✂️ More layoffs at Oregon’s largest private employer

Portland’s Proposed Terms a ‘Non-Starter’ for the Trail Blazers

After Mayor Keith Wilson released the city’s proposed terms for a Moda Center renovation, a Portland Trail Blazers source called it “a non-starter.” The proposal includes up to “$120 million for eligible renovation expenses” and a requirement that the Blazers stay in Portland for 20 years. “I don’t know why they sent it to us, because they know very little of the stuff we would agree to,” the anonymous source told The Athletic. “They are playing politics at this point.” Both the Blazers and the city appear ready to negotiate by going to the press with their complaints at this point. [The Athletic]

• City response: Mayor Keith Wilson and City Council President Jamie Dunphy defended the proposal, saying in a statement that it was “developed in good faith but was completed without information we had been seeking from the Blazers.” [Oregonian]
• One specific point of contention: Council President Jamie Dunphy says the Blazers specifically objected to a requirement to pay $3 million a year in lieu of property taxes to the city, county, and Portland Public Schools. [KGW]
• Council not yet on board: Complicating the political situation, City Council was briefed on the term sheet before it went to the Blazers, but it was released before they had any input. And at least a few City Councilors still have concerns about the proposal: Councilor Steve Novick, often a swing vote, criticized the $3 million-a-year figure as insufficient: “That’s not a fair deal.” [Portland Mercury]
• Read the city’s offer: The city has released the details of its term sheet, which also includes a requirement for labor peace — a contract between employers and workers that the employer won’t object if staff try to unionize. [City of Portland]
• The suburban push for a deal: A group of 24 mayors from around the region are pushing to keep the Blazers. “The Blazers and Fire may have jerseys that read ‘Portland,’ but they’re our home teams, too,” reads a letter sent last Wednesday from the Metropolitan Mayors’ Consortium to Gov. Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. [OPB]

Oregon Wine Gets a Netflix Moment

Willamette Valley wine is celebrating a moment of fame after an appearance on "The Hawk,” a new Netflix series. “I’ll take a Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley,” said Will Ferrell, playing the golf legend Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins. [KOIN]

• Watch the clip: He very carefully enunciated the name. [Instagram]

Another Round of Layoffs at Intel

Oregon’s largest private employer is shedding more jobs — this time in their data center group. It’s not clear how many of these jobs are in Oregon, but Intel employs 16,000 people in Oregon — down from 23,000 in 2024. “The whole Oregon semiconductor industry is at a 30-year low,” reports Mike Rogoway. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Dog Cuddles Available

Inspired by puppy yoga, this farm outside Oregon City dropped the yoga and just offers the canine cuddles. Their 10 Burmese mountain dogs are available on weekends for visitors who book a visit. The breed has a reputation for being so friendly that, despite their size, they’ll sit in your lap. [Oregonian]

• Tickets: The Bernese Mountain Dog Experience | 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays | $50 a person for 75 minutes