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For Salem Municipal Airport, McNary Field Terminal Apron Hardstand and Security Fencing (REBID) AIP No(s): 3-41-055-031-2025/032-2025 The Contracts and Procurement Manager of the City of Salem will receive bids electronically through Equity Hub’s Bid Locker until but not after 2:30 p.m., (Local Time) Tuesday, May 13, 2025 , at which time said bids will be publicly opened and read virtually using Zoom, for the project specified herein The Zoom call in information will be posted on OregonBuys at least 3 days prior to bid opening date and time. WORK DESCRIPTION: The Work under this contract includes: 1.      Removal of the existing asphalt in the location where terminal apron concrete hardstand will be installed – asphalt pavement removal; existing aggregate base removal; and unclassified excavation. 2.      Installation of a new concrete terminal hardstand – subgrade stabilization; reconditing of existing subbase and/or crushed aggregate base course; new crushed aggregate base course; asphalt base course; concrete pavement; and new pavement markings. 3.      Installation of 600 feet of chain-link security fence, and two new vehicle gates including motor and access control systems. 4.      Removal and Installation of Airport Perimeter Gate W-14. PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTS: Bidders may obtain the bid documents by registering on the OregonBuys website and downloading them. Bidders shall consult the OregonBuys system regularly until closing date and time to avoid missing any notices. To register on OregonBuys go to https://oregonbuys.gov/ . The City shall advertise all Addenda on OregonBuys. Prospective bidders are solely responsible for checking OregonBuys to determine whether or not any Addenda have been issued. Bid documents will not be mailed to prospective bidders. PRE-BID CONFERENCE: No pre-Bid Conference will be held. BID SUBMITTAL:   Bids must be submitted on the bid forms furnished to the bidders. Completed bids must arrive electronically via Equity Hub’s Bid Locker at   https://bidlocker.us/a/salem_or/BidLocker NO LATE BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Your bid must be uploaded prior to the Closing Date and Time. The City strongly recommends that you give yourself sufficient time and at least ONE (1) day before the closing date and time to begin the uploading process and to finalize your submission. The City accepts no responsibility for non-receipt and/or delays in receipt caused by transmission and reception problems, equipment failure, or any other similar cause. Each bid is instantly sealed and will only be visible to the City after the closing date and time. Uploading large documents may take significant time, depending on the size of the file(s) and your internet connection speed. Minimum system requirements: Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox. JavaScript must be enabled. Browser cookies must be enabled. Need Help? Please contact Equity Hub at help@equityhub.us or (267) 225-1407 for technical questions related to your submission. The Vendor Guide for Bid Locker can be found at Vendor Guide for Bid Locker . BID SECURITY:  Bid security in the amount of 10 percent of the bid must accompany each bid in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders. AWARD:  The City of Salem (“City”) reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities, and to postpone the award of the contract for ninety (90) days. HUMAN RIGHTS:  It is the express policy of the City that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity on the grounds of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status or domestic partnership, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or source of income as provided by Salem Revised Code Chapter 97, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other federal nondiscrimination laws. The City’s complete Title VI Plan may be viewed at ( http://www.cityofsalem.net ). Contracts for work under this bid will obligate the Contractor to comply with all applicable requirements of federal, state, and local civil rights and rehabilitation statutes, rules and regulations. SOLICITATION FOR SUBCONTRACTS, INCLUDING PROCUREMENTS OF MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:  In all solicitations either by competitive bidding or negotiation made by the Contractor for work to be performed under a subcontract, including procurements of materials or leases of equipment, each potential subcontractor or supplier shall be notified by the Contractor of the Contractors obligations under a contract awarded pursuant to this bid, Salem Revised Code Chapter 97, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other federal nondiscrimination laws. The City will provide ADA accommodations upon reasonable request to the Contracts and Procurement Manager. The City is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. CONTRACTOR DISCLOSURE: Prior to award, Contractor will be required to provide answers to the five questions stipulated in Salem Revised Code (SRC) 2.380(b). PREVAILING WAGE RATES: Bids exceeding $50,000 are subject to ORS 279C.800 through 279C.870. Prevailing Wage Rates and necessary forms are available at http://www.oregon.gov/boli/WHD/PWR/Pages/Index.aspx . BOLI Prevailing Wage Rates for Public Works Contracts in Oregon dated January 5, 2025, including all amendments issued prior to Monday, April 21, 2025. All projects have minimum wage rate requirements: ·        Federally-funded projects except local road and rural minor collector projects are subject to the “General Wage Determination Issued Under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts from the US Secretary of Labor,” unless a higher wage is required per the BOLI publication titled “Prevailing Wage Rates for Public Works Contracts in Oregon,” which are subject to both the State prevailing wage rates and the Federal Davis-Bacon Act.  ·        State-funded projects and federally funded local roads and rural minor collector projects are subject to BOLI’s “Prevailing Wage Rates for Public Works Contracts in Oregon”. ·        “Determinations” and BOLI’s “Prevailing Wage Rates for Public Works Contracts in Oregon” are available on the WEB at http://cms.oregon.gov/BOLI/WHD/PWR/Pages/PWR book.aspx. The Work will take place in Marion County, Region 3. FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECTS: This Project is funded under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Bidders must comply with specific federally required provisions as listed herein and contained in the bidding documents. The Following federal provisions are incorporated in this solicitation by reference. 1.      Affirmative Action (41 CFR part 60-4; Executive Order 11246) 1.      Buy American Preferences (Title 49 USC § 50101; Executive Order 14005, Ensuring the Future is made in All of America by All of America’s Workers; Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Pub. L. No. 117-58) Build America, Buy America (BABA)) 2.      Civil Rights – Title VI Assurances (49 USC § 47123; FAA Order 1400.11) 3.      Davis Bacon Requirements (2 CFR Part 200, Appendix II(D); 29 CFR Part 5; 49 USC § 47112(b); 40 USC §§ 3141, 3146, and 3147) 4.      Debarment and Suspension (2 CFR Part 180 (Subpart B); 2 CFR Part 200 Appendix II(H); 2 CFR Part 1200; DOT Order 4200.5; Executive Orders 12549 and 12689) 5.      Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (49 CFR Part 26) 6.      Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (29 USC §201, et seq; 2 CFR §200.430) 7.      Foreign Trade Restriction (49 UCS § 50104; USC CFR Part 30) 8.      Lobbying Federal Employees (31 USC § 1352 – Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment; 2 CFR Part 200, Appendix II(I); 49 CFR Part 20, Appendix A) 9.      Recovered Materials (2 CFR § 200.323; 2 CFR Part 200, Appendix II(J); 40 CFR Part 247; 42 USC § 6901, et seq (Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA))) NOTICE OF REQUIREMENT FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TO ENSURE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 1. The Offeror’s or Bidder’s attention is called to the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Construction Contract Specifications” set forth herein. 2. The goals and timetables for minority and female participation, expressed in percentage terms for the Contractor’s aggregate workforce in each trade on all construction work in the covered area, are as follows: Timetables Goals for minority participation for each trade:         2.9%   Goals for female participation in each trade:             6.9% These goals are applicable to all of the Contractor’s construction work (whether or not it is Federal or federally assisted) performed in the covered area. If the Contractor performs construction work in a geographical area located outside of the covered area, it shall apply the goals established for such geographical area where the work is actually performed. With regard to this second area, the Contractor also is subject to the goals for both its federally involved and nonfederally involved construction. The Contractor’s compliance with the Executive Order and the regulations in 41 CFR Part 60-4 shall be based on its implementation of the Equal Opportunity Clause, specific affirmative action obligations required by the specifications set forth in 41 CFR 60-4.3(a) and its efforts to meet the goals. The hours of minority and female employment and training must be substantially uniform throughout the length of the contract, and in each trade, and the Contractor shall make a good faith effort to employ minorities and women evenly on each of its projects. The transfer of minority or female employees or trainees from Contractor to Contractor or from project to project for the sole purpose of meeting the Contractor’s goals shall be a violation of the contract, the Executive Order and the regulations in 41 CFR Part 60- Compliance with the goals will be measured against the total work hours performed. 3. The Contractor shall provide written notification to the Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) within 10 working days of award of any construction subcontract in excess of $10,000 at any tier for construction work under the contract resulting from this solicitation. The notification shall list the name, address, and telephone number of the subcontractor; employer identification number of the subcontractor; estimated dollar amount of the subcontract; estimated starting and completion dates of the subcontract; and the geographical area in which the subcontract is to be performed. 4. As used in this notice and in the contract resulting from this solicitation, the “covered area” is Salem, Oregon in Marion County. TITLE VI SOLICITATION NOTICE: The City of Salem, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 USC §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders or offerors that it will affirmatively ensure that for any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and no business will be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), creed, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, or disability in consideration for an award. DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE:  The requirements of 49 CFR part 26, Regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, apply to this contract. It is the policy of the City of Salem to practice nondiscrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin in the award or performance of this contract. The Owner encourages participation by all firms qualifying under this solicitation regardless of business size or ownership. The City of Salem is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Small, minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses are encouraged to submit bids. A DBE contract