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Improvements to A Critical Drinking Water System Photo of Senator Merkley, Commissioner Mapps, EPA Director Wilkes, Water Bureau Director Campbell, City Administrator Michael Jordan, and Deputy City Administrator Priya Dhanapal The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $319 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the City of Portland, serving Oregon’s Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties. The loan supports construction of the new Bull Run Treatment Projects to meet federal and state safe drinking water standards. The new filtration facility and related pipelines will filter water from Portland’s Bull Run supply before it goes to customers to remove a pathogen called Cryptosporidium. “Securing another major WIFIA loan for the Bull Run Treatment Program is a huge step forward in our work to ensure clean, safe, and reliable water for Oregonians,” Sen. Jeff Merkley said. “Oregon’s leaders deserve a tremendous share of the credit for this milestone, as it was their persistence in brainstorming solutions to water infrastructure challenges that led me to create the WIFIA program. With this new federal backing, not only will Portland-area folks be getting safer drinking water, but we will be creating thousands of construction jobs and saving working families money in the process. This is exactly the win-win-win WIFIA was created to achieve for our communities.” This is the second WIFIA loan provided to support the Bull Run Treatment Projects, which will help protect the public health of residents across the region. In addition to removing Cryptosporidium from the Bull Run water source, filtration will provide consistent, high-quality drinking water to meet today’s water quality standards, help address future risks and regulations and improve system resilience. “Last summer a wildfire burned within two miles of our drinking water facilities in the Bull Run,” said Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. “Filtration is the versatile solution Portland needs to address the water quality risks posed by the seismic, wildfire- and weather-related issues we will face in the future.” The $140 million of interest costs over the life of the loan. This second loan brings Portland’s total WIFIA loans to over $1 billion for the Bull Run Treatment Program. “Thriving communities expect and depend on reliable drinking water,” said Bruno Pigott, EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water. “These two WIFIA loans mark the largest EPA contribution ever to a drinking water project, and an impressive step forward for the City of Portland as they ensure safe drinking water for their residents.” The projects will help create 6,100 jobs, and over $400 million will go to firms certified by the Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID). This highlights the City of Portland’s ongoing initiative to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion. The City of Portland’s Public Works Service Area invests in a job apprenticeship program that recruits individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to learn trade skills and earn rewarding jobs throughout the City. The construction contracts for the new filtration facility and pipelines will include Community Benefits Agreements that set workforce equity goals for people of color and women in the trades. The contracts also maximize opportunities for Disadvantaged, Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, Emerging Small Businesses, and Service-Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise contractors and subcontractors. “Our first and most important priority is to reliably deliver safe, clean water to the nearly 1 million people who depend on us,” said Water Bureau Director Edward Campbell. “This filtration facility is a long-term investment that will pay dividends in protecting our livability, our economy, and our health now and for generations to come. And with the support of the EPA and this low-interest financing, we’re able to reduce the costs of this valuable project for our community members.” Since its creation, EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program has announced nearly $21 billion in financing to support $45 billion in water infrastructure projects that are strengthening drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure while creating over 150,000 jobs.

