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Good morning, Northwest.

Oregon did not achieve its ambitious goal of 100% high school graduation by 2025, but several smaller schools across the state did.

OPB’s Elizabeth Miller reports on what others can learn from their success. Her story starts today’s newsletter.

In other news, the city administrator in St. Helens has gone missing.

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

— Bradley W. Parks

Top story

In some Oregon school districts, 100% high school graduation is possible

Years ago, Oregon made a goal to achieve a 100% high school graduation rate by the year 2025.

It did not achieve its goal statewide, but 19 smaller school districts did.

Oregon has nearly 200 school districts, some with thousands of students. Schools that achieved 100% high school graduation are educating just a small fraction of students in the state.

Still, lessons can be taken from smaller schools to help more Oregon kids get diplomas. (Elizabeth Miller)

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3 things to know

• St. Helens City Administrator John Walsh went missing Saturday after disappearing into the Columbia River near the St. Helens city docks, according to a city press release. The City Council called a meeting on Sunday, where they named an interim replacement. (Joni Auden Land)
• Much of the Portland metro area and several outlying areas started to see unseasonably hot conditions Saturday, with temperatures expected to rise further through today. (Joni Auden Land)
• The Eugene Water & Electric Board is putting its e-bike rebate program on pause this Friday because the utility has seen a significant increase in participation in the program this year, but could run out of funding for it. (Rachael McDonald, KLCC)

How the Brother Jonathan became the Titanic of the West Coast

The shipwreck of the Brother Jonathan in 1865 is one of the Pacific Coast’s deadliest maritime disasters. OPB’s Kami Horton takes us on board to understand what happened that day. (Mía Estrada, Jenn Chávez and Kami Horton)

Listen Here

Northwest headlines

• Oregon couple uses social media sketches to advocate for transparancy in healthcare (Gemma DiCarlo)
• How an Oregon fish hatchery rebuilt after losing everything in a wildfire (Roman Battaglia, JPR)
• McKenzie River restoration projects involve large-scale landscape changes (Karen Richards, KLCC)
• McKenzie Pass will be open today after seasonal closure (KLCC Staff)
• Carolina Hurricanes, owned by Blazers’ Tom Dundon, win Stanley Cup (Mark Anderson, AP)

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):

• Southwest Washington married couple retired from US military reflect on what it means to be an American
• Camas artist Lara Blair creates and celebrates tiny art and the stories behind them
• InvestigateWest’s reporting finds overcrowding in OHSU’s NICU is raising concerns among staff, patients

One more look

These Portland trail guides build community through science, education and whimsy — in drag

It’s a sunny spring afternoon on Portland’s Mount Tabor Park, and a few dozen people are gathered to go on a nature walk.

But it’s not just any stroll through the park.

The leaders of this gathering have decades of science and educational experience between them, and also the rare ability to walk on gravel paths in high heels.

“Drag is supposed to be radical and so is education, so let’s put those things together. That’s exactly what people need right now,” said Efemmera Gendera, one of the founders of “Drag Me Outside.” (Lisa Wood)

Learn More

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/15/high-school-graduation-first-look/