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Good morning, Northwest.

Maritime workers from shipping to offshore energy are in high demand globally.

OPB’s Elena Neale-Sacks reports on a high school maritime program in Vancouver working to train students for the ocean economy.

In other news, Forest Service reorganization could affect ongoing research in Northwest forests.

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

— Bradley W. Parks

Top story

Vancouver high school maritime program embarks on Year 2, charting a direct course to industry jobs

It’s the first week of school, and behind a small beige building at the Port of Vancouver, a group of high schoolers is about to be handed an oscillating saw.

“I’m a second year, so I’m just showing them how we use the tool,” says Elli Gorman, 18, a senior at Fort Vancouver High School.It’s a helpful skill for a shipwright.

Gorman and about 30 other students from high schools across Clark County are here to learn the ropes of the maritime industry through Cascadia Tech Academy, part of Evergreen Public Schools.

This year-old program is gaining traction at a critical time for both the region’s students and the industry. (Elena Neale-Sacks)

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3 things to know

• The Oregon Health Authority has issued a precaution that cyanotoxins may be present in the Willamette River, but not at a level that is unsafe for human recreation. Toxin levels may be unsafe for pets. (Riley Martinez)
• According to newly published records, immigration arrests across Washington state shot up to a new high over the summer, reflecting a nationwide surge in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. (Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez, KUOW)
• Washington state will receive $227 million in a settlement over 10 years to protect children’s mental health, after Meta agreed to the multibillion-dollar settlement of a nationwide lawsuit that claimed it violated federal and state child privacy laws. (Lisa Brooks and Gary Davis, KNKX)

Oregon’s tattoo culture is older than Oregon itself

From Indigenous tattoo practices that survived colonization to sailor tattoos and Portland icon Bert Grimm, we learn the stories behind Oregon’s ink. (Jenn Chávez, Francisca Benitez and Jessie Sears)

Listen Here

Northwest headlines

• 2nd annual Parallel Parking Competition draws hundreds to a small street in Southeast Portland (Riley Martinez)
• Data centers emerge as new flashpoint between Kotek, Drazan in Oregon governor’s race (Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle)
• At a Grants Pass ranch, horses become part of therapy (Peyton Gast, JPR)
• Research projects in the Pacific Northwest’s experimental forests face funding uncertainty (Juliet Grable, Northwest News Network)
• Portland Fire can’t keep up with Valkyries in 86-69 loss before World Cup break (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):

• How climate events can affect tourism in Oregon communities
• Laws protect faith healers in Idaho despite children’s deaths
• PSU study highlights potential climate hazard risk in East Portland neighborhoods

One more look

Portland pugs strut in movie-themed fashion show at PUGapalooza

It was lights, camera, fashion for dozens of pugs at the Prettiest Pug Pageant Saturday, as hundreds turned out to show off their squished-faced companions during PUGapalooza.

The Pacific Pug Rescue partnered with the Portland Saturday Market for the second annual event.

This year’s pageant theme was “Barkbuster Movies.” Pugs of all shapes and sizes competed to win People’s Choice and Portland’s Prettiest Pug. (Casey Frizzell)

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/08/31/maritime-trade-school-vancouver-first-look/