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Intel, a major employer in Oregon, was able to turn things around this spring by cutting costs and slashing 3,000 jobs in the state, while also getting more of its chips into data centers critical to the artificial intelligence industry. But according to analysts OPB’s Kyra Buckley spoke with, this upswing may not translate into more jobs in Oregon.

Plus, if you’ve never taken a rafting trip along parts of the 284-mile John Day River, we’ve done it for you: “Oregon Field Guide” producer Jule Gilfillan hopped into a raft with a guide last year to take in the jaw-dropping geology along a 48-mile stretch through Wheeler and Wasco counties.

“First Look” will take a break on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. We’ll see you back in your inbox on Tuesday.

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

— Winston Szeto

Top story

Intel recent market rise may not lead to job rebound

Intel, which employs around 18,000 Oregonians mostly in Washington County, had a few things stacked against it last year. Namely, the major semiconductor firm had lost ground to other firms when it came to making chips for the booming artificial intelligence industry.

Intel also slashed costs internally, including cutting more than 3,000 jobs in Oregon. The company was able to help its margins by cutting costs. At the same time, Intel was able to get more of its chips to power data centers crucial for the AI industry.

Economists and analysts warn that Intel’s upswing is unlikely to yield robust job growth in Oregon. But it does mean a company important to the state’s manufacturing sector will continue to be a reliable anchor company for the region instead of a potential drag. (Kyra Buckley)

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3 things to know

1. Oregon state Sen. David Brock Smith won the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Oregon yesterday. He will challenge the incumbent, Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley, in November. (Claire Rush, AP)
2. Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey plans to release a draft of the SOU Vitality Plan, the timeline for cutting about $20 million in order to keep the institution afloat, on June 15, with the board of trustees scheduled to vote on it June 18. (Jane Vaughan, JPR)
3. The opening of Grants Pass’ new homeless shelter, Parker’s Place Village, has been delayed by several weeks, pushing back its original June 1 launch date.(Jane Vaughan, JPR)

‘OPB Politics Now’: Do Oregonians have tax fatigue or did they just hate the gas tax?

On the latest episode of “OPB Politics Now,” our reporters explain what we can glean from this primary election, the tax measures that did pass and the forthcoming gubernatorial rematch.(Bryce Dole, Lauren Dake and Elizabeth Miller)

Listen Now

Northwest headlines

• Queer wrestlers and performers build community one body slam at a time (Lisa Wood)
• Army Corps watching Willamette Valley reservoirs as drought intensifies (Zac Ziegler, KLCC)
• Wins, losses and roster cuts: A temperature check on the Portland Fire’s start to the season (Kyra Buckley and Lillian Karabaic)
• Here are the top stories from Oregon’s primary election (Kyra Buckley and Bryce Dole)

One more look

Oregon geologist floats through 40 million years of rock on the John Day River

The John Day River flows some 284 miles from its source in northeastern Oregon to its confluence with the Columbia east of Arlington. On that journey, it travels through some of the most distinct and scenic landscapes in Oregon.

Along 48 river miles in Wheeler and Wasco counties, the John Day canyon cuts through three distinct rock formation types to reveal a three-dimensional view of a major transition in Oregon’s geologic history.

“Oregon Field Guide” learned this first-hand during a geology-focused rafting trip down this section of the John Day last June.(Jule Gilfillan)

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/05/23/intel-rebound-oregon-jobs-opb-first-look/