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Good morning, Northwest.

The population of Mormon crickets has exploded in Lake County to mark the hot, dry end of spring.

The insects are native to Oregon and other Western states, but can become more like invasive pests in the right conditions. OPB’s Alejandro Figueroa reports on how the masses of katydids are affecting the area.

In other news, a historic Washington fire lookout with views of Mount Rainier has been raided.

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

— Bradley W. Parks

Top story

Mormon cricket swarms cause a stink in Lake County – sort of

A swarm of insects is causing a small nuisance a few miles east of Lakeview in Southern Oregon, but so far, it’s not a big problem.

It’s the first time Mormon crickets, actually a type of katydid, have been reported in Lake County, although not the first time the region has been swarmed by the highly mobile insects.

In recent years, rangeland grasshopper and Mormon cricket infestations have become an annual problem across much of the eastern side of the state.

Although the insects are not causing major damage, they are raising a stink, of sorts. (Alejandro Figueroa)

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3 things to know

• Multnomah County opened additional cooling centers yesterday to provide respite from extreme heat, which is expected to start winding down today. (Kristian Foden-Vencil)
• St. Helens City Administrator John Walsh is presumed dead two days after he fell into the Columbia River, local officials said yesterday. The search has transitioned to a recovery effort. (Troy Brynelson)
• Ahead of the upcoming summer, Oregon public health officials won’t require adults to accompany their children under the age of 14 at public swimming pools. (Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Northwest headlines

• Washington’s historic High Rock Lookout ransacked by vandals (Ian McCluskey)
• Portlanders take home 2 James Beard Awards (Crystal Ligori)
• This nonaffiliated Oregonian is running for Congress. His campaign looks different than most (Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle)
• Lawmakers fight to stop the Trump administration’s dismantling of a $386M ocean observatory project (Annika Hammerschlag, AP)
• Lynx douse Fire 107-74 with 7 players in double-figures (Dave Campbell, AP)
• Bulls finalizing hire of Tiago Splitter as coach, AP source says (Jay Cohen, 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):

• OHSU Doernbecher head physician on the challenges of providing neonatal care
• Portland artist and US Air Force veteran chronicles the experience of Black military service members.

One more look

How photographer Ivan McClellan’s vision brought a Black rodeo boom to Portland

In June 2023, Portland held its first annual Juneteenth Rodeo before a sellout crowd at the Expo Center.

The event founded by photographer Ivan McClellan was a near-instant hit and has grown since its inaugural rendition.

The rodeo returns to Portland this weekend at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. “Oregon Art Beat” spoke with McClellan after that first event three years ago.

He talked about the origin of 8 Seconds Rodeo, why he picked Portland, and the importance of Black rodeo.

This story was originally published last year. (Stephani Gordon)

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/16/mormon-cricket-oregon-first-look/