Medal of Freedom to notable figures : President Joe Biden, center, prepares to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor, to Denzel Washington in the East Room of the White House, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (AP) In the East Room of the White House on a particularly frigid Saturday afternoon, President Joe Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton aroused a standing ovation from the crowd as she received her medal. Clinton was accompanied to the event by her husband former President Bill Clinton, daughter Chelsea Clinton and grandchildren. President Joe Biden, right, presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor, to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in the East Room of the White House, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Democratic philanthropist George Soros and actor-director Denzel Washington were also awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor in a White House ceremony. “For the final time as president I have the honor bestowing the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, on a group of extraordinary, truly extraordinary people, who gave their sacred effort, their sacred effort, to shape the culture and the cause of America,” Biden said in his opening remarks. “Let me just say to each of you, thank you, thank you, thank you for all you’ve done to help this country,” Biden said Saturday. Four medals were awarded posthumously. They went to George W. Romney, who served as both a Michigan governor and secretary of housing and urban development; former Attorney General and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy; Ash Carter, a former secretary of defense; and Fannie Lou Hamer, who founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and laid the groundwork for the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Kennedy is father to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for health and human services secretary. Biden said, “Bobby is one of my true political heroes. I love and I miss him dearly.” Romney is the father of former Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, one of Trump’s strongest conservative critics. Biden has days left in the Presidential office and has spent the last few days issuing awards and medals to valiant military veterans, courageous law enforcement officials and exceptional Americans. The White House said the Medal of Freedom recipients have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.” Major philanthropists receiving the award include Spanish American chef José Andrés, whose World Central Kitchen charity has become one of the world’s most recognized food relief organizations, and Bono, the front man for rock band U2 and a social justice activist. Soros’ son Alex Soros accepted the medal on his father’s behalf. In an emailed statement, Soros said: “As an immigrant who found freedom and prosperity in America, I am deeply moved by this honor.” Sports and entertainment stars recognized include professional soccer player Lionel Messi, who did not attend the event; retired Los Angeles Lakers basketball legend and businessman Earvin “Magic” Johnson; actor Michael J. Fox, who is an outspoken advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development; and William Sanford Nye, known to generations of students as “Bill Nye the Science Guy.” Other awardees include conservationist Jane Goodall; longtime Vogue Magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour; American fashion designer Ralph Lauren; American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr.; entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ activist Tim Gill; and David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group global investment firm. Lauren is the first fashion designer to receive the honor. Last year, Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on 19 people, including the late Medgar Evers, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina and actor Michelle Yeoh. The Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded 654 times between 1963 and 2024, according to the Congressional Research Service. Notable Medal of Freedom recipients from the past include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou and Mother Teresa.

TriMet renews partnership with Timbers, Thorns Photo Courtesy of TriMet TriMet is extending our partnership with the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns FC for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. If you have a ticket to a Timbers or Thorns game at Providence Park, you can use it as your proof of fare on TriMet buses and MAX trains on match days — all thanks to a partnership between TriMet and our professional soccer teams. TriMet began accepting match-day tickets as fare on TriMet during the 2024 season. Starting in 2025, and through 2026, they will also accept Providence Park concert tickets as fare! For up to three hours before or after the event for which the ticket is valid, you can present your Timbers, Thorns or concert ticket to your TriMet bus operator or TriMet Customer Safety Supervisor as proof of payment. Digital tickets can be displayed on a smartphone or other device.

Promoting Public Action Photo Courtesy of Oregon Department of Transportation The Oregon Department of Transportation is proudly supporting January’s Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a presidentially designated observance designed to educate the public about human trafficking and the role they can play in preventing and responding to the crime. Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that involves the use of force, fraud, or pressure to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Victims can be any age, race, gender or nationality. More than 27 million people annually fall victim to human trafficking worldwide, and according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 132 cases involving 248 victims were identified in Oregon in 2023. “Human trafficking depends on transportation systems to operate,” said ODOT Director Kris Strickler. “Our agency works closely with other transportation agencies to end human trafficking by raising public awareness, sharing data and educating people to recognize the signs. The more we know about how to spot human trafficking, the more our industry can work together to bring it down.” As part of the monthly observance, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance holds a Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative Jan. 13-17. During that week, their trained motor carrier enforcement officers and safety inspectors from their Commerce and Compliance Division will be working with law enforcement to hand out human trafficking awareness materials in English and Spanish to truck drivers and motor carriers at weigh stations across the state. They will also share awareness information on TripCheck, variable message signs around the state, radio spots, billboard ads and social media posts throughout the month. They have also lit up the Woodburn Bridge in shades of blue to shine a light on human trafficking. If you suspect human trafficking, do not confront a suspected trafficker or alert a victim to any suspicions. If it’s an emergency, call 9-1-1 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. The hotline is operated 24 hours a day by a nongovernmental organization. You may also text HELP or INFO to 233733 (BEFREE).

