Editor’s roundup


A familiar figure takes the reins at Lewis & Clark, Travel Oregon is awash in money and Astoria champions a new economic development plan.

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Can’t say I saw this coming. Not at all. 
Lewis & Clark college has selected former Portland State University president Wim Wiewel as its next president. The Dutch-born Wiewel, who retired from PSU just last month, will still hold the position of higher education fundraiser-in-chief. But as a private sector leader, he will no longer have to beg for scraps from the Oregon state legislature.

The Eugene Register-Guard published a thoughtful article about two Pacific Continental bankers who will be out of work after Pacific’s acquisition by Tacoma-based Columbia Bank is finalized. All told, 95 Pacific Continental Bank employees will lose their jobs.

More corporate tax backroom dealing. The Salem Statesman-Journal reports on the gamesmanship that took place yesterday in the Oregon House.

Travel Oregon is awash in money, and regional visitors associations are the beneficiaries. The Bend Bulletin has the story.

The Astoria City Council moved forward with an ambitious new economic develoment plan that aims to create more high wage jobs. Read the article from the Daily Astorian here.

Closing the urban-rural divide. One month after Portland voters approved a massive school construction bond, the city of Echo broke ground on an $8 million school expansion, according to the East Oregonian. The funding came from a $4 million bond voters passed in 2016 and a matching grant from the state.

More reporting on the climate change-urban policy disconnect.  Online magazine Slate has a story about cities who fight climate change but don’t support high density housing, while Willamette Week asks eco-minded Portland City commissioners and the mayor why they support road expansion projects over transit.

OB Original Blog:  “Support for Trump Comes with Reservations.”  Hannah Wallace interviews Oregon farmers who did not support President Trump and who believe regulations can be good for business.