Emily Nguyen

The dream of whisking from Portland to Seattle and onward to Vancouver, BC, in the comfort of a high-speed train, is one step closer to reality, thanks to a substantial federal grant. The Washington State Department of Transportation is poised to delve into the feasibility of this vision with a $49.7 million grant it has received from the Federal Railroad Administration. This infusion of federal funds, designated for the study of a high-speed passenger rail line, signals bolstered interest in the Pacific Northwest's infrastructure needs—a matter of increasing urgency as the so-called Cascadia megaregion braces for substantial demographic growth. KGW reported the details of this grant, highlighting the potential interconnection of these thriving metropolitan hubs.

As we settle into the festive cheer of the season, Clackamas County has announced a temporary closure in observance of the upcoming holidays, allowing its staff to spend quality time with their families. As reported on the county's official website, public access to the majority of county services will be on pause as employees retreat from their desks to the warmth of home and togetherness. It's a communal breath, a chance for those who serve throughout the year to rest, recharge and revel in the period of goodwill.

Oregon has set itself on a path that champions local labor force investment together with a strategic approach to public infrastructure projects. Governor Tina Kotek lent her pen to an executive order, EO 24-31, described as a significant step forward in the realm of state construction—a move aimed at enhancing timeliness, reducing costs, and betting on the skilled workforce inherent in Oregonian communities. Governor Kotek points to leveraging the impending slew of large-scale infrastructure projects as an avenue for bolstering the worker ecosystem and fortifying the trust people have in the state's capacity to manage massive undertakings with prowess and efficiency.

In response to a sharp increase in traffic-related fatalities, the Vancouver Police Department is stepping up its traffic safety patrols through the holiday season. These efforts will be particularly focused from December 20 to January 5, with a high-visibility approach to enforce pedestrian regulations, especially targeting those crossing outside of crosswalks. While the emphasis is on education and warnings, officers will also be cracking down on dangerous driving behaviors contributing to collisions.

Washington County Auditor Kristine Adams-Wannberg has shone a spotlight on the financial risks shadowing the County's Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program (MSTIP) through her latest audit. This program, a cornerstone of local infrastructure efforts, has funneled approximately $1.1 billion into transportation and safety over nearly four decades. However, the MSTIP faces several financial perils that could hamper its efficiency and completion of projects, according to Washington County.

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Residents in Portland can expect a wet week ahead, with showers and potential thunderstorms dominating the forecast. According to the National Weather Service, Portlanders should prepare for rain in every slice of the daily forecast until next weekend. Today's weather features rain before 1 pm, followed by showers and the chance of thunderstorms after 4 pm, with a high temperature hovering near 53 degrees. Winds will shift from east to south-southwest in the afternoon, and new rainfall amounts could reach a quarter of an inch, possibly higher amounts during thunderstorms.

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The holiday spirit in Tigard has been dampened as the Tamale House, a local family-owned restaurant beloved for its Christmas tamales, was struck by an early morning theft. According to KGW, thieves made off with a trailer containing vital supplies for tamale production, at a time when demand peaks with families seeking the comfort of tradition.