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Good morning, Northwest.

Ridgefield is one of Southwest Washington’s fastest-growing cities, but a proposed multi-use development could pose a threat to some of its longest-tenured residents: migratory birds.

OPB’s Elena Neale-Sacks dives into the tension brewing between growth and preservation in Ridgefield. Their story starts today’s newsletter.

Also this morning, the Bonneville Power Administration says it’s preparing to raise electricity rates.

Here’s your First Look at Friday’s news.

— Bradley W. Parks

Top story

In a fast-growing Washington city, pressure for growth clashes with love for a wildlife refuge

The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge has been closed off to development for the last 60 years.

But its neighboring waterfront property — owned by the Port of Ridgefield — could soon become the site of multistory apartments, a boutique hotel, restaurants and shops.

A growing number of Ridgefield residents worried about what the development could mean for the birds that depend on the refuge.

More than 4,100 people have signed a petition opposing the plans, many of them focused on the refuge, with others critical of how the development could limit public access to waterways or change the character of the city. (Elena Neale-Sacks)

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3 things to know

• Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has announced her reelection platform for a second term. The plan falls into four main categories: increasing affordability, boosting the economy, improving Oregon’s underperforming K-12 schools, and defending attributes that make the state unique. (Dirk VanderHart)
• The Bonneville Power Administration has begun the process that would allow it to raise its rates to make up for a $250 million revenue shortfall, a move that could push up electricity costs by 6% or more for its customers. (Monica Samayoa)
• The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals threw out a previous court order requiring that Oregon stop housing transgender women in men’s prisons. (Joni Auden Land)

Oregon governor’s race tightens, gets national attention

The election is less than seven weeks away, and prognosticators across the nation are expecting a strong night for Democrats. It’s unclear what that might mean for Oregon, as incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek is facing headwinds in her reelection bid. (Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake)

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Northwest headlines

• Washington County chair to step back from leadership role after obscene gesture pushback (OPB staff)
• Family of man stabbed 17 times by Clark County deputy files $27 million tort claim (Troy Brynelson)
• Oregon sees slow, steady decline in jobs as unemployment remains relatively flat (Zac Ziegler, KLCC)
• Oregon Medicaid program erroneously paid up to $4.1M due to system errors, audit says (Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle)
• Oregon lawmakers introduce federal bill to end ‘corporate America’s chokehold’ on healthcare (Tiffany Eckert, KLCC)
• Port Townsend paper mill hit with $734,000 pollution penalty (John Ryan, KUOW)
• Portland Book Festival announces stacked 2026 guest lineup, including ‘Goonies’ actor Ke Huy Quan (Cambrie Juarez)
• Ciezki has 22 points in the Mercury’s 94-91 victory over the Fire (Anne M. Peterson, AP)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

• Maryhill Museum of Art in Columbia Gorge celebrates centennial anniversary
• Why a conservation nonprofit sought data on staff losses at US Fish and Wildlife Service

One more look

Superabundant recipe: Sweet and spicy Asian pear and Fuyu persimmon pickle

Asian pears and unripe Fuyu persimmons make a surprisingly versatile pickle — like the sweet/crunchy pickled radish that comes with Korean fried chicken, but fruitier.

It’s great in sauerbraten, on a ploughman’s lunch platter, or with anything glazed in garlicky honey-gochujang sauce. (Heather Arndt Anderson)

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/09/18/ridgefield-wildlife-refuge-development-first-look/