goal of 6.10 percent has been established for this contract. The bidder/offeror shall make good faith efforts, as defined in Appendix A, 49 CFR Part 26, to meet the contract goal for DBE participation in the performance of this contract. The bidder/offeror will be required to submit the following information: (1) the names and addresses of DBE firms that will participate in the contract; (2) a description of the work that each DBE firm will perform: (3) the dollar amount of the participation of each DBE firm participating; (4) written statement from bidder/offeror that attests their commitment to use the DBE firm(s) listed under (1) to meet the Owner’s project goal; (5) written confirmation from each listed DBE firm that is participating in the contract in the kind and amount of work provided in the prime contractor’s commitment; and; (6) if bidder/offeror cannot meet advertised project DBE goal, evidence of good faith efforts undertaken by the bidder/offeror as described in Appendix A, 49 CFR part 26. The documentation of good faith efforts must include copies of each DBE and non-DBE subcontractor quote submitted to the bidder when a non-DBE subcontractor was selected over a DBE for work on the contract. FEDERAL FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT: All contracts and subcontracts that result from this solicitation incorporate by reference provisions of 29 CFR part 201, et seq, the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), with the same force and effect as if given in full text. The FLSA sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards for full and part-time workers. The Contractor has full responsibility to monitor compliance to the referenced statute or state regulation. The Contractor must address any claims or disputes that arise from this requirement directly with the U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division. FOREIGN TRADE RESTRICTION CERTIFICATION: By submission of an offer, the Offeror certifies that with respect to this solicitation and any resultant contract, the Offeror – 1)     is not owned or controlled by one or more citizens of a foreign country included in the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. firms as published by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR); 2)     has not knowingly entered into any contract or subcontract for this project with a person that is a citizen or national of a foreign country included on the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. firms as published by the USTR; and 1)     has not entered into any subcontract for any product to be used on the Federal project that is produced in a foreign country included on the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. firms published by the USTR. This certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States of America and the making of a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the maker subject to prosecution under Title 18 USC § 1001. The Offeror/Contractor must provide immediate written notice to the Owner if the Offeror/Contractor learns that its certification or that of a subcontractor was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances. The Contractor must require subcontractors provide immediate written notice to the Contractor if at any time it learns that its certification was erroneous by reason of changed circumstances. Unless the restrictions of this clause are waived by the Secretary of Transportation in accordance with 49 CFR § 30.17, no contract shall be awarded to an Offeror or subcontractor: 1)     who is owned or controlled by one or more citizens or nationals of a foreign country included on the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. firms published by the USTR; or 2)     whose subcontractors are owned or controlled by one or more citizens or nationals of a foreign country on such USTR list; or 3)     who incorporates in the public works project any product of a foreign country on such USTR list. Nothing contained in the foregoing shall be construed to require establishment of a system of records in order to render, in good faith, the certification required by this provision. The knowledge and information of a contractor is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings. The Offeror agrees that, if awarded a contract resulting from this solicitation, it will incorporate this provision for certification without modification in all lower tier subcontracts. The Contractor may rely on the certification of a prospective subcontractor that it is not a firm from a foreign country included on the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. firms as published by USTR, unless the Offeror has knowledge that the certification is erroneous. This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when making an award. If it is later determined that the Contractor or subcontractor knowingly rendered an erroneous certification, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may direct through the Owner cancellation of the contract or subcontract for default at no cost to the Owner or the FAA. TECHNICAL QUESTIONS: Inquiries concerning the contents of the bid specifications should be directed to James Bonnet, jbonnet@cityofsalem.net  at 503-588-6211.   Shawna Self, CPPB Contracts and Procurement Manager  BID/CONTRACT NUMBER:    245129 BID CLOSING/OPENING:       Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 2:30 pm (Local Time)

