AGP Executive Report

HPC & Research: ACM and IEEE CS named Oregon State University’s Xuan Wu as a 2026 George Michael Memorial High-Performance Computing Fellow, highlighting work on GPU-accelerated computing and efficient large-scale systems. AI in Oregon Classrooms: Phoenix-Talent School District teachers are using an AI platform called Brisk to speed up lesson prep and feedback, while addressing parent concerns about students using AI. Manufacturing AI: Mithril says it’s building “AI brains” for advanced manufacturing equipment so machines can judge and act on anomalies, aiming to improve yield and safety. Public Health Privacy Fight: Democrats are pushing the Trump administration to halt a new emergency-room surveillance effort that would collect identifiable patient data far beyond the agency’s mission. Oregon Policy & Environment: Oregon lawmakers are moving to ban paraquat in 2027 over health concerns, including a possible link to Parkinson’s disease. Military Tech: Oregon Air National Guard F-15EXs conducted their first live-bomb drops in training, a step toward broader multirole capability. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Oregon’s Plan for a Resilient Oregon (PRO) rolls out as a people-centered disaster-preparedness strategy funded through HUD disaster recovery grants. Health Coverage: Trump announced $500 ACA refunds for about 1 million people in 30 states, with checks expected to start in October.

Oregon Tech & Industry: Lonza is building a new spray-drying factory in Bend, aiming for operations in 2029 and more than 80 jobs, as the pharma contractor expands particle-engineering and bioavailability capabilities. Robotics & Automation: Oregon-based Agility Robotics says its Digit v5 humanoid could cost industrial customers about $400,000 over five years, with breakeven projected in roughly 1.1 years. AI at Work: A workplace trend report highlights how teams are using AI during meetings, changing communication dynamics even as productivity stays high. Local Media Tech: Active Media is betting on print-first local news—monthly publications delivered free—while still using tech and training models behind the scenes. Energy & Climate: California’s shift away from natural gas is accelerating, driven by solar plus battery storage and better grid sharing. Policy & Privacy: Democrats are urging federal regulators to halt a program that collects identifiable emergency-room medical records, arguing it exceeds the agency’s mission. Wildlife Protections: States sue the Trump administration over rules that weaken the Endangered Species Act, challenging changes to what counts as “harm” and how critical habitat protections work. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Oregon’s COIC is soliciting projects for the 2027–2029 STIF plan, including transit tech and mobility improvements, with an Oct. 2 deadline.

AI & Politics: A new Monthly Review piece argues tech billionaires are pushing an agenda that boosts fossil fuels, chip/data-center subsidies, and AI-enabled national security—helping explain worsening conditions for working people. Sports Betting Tech: Polymarket refreshed its $50 promo codes “CUSE” and “OREGON” for the Patriots–Seahawks NFL opener, offering new users a $60 starting balance after a $10 deposit. Biotech AI: BioProcess International highlights how AI is moving from “trial and error” toward forecasting and planning in drug development and manufacturing, including use in sterile fill-finish to cut rejection rates. Cybersecurity Governance: A NASCIO/General Dynamics report warns states struggle to secure local critical infrastructure because smaller governments often lack staff, authority, and funding. Housing Market Watch: Realtor.com reports listing prices are falling fastest in former pandemic boom metros as mortgage rates stay high. Oregon Tech/Policy: Oregon pauses new data center projects on state land through July 2027, with demonstrators urging a broader moratorium. Local Tech & Accessibility: An indoor navigation app is being used at Fort Wayne International Airport and Grand Wayne Convention Center to help visually impaired visitors get around. Oregon Education Choice: CSF-Oregon says about 115 elementary students will start fall with need-based private school scholarships funded by charitable donations.

Oregon Data Centers: Gov. Tina Kotek ordered a pause on unapproved data-center requests tied to state land and buildings, including easements, leases, permits, and property transfers, lasting until July 1, 2027 while agencies assess impacts on water, electricity, infrastructure, jobs, and communities. Wildlife & Land Management: A federal judge blocked livestock grazing in Oregon sage grouse research areas after ruling the Bureau of Land Management’s 2025 plan cut protections in violation of environmental laws. Cybersecurity Policy: Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden and others urged the U.S. Commerce Department to add three alleged hack-for-hire firms to the sanctions “entity list,” citing attacks and alleged misuse of foreign courts. Manufacturing & Safety Tech: A Connecticut company is set to showcase lithium-ion battery fire-suppression solutions at The Battery Show in Detroit (Oct. 12–15). Energy & Industry: GE Aerospace agreed to buy Consolidated Precision Products for $11.75B to expand precision casting capacity. Business/Markets: Nike will be removed from the S&P 100 after years of share declines, despite staying in the S&P 500.

