Subscribe to OPB’s First Look to receive Northwest news in your inbox six days a week.

Good morning, Northwest.

The city of Portland is on a tight timeline to decide whether to approve funding — and how much — to renovate Moda Center.

Looking to get involved? OPB’s Alex Zielinski lays out what we know about how the process will work and how Portlanders can make their voices heard.

In other news, Washington state could soon be facing a budget battle of its own.

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

— Bradley W. Parks

Top story

Portland unveils timeline for Moda Center deal

Portland’s 31-year-old Moda Center is in a moment of transition, as are its primary tenants, the Trail Blazers.

The lease agreement between the city and Blazers is coming up for renewal, and the team’s new owners have come in with big demands. City and state leaders have been pressured into making big funding commitments on a whirlwind timeline.

Proposals over how (or whether) to fund proposed arena renovations and what the city can get in return have fueled political debate, a signature-gathering campaign and city budget arguments.

Portlanders are now being asked to weigh in, with public hearings scheduled for next weekend. (Alex Zielinski)

Learn More

3 things to know

• Local immigration advocates say federal immigration officers may have violated Oregon’s sanctuary law by using Port of Astoria property during a Sunday morning operation in which three people were reportedly detained. (Katie Francowicz, KMUN)
• An outside investigation into complaints against Bandon Superintendent Shauna Schmerer has prompted the school board to place her on paid administrative leave.(Jane Vaughan, JPR)
• Washington could be facing a big budget shortfall. The governor’s office is warning state agencies and lawmakers to plan to pause phasing in programs and avoid proposing new ones.(Bill Lucia, Washington State Standard)

Northwest headlines

• Washington oyster farmers say ‘vibrocompaction’ may help control ghost shrimp (Bellamy Pailthorp, KNKX) 
• Transgender Idahoans hope to halt new bathroom law in federal court (James Dawson, BSPR)
• Federal court holds trial in lawsuit challenging constitutionality of Idaho’s abortion ban (Julie Luchetta, BSPR)
• Eugene police expand online reporting system to include scooter, e-bike and motorcycle complaints (Zac Ziegler, KLCC)

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):

• Illnesses from extreme heat events could double by 2040, PSU study predicts
• State agency helps Oregon businesses reach international markets

One more look

Portland filmmaker Vu Pham’s new documentary explores his family history

Portland filmmaker Vu Pham has long been known for his work in the arena of narrative fiction.

During a 2020 trip to Juneau, Alaska, which coincided with the start of COVID-19 lockdowns in the U.S., Pham began to formulate the idea for his foray into feature-length documentary.

The project, “Sea Rose Ashes,” explores Pham’s family history, including he and his mother’s escape from communist Vietnam and his mother’s murder in 1983.

“There was sort of the wellspring of a motivation to somehow seize control and regain agency of my life,” Pham said. “And the answer that arose was, ‘I need to find the man that killed my mother.’” (Jacob Pander)

Learn More

Subscribe to OPB’s First Look to receive Northwest news in your inbox six days a week.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/09/moda-center-public-hearing-first-look/