$2.5 Million for Education Programs Across Multnomah County Photo Courtesy of SEI For more than 40 years, SEI has been the difference in the lives of youth and families in Portland. SEI’s work has results - 98% of SEI youth graduate from high school. From an investment of the 1803 Fund, SEI will bring this experience and understanding to form the Education Co-op to distribute an annual recurring $2.5 million to support peer community-based organizations dedicated to the wellbeing of youth.  The potential for transformation is realized through collaborative efforts with collective goals in four areas: - Reading and math proficiency - High school graduation - Tech literacy - Career development The Education Co-op aims to reach youth across Multnomah County and fill the learning gap that they face by providing extra learning time and attention. SEI brings its track record as a community-based provider to lend both experience and expertise to step into this new role as a grant maker. SEI applied their deep understanding to develop grantmaking processes that work – a simple application and evaluation using measurement tools that show collective impact, which leads to transformation. “SEI has been a touchstone for our community for over half a century. Their experience serving Black children is unmatched,” said 1803 Fund CEO Rukaiyah Adams. “We’re here to support that record of success and strengthen our community.” At the center of everything SEI does is a youth who needs support and care to thrive on their own terms. SEI cultivates trusting, long-term relationships to navigate barriers and nurture community. As a central pillar of the North Portland community, the Tony Hopson, Sr. Center for Self Enhancement has been a beacon of community for thousands of youths and families. SEI CEO Trent Aldridge said, “It’s a privilege for us to lead this opportunity for transformational change while centering our collective community. Our goal is to love, support, and empower all young people to realize their full potential. There’s so much work to be done and SEI can’t do it alone.  This is a chance for us to be a good steward, identify impactful work, and make sure essential programs and resources get the funds they need to be sustained and expand.” An information session is planned for May 1st. Interested organizations should visit https://www.selfenhancement.org/education-co-op to register and learn more. For more information, contact Jennifer Ellis at jennifere@selfenhancement.org

Washington & Oregon to Sue over Trump Elections Order Washington state attorney general Nick Brown gives news conference announcing a federal lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order attempting to overhaul elections in the U.S., in Seattle, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP photo/Manuel Valdes) (AP) — Washington and Oregon on Friday became the latest states to ask a court to reject President Donald Trump’s efforts to overhaul elections in the U.S., a day after Democratic officials in 19 others filed a similar lawsuit. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said the two states sued separately because they conduct elections entirely by mail and would be particularly harmed by the president’s efforts. “Neither the Constitution nor any federal law gives the president authority to set rules for how states conduct elections,” Brown, a Democrat, said during a news conference. “It is the states that decide how voters are registered. It is the states that decide how ballots are counted.” Friday’s lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Seattle is the fifth against the executive order since it was issued last week. The order includes new requirements that people provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote and a demand that all mail ballots be received by Election Day. It also puts states’ federal funding at risk if election officials don’t comply. That could disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters in the Pacific Northwest, where ballots must be postmarked — but not necessarily received — by Election Day. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs noted at the news conference that more than 300,000 ballots in Washington arrived after Election Day last year. “President Trump’s executive order is nothing more than a blatant attempt to rig the system and suppress votes,” Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a news release. “He’s trying to make it harder for people to vote. It’s a direct assault on the Constitution and a brazen attempt to act like a king, dictating how states should run their elections.” The lawsuits from the states follow earlier ones against the executive order by nonprofit voting groups and the Democratic National Committee. They say the order could disenfranchise voters because millions of eligible voting-age Americans do not have the proper documents readily available. People already are required to attest to being U.S. citizens, under penalty of perjury, in order to vote. The lawsuits have said Trump’s directive violates the Constitution, which specifies that states have the authority to set the “times, places and manner” of elections. Congress has the power to “make or alter” regulations for elections for president and Congress, but the Constitution doesn’t mention any presidential authority over election administration. White House spokesperson Harrison Fields on Friday called the proof-of-citizenship requirements “common sense” and said the administration “is standing up for free, fair, and honest elections.” Trump has continued to claim he won the 2020 election despite all evidence to the contrary. Courts rejected dozens of his legal challenges and his attorney general at the time said there was no sign of widespread fraud. Reviews, recounts and audits in the battleground states where he contested his loss all affirmed Democrat Joe Biden’s victory. He and other Republicans also promoted the idea during last year’s presidential election that large numbers of people who were not U.S. citizens might be voting. Voting by noncitizens is rare and, when caught, can lead to felony charges and deportation. “It is hard to imagine a subject where this president has less credibility than he does with elections,” said Brown, citing Trump’s lies about the 2020 election and his loss to Biden. “He is always looking to undermine faith in our democracy.”

