President Trump dismissed a reporter’s question about a planned Kennedy Center walkout by actors protesting his presence, claiming his focus is solely on successfully running the country. This incident highlights the ongoing conflict stemming from Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center, marked by board replacements and the elimination of programming he deemed “woke.” Despite plummeting subscription sales and widespread protests against his administration’s policies, Trump remains confident in his leadership and the Center’s future. The event itself featured contrasting reactions, with boos and cheers directed at the President, while several drag performers attended in protest. Even Vice President Vance admitted to unfamiliarity with *Les Misérables* itself.
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A Chinese mitten crab, an invasive species prohibited in Oregon since 2012, was recently discovered in the Lower Columbia River, marking the first confirmed sighting in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Wildlife officials suspect human intervention as the cause and are concerned about potential ecological damage, referencing past infestations in San Francisco Bay. The crab possesses distinctive features including a notched eye space and hairy claws, aiding in identification. Ongoing investigations with neighboring states are underway to assess the extent of the potential infestation.
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In response to President-elect Trump’s repeated assertions that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May proposed a counter-offer: California, Oregon, and Washington could join Canada as provinces. This offer, dismissed by Canadian officials as a response to Trump’s increasingly serious and disruptive rhetoric, highlights the escalating tensions between the two nations. Canadian officials emphasized the economic interdependence between the countries and warned against the potential negative consequences of Trump’s actions, including threatened tariffs. The Canadian government is actively working to mitigate the threat while simultaneously rejecting Trump’s annexation proposal.
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A letter circulating in Oregon urges residents to preemptively identify and record the license plates of people of color, anticipating mass deportations and promising the confiscation of their property for resale to white homeowners. This echoes historical precedents of property theft from persecuted groups, revealing a desire among some MAGA supporters to actively participate in the promised ethnic cleansing, rather than waiting for government action. This “brownshirt” impulse, exemplified by recent attacks and inflammatory rhetoric from MAGA figures and influencers, is fueled by Trump’s rhetoric and promises of pardons for those convicted of January 6th related crimes. The resulting climate of fear and incitement to violence, coupled with Trump’s failure to deliver on his promises of racial homogeneity, creates a dangerous and unpredictable situation.
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Tragically, two Oregon men, aged 59 and 37, perished in Washington’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest after embarking on a Sasquatch hunting expedition. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office determined hypothermia, resulting from unpreparedness for the elements, to be the cause of death. A three-day search involving over sixty volunteers and advanced technology located their bodies in a remote area of the forest. The men were reported missing on Christmas Day after failing to return from their Christmas Eve trip.
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Lesly Muñoz, a Democratic challenger, secured a narrow victory in Oregon’s 22nd House District, defeating Republican incumbent Tracy Cramer by a mere 161 votes. This win grants Oregon House Democrats a supermajority, enabling them to pass tax increases without Republican support. The victory is particularly significant given upcoming transportation funding discussions and is celebrated as a win for farmworkers and the district’s large Hispanic population. House Majority Leader Ben Bowman stated that the election results demonstrate a desire for improved affordability, effective governance, and enhanced safety for all Oregonians.
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John Q. Hosedrinker