Oregon
Trump just gutted a tiny federal agency that supports libraries. Here’s what it means for Oregon
Federal funding could be cut off for some rural Oregon library services and a long-running statewide reading competition for elementary, middle and high school students, as President Donald Trump works to eliminate a small federal agency that routed money to states for libraries and museums.
Money is also in jeopardy for a state library division that assists libraries at schools and other locations around the state, said Oregon’s State Librarian Wendy Cornelisen.
Trump issued an executive order in mid-March to effectively eliminate the small federal agency that distributes funding to libraries, called the Institute of Museum and Library Services. But the state library had continued collecting reimbursements for spending under its current federal grant through late March.
Then on Monday, the Trump administration placed everyone at the federal library and museum agency on paid administrative leave. Cornelisen said she does not know if or how Oregon will receive any future reimbursements through its grant that was part of funding approved by Congress. She can’t reach anyone at the federal agency for answers.
“There is so much that goes on behind the scenes to make the local library work,” Cornelisen said in an interview Wednesday. “From some change in the couch cushions of the federal budget, we get money from (the Institute of Museum and Library Services) to make this happen.”
Just as the federal agency is small, Oregon’s annual grant for libraries and related services is relatively little: approximately $2.6 million for the current budget year, Cornelisen said. Yet it pays for seven of the 10 state library employees who help local librarians across the state with developing community programming, children’s services and other work. There is more than $980,000 remaining for the Oregon State Library to collect from the current federal grant, according to Cornelisen.
Oregon’s state library has also awarded some of the federal funding to the state’s Oregon Battle of the Books, a voluntary statewide reading competition for students, and to a courier system that allows 77 libraries spread across 15 central and eastern Oregon counties to share books.
Cornelisen said the federal funding covers approximately 35% of the cost of Oregon Battle of the Books, or about $26,000. The competition’s statewide championship will take place in Salem later this month.
Valley Catholic Elementary students discuss an answer during the final round of the Oregon Battle of the Books state tournament in 2011.LC- The Oregonian
Federal funding covers a larger share of the cost for rural Oregon libraries’ Sage courier system: 50%, or $68,000, Cornelisen said. It transports interlibrary loan materials, including to some tiny libraries that don’t have the space or money for large collections.
“It’s one of those economies of scale that really makes libraries in some ways a little bit magic,” Cornelisen said of the courier system. “You can walk in and request a book that your library does not own and they will find a copy for you.”
Library materials circulating between libraries in central and eastern Oregon counties are pictured. Last year, the courier program transported 91,582 items across 15 rural counties in Oregon, between 77 different libraries at schools, colleges and public libraries . Libraries pay half the cost with local funds and the Oregon State Library uses a federal grant to cover the remainder. The Trump administration has placed that grant in jeopardy, through a move to eliminate the tiny agency that administers the congressionally approved money.Baker County Library District
If the federal Library Services and Technology Act grant is ultimately terminated, Cornelisen said the state library will work with its partners to figure out how to proceed but there is currently no plan in place. “There is no precedent for this happening, as this federal grant has been reliably in place for more than 30 years.”
In a statement, Gov. Tina Kotek said that Oregonians who pay federal taxes expect those dollars “to come back into the state to improve their lives.”
“Library Services and Technology Act dollars directly benefit all communities, particularly rural Oregon, with programs that help communities stay connected like the Sage Courier service,” Kotek said. “People that live in rural communities shouldn’t have to live with uncertainty about whether or not the resources their community has today will be gone tomorrow.”
Hillary Borrud is an investigative reporter. Reach her at 503-294-4034 or hborrud@oregonian.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — President Donald Trump campaigned on carrying out what he called the largest deportation operation in American history.
After taking office, his administration quickly ramped up immigration enforcement. Border czar Tom Homan also pledged to focus on so-called sanctuary cities, including Portland. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, more than 675,000 people were deported in 2025, while the agency says more than 2 million people “self-deported.”
READ ALSO | Supreme Court hands Trump immigration wins, but birthright citizenship might be different
In Oregon, state data shows state and local agencies experienced a 265% increase in immigration-related requests from federal authorities last year.
So what does that mean for Oregon’s economy?
The state’s chief economist says the effects are beginning to emerge.
Carl Riccadonna, Oregon’s state economist, said immigration enforcement actions are influencing consumer spending and activity across several key industries, though the state cannot yet quantify the overall impact.
“What we’re seeing in terms of immigration action is playing out in either consumption patterns, which we’ve seen in some communities, or in industrial or sectoral activity,” Riccadonna said. “This does then have implications for how we are reading the overall macroeconomy and putting together that revenue forecast.”
Portland police officers walk outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Riccadonna said the effects extend beyond agriculture, an industry that has historically relied on immigrant labor.
