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Good morning, Northwest.

The New York Times yesterday published an investigation detailing multiple allegations of sexual abuse and rape against the late civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.

The report has launched complicated discussions in the Pacific Northwest, where a street, multiple schools and more are named for Chavez. Today’s newsletter begins there.

In other news, “Oregon Field Guide” goes inside the struggle to save Bagby Hot Springs from ruin.

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

—Bradley W. Parks

Oregon institutions reckon with removing Cesar Chavez’s name following sexual abuse report

For decades, people have celebrated Cesar Chavez, the civil rights leader who championed better pay and treatment for farmworkers. His name adorns landmarks across the country, including in Oregon.

A street and school in Portland, more schools in Eugene and Salem, and a cultural center in Corvallis all bear Chavez’s name. Oregon and Washington mark his birthday on March 31.

Now, institutions across the state and region are mulling whether to remove Chavez’s name following a New York Times investigation that detailed extensive sexual abuse allegations against him. (Bryce Dole and Alejandro Figueroa)

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3 things to know this morning

• Portland isn’t effectively managing its arts tax, according to a report released yesterday from City Auditor Simone Rede. (Alex Zielinski) 
• People have until Monday to provide input on the Trump administration’s plan to dramatically increase logging in western Oregon forests. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is eyeing 2.5 million acres of forests spanning 17 counties across Oregon. (April Ehrlich) 
• For the first time ever in Oregon, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced yesterday that white nose syndrome, a fatal fungal disease, has been found in several bats across Columbia and Benton counties. (OPB staff)

Headlines from around the Northwest

• FBI investigating whether Southwest Washington’s Joe Kent leaked classified info, AP source says (Eric Tucker)
• Protesters arrested in Portland, other cities say ICE officers took DNA samples (Meg Anderson)
• Coos Bay hospital gets lifeline from Oregon lawmakers (Justin Higginbottom)
• New report: West Coast offshore wind needs better planning (Roman Battaglia)
• Lane County officials warn of risks of feeding wild animals after coyote euthanized near Mount Pisgah (Zac Ziegler)
• Trail Blazers beat Pacers 127-119 to close in on play-in spot (Michael Marot)

Inside the struggles to save Bagby Hot Springs from ruin

The trail to Bagby Hot Springs weaves through towering old-growth trees alongside a rushing river, crosses a log bridge, then crests at a weathered cabin and a cluster of cedar soaking tubs.

The place feels almost untouched — like it exists outside of time.

Then the voices begin to carry through the trees. A group appears, towels slung over their shoulders, phones already out, playing music. By midday there may be a hundred people here, or more. The line to soak can stretch for hours.

All around the springs are the signs of use that have hit hard: the main bathhouse is boarded up, log tubs are broken and empty, the wooden walls are layered with graffiti, and strewn about are food scraps, beer cans, discarded underwear and wads of toilet paper.

For decades, Bagby Hot Springs has been one of the most troubled recreation sites in the Mount Hood National Forest — an epicenter of vandalism, destruction, and at times even violent crime. (Ian McCluskey)

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/03/19/cesar-chavez-street-school-rename-oregon-first-look/