Celebration Grows with Extra Day Mexican traditional folk dancers performing at the Cinco de Mayo Festival in 2024. Photo courtesy of the Portland Cinco de Mayo Fiesta website. The Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association   (PGSCA) proudly announces the return of the 38th Annual Portland Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, Oregon’s largest multicultural festival. 2025 will see the event bigger than before as it adds an extra day of celebration for everyone to enjoy. The event will run from May 2-5, 2025, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park   in downtown Portland. Get ready to experience four days of festivities, offering even more entertainment, delicious foods, and family-friendly fun!   Festival hours are 11 AM – 11 PM Friday through Sunday and 4 PM – 10 PM on Monday,   with daily featured attractions and performances. Attendees are encouraged to buy tickets online   in advance to take advantage of discounted pricing.   The Portland Cinco de Mayo Fiesta will showcase an unforgettable lineup of entertainment, including the internationally-renowned Mariachi Ciudad de Guadalajara, direct from Guadalajara, Mexico, Oregon’s own Ballet Folklórico México en La Piel, and a variety of new artists. Guests will enjoy live music, folkloric dance, and thrilling performances, making this a must-attend event for all ages to enjoy.   Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Mexico with over 40 food vendors that will be serving authentic Mexican food, snacks, and desserts. Then, stroll through the Guadalajara Artisan Village, where visitors can explore handcrafted artwork and meet artisans who have traveled from Guadalajara and Tonalá, Mexico, to share their craft.   This year’s fiesta will feature an expanded Plaza de Niños, offering cultural crafts, games, free face painting, and interactive activities for kids. The event will also see the return of the Rip City Boxing Exhibition, the Family Fun Carnival, the Naturalization Ceremony, and more! The fiesta is more than just a celebration, it’s a powerful way to support Latino-owned businesses, performers, and culture in Portland. It provides a vital opportunity to uplift a community that contributes much to the city’s cultural landscape. By attending, visitors will directly support the small businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs within the Portland community and beyond. Bring family and friends and immerse in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Mexico in a safe, family-friendly environment at the 38th Annual Portland Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.

Mission Accomplished for Blue Origin This image provided by Blue Origin shows, first row, seated, from left: Lauren Sanchez and Kerianne Flynn and standing in back from left: Amanda Nguyen, Katy Perry, Gayle King and Aisha Bowe in West Texas. (Blue Origin via AP) (AP) Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launched his fiancée Lauren Sanchez into space Monday with an all-female celebrity crew that included Katy Perry and Gayle King. It was the latest wave in space tourism, where more of the rich and famous than ever before — or lucky and well-connected — can enter the zero-gravity realm traditionally dominated by professional astronauts. The New Shepard rocket blasted off on the quick up-and-down trip from West Texas. The fringes of space beckoned 66 miles (107 kilometers) up and provided a few precious minutes of weightlessness. Sanchez, a helicopter pilot and former TV journalist, invited the others along for the 10-minute, fully automated flight, packing on the star power with singer-songwriter Perry and “CBS Mornings” co-host King. Moved by the views of Earth below, Perry said she couldn’t resist singing “What a Wonderful World” in space. Also sharing the ride were film producer Kerianne Flynn; Aisha Bowe, a former NASA engineer who started her own companies to promote science education; and Amanda Nguyen, a scientist who studied planets around other stars and now advocates for survivors of sexual violence. Blue Origin declined to say how much the flight cost or who paid what. The trip came two months before Sanchez and Bezos marry in Venice. It was the 11th human spaceflight for the Washington state-based company, founded by Bezos in 2000 after making a fortune with Amazon. Bezos strapped in for Blue Origin’s first space tourist flight in 2021 and accompanied the latest crew to the pad. The celebrity launch was the nation’s first spaceflight where women filled each seat. The only other all-female crew in 64 years of human spaceflight was back in 1963. That’s when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova launched by herself, becoming the first woman in space. Tereshkova spent three days off the planet. Even after the latest launch, women represent barely 15% of the more than 700 people who have traveled into space. Sanchez said she deliberately chose women to launch with her, each of them eager to inspire both the young and old to dream big, and even commissioned special flight suits. The launch brought out VIPs to West Texas including Oprah Winfrey; Kris Jenner and other members of the Kardashian family; former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison, who became the first Black woman in space in 1992; and several women who previously have flown on private flights. Winfrey, a close friend of King, wiped away tears when the capsule reached space and the passengers were heard marveling at the moon and shouting with joy. As the women were buckling up for the ride back, Perry broke into song. Despite urging by her crewmates, she resisted singing “Roar” or her other tunes and instead chose “What a Wonderful World.” “It’s not about me. It’s not about singing my songs,” Perry said following the flight. “It’s about a collective energy in there. It’s about us.” At a news conference later, she stressed, “We weren’t just taking up space. We were making space for the future.” Bezos opened the capsule’s hatch minutes after touchdown, embracing Sanchez, the first one out. As they emerged, Perry and King kneeled and kissed the ground. “Oh my God, that was amazing,” said King, who considers herself an anxious airplane flyer. Three hours later, Sanchez said she was still trying to process everything. “Profound is like the one word I would use,” she said. This wasn’t the first Blue Origin launch with marquee names. “Star Trek” actor William Shatner caught a lift to space with Blue Origin in 2021 at age 90, soon after Bezos’ inaugural trip. He was followed by former New York Giants defensive end and TV host Michael Strahan and Laura Shepard Churchley, the eldest daughter of Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard, for whom the rocket is named. Two aviation pioneers who missed out on space when they were younger — Wally Funk and Ed Dwight — also rocketed away at ages 82 and 90, respectively. Most of Blue Origin’s passengers — 58 counting the latest launch — have been business or science types, TV hosts or YouTubers. Ticket prices are not disclosed.

Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers being Considered From left, boeing employees Vance Meyring, Josue Ramirez and Joseph Mellon work the picket line after union members votes to reject a new contract offer from the company. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson file) (AP) — Lawmakers in Oregon and Washington are considering whether striking workers should receive unemployment benefits, following recent walkouts by Boeing factory workers, hospital nurses and teachers in the Pacific Northwest that highlighted a new era of American labor activism. Oregon’s measure would make it the first state to provide pay for picketing public employees — who aren’t allowed to strike in most states, let alone receive benefits for it. Washington’s would pay striking private sector workers for up to 12 weeks, starting after at least two weeks on the line. “The bottom line is this helps level the playing field,” said Democratic state Sen. Marcus Riccelli, who sponsored Washington’s bill. “Without a social safety net during a strike, workers are faced with tremendous pressure to end the strike quickly or never go on strike in the first place.” But the bills are raising questions about how they would affect employers, especially amid economic uncertainties tied to federal funding cuts and tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. “It’s inappropriate to unbalance the bargaining table in a way that forces employers to pay for the costs of a striking worker,” Lindsey Hueer, government affairs director with the Association of Washington Business, told senators during a committee hearing in February. “Unemployment insurance should be a safety net for workers who have no job to return to.” So far only two states, New York and New Jersey, give striking workers unemployment benefits. Senate Democrats in Connecticut have revived legislation that would provide financial help for striking workers after the governor vetoed a similar measure last year. The measures in Washington and Oregon have been passed by the state Senate of each and are now in the House. The Washington bill faces its final committee hearings on Friday and Monday. The Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit, pro-labor think tank in Washington, D.C., has studied the effects of giving unemployment benefits to striking workers and found it to be good for workers and employers alike, said Daniel Perez, state economic analyst for the organization. First, he said, lengthy strikes are extremely rare. More than half of U.S. labor strikes end within two days — workers wouldn’t receive pay in those cases — and just 14% last more than two weeks. Second, the policy costs very little — less than 1% of unemployment insurance expenditures in every state that has considered legislation. Bryan Corliss, spokesperson for the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace union, told The Associated Press that the big winners would be low-wage workers. “If low-wage workers had the financial stability to actually go on strike for more than a day or two without risking eviction, we believe that would incentivize companies to actually come to the table and make a deal,” he said. During a hearing in the Washington House labor committee last week, several Republican lawmakers tried to amend the bill to require striking workers to look for other jobs or to shorten the time covered from 12 weeks to four. The Democratic majority shot those ideas down. Republican Rep. Suzanne Schmidt said the bill might be good for workers, but it would hurt employers. “We’ve seen instances of this with the Boeing strike last year for the machinists,” she said. “We had 32,000 people on strike at the same time and if this had been in play it would have cost millions of dollars to cover those workers. Boeing did actually lose billions having the workers on strike for several months.” The Oregon bill, which also would make striking workers eligible for unemployment benefits after two weeks, sparked a similar debate, both among Democratic and Republican lawmakers as well as constituents, with hundreds of people submitting written testimony. The state has seen two large strikes in recent years: Thousands of nurses and dozens of doctors at Providence’s eight Oregon hospitals were on strike for six weeks earlier this year, while a 2023 walkout of Portland Public Schools teachers shuttered schools for over three weeks in the state’s largest district. The Oregon Senate passed the measure largely along party lines, with two Democrats voting against it. On the Senate floor, Democratic Sen. Janeen Sollman said she worried about the effect on public employers such as school districts, which “do not have access to extra pots of money.” Private employers pay into the state’s unemployment trust fund through a payroll tax, but few public employers do, meaning that they would have to reimburse the fund for any payments made to their workers. Democratic Sen. Chris Gorsek, who supported the bill, argued it wouldn’t cost public employers more than what they’ve already budgeted for salaries, as workers aren’t paid when they’re on strike. Also, those receiving unemployment benefits get at most 65% of their weekly pay, and benefit amounts are capped, according to a document presented to lawmakers by employment department officials. “Unemployment insurance is partial wage replacement, so unemployment insurance in and of itself is not an additional cost to the employer,” Gorsek said. “In fact, the only way Senate Bill 916 would yield additional cost for what was already budgeted by the employer is if the employer decided to hire replacement workers.”

