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

Good morning, Northwest.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, shot and killed an unarmed U.S. citizen in her car yesterday.

The killing has sparked outrage in Minneapolis, where the Trump administration has sent a surge of immigration agents, and here in Oregon. We start today’s newsletter with scenes from protests in Portland and Eugene.

In other news, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is now looking to scrap the transportation funding package she pushed lawmakers to pass.

And Portland City Council fails to elect a president.

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

—Bradley W. Parks

Oregonians react to fatal shooting in Minneapolis by ICE officer

The fatal shooting of an unarmed U.S. citizen by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis yesterday is fueling protests and fiery reactions across the country, including in Oregon.

The woman who died has been identified as 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good.

Video of the shooting has spread on social media, drawing strong reactions from many viewers, while ICE officials have attempted to defend the shooting as self-defense. Leaders in Minnesota strongly dispute that characterization.

“To Americans who are watching this — if you’re in Portland, or you’re in L.A., or you’re in Chicago, or wherever they’re coming next — stand with us,” Minnesota’s Democratic Gov. Tim Walz said at a press conference yesterday. “Stand with us against this.”

Approximately 250 people gathered in downtown Portland yesterday evening to protest Good’s killing. (Troy Brynelson, Rob Manning and Conrad Wilson)

Learn more

3 things to know this morning

• After spending much of the summer struggling to push through a transportation funding bill, Gov. Tina Kotek wants to send the entire thing to the scrap heap. (Dirk VanderHart)
• Nearly a month after an independent investigator found Bend’s former equity director wasn’t credible when he described racial bias on the job, activists are calling for the removal of the city’s top manager. (Kathryn Styer Martínez)
• This year, an effort to improve the living conditions of the thousands of people who produce or harvest Oregon crops is starting to bring changes. (Alejandro Figueroa)

Oregon enters an election year with big political questions

The calendar turned to 2026, but many of Oregon’s pressing political issues are carrying over into the new year. On the latest livestream episode of “OPB Politics Now,” reporters Lauren Dake, Dirk VanderHart and Alex Zielinski talk about the big political questions facing the state in the new year. Live at 10:30 a.m.

Watch

Headlines from around the Northwest

• Northwest leaders applaud restored ‘stability’ as Port of Portland officially launches shipping container service (Eli Imadali)
• Oregon sues pharmaceutical companies over insulin prices (Amelia Templeton)
• Portland City Council fights, feuds and fails its way to not electing its own leader (Alex Zielinski)
• Head of Portland’s police oversight office to resign (Alex Zielinski)
• Activist sues Ashland for removal from a meeting after calling police chief a ‘fascist’ (Justin Higginbottom)
• Eugene launches peer support program for downtown homeless community (Nathan Wilk) 
• Avdija has 41 points, Trail Blazers hold on to beat Rockets 103-102 (Anne M. Peterson)

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):

• Cannabis and hemp industries might be looking at a sea change
• What Harney County officials and community members think about the 10-year anniversary of Malheur occupation
• What is the point of an art critic? Oregon arts writers share their thoughts

Portland Japanese calligraphy artist breaks traditional rules to create her own style

SORA didn’t think calligraphy would be her way of expressing herself through art.

Throughout her early school days in Japan, she learned, practiced and won dozens of calligraphy awards. But as life went on, her attention turned to other interests, and the hobby quickly faded.

SORA, whose legal name is Rie O’Doherty, moved to Portland in 2003 and, with help from a mentor, continued to grow as a calligrapher and as an artist.

Now SORA shares her love of Japanese calligraphy — and culture — with her community in Portland. (Steven Tonthat)

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/2026/01/08/minneapolis-shooting-ice-oregon-first-look/