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Good morning, Northwest.

A federal appeals court ruled yesterday that President Trump can send members of the National Guard to Portland.

But it remains unclear what if any effect the ruling will have on the ground, at least right away. The appeals court said it’s considering whether a larger panel of judges should rehear the case.

OPB law and justice reporter Conrad Wilson breaks it all down to lead off this morning’s newsletter.

In other news, Oregonians could miss their next SNAP deposits if the federal government shutdown persists. And construction of an earthquake-ready Burnside Bridge is on hold again.

Here’s your First Look at Tuesday’s news.

—Bradley W. Parks

Appeals court rules that National Guard can deploy to Portland, but legal questions loom

A divided federal appeals court ruled Monday that President Trump can send members of the National Guard to Portland.

“After considering the record at this preliminary stage, we conclude that it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority,” judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit wrote in the majority opinion.

The ruling is the latest development in a fast-moving case that began last month when the city of Portland and the states of Oregon and California sued to stop President Trump from calling up the National Guard.

It’s unclear what impact this ruling will immediately have on the ground. (Conrad Wilson)

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3 things to know this morning

• Portland police have rejoined TriMet’s transit police for the first time since 2020. Calls for police service on TriMet were down over the past few years, but only about half of people surveyed by the transit agency said they felt safe on buses and trains. (Riley Martinez)
• More than 750,000 Oregonians enrolled in food stamps may not get their deposits on Nov. 1 if the federal government shutdown persists. (Alejandro Figueroa)
• Portland outdoor gear store Next Adventure will stay open thanks to a new group of local investors. The store had previously planned to close all four locations. (Crystal Ligori)

Headlines from around the Northwest

• Construction delayed again for earthquake-ready Burnside Bridge in Portland (Riley Martinez)
• Is Seattle ready for a Portland-like federal presence? Police, city leaders take preemptive steps (Amy Radil)
• Person dies in ocean after being swept out near Lincoln City (KLCC Staff)
• Washington will close hatchery that produces thousands of steelhead (Emily Fitzgerald)
• Mariners blow lead late, miss trip to World Series in Game 7 loss to Blue Jays (Ian Harrison)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

• Legal analysis of appeals court ruling allowing National Guard deployment to Portland 
• High hopes for Portland Trail Blazers as season tips off 
• Portland musician creates opera about York, enslaved member of Lewis and Clark expedition

Author and screenwriter Jon Raymond writes grounded, rich stories of everyday life

Novelist and screenwriter Jon Raymond of Portland is known for grounded stories of everyday life, a style he calls “literary regionalism.”

His collection “Livability” inspired Kelly Reichardt’s films “Old Joy” and “Wendy and Lucy.”

His new novel “God & Sex” is earning wide acclaim, with The New York Times praising its “profound, ancient questions.” (Jacob Pander)

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Subscribe to OPB’s First Look to receive Northwest news in your inbox six days a week.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/10/21/national-guard-portland-appeals-court-first-look/