Data Centers Clash in Salem: Gov. Tina Kotek backed a statewide data center moratorium, ordering agencies to pause unapproved state-land transactions tied to new projects until July 1, 2027, as hundreds of Oregonians rallied for stronger limits. Wildlife Conservation: A new study says northern spotted owls are approaching functional extinction in parts of the Pacific Northwest, with Oregon Coast and Washington Cascades hit hardest. AI & Research in Oregon: Oregon Tech professor KC Santosh opened an international AI workshop in Hong Kong, focusing on human-centered, green computing. Local Tech/Industry: Eugene rejected a data center under zoning at the former Hynix site, while Oregon lawmakers previewed Kotek’s prosperity council recommendations aimed at boosting economic development. Education & Careers: Payette River Regional Technical Academy added new agriculture and veterinary science teachers to its CTE and FFA programs. Public Safety: A serious crash near NE Cabrey Court shut down northbound Jackson School Road lanes, with Life Flight called.

In-Home Pet Care Expansion: CodaPet added a licensed veterinarian to expand compassionate in-home pet euthanasia in San Diego, aiming to let families say goodbye at home. Vaccine Guidance: Major U.S. doctor groups urged updated flu and COVID-19 shots this fall, stepping in as shifting federal advice leaves patients confused. Oregon Tech Jobs Watch: A strong U.S. jobs report masked weakness in the information sector, including losses tied to computing infrastructure and data services—raising questions for Oregon’s high-tech hiring. Surveillance Tech Debate: Washington cities are rethinking Flock AI license-plate camera deals after vandalism and contract cancellations, with critics pushing for clearer public outcome reporting. Oregon Climate & Wildfire Response: Oregon is using faster detection and more aggressive early attack tactics six years after the Holiday Farm Fire. Coastal Tsunami Readiness: Oregon emergency managers are urging coastal towns to plan for vertical evacuation structures, warning that evacuation time may be too short after Cascadia shaking. Central Oregon Cancer Care: St. Charles opened a new Redmond cancer center with advanced radiation and infusion capacity. Animal Testing Policy: Oregon researchers and clinicians are weighing how changes to primate research plans could affect ongoing malaria vaccine work. Bird-Safe Lighting: Central Oregon groups launched “Lights Out” to reduce nighttime light during migration and cut bird collisions.

Wildfire Response Upgrade: Six years after the Holiday Farm Fire, Oregon officials say they’re leaning harder on faster detection and an aggressive goal of putting fires out at 10 acres or less. Public Safety Tech + Privacy: Umatilla is using Flock automatic license plate readers to curb shootings, reporting 28–30% fewer gun-violence incidents, while residents debate privacy and future data use. Healthcare Labor Pressure: Oregon Nurses Association and other Rogue Valley clinicians plan to meet Salem lawmakers over Asante concerns, including safe-staffing violations, closures, and anti-union spending. Conservation Staffing Cuts: A new report says U.S. Fish and Wildlife staffing is down about 3,600 nationwide, with Oregon down 40% since 2024, raising alarms for species protection capacity. Earthquake Readiness: Nevada is moving toward ShakeAlert earthquake early warning with new congressional funding for the Nevada Seismological Laboratory and USGS planning. Renewables in Oregon: PacWave South, Oregon State’s grid-connected wave test site off Newport, has opened—aimed at speeding development of wave energy devices. Science/Health Breakthrough: Early research suggests psilocybin could prevent chemotherapy-related nerve damage, with human trials slated to begin soon. Wildlife Watch: Downtown Portland’s crow roost is back, with counts expected to climb above 20,000 by winter.

Wave Energy: PacWave South, a pre-permitted, grid-connected wave test facility off Newport, Oregon, officially opened Aug. 27, aiming to cut testing delays and speed up marine power innovation. Semiconductors: Park Systems opened a new regional office in Hillsboro to support Oregon’s “Silicon Forest” customers with faster engineering and service. Wildlife & Water Quality: An Oregon farmer converted 70 flood-prone acres of barley into a managed wetland near Upper Klamath Lake; four years later it’s drawing tens of thousands of birds and supporting federally endangered fish. Cybersecurity & Privacy: The U.S. military disabled advertising trackers on phones and computers after concerns that location data could be used to target forces. Health & Research: A study finds gestational diabetes is linked to higher cardiometabolic risk within the first few years postpartum. AI & Fraud: An Oregon man accused of using fake NFL identities on dating apps allegedly misled Google’s AI search summaries, helping fuel a multi-state scam. Labor & Policy: Oregon workers at a Eugene hospice unionized and won a first contract with major pay gains, highlighting how workplace power can shift economic outcomes.