Longtime housing services leader eager to serve on Board Commissioner Shannon Singleton is sworn in by County Attorney Jenny Madkour. Shannon Singleton, whose human-centered work took her from the top offices at Portland and Multnomah County housing and homeless services agencies to the governor’s office, was sworn in Tuesday, Dec. 3, as the Multnomah County Commissioner for District 2. Commissioner Singleton was elected Nov. 5, 2024, and took office immediately upon certification of the election results on Dec. 2. She replaces Interim Commissioner Jesse Beason. Beason was the Board-approved alternate who was sworn in in November 2023 after Commissioner Susheela Jayapal resigned to run for Congress. Singleton’s term will run through Dec. 31, 2025. County Attorney Jenny Madkour administered the oath of office in a short, enthusiastic ceremony in the Boardroom immediately before Singleton participated in her first formal briefing as a Board member, about work she had done as a front-line social services worker: rapid rehousing. “Growing up around Philly, I never thought this would happen,’’ Singleton said. She said she had long worked in the politically charged air around homelessness, but had never served in a political office until she joined Gov. Kate Brown’s administration as her housing policy advisor in 2019. Gov. Brown later appointed Singleton to lead Oregon’s Racial Justice Council. “We worked through the pandemic, through the wildfires, through Donald Trump and mourning George Floyd, trying to find reason in this world,’’ Singleton recalled at the ceremony. “It was hard, but I learned if you want to change the world, you have to start at home.’’ Portland has been home for Singleton, and her husband, Titus, since 2007. A social worker who spent years serving survivors of domestic violence, youth in foster care, and people experiencing homelessness, Singleton earned a master’s degree from Portland State University. She began working in homeless services at the former Salvation Army SAFES shelter in downtown Portland. She then worked at the Portland Housing Bureau, and later led JOIN, a nonprofit provider that helped hundreds of people leave homelessness, many directly from the streets, for housing. In addition to her work for Gov. Kate Brown, Singleton served as an interim director of the Joint Office of Homeless Services and, most recently, worked for a Black-owned consulting firm in Portland that specializes in equity and community engagement. Community member Perlia Bell, a longtime colleague of Singleton’s, said she would try not to cry as she recounted Singleton’s impact on her career and on the community. “Shannon is a powerhouse,’’ Bell said. “You guys picked the right one for this job. She is a visionary. She is a leader. She cares about community, not just the homeless, she cares about everything and everybody.’’ Singleton said she was excited to be serving on the Board alongside “four incredibly talented women’’: Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, and Commissioners Sharon Meieran, Julia Brim-Edwards and Lori Stegmann. She acknowledged the atypically short timeframe between the election and replacing Interim Commissioner Beason, she really had to hustle to take her seat. “Just kidding,’’ she added after a pause. “I was ready last week.”

A cornerstone of American modern dance MGDC We the People Photo by Isabella Pagano White Bird is honored to present the iconic Martha Graham Dance Company as they celebrate their centenary with a one-night-only performance, January 22, 2025, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Founded in 1926 by modern dance pioneer Martha Graham, this historic company has become a cornerstone of American modern dance. This engagement marks a pivotal moment in White Bird’s season as we celebrate one of the most influential companies in dance history. Under the artistic direction of Janet Eilber since 2005, Martha Graham Dance Company continues to honor Graham’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of modern dance. A nine-year veteran of the company herself, Eilber’s leadership has infused the company’s performances with both reverence for Graham’s masterpieces and a forward-looking vision that incorporates new works by today’s most exciting choreographers. Our program will feature Graham’s masterworks, including “Errand into the Maze” and a suite of dances from “Appalachian Spring,” showcasing the timeless genius of her choreography. The evening will also include newly commissioned contemporary works including “We The People” by choreographer Jamar Roberts and “CAVE,” an electrifying new piece by acclaimed Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter, offering a thrilling reinterpretation of the Graham dancers, revealing them in a bold and dynamic light.

