Wildfire Emergency: Gov. Tina Kotek declared a statewide state of emergency as heat, low snowpack, and drought push Oregon toward a higher-risk fire season, expanding access to firefighting resources and urging residents to sign up for OR-Alert and prepare go-kits. Utility Hardening: PGE is burying about seven miles of power lines near Government Camp to cut wildfire ignition risk around Mount Hood, while Pacific Power is also preparing for an active season with automatic shutoff and possible temporary de-energizing. Local Governance: Hermiston voters will decide Nov. 3 on charter changes, including ward-based council elections, a shift to appointing the municipal court judge, and clarifying city attorney oversight. State Budgeting: Salem City Council approved its 2027 budget, continuing homeless camp cleanup teams and a fire department mobile crisis unit. Courts & Voting Access: A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department bid to force Maryland to release detailed voter data, adding to losses in similar cases, including Oregon. Energy Leadership: A former Montana PSC commissioner, Travis Kavulla, was tapped to lead the Bonneville Power Administration. Public Safety on Roads: Oregon State Police released details of a fatal June 19 crash on Highway 126 near Redmond. Education Policy: Oregon lawmakers criticized the Quality Education Commission’s process and voted against Kotek nominees. Housing & Land Use Debate: An op-ed pushes back on claims that urban growth boundaries are the main driver of Oregon’s housing crunch, arguing the focus should be on what homes get built and for whom.