Increased Support for Young Learners Photo courtesy of Preschool for All – Multnomah County Entering its fourth school year, the Preschool for All (PFA) program announced it will serve up to 3,800 families in the 2025–2026 school year—quadrupling the number of children served since its launch in 2022. Applications are open from April 2 to April 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., for children who are 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2025, and have a parent or guardian living in Multnomah County. Families can apply at pfa.multco.us . “We are pleased to serve up to 1,600 additional children in the 2025–2026 school year, providing more choices for families and growth opportunities for providers,” said Leslee Barnes, director of the Preschool & Early Learning Division at Multnomah County. “We appreciate our educators who create welcoming, developmentally appropriate learning environments. Providers in the program receive extensive support, including coaching, professional development, and funding to build and expand child care facilities.” In 2025–2026, 128 providers—including over 50 new ones—will serve children at nearly 220 locations. This expansion builds on the previous year, when 80 providers served 2,225 children at 133 sites. PFA will also launch a Provider Advisory Group to gather feedback and continue improving program effectiveness. The program has grown from 728 children in 2022-2023 to 3,800 in 2025-2026. This growth provides more options for working families and aims for universal preschool in Multnomah County by 2030, in collaboration with other state and federal programs like Preschool Promise and Head Start.  The Preschool for All Family Survey Findings, conducted by external research partners (Curenton, S. M. et al.) indicate families find real value in the program: 97%   are satisfied or highly satisfied with their PFA experience; 97%   of seats are enrolled; 99% feel welcomed; 95% feel comfortable discussing problems with educators; and 100% believe providers help children feel comfortable sharing about home life. In addition, 65%   of programs offer a 10-hour preschool day for families. Kelly Wirth, a parent of two kids said: "As a mom, having access to Preschool for All has been life-changing for our family. My daughter is not only learning her ABCs, but she’s building confidence, making friends, and developing a love for learning. It’s given her a strong start—and given me peace of mind knowing she’s in a safe, nurturing environment every day. I encourage every family to apply. This program is a gift, and every child deserves the chance to thrive from the very beginning." The county reports that Preschool for All is successfully reaching populations that have historically had the least access to preschool. As of February 2025, 71% of participating families have low incomes, and 65% of children identify as Black, Indigenous, or Children of Color. Additionally, 4% of children live with foster parents or legal guardians, 5% are from families experiencing homelessness, and 30% speak a language other than English at home. In total, 61 different languages are represented among enrolled families. Families can apply through April 30 and choose up to six preschool programs on their application, including schools, home-based and center-based care. Most seats will be filled during the spring. Later in the summer, the application reopens for new applicants to apply for remaining seats or to be placed on a waiting list. To learn more or apply, visit  pfa.multco.us

Free Cone Day While Raising Funds to Support Portland’s Homeless Youth Volunteer Scoopers On Tuesday, April 8th, local nonprofit New Avenues for Youth in partnership with Ben & Jerry’s, will celebrate the Scoop-A-Thon and Free Cone Day from 12 pm to 8 pm at the non-profit’s Partner Shop (524 SW Yamhill St, Portland, OR 97204). This year they will scoop more than 2000 cones, with all proceeds benefitting programs for youth currently experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.   Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day began in 1979, as a way for Ben & Jerry’s to give back to the community that helped it grow from a single Scoop Shop in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, to one of the most beloved ice cream companies worldwide. Free Cone Day has turned into a global celebration, with fans lining up for free scoops in more than 35 countries. Last year fans showed up in record numbers, helping Ben & Jerry’s scoopers serve up over 1 million scoops of free ice cream.   The only Ben & Jerry’s in the Portland area is also the ONLY store in the country owned and operated exclusively by a non-profit – a unique and long-standing partnership between New Avenues for Youth and Ben & Jerry’s. To celebrate Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day, New Avenues hosts an annual “Scoop-A-Thon” event on the same day, funds going directly towards its youth homelessness programs. This year’s event is presented by New Avenues long-time partner, Bank of America.   