. From March to December, humpbacks, gray whales, and even orcas can be seen along with a variety of sea life. Unlike many locations where whale watching requires tickets, you can often view these giants for free during migration season from the town’s expansive observation deck.

Beyond whale watching, there’s plenty to explore. Visit the Whale Watch Center, or arrange a trip with Dockside Charters and Whale Watching Tours—an ideal gift for nature lovers. The museum at Whale Research EcoExcursions costs less than $5 and is located right at the harbor. Bayfront hotels in Depoe Bay are a popular choice for couples, especially for special occasions like honeymoons. For a rugged shoreline experience, Depoe Bay Scenic Park, next to the iconic Arch Rock Café, provides spots for wading, picnicking, and photography. When it’s time to dine, Gracie’s Sea Hag offers exceptional oceanfront seafood along with a bar and vibrant music scene.

Fort Bragg, California

About 150 miles north of San Francisco, Fort Bragg feels even more remote—in the best way. The area’s loudest sounds are the soothing waves, and the stars are the only bright lights in the night sky. The air is fresh and crisp, and the streets are pleasantly quiet—thanks to the outdoor attractions that steal the spotlight, from quick dips in the ocean to birdwatching and year-round whale-watching. You can explore Noyo Harbor by kayak from the docks, or take a scenic ride on the Skunk Train (or a rail bike) through meadows and redwoods. For a relaxed day, visit the Glass Fire Art Glass Gallery, stroll the trails at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, then enjoy the sunset at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, whose beam reaches 15 miles into the sea after dark.

Downtown Fort Bragg offers history walks, wine tastings, pub crawls with local brews, a cooking school, and the Discovery Center featuring a Blue Whale skeleton. Just south, many visitors go to Pomo Bluffs Park, a 25-acre area with benches and interpretive signs along the coastal trail for hiking and biking. Watch fishing boats bring in salmon, Dungeness crab, and abalone, then dine at The Wharf with waterfront views. For more open space, MacKerricher State Park provides wetlands full of birds and seal-watching opportunities, plus nearby Glass Beach, where colorful sea-tumbled glass sparkles like tiny treasures from the ocean.

La Conner, Washington

La Conner is a charming town nestled on a delta near the mouth of the Skagit River, and it’s the oldest town in Skagit County. Its historic downtown showcases beautiful architecture from the early 1860s, a period when pioneers like Alexander Underwood, Michael Sullivan, Sam Calhoun, and A.G. Tillinghast settled in the area shortly after the Civil War. Originally named Swinomish, the town was later renamed by John Conner in honor of his wife, Louisa A., following his purchase of John Hayes’ trading post in 1869. This marked the beginning of the town’s first post office and general store on the west side of the Swinomish Slough. With a proud history and a strong focus on preservation, the entire town is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, La Conner remains a vibrant community that still hosts the Swinomish Tribal Community. It beautifully combines the laid-back charm of a historic fishing village with the lively spirit of a well-loved artists’ colony. It’s also a peaceful wintering spot for graceful swans and Canada geese. Located along the stunning Salish Sea between Seattle and Vancouver, it’s a perfect place to relax and explore. Whether you visit in April for the colorful Tulip Festival or anytime throughout the year, you’ll enjoy browsing charming galleries, chatting with friendly locals, and admiring breathtaking views of Mount Baker reflected in the water. From the cheerful daffodils of March to classic cars and the lively “Brew on the Slough” event in October, La Conner’s welcoming calendar is packed with delightful events. Enjoy its unique boutiques, tasty dining options, and three fascinating museums—making it a wonderful weekend getaway.

Oceanside, Oregon

Oceanside feels wonderfully calming even before you arrive—true to its name, it’s a place that gently reminds you of just how much the ocean influences our world. It offers everything you might hope for: expansive horizon views, a tranquil beach, and a charming oceanfront café where time seems to slow down on purpose. Offshore, the stunning Three Arch Rocks—part of a protected wildlife refuge—anchor the breathtaking scenery. At Maxwell Point, the coastline creates a delightful illusion of distance and scale. During low tide, you can stroll through a tunnel to reach Tunnel Beach, then continue past rocky points to explore a series of secluded coves that feel like a hidden world miles away.

With cozy beach rentals and charming B&Bs, settling into a relaxed rhythm is easy: start your day with breakfast at Blue Agate Cafe, return later for comforting seafood, homemade desserts, and drinks at Roseanna’s Cafe, and wind down beneath the majestic silhouette of the arched rocks overhead. There are so many iconic spots to explore—Symons State Scenic Viewpoint, Lost Boy Beach, and the Short Beach Trailhead—all just a short hike or drive away. And despite its quiet charm, this community remains wonderfully laid-back, nestled into a hillside that feels like a natural amphitheater, offering sweeping views from Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site.

Tofino, British Columbia

A bird's eye view of Tofino. The community is spread across just a handful of streets — A bird’s eye view of Tofino. The community is spread across just a handful of streets

Stretching from Washington through Oregon and into California, the U.S. “West Coast” continues north into British Columbia. With geography on its side, Tofino is pure Vancouver Island charisma—wild beaches, moody skies, and the real possibility of spotting black bears. With access via a reasonably priced charter flight or a ferry-and-bus combo, it’s surprising that something this rugged and authentic sits so close to Vancouver’s bustle. Start your day at the beloved Rhino Coffee House, then choose your own pace: fishing, kayaking, hiking, or simply sinking into the sands of Tonquin Park, which stretches from wilder Tonquin Beach near the tip to the calmer shoreline around Chesterman Beach.

Home to about 1,400 residents, including many surfers who share a love for whale-watching, Tofino proudly proclaims itself as the end of the Trans-Canada Highway. It offers a cozy selection of campsites, perfect for any adventure. Whether you’re riding the waves or quietly watching gray and humpback whales, just being here feels special — taking in the cedar-scented sea breeze as eagles soar above. Tofino completely avoids the chain-store scene, making it a truly relaxing retreat. Its mild climate features gentle winters and summers that are rarely too hot. For art lovers, Roy Henry Vickers Gallery highlights regional works, while Wolf in the Fog offers inventive, farm-fresh dishes and cocktails in a warm, inviting setting.

These colorful beachside towns greet you with captivating views, crashing waves, and ocean-fresh air—pairing old-world charm with a distinctly modern maritime culture. As varied as Washington, Oregon, California, and coastal British Columbia, they offer a little something for every kind of traveler. From Depoe Bay’s whale-watching scene to Fort Bragg’s wild coastline and Tofino’s surf-town spirit, spotting the ocean’s “friendly giants” is practically part of the itinerary.

And beyond the water, every slow turn down a quiet street reveals artisan boutiques, local eateries, and weathered cottages with real character. Whether you’re road-tripping the coast, escaping city noise, or overdue for a proper vacation, the blend of local life and wildlife delivers the kind of trip that stays with you. Watch whales from Depoe Bay, kayak Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, then head north to Tofino for that far-flung, end-of-the-road feeling—without ever losing sight of the sea.

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