Oregon Public Safety: A pedestrian was killed after being struck by a car on SE Belmont in Portland, with police shutting down a stretch of the corridor while they investigate. Energy Infrastructure: Pacific Power has released preliminary preferred routes for its Blueprint South transmission project, including a 500-kilovolt line through Central and Southern Oregon, after public pushback. Environmental Science: USGS research finds beaver dams can slow storm runoff in Portland-area creeks, buying time even if they don’t prevent flooding. Health & Environment: Oregon State and Portland State researchers report elevated lead levels near Hillsboro and Troutdale airports tied to leaded aviation fuel from small aircraft. Fisheries: Oregon’s yelloweye rockfish fishery is set to reopen after 25 years as the population rebounds, giving scientists new samples to study. Science & Tech (Global): Sodium-ion batteries are moving into real deployment in 2026, with major makers starting commercial production. Local Tech/Industry: Laika’s Portland-made stop-motion film “Wildwood” is drawing massive attention, showing how handcrafted animation can thrive in an AI era.

Lead in the air near Oregon airports: Oregon State and Portland State researchers report lead levels up to ~7x higher around Hillsboro and Troutdale, tied to single-piston aircraft using leaded fuel, raising public-health alarms for nearby communities. Flood control from beavers: A USGS study of Fanno and Bronson creeks found beaver dams store hundreds to over 1,200 cubic meters more water during storms, slowing runoff and buying time for flood response. Power grid planning: Pacific Power narrowed “Blueprint South” transmission options, naming a preliminary preferred 500-kilovolt route through Central/Southern Oregon and a preferred 230-kilovolt connection east of Bend after public pushback. Vaccines made easier in Oregon: Gov. Tina Kotek announced a statewide standing order so Oregonians can access recommended flu/COVID vaccines with fewer barriers as the 2026-27 season approaches. Wildlife staffing cuts: Federal data show U.S. Fish and Wildlife staffing down sharply, with Oregon down 40% since 2024, threatening conservation capacity. Local STEM spotlight: A 13-year-old Beaverton student built a portable device that harvests water from atmospheric moisture via condensation, advancing toward national science competition recognition.

Oregon Health Policy: Gov. Tina Kotek announced an Oregon Health Authority statewide standing order to keep recommended vaccines accessible and affordable as the 2026-27 respiratory season ramps up. Federal Workforce Impact: A new report says U.S. Fish and Wildlife staffing has fallen by 3,600 during Trump’s second term, with Oregon down 40% since 2024—raising concerns for conservation and enforcement capacity. Wildfire Tech Upgrade: Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest headquarters added night-vision gear for helicopters, helping crews spot and support firefighting after dark. Aviation & Pollution: OSU and Portland State researchers found lead from small planes may be leaving higher contamination in moss near Portland-area airports, with levels up to seven times higher near Hillsboro and Troutdale. Geothermal Push: The U.S. Department of Energy opened a Geothermal Center of Excellence in Golden to accelerate hot-rock drilling and power generation. Local Conservation Grants: Wildhorse Foundation awarded $447,230 across Washington and Oregon, including funding for water-quality monitoring at KoosKooskie Commons in Walla Walla. STEM Spotlight: An Oregon middle-schooler built a portable device that harvests water from atmospheric moisture for plants, aiming to tackle farm water shortages.

Energy Policy: Researchers say 2027 could be the biggest year yet for state renewable energy siting bills, with most proposals aiming to restrict projects even as a smaller share would help deployment. Geothermal Push: The U.S. Department of Energy opened a Geothermal Center of Excellence in Golden to speed up hot-rock drilling and power generation. Cybersecurity & Defense: The U.S. military disabled ad-trackers on government devices after concerns that commercial location data could expose troop movements. Wildfire Tech & Costs: Oregon’s Department of Forestry added night-vision capability to helicopters for after-dark fire spotting, while a new look at Northwest utility wildfire spending warns costs may land on customers. Aviation Pollution: OSU and Portland State found lead from small, leaded-fuel planes shows up in nearby moss at up to 7x higher levels near Portland-area airports. Biodiversity & Field Science: U.S. Fish and Wildlife staffing is down sharply in Oregon and across the West, raising concerns for conservation capacity. Local STEM Spotlight: A 13-year-old Oregon student built a device that harvests water from air moisture for plants, aiming to tackle farm water shortages.

Energy & Climate Tech: The U.S. Department of Energy opened a Geothermal Center of Excellence at the National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, aiming to help companies drill and turn hot rock into electricity, with test wells possible on-site. Wildfire Tech: Oregon’s Department of Forestry added night-vision gear to Southwest helicopters to help crews spot small fires after dark and support safer operations. Aviation & Environment: An OSU/Portland State study found lead from piston-engine aircraft is showing up in moss near Portland-area airports, with levels up to 7x higher near Hillsboro and Troutdale. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Lane County is getting $2M for rural emergency communications, including a new Bear Mountain tower and upgraded radio equipment. Wildlife & Staffing: A report says U.S. Fish and Wildlife staffing is down sharply nationwide, with Oregon down 40% since 2024. Policy & Courts: A federal court upheld Oregon’s packaging EPR law, offering a first-of-its-kind roadmap for similar programs. Health: Major medical groups urged updated fall flu and COVID shots to cut through shifting guidance. Elections Tech: A coalition of AGs won longer-term court relief blocