Tolls move ahead for the I-5 Columbia River bridge

Was Yesterday Our Last 80 Degree Day?

It’s been an unseasonably warm, sunny start to the month of October. I hope you enjoyed it, because it looks like the rain could start today. [KOIN]

Rising Scores but Achievement Gap Persists

Unlike surrounding districts, Portland Public Schools has seen its student test scores rebound since the pandemic. That’s a notable exception. But an alarming achievement gap persists. [Oregonian 🔒]

• Related: Just one in 10 Black students (or fewer) tested proficient in reading at nine PPS schools. [Oregonian 🔒]

Tolls Move Ahead for I-5 Bridge

Both Oregon and Washington’s transportation commissions voted last week to move forward with tolls to fund a new I-5 bridge across the Columbia. Four different tolling options are under consideration that vary on charges for trucks, at rush hour, and for inflation. The plan is to start tolling I-5 in 2026. So far there are no plans to toll I-205. [KGW]

This Fall’s Ballot Initiatives

Oregon voters will be weighing whether to approve ranked choice voting statewide, whether to allow impeachment proceedings for state officials, and — of course — whether to give us all a big tax rebate. Here’s a rundown of this fall’s ballot initiatives in Oregon. [City Cast Portland 🎧]