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

Good morning, Northwest.

The Portland Trail Blazers easily defeated the Golden State Warriors yesterday night at Moda Center, winning 139–119.

Despite the celebratory mood, many fans who came to watch the game were still reeling from the FBI’s arrest of Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups earlier this week for his alleged involvement in an illegal gambling ring.

OPB reporter Joni Auden Land spoke with fans before the game about their thoughts on the Blazers’ future and covered the debut of interim head coach Tiago Splitter, who led the team during last night’s win.

Meanwhile, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday to put on hold the decision allowing Oregon National Guard troops to be deployed to Portland while the court reviews the case further. OPB’s Dirk VanderHart has more on that story.

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

— Winston Szeto

Blazers fans, new coach react to roller-coaster week following shocking arrest

Minutes before the Portland Trail Blazers’ home opener on Wednesday, the Rip City faithful were feeling optimistic about their team’s chances this season.

But it didn’t take long for those expectations to be turned upside down.

Hours after the game, the FBI arrested Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups for his alleged role in an illegal gambling ring. The NBA quickly placed the Hall-of-Fame coach on indefinite leave.

Outside the Moda Center yesterday, some fans arrived with more complicated feelings about their team’s future. Fans believe the team still had the pieces to succeed, but that Billups’ arrest was undoubtedly a setback.

Friday night’s game was the first led by interim head coach Tiago Splitter, who just joined the team as an assistant over the summer. In his pre-game press conference, the Brazilian, who played seven years before getting into coaching, said what he could.

“We all had great experience with Chauncey and how he coached,” Splitter said in a low, reserved voice. “We are thinking of him and his family, but we got a job to do.” (Joni Auden Land)

Learn more

Related: 5 things to know about sports betting in Oregon (Joni Auden Land)

Things to know this morning

• Yesterday afternoon, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the order issued Monday by a panel of three judges within the circuit that allowed Oregon National Guard troops to be sent into Portland. (Dirk VanderHart) 

• Oregon will miss its 2035 greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal by two years, due to a boom in data centers and the end of federal vehicle emissions standards, according to an analysis completed this month. But state officials pushing to drastically cut carbon emissions say it’s not too late to get back on track. (Monica Samayoa) 

• Lewis & Clark College is joining a short list of higher education institutions in the U.S. that have chosen to move endowment investments away from companies that manufacture weapons. (Tiffany Camhi)

Headlines from around the Northwest

• Oregon earns ‘Accessibility Verified’ status from disability nonprofit (Kristian Foden–Vencil) 

• Central Oregon public transit to start collecting fares for first time since 2020 (Kathryn Styer Martínez) 

• Portland seeks to place unhoused people with friends and family out of town (Gemma DiCarlo) 

• Community asked to stay vigilant as burglaries continue to affect Asian American businesses in Eugene area (Rebecca Hansen-White) 

• How an Oregon writer finds fulfillment in picking up litter (Jeanette Woods, Kai McNamee and Matt Ozug) 

• Some Oregon wildfire mitigation projects stalled by government shutdown (Justin Higginbottom) 

• It’s avian influenza season again. Here’s how Oregonians can get prepared (Karen Richards)

Molalla photographer Brendon Burton finds beauty in abandoned spaces

There’s an element of mystery to Brendon Burton’s photographs.

The scenes of abandoned homes, rolling prairies and farmland are familiar, comfortable, but it’s clear the people left long ago.

And it leaves us wondering, what happened?

Burton loves that unfinished story.

“It’s like a ghost portrait in a way. You’re taking a picture of someone that’s gone.”

This story was first published on Oct. 4, 2024. (Eric Slade)

Learn more

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

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/10/25/blazers-community-reel-billups-arrest-opb-first-look/