Increase Access to Higher Education Photo courtesy of Reed College Reed College is proud to announce a groundbreaking new initiative that will make a Reed education even more accessible to Oregon and Washington students from all financial backgrounds. As of December 19, 2024, Reed will offer tuition-free education for newly admitted Oregon, Washington, and transfer students from around the U.S. whose family income is under $100,000. This new policy builds upon Reed’s long-standing commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, ensuring that a college education at Reed remains within reach for all qualified students. This initiative reaffirms Reed College’s dedication to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and intellectually rigorous community by eliminating financial barriers that may have previously hindered talented students from pursuing their dreams at one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges. “Our graduates leave Reed College ready to make significant contributions to society by tackling some of the biggest challenges facing our world,” said Reed College President Audrey Bilger. “I am excited to implement this initiative that will allow even more students to access Reed’s multidisciplinary academic program and join our vibrant community.” Reed College will cover the full cost of tuition for all Oregon and Washington undergraduate students and transfer students from families with a total annual income below $100,000 and typical assets starting in fall 2025. In addition to the tuition-free benefit, Reed will continue to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all students for all four years. Reed College is committed to making higher education affordable for future generations of students.  “Reed College has long believed that our student aid program ensured access to the best educational experience higher education can offer,” said Milyon Trulove, Reed College Vice President and Dean of Admission & Financial Aid. “I am excited to offer this financial promise to our prospective students in the Pacific Northwest and transfer students from around the country.” Founded in 1908 in southeast Portland, Oregon, Reed College is a coeducational, independent liberal arts and sciences college. Referred to as one of the most intellectual colleges in the country, Reed is known for its high standards of scholarly practice, creative thinking, and engaged citizenship.

Deal builds on changes Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, flanked by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, left, and Chief Brian O’Hara of the Minneapolis Police Department, speaks at a news conference after the Minneapolis City Council approved a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice approving a federal consent decree, at the U.S. Courthouse in Minneapolis, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP) (AP) The Minneapolis City Council on Monday approved an agreement with the federal government to overhaul the city’s police training and use-of-force policies in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. The deal incorporates and builds on changes the Minneapolis Police Department has made since Floyd, a Black man, was killed by a white officer in 2020, prompting a national reckoning with police brutality and racism. The 171-page agreement, filed in federal court shortly after the council voted 12-0 to approve it, says the department will require its officers to “promote the sanctity of human life as the highest priority in their activities.” It says officers must” carry out their law enforcement duties with professionalism and respect for the dignity of every person.” And it says they must not allow race, gender or ethnicity “to influence any decision to use force, including the amount or type of force used.” The agreement, known as a consent decree, will put the department under long-term court supervision. It had been under negotiation since the Department of Justice issued a scathing critique of the city’s police in June 2023. Department officials alleged that police engaged in systematic racial discrimination, violated constitutional rights and disregarded the safety of people in custody for years before Floyd was killed. The report was the result of a sweeping two-year investigation that confirmed many citizen complaints about police conduct. It found that Minneapolis officers used excessive force, including “unjustified deadly force,” and violated the rights of people engaged in constitutionally protected speech. “George Floyd’s death was not just a tragedy, it was a galvanizing force for the city and for the nation,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said at a news conference. “All eyes remain on Minneapolis, and with this consent decree, we now have a roadmap for reform that will help this community heal while strengthening trust between law enforcement and the people they serve.” An independent monitor will oversee the changes and a judge must approve them. A hearing has not yet been scheduled, but officials hope that approval comes quickly. During his first administration, President-elect Donald Trump was critical of consent decrees as anti-police. Finalizing the Minneapolis agreement before he returns to office Jan. 20 would make it harder for him to undercut the deal, because changes would require court approval. Clarke declined to predict how vigorously the incoming administration will or won’t try to enforce the consent decree. The council’s brief public vote followed an hours long closed-door discussion. “I’d like to thank our community for standing together, united in this, and for having patience with us as we have traveled a very, very long and challenging journey,” Council President Elliott Payne said after the vote. “We’re just beginning, and we know we have a long way to go. Our success will only be realized when we all work together on what is arguably one of the most important issues in the life of our city.” Council member Robin Wonsley said in a statement before the vote that she has “no faith that the Trump administration will be a serious partner” in implementing the agreement. “Having a federal consent decree signed and in place is valuable to police reform efforts, but we need to be sober about the fact that it will take local political will to hold the city and the (Mayor Jacob) Frey administration accountable to implementing and enforcing the terms of the consent decree,” she said. A state court judge in 2023 approved a similar agreement between Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights after the state agency issued its own blistering report in 2022. The state investigation found that the city’s police had engaged in a pattern of race discrimination for at least a decade. The Justice Department has opened 12 similar investigations of state and local law enforcement agencies since April 2021, many in response to high-profile deaths at the hands of police. Assuming court approval, Clarke said, the department will be enforcing 16 policing “pattern and practices” settlements across the country. She said 30 years of experience shows that they lead to “important and tangible progress toward better, safer, and lawful policing.” The department has reached agreements with Seattle, New Orleans, Baltimore, Chicago and Ferguson, Missouri. A consent decree with Louisville, Kentucky, after an investigation prompted by the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor is waiting court approval. In Memphis, Tennessee, the mayor last month pushed back against pressure for a consent decree there, saying his city has made hundreds of positive changes since the beating death of Tyre Nichols. Consent decrees require law enforcement to meet specific goals before federal oversight is removed, a process that often takes years and millions of dollars. A major reason Minneapolis hired Brian O’Hara as police chief in 2022 was his experience implementing a consent decree in Newark, New Jersey. O’Hara noted that the city would be the first in the country to operate under both federal and state consent decrees. He said they showed in Newark that consent decrees can lead to meaningful change. “We are not going to just comply with its terms, but we will exceed expectations and we will make change real for people on the street,” the chief said. “Together, we will make Minneapolis a place where everyone feels safer, and they know that Minneapolis cops will have their back.” The mayor told reporters that officers will rise to the occasion. “I trust the members of this department to show up every day, that you will be committed to being the change reflected in this agreement,” Frey said. “You have the ability, you have the obligation, and you have the responsibility to set the tone. Show the rest of the country, in fact, the rest of the world, what good constitutional policing looks like.”

