DEC. 3, 2021 contribute now In The News Blazers fire Neil Olshey Echelon Protective Services Analyzing wastewater for omicron Wolf poisonings Hunt for omicron in Oregon UO Critical race theory Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB PART 3 Portland city officials welcome private security firm’s investigations even as prosecutors skeptical Despite the concerns of local law enforcement, other city leaders are more comfortable with the role Echelon Protective Services in downtown Portland is playing, even as it hits at the heart of the city’s ongoing debate over how to handle homelessness. Part 3 of 3. RELATED PART 1The sudden and troubling rise of a private police force in Downtown Portland PART 2Police, prosecutors wary of private security’s expanded role in downtown Portland THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: Become a Sponsor NOT GOING TO WASTE HEALTH These samples are helping Oregon scientists in their search for omicron Researchers at Oregon State University are analyzing wastewater for omicron, while a team at Oregon Health and Science University are searching for the virus in nasal swabs. HEALTH Lots of questions as Oregon prepares for omicron variant As the first reports of the omicron variant pop up in the U.S., Oregon authorities are awaiting its arrival and have questions. Security guard charged with murder in North Portland parking lot killing Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced Thursday that Gimbel, 28, has been charged with murder in the second degree with a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm, recklessly endangering another person and two counts of unlawful use of mace in the second degree. Washington Supreme Court says redistricting commission met its deadline, declines to redo maps In a surprise order Friday morning, the Washington Supreme Court declined to take on the job of drafting new congressional and legislative maps. Instead, the court declared that the state's Redistricting Commission had finished its work on-time last month. SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT Australian company begins drilling for lithium in Oregon The project in southern Malheur County could eventually help supply a growing U.S. appetite for domestic lithium used to make batteries. BLAZERS MOVING ON Blazers fire general manager Neil Olshey, 4 weeks after launching workplace investigation In a statement shared on social media, the Portland Trail Blazers said Olshey's firing was due to violations of the team's code of conduct. RELATED Blazers hire firm to look at workplace environment concerns Portland Trail Blazers’ rape investigation came together quickly, didn’t contact accuser Blazers’ president and CEO to resign later this month after 9 years with team Power loss at Southern Oregon hatchery spells problems for fish About a million Chinook Salmon could be released at a smaller than normal size next year. A power outage at Cole Rivers fish hatchery in Jackson County means there won't be warm incubation tanks for winter. Stalled investigation into Oregon wolf poisonings prompts request for public’s help Eight wolves have been fatally poisoned in Eastern Oregon and Oregon State Police are turning to the public to help them find whoever is responsible. Christmas tree buyers face reduced supplies, higher prices after extreme summer heat in Oregon and Washington Even Christmas trees aren’t immune to the pandemic-induced shortages and inflation. Scientists race to answer the question: Will vaccines protect us against omicron? There's serious concern about the effectiveness of vaccines against the omicron strain. But there's also reason to be hopeful — especially for those who've had a booster. Where’s the snow? Rockies winter starts with a whimper Denver’s winter has started with a whimper, and the parched mountains to the west aren’t faring much better. Study suggests past COVID infection may not fend off omicron South African scientists are warning that the new omicron variant may be causing more reinfections among COVID-19 survivors than earlier virus mutants. 21 states poised to ban or severely restrict abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned So-called "trigger laws" in 12 states would automatically enact an abortion ban if Roe is overturned. In nine others, bans that were blocked by courts or have long been unenforced could take effect. Trump faces flurry of investigations beyond Jan. 6 probe As Donald Trump’s lawyers try to block the White House from releasing records to the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, the former president faces a flurry of other investigations that could come to a head in the coming weeks and the new year. Report examines inequities facing Oregon’s female superintendents Your browser does not support the audio element. “Women superintendents are calling for change in the gender inequities that thrive in Oregon’s education system.” That’s according to a new study from the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators, the Oregon Commission for Women and the Oregon Department of Education. 50 years later, the mystery of D.B. Cooper still intrigues D.B. Cooper has been an infamous name in Pacific Northwest crime history for five decades. Will the case of the country’s most notorious skyjacker ever be solved? CULTURE From the court to the vineyard: CJ McCollum talks wine Your browser does not support the audio element. You're probably familiar with CJ McCollum the basketball star, but what about CJ McCollum the winemaker? We spoke with the Portland Trail Blazer about the similarities between wine and basketball, bringing bottles into the bubble, and how winemakers from different backgrounds can help diversify the wine industry. OPB's First Look newsletter Sign up to get important news and culture from around the Northwest, delivered to your inbox six days a week. EMAIL Sign Up Most Recent Where’s the snow? Rockies winter starts with a whimper Study suggests past COVID infection may not fend off omicron Power loss at Southern Oregon hatchery spells problems for fish Oregon lawmakers gear up for special session on housing Some Portland cannabis businesses and workers to get boost from emergency relief fund Washington Supreme Court says redistricting commission met its deadline, declines to redo maps Blazers fire general manager Neil Olshey, 4 weeks after launching workplace investigation Tigard safety board collaborates with police department Trump faces flurry of investigations beyond Jan. 6 probe Germany: 1 in 100 infected with virus, health minister says Politics Washington Supreme Court says redistricting commission met its deadline, declines to redo maps Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio announces retirement Stacey Abrams launches 2nd campaign for Georgia governor Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio will retire in 2022 Washington state Rep. Vicki Kraft tells Republicans she will run for Congress Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum says she won’t run for Oregon governor Former State Rep. Akasha Lawrence-Spence appointed to Oregon Senate Barbados prepares to bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, become a republic Arts & Culture Hanukkah isn’t Jewish Christmas. Here’s the story of the holiday and why we celebrate Monday Mix: Curtis Harding, SASAMI, Cat Power Stephen Sondheim, the Broadway legend, has died at 91 From the court to the vineyard: CJ McCollum talks wine Monday Mix: The Body and BIG|BRAVE, Nilüfer Yanya, Hurray for the Riff Raff Portland musician Dave Frishberg, who wrote ‘I’m Just a Bill,’ dies at 88 Portland Playhouse aims for ‘a space for us to be together’ on and off the stage Monday Mix: Jamestown Revival, Wynne and Christo, The Dodos Science & Environment Manatees are starving in Florida and wildlife agencies are scrambling to save them Living robots made in a lab have found a new way to self-replicate, researchers say A well-positioned skylight is a simple way to harness ‘passive solar’ power, Oregon research finds Researchers are asking Oregonians to take photos to help document sea-level rise during king tide event Post-fire recovery depends on Cascade snow cover, study says Researchers to study decline in kelp and sea stars along Oregon Coast Restored wetland could become a place for tribes to harvest wapato Australia’s Barrier Reef erupts in color as corals spawn OPB’s critical reporting and inspiring programs are made possible by the power of member support. 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