Opening in 2004, the New Avenues for Youth Ben and Jerry’s Partner Shop aims to provide tangible job training skills to youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. In addition to the Ben & Jerry’s shop, New Avenues also owns and operates New Avenues INK , a screen-printing shop that has been printing high-quality items for businesses and individuals within the community for the past 12 years. Together these shops comprise New Avenues’ social enterprise program, which over the past 20 years has provided hundreds of young people with real job skills and work experience.   “Free Cone Day has always been about gratitude – we want to thank our fans for being the best fans in the world with free ice cream and a moment of pure joy,” said Jennie Vinson, Director of Social Enterprise at New Avenues for Youth. “This year, more than ever, we’re reminded how powerful those small moments of happiness can be. AND- we are excited to be celebrating our 20th Free Cone Day in Downtown Portland, with all Scoop-a-Thon proceeds going to New Avenues for Youth.”   Next week join the Ben & Jerry’s New Avenues team alongside ‘Scooper Sponsors’: KGW Media Group, NW Natural and US Bank, as they scoop classic Ben & Jerry’s chunky, swirly flavors. This year’s event is also sponsored by ‘Sundae Sponsors’:  Canopy, Colas Construction and Ferguson Wellman Capital Management.    Although the ice cream served on Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day is free , donations are gratefully accepted in the Partner Shop and online at www.newavenues.org/donate  with all proceeds generated at the event going directly towards New Avenue’s programs.   To learn more about New Avenues social enterprise shop, career-readiness programs, and other programs aimed at preventing youth homelessness visit www.newavenues.org/programs .   For more information, visit www.newavenues.org/scoopathon . News organizations are also invited to cover this event on the day of and can schedule by contacting Lauren Eads, leads@newavenues.org

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Officers arrest a suspect and collect evidence (Photo Courtesy of Portland Police Bureau) Partnering to Improve Safety On March 23, North Precinct Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) officers, along with officers from Central and East NRT and members of the Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit, collaborated to enhance the safety and usability of the area surrounding Dawson Park. Partnering with local businesses and the Organized Retail Crime Association of Oregon, officers targeted individuals involved in retail theft and illegal drug activity. During the operation, 26 individuals were arrested, 100 criminal charges were filed, and 16 outstanding warrants were served. Stolen goods valued at hundreds of dollars were recovered and returned to nearby businesses, and several illegal drug transactions were disrupted. North Precinct personnel remained committed to improving safety in and around Dawson Park, continuing efforts to develop creative solutions in partnership with the city.

Continuation of refresh projects Rockwood Library will close to the public starting April 22 to start on a series of bond-funded improvements. Rockwood’s last day open to the public before construction is April 21. Project teams expect the work to last until fall 2025. Rockwood Library (Photo courtesy Multnomah County Library) Multnomah County Library is actively working to build, expand, and renovate library spaces for the public as part of the voter-approved 2020 Library building bond. This year marks a significant transformation for the library system, with the construction and expansion of five libraries and a series of Refresh projects across the system, leading to temporary library closures. The work at Rockwood Library is part of these Refresh projects, which focus on smaller but impactful upgrades at 11 libraries on a shorter timeline. Similar projects at other locations have typically taken about four months to complete. Updates at Rockwood Library will include improved shelf heights for better space utilization and sight lines, a welcoming children's area with new movable furniture, new reading room chairs with and without arms, additional table space, a Tech Bar for patrons to use copy machines, scanners, and computers, as well as fresh paint and new carpet for a refreshed look. While Rockwood Library is temporarily closed, community members are encouraged to visit alternate locations. Midland Library, located at 805 SE 122nd Avenue in Portland, will host Rockwood’s makerspace starting May 13 until Rockwood reopens. Other nearby options include Gresham Library at 385 NW Miller Avenue in Gresham and Troutdale Library at 2451 SW Cherry Park Road in Troutdale. These locations will continue to provide essential library services and resources to the community during Rockwood Library’s renovation.

Community members gather at Augustana Lutheran Church. Photo credit: M. Washington Oregon's Measure 114, a gun control law, was upheld by the Oregon Court of Appeals and will move forward despite potential appeals. The law includes restrictions on high-capacity magazines and requires gun purchase permits.