Let’s make a positive impact together MLK Day Clean-up crew Join in for a meaningful day of service at Irving Park as we honor Dr. King’s legacy through a community litter cleanup. This event is a great opportunity to give back and help beautify our neighborhood while coming together in the spirit of unity and service. Volunteers will first check-in, grab supplies, and receive a brief safety speech to ensure everyone is prepared. The event will officially kick off Monday, January 20th at 10 AM, with participants working together to clean up litter and improve our shared spaces. By taking part in this MLK Day of Service event, you’ll be contributing to a cleaner, healthier community while honoring the values of service and equality. Let’s make a positive impact together! It is highly suggested but not required to register. Please sign up ahead of time to guarantee your spot. Community members will be meeting at the basketball court in Irving Park, located on the NW side the address is 707 NE Fremont Street Portland, OR 97212. Look for the SOLVE signs! Please wear closed-toed shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, and bring a backpack for hands-free convenience. Feel free to bring your personal tools if available and a reusable water bottle to support our sustainability efforts. Gloves, hi-vis vests, grabbers, and bags will be provided. Just bring yourself and get ready to make a difference! This area may not be easily accessible for folks with mobility concerns. There will be a Spanish speaker present at this event and all ages are welcome. For questions, please contact a SOLVE staff member at info@solveoregon.org .

Oldest Living President in US History Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, June 10, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) (AP) Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, roughly 22 months after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections and house the homeless as an example for others. Biden spoke later Sunday evening about Carter, calling it a “sad day” but one that “brings back an incredible amount of good memories.” “I’ve been hanging out with Jimmy Carter for over 50 years,” Biden said in his remarks. He recalled the former president being a comfort to him and his wife Jill when their son Beau died in 2015 of cancer. The president remarked how cancer was a common bond between their families, with Carter himself having cancer later in his life. “Jimmy knew the ravages of the disease too well,” said Biden, who scheduled a state funeral in Washington, D.C., for Carter on Jan. 9. Biden also declared Jan. 9 as a National Day of Mourning across the nation and ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days from Sunday. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said.

