📈 A new utility rate hike

2 School Won’t Reopen Before Summer

Portland Public Schools won’t reopen two winter-storm-damaged schools before June. Markham Elementary students are currently split between four schools, and Robert Gray Middle is using space at Jackson Middle School. Repairs were supposed to be completed the middle of February. [KOIN]

Pacific Power Wants 17% Rate Hike

The state’s largest utility, Portland General Electric, raised its rates by 18% at the beginning of this calendar year. Now another of the state’s large utility companies, Pacific Power, wants a 17% hike, starting next year. Pacific Power says it’s looking to upgrade its grid, invest in generating renewable energy, and pay for wildfire costs. [OPB]

Nike to Lay Off 1,500 Employees

Nike’s CEO announced plans to lay off 2% of its global workforce, starting this past Friday. Many of the layoffs are likely to be at the company’s headquarters in Beaverton, where 12,000 of Nike’s 83,000 employees work. [Willamette Week]

• Related: The company won’t cut employees at stores, distribution centers, and key U.S. manufacturing facilities. [Oregonian 🔒]
• Related: Is Nike OK? [City Cast Portland 🎧]

An Insider’s Look at Portland Bridge Lifts

Portlanders spend a lot of time crossing the 12 local Willamette River bridges. But have you ever wondered: who are the people in charge of lifting the bridges? Why was my day ruined by an unexpected stop in traffic? Today Multnomah County Bridge Operator Tod Richards answers City Cast Portland’s questions.