“We have certainly, in sector-by-sector analysis, we’re hearing evidence of impacts from immigration in consumption numbers, so retail, groceries, those sorts of things,” Riccadonna said. “There are also significant impacts in the retail sector and leisure and hospitality, restaurants and construction, important legacy industries of Oregon like timber, forestry … and manufacturing has a very large footprint as well.”
While the state is seeing those trends, Riccadonna said economists cannot yet calculate exactly how much immigration enforcement has affected Oregon’s economy.
“We haven’t done an exercise to say, well, this is what the forecast would have been otherwise. We don’t produce counterfactuals … but there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence from the cherry harvest this past summer and stresses elsewhere throughout those specific sectors,” he said.
National data offers additional context.
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the recent immigration surge — which the report says mostly comprises immigrants who were not lawful permanent residents, were not eligible to apply for lawful permanent residency based on their current status, and were not admitted on a temporary basis under the Immigration and Nationality Act — generated approximately $10 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2023. During that same period, governments spent nearly $19 billion on services such as schools, shelters and border security.
A damaged car is seen as law enforcement officials work the scene following reports that federal immigration officers shot and wounded people in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
The Congressional Budget Office also projects the immigration surge that began in 2023 will increase the U.S. labor force by approximately 5.8 million people by 2034 and boost the nation’s economic output by nearly $9 trillion over the next decade.
Riccadonna said Oregon expects to gain a clearer picture of the economic effects as more tax and revenue data becomes available.
This story is part of KATU’s “The Cost of the Crackdown” special, which examines how increased immigration enforcement is affecting Oregon, from businesses and workers to the state’s broader economy.
Oregon Army National Guard soldiers tested a new method of clearing battlefield obstacles during annual training this week by using a heavy-lift drone to remotely deliver and detonate a live explosive charge.
The proof-of-concept demonstration took place June 22 and was led by soldiers with Bravo Company, 741st Brigade Engineer Battalion, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
The exercise focused on using an unmanned aircraft to carry a live Bangalore torpedo — an explosive device designed to clear wire obstacles — allowing engineers to breach barriers while remaining farther from potential enemy threats.
Army engineers are responsible for creating safe routes for friendly forces by clearing obstacles such as concertina wire and minefields. Traditionally, placing explosive charges requires soldiers to move close to enemy positions, increasing their exposure to danger.
During the demonstration, a heavy-lift drone carried the explosive charge to a wire obstacle before remotely detonating it, successfully creating a lane through the barrier.
The project was the result of several months of planning by the battalion’s drone working group under the direction of battalion commander Lt. Col. Eric Zimmerman. The unit partnered with Ashland-based Lorica Technologies, which provided the heavy-lift drone used during the demonstration.
Lt. Col. Zimmerman said recent conflicts have highlighted the importance of adapting new technologies for the battlefield.
“Watching what’s happening in Ukraine and seeing how innovative they’ve been inspires you to get better and think bigger,” Lt. Col. Zimmerman said.
The team conducted multiple tests before the live demonstration, beginning with inert training devices before progressing to live explosives. Officials said the final test successfully delivered and detonated a two-section Bangalore torpedo.
Lt. Col. Zimmerman credited the project’s success to collaboration between battalion leadership and the soldiers responsible for carrying out the mission.
“I’m really proud,” Lt. Col. Zimmerman said. “The Soldiers of Bravo Company took an idea from the battalion staff and applied their expertise to make that idea functional and effective.”
Military officials said the demonstration highlights how the Oregon Army National Guard is incorporating emerging unmanned aircraft technology into engineer operations. Lessons learned from the project are expected to help shape future training and the Army’s continued integration of drones into combat engineering missions.
The Oregon Army National Guard is made up of citizen-soldiers who serve part time while maintaining civilian careers, attending school or raising families. In addition to federal deployments, Guard members respond to state emergencies such as wildfires, floods and winter storms when activated by the governor.
The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 25, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 25 drawing
1PM: 9-9-6-3
4PM: 5-1-5-7
7PM: 7-4-0-5
10PM: 9-1-2-4
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.
-
Lifestyle22 minutes agoAmateurs now conduct most weddings. Here is some basic advice
-
Technology32 minutes agoIt’s the last day of Prime Day — here are over 140 great deals to choose from
-
World37 minutes agoRubio announces framework deal between Israel and Lebanon as experts warn Iran will fight to sabotage it
-
Politics44 minutes agoLawyer who beat Hawaii gun law calls state’s reliance on Black Code ‘disgraceful’
-
Sports52 minutes ago2026 World Cup Group Scenarios: What Remaining Teams Need To Advance To Round of 32
-
Technology59 minutes agoOhio robot cop retires after zero arrests
-
Business1 hour agoCommentary: Puncturing the myth of Alan Greenspan, whose policies gave us the Great Recession
-
Entertainment1 hour agoOn 10th anniversary, Boleros de Noche’s legacy is celebrated by L.A. City Hall
