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Good morning, Northwest.

An extreme heat warning remains in place for most of Oregon and parts of Southwest Washington today and tomorrow. Temperatures could hit triple-digits the next two days before cooling off to end the week.

We start this morning with a story from OPB’s Joni Auden Land about a West Linn evangelical pastor’s mission to save Portland, the “least churched city in America.”

In headlines this morning, utility PacifiCorp has opened a center in Southern Oregon to watch for wildfires and NASA satellites are helping researchers understand river temperatures.

Stay cool. (Here are some tips for how to do so.) Here’s your First Look at Monday’s news.

— Bradley W. Parks

Christian revival event draws thousands in quest to save Portland’s soul

Three hours before the gates opened, people camped outside the Moda Center to secure the best seats possible.

They were there for PDX Crusade, one of the largest Christian revival meetings Portland has seen in decades.

The event was hosted by Athey Creek Christian Fellowship, a megachurch based in West Linn, and its founding pastor, Brett Meador.

Thousands of people traveled from across the region to attend, a line snaking around the Rose Quarter.

Saving souls in Portland has been an integral part of Pastor Brett Meador’s mission for almost 30 years. He has said that he moved to Portland in 1996 partially because of the city’s status as the “least churched city in America.” (Joni Auden Land)

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4 things to know this morning

• For one week, high school students from across Oregon get to explore their curiosity about all things transportation at Portland State University’s Summer Transportation Camp. They learn everything from how public transit systems are designed and how they impact local communities to the types of jobs available in the industry. (Tiffany Camhi)

• Last Wednesday, Clackamas Community College President Tim Cook completed a nearly 1,500-mile run to visit all 17 of Oregon’s community colleges. His 52-day journey was part of a campaign to raise awareness and funds for students facing financial struggles that threaten their ability to stay in community college. (Winston Szeto)

• A total of 20 teaching candidates are taking part in a summer program put on through a partnership between PSU and the Tigard-Tualatin School District. The two-week intensive program helps young students who need a little extra help with reading and math, while also giving aspiring teachers valuable hands-on experience in the classroom. (Natalie Pate)

• Gator’s Custom Guns in Kelso, Washington, filed a petition last week, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the state Supreme Court’s decision in May upholding the state’s ban on the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines. Supporters of the restriction see it as an important step for quelling gun violence. (Jake Goldstein-Street)

‘At Work With’ a bike bus captain, a tattoo artist and a coastal lifeguard

“At Work With” is a series in which we talk to Pacific Northwesterners with cool jobs and ask them your questions about what it’s like to do what they do. In our latest episode, we bring you along as we go to work with a bike bus captain, a tattoo artist and a coastal lifeguard.

Listen

Headlines from around the Northwest

• Southern Oregon landmark hotel faces foreclosure amid alleged fraud (Justin Higginbottom)

• New PacifiCorp center in Southern Oregon watches for wildfires before they threaten communities (Emma J Nelson)

• How NASA satellites help researchers better understand Northwest river temperatures (Courtney Flatt)

• Eastern Washington’s rapidly declining groundwater highlighted in new study (Emily Fitzgerald)

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):

• New transportation director shares vision for public transit in Clatsop County 

• Portland nonprofit Smashing Barriers aims to improve the lives of young people through tennis

This Portland record store helped launch a vinyl record renaissance

There are a lot of ways to listen to music today. But for many who know and love music, vinyl remains the gold standard.

Tomorrow is Vinyl Record Day, meant to mark the anniversary of the invention of the phonograph, though that date is in dispute, according to the Library of Congress.

Still, there’s something special about the rich, unique sound produced by vinyl records. There can also be a deep satisfaction in physically holding and owning a favorite album.

Terry Currier owns and operates Music Millennium in Northeast Portland. The iconic record store opened more than 50 years ago. Currier says he started the Coalition of Independent Music Stores in 1995 to promote locally owned record stores. (Kami Horton)

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/11/extreme-heat-portland-christian-revival-newsletter/