The Douglas fir is iconic in Oregon. It’s the state tree and it's on most license plates. But Jefferson Public Radio's Roman Battaglia (buh-TALLY-uh) reports one group is trying to save Oregon’s oak trees, which they say are just as important.

For decades, companies have wanted to re-start mining nickel in Southern Oregon. As Jefferson Public Radio’s Justin Higginbottom reports, a changing market and pro-mining administration might finally bring the industry back to the state.

This year’s race for Oregon governor could be highly competitive, according to internal data being circulated by one candidate. Republican Christine Drazan says her polling shows she is leading Governor Tina Kotek. Dirk VanderHart reports.

STORY:

The Blue Mountain Action Council’s food bank distributes food to 13 pantries in five counties in southeastern Washington state. But the nonprofit is receiving roughly half the amount of food as it did last year. Under the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has cut or scaled back food assistance programs.

A nonprofit’s food bank that distributes food to pantries across five counties in southeastern Washington state is serving hundreds more people. But it’s receiving less than half the amount of food compared to last year. N-W-P-B’s Erick Bengel reports.

[VCR: Seattle seeks to renew transit sales tax

For MONDAY, kill after 9:30AM

Amy Radil/Cat Smith

Seattle’s transit tax pays for extra bus service and funds the city’s streetcars.

Today [MON] the public gets to weigh in on plans to renew that funding.]

The Ashland School District is working to create a plan to ensure its long-term viability.

Ashland School District could look different in the coming years.

This week [TUE JULY 7] a family in Central Oregon filed a lawsuit against Knife River mining company over unsafe well water. Jen Baires [buy-dess] reports.

LEDE: A federal judge has ordered the largest immigration jail in the Pacific Northwest to allow Washington state health inspectors inside. It’s part of a long-running fight between the state and the jail. Reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan [MYE-zehz tan] has more.