News Summary for the Week of February 23, 2026

Middle East Tensions Escalate After Reported Death of Iran’s Supreme Leader President Donald Trump announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in what he described as a coordinated U.S.–Israeli operation. Trump said the mission relied on advanced intelligence tracking and may have also resulted in the deaths of other Iranian leaders. He framed the development as a potential turning point for Iran and indicated that targeted bombing operations could continue as part of broader regional objectives. As of the report, Iranian officials and international monitors had not independently confirmed Khamenei’s death.Read more:https://rightnoworegon.com/2026/02/28/president-trump-announces-death-of-irans-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei/ Portland Leaders Back State Role in Moda Center Renovation Portland city officials voiced support for Senate Bill 1501 after it advanced from a legislative committee. The bill would allow the State of Oregon to participate in financing and potentially owning part of the Moda Center through a new “Oregon Arena Fund.” The proposal would redirect certain tax revenues associated with arena activity toward renovation costs. Supporters argue the plan would help modernize the aging arena and retain major teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, while critics warn taxpayers could ultimately shoulder significant costs tied to the estimated $600 million renovation effort.Read more:https://rightnoworegon.com/2026/02/28/portland-city-officials-support-advancement-of-sb-1501-for-state-involvement-in-moda-center/ Salem Man Sentenced for Leading Multi-State Meth Trafficking Network A Salem resident has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for leading a large drug trafficking organization moving methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States. Prosecutors said Cesar Delfin-Cervantes coordinated shipments through California to Salem before distributing the drugs to Idaho’s Treasure Valley. Investigators seized more than 215 pounds of methamphetamine linked to the operation, which authorities say moved hundreds of pounds over roughly two years. Several family members have also been implicated in the case.Read more:https://rightnoworegon.com/2026/02/28/salem-man-sentenced-to-15-years-in-federal-prison-for-leading-multi-state-meth-ring/ Redmond Airport Receives Federal Funding for Terminal Expansion Redmond Municipal Airport has been awarded $3.8 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to begin early work on a major terminal expansion project. Local leaders say the improvements will increase passenger capacity and strengthen Central Oregon’s economic development potential. The overall expansion project is expected to cost roughly $180 million and could begin construction later this year. The airport currently serves about 1.3 million travelers annually.Read more:https://rightnoworegon.com/2026/02/27/redmond-airport-awarded-3-8-million-in-federal-funds-to-launch-terminal-expansion/ Bipartisan Bill Targets Wall Street Purchases of Single-Family Homes U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Jeff Merkley introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at restricting large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes. The proposal would prohibit hedge funds and major investment firms from buying houses, townhomes, and condominiums while encouraging existing investors to sell their holdings through tax policy changes. Supporters argue the bill could help address rising housing costs by reducing competition between families and corporate investors.Read more:https://rightnoworegon.com/2026/02/28/hawley-merkley-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-ban-wall-street-from-buying-single-family-homes/ Analysis Questions Cost of Metro Affordable Housing Projects A policy analysis of projects funded by Metro’s 2018 affordable housing bond suggests many developments are being built at two to three times the cost of private market housing. The report estimates average costs of about $681 per square foot, with some Portland-area projects exceeding $1,000 per square foot. The analyst attributes the higher costs to mid-rise construction requirements, nonprofit developer fees, and multiple layers of subsidies. Supporters of the program note that subsidized housing projects often include additional standards such as prevailing wages and long-term affordability restrictions.Read more:https://rightnoworegon.com/2026/02/26/report-says-metros-affordable-housing-projects-cost-two-to-three-times-private-market-rates/ Oregon Job Market Flattens After Post-COVID Shutdown Hiring Surge New data from the Oregon Employment Department show job openings averaged about 58,500 in 2025, nearly unchanged from 2024. The numbers suggest the state’s labor market is stabilizing after the rapid hiring surge that followed pandemic-era shutdowns. Health care and social assistance continued to lead all industries in job openings, while the share of positions considered “difficult to fill” has declined significantly since the peak labor shortages of 2021 and 2022.Read more:https://rightnoworegon.com/2026/02/26/oregon-job-openings-flatten-in-2025-after-rebound-following-covid-policy-shutdowns/

La Pine Crash Sends Driver to Hospital, Closes Roads for Several Hours

Governor Tina Kotek Proclaims August as National Emergency Management Awareness Month in Oregon

Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park closed in early 2027 for tree removal

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La Pine Crash Sends Driver to Hospital, Closes Roads for Several Hours

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Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park closed in early 2027 for tree removal

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