Jon Eric Smith

Portland

News Reporter at KXL-FM (Portland, OR)

Audio drama fan and producer, Themepark fan, and radio hobo.

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Articles

Homelessness rises in Washington County as need outpaces available services

1 week ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

HILLSBORO, Ore. — Washington County is seeing a rise in homelessness, driven by increased shelter capacity and growing economic pressure that officials say is outpacing available resources. According to preliminary data from the county’s 2025 Point in Time (PIT) Count, 940 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. Of those, 701 were in emergency shelters—an increase reflecting the addition of more than 350 year-round shelter beds since 2020.
Portland City Council Rejects PGE Transmission Line Project Through Forest Park

1 week ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland City Council on Wednesday rejected a plan by Portland General Electric to build new transmission lines through Forest Park, siding with environmental advocates who warned the project would harm the city’s largest natural area. The unanimous vote overturned a prior decision by a city hearings officer and halted a proposal that would have required clear-cutting more than 370 trees across five acres to install new power lines in the Northwest Portland park.
Man Dies After Struggle With Clark County Deputy During DUI Investigation

1 week ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — A man died after a struggle with a Clark County sheriff’s deputy during a DUI investigation late Wednesday night, authorities said. Deputies responded around 10:58 p.m. May 7 to a crash near Northeast 14th Court and Northeast Minnehaha Street in Vancouver, where a vehicle had hit two parked cars. The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and taken to the Washington State Patrol Scale House in Ridgefield for a breath test.
One Dead, Several Displaced in Vancouver Apartment Fire

2 weeks ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

VANCOUVER, Wash. — One person was killed and about 20 others were displaced after a fire broke out early Friday at an apartment complex in Vancouver, Washington. The Vancouver Fire Department was dispatched just before 3 a.m. to a structure fire at 4503 E. Fifth St. Crews arrived to find heavy flames coming from a third-story apartment and quickly requested a second alarm to bring in additional resources.
Portland Police Clear Squatters From Parkrose Heights Home, Arrest 9

2 weeks ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Police have cleared a home in Portland’s Parkrose Heights neighborhood that had been taken over by squatters, arresting nine people and seizing drugs, weapons and stolen property.
Scientists Discover New Bacteria on Oregon Coast With Potential for Bioelectronic Breakthroughs

2 weeks ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Scientists at Oregon State University have discovered a new species of bacteria in Yaquina Bay that could lead to advances in medicine, industry and environmental cleanup. The species, named Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis, acts like a natural electrical wire — conducting electricity over distances — and may open the door to future bioelectronic devices.
Facing Shortfall, County Cuts Programs to Shield Health Clinics, Shelter Beds

3 weeks ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

PORTLAND, Ore. — Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson on Wednesday released a $4 billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, aiming to preserve services for the county’s most vulnerable residents despite the largest funding gap in more than a decade. The budget avoids closing any health clinics or shelter beds but makes $77 million in overall cuts, including the elimination of 102 vacant positions.
Portland loses $6.7 million in water plant fraud scheme

3 weeks ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

PORTLAND, Ore. — The city of Portland said Wednesday it lost $6.7 million to a fraud scheme connected to its long-delayed Bull Run Filtration Project, which aims to build a water treatment plant east of the city. Officials said the funds, earmarked for the project, were “redirected” due to fraudulent activity. The city declined to provide further details, citing ongoing local and federal investigations. The money was initially deposited into the account of a New York law firm.
Portland Public Schools proposes $2B budget with $40M in cuts

3 weeks ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland Public Schools is proposing a $2 billion budget for the 2025-26 school year that includes $40 million in cuts and the elimination of about 150 staff positions. Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong said the district made “deep and strategic” sacrifices to preserve key programs. The plan represents a 15% decrease from the current budget and follows $30 million in cuts last year.
Retail Theft Operation Leads to 10 Arrests in Tigard

3 weeks ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

TIGARD, Ore. — A retail theft mission at the Target store on SW Hall Boulevard led to 10 arrests and the recovery of dozens of stolen items, Tigard Police announced Monday. The one-day operation took place on March 28 and was led by the department’s Commercial Crimes Unit, with support from patrol officers and Target’s loss prevention staff. Officers say they recovered 37 stolen items valued at over $600. In total, 10 people were arrested or cited on charges including theft and trespassing.