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Good morning, Northwest.

Yesterday a federal judge extended temporary orders blocking the Trump administration from federalizing and deploying members of the National Guard from any state to Oregon’s largest city.

OPB law and justice reporter Conrad Wilson outlines what this extension means as we await a ruling from a federal appeals court.

In other news, a marine heat wave called “the Blob” has returned to the Pacific Ocean. Our news partner KUOW has more about what it is​​​​​​​ (but we’ll tell you now it’s not a people-consuming alien).

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

—Meagan Cuthill

Federal judge extends temporary block on National Guard deployment to Portland

Temporary restraining orders that are blocking the deployment of National Guard members to Portland were set to expire this weekend.

Instead, they have been extended for another two weeks.

The largely procedural decision by Judge Karin Immergut yesterday maintains the status quo on the ground as the Trump administration, the states of California and Oregon, along with the city of Portland are on standby for a ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The judge also laid the framework for a trial over the matter slated to begin Oct. 29. (Conrad Wilson)

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3 things to know this morning

• Federal Justice Department attorneys argue that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland was forced to close and became “inoperable” for 22 days from June 13 to July 7, but data reviewed by OPB show this assertion is inaccurate. (Troy Brynelson and Tony Schick)
• At a pretrial release hearing yesterday, a Clackamas County judge reduced bail by 80% for David Farley, a former West Linn doctor accused of widespread sexual abuse of his patients. (Holly Bartholomew)
• Yesterday was the first day ballots could be mailed to Oregon voters for next month’s special election. Portland voters will decide whether to renew or increase a parks levy, while Washington County will decide on a library levy. (OPB Staff)

Headlines from around the Northwest

• US House speaker calls naked bike protest at Portland ICE facility ‘threatening,’ ‘ugly’ (OPB Staff)
• Trump administration revokes $2.1M for Klamath River restoration projects (Roman Battaglia)
• Drew Struzan, Oregon-born artist of iconic movie posters, dies at 78 (Alina Edwards)
• Springfield schools went cellphone-free ahead of the statewide deadline. Here’s how it’s going (Tiffany Eckert)
• Marine heat wave known as ‘the Blob’ returns to Pacific, but so far spares Oregon and Washington (John Ryan)
• Mariners give up 18 hits, including 5 homers, as Blue Jays take ALCS Game 3 (Andrew Destin)

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):

• For Elizabeth Gilbert, recovery comes after eat, pray, love

Portland author Daniel H. Wilson’s new thriller combines Indigenous knowledge with science fiction

Portland author Daniel H. Wilson grew up near the Spiro Mounds in Oklahoma and recently revisited them with his brother.

Built centuries ago by Indigenous peoples in North America, the mounds contain artifacts and sometimes burial chambers, and were often used in rituals and ceremonies.

They’re also the location for his latest book, “Hole in the Sky,” which draws on his background as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation who’s also worked as a threat forecaster for the U.S. Air Force and holds a Ph.D. in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University.

“They say, ‘Write what you know.’” Wilson said. “I feel like I’m living here at this intersection where I’m describing the future from a perspective that’s been relegated to the past.” (Paul Marshall)

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/10/16/national-guard-portland-blocked-first-look/