Known for long career with CBS Sports Greg Gumbel, left, watches as Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun talk to Butler head coach Brad Stevens, right, prior to taping a television interview for the men’s NCAA Final Four college basketball championship game Sunday, April 3, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) (AP) Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster who broke barriers during his career calling some of the biggest sporting events, has died from cancer, according to a statement from his family released by the network on Friday, December 27. He was 78. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl 35 for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Gumbel as someone who broke barriers and set standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness. “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time,” Berson said. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. Sean McManus said of all the moves he made in his nearly 27 1/2 years leading CBS Sports, one of his proudest was bringing Gumbel back. “Not only did he elevate our NFL and NCAA coverage to a new level, but his kindness, generosity, sense of humor and unselfishness were second to none. When he was around, he made everyone from the researchers to the technicians to the executives feel like he was their best friend,” said McManus, who retired as CBS Sports chairman in April. “His love for his family was always the foundation of his life. There will never be another Greg Gumbel, and our industry and this world is a sadder place without him.” Gumbel hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. In 1995, he hosted the world figure skating championships and the following year hosted NBC’s daytime coverage of the Atlanta Summer Olympics. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today,” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004-05. Earlier this year, Gumbel recalled replacing Brent Musburger as host of “The NFL Today” in 1990, describing it as intimidating and daunting. “The fact that I got to sit in the same chair and do the same thing or try to do the same thing that he did was an incredible honor,” he said. Gumbel also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl 35 and 38. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season. “Like all who knew and loved him, I too am saddened by his death, yet also so very grateful to have known him in my life,” Clark Kellogg, a CBS Sports college basketball game and studio analyst, said in a statement. “What a gift to be touched by such a good man and partner.” Gumbel was the older brother of Bryant Gumbel, the host of NBC’s “Today” show and “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” on HBO. Bryant Gumbel received a lifetime achievement award at the Sports Emmys in 2003. Greg Gumbel grew up in Chicago and graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967 with a degree in English. He had plans to become an English teacher, but after his brother got into sportscasting, he auditioned at WMAQ-TV, an NBC affiliate in Chicago in 1973, according to the book “You Are Looking Live!: How The NFL Today Revolutionized Sports Broadcasting.” He was soon offered a position as weekend sports anchor. “I’m kind of surprised I got the job. I certainly wasn’t anyone who was polished,” he said in the book. “By my own reckoning, it took me a good year to start to feel comfortable in front of a camera.” Gumbel also worked for ESPN and the Madison Square Garden network. James Brown, who currently hosts “The NFL Today,” described Gumbel on Friday as “Mr. Versatility and also very telegenic.” “It was my pleasure to call him a friend and one who could do anything that was given to him in the wake of an assignment,” he added. Gumbel won local Emmy Awards during his long career and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting. Outside of his broadcast career, he was affiliated with the March of Dimes for three decades, including as a member of its board of trustees. He also was a member of the Sports Council for St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for 16 years.

Designed to reflect diverse communities View of North Portland Library from Killingsworth; rendering courtesy of LEVER Architecture Multnomah County Library is excited to announce the grand opening of North Portland Library on February 8, 2025. North Portland is an expanded, modern space, built to reflect its diverse surrounding communities. Multnomah County Library is transforming library spaces as part of a November 2020 capital bond. As a result, the library has renovated and expanded North Portland Library, updating the historic Carnegie building and adding 1,500 square feet for a total of 10,200 square feet of space on the existing site for this approximately $13 million project. North Portland Library has long been the library home to the Black community in Portland. To recognize its role as a diverse, beloved location, all of the updates are the result of extensive community and staff engagement, with features for the community to enjoy. Additionally, gifts to The Library Foundation supported the creation of an interactive early learning space and a mobile creative learning lab at North Portland Library. To celebrate the opening of the updated, expanded North Portland, the library is hosting two, fun-filled days of activities for the community on Saturday, February 8 and Sunday, February 9. Featuring a performance by the Jefferson Dancers, food from local Black-owned businesses and more, there will be plenty to do while exploring the new features of North Portland Library.