🌎 Tank the economy to save the climate?

Oregon State Offers Fix for Climate Crisis

Researchers from Oregon State University recently offered a far-ranging plan to address climate change. They say we need to halt economic growth globally, a radical solution that’s often dismissed, as well as increase forestlands, biodiversity, and girls and women’s access to education. [Portland Monthly]

Snowpack Returns, for Now

Good news: Nine days of ice and snow renewed Oregon’s snowpack. Before the storms, the state was officially in a drought; now there’s a surplus, with the snowpack rising from just above 50% to 120% of normal. But expect mild weather for the rest of the season and get your skiing in now. [Willamette Week]

Oregon Graduation Rate Is Flat

In all, 84.5% of Portland Public Schools’ Class of 2023 graduated on time, a slight drop from the year before. At the same time, the state’s graduation rate stayed flat at 81.3%. The Class of 2023 experienced four years of COVID-19, which created challenging educational circumstances. [OPB]

• Related: The graduation rate for Oregon’s Black and Indigenous students fell last year. But Parkrose High School saw a leap in its Black students’ success: 83% graduated in 2023, compared with 45% in 2022. That’s thanks in part to a mentorship program with two local nonprofits. [Oregonian 🔐]

More Food Trucks for Downtown

In one of the latest efforts to help breathe life back into downtown, food trucks will now be allowed to park and serve customers on the adjacent sidewalk — a move that was previously forbidden. That’s part of this Friday’s round-up of the news. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

More Food Trucks Downtown, New Opioid Treatment, and Falling Doug Firs

In this Friday round-up, the current city codes protect trees but might work against homeowners. The city is hoping to breathe some life into downtown. And Portland Fire & Rescue has a new addiction-treatment response team. Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel joins City Cast Portland podcast host Claudia Meza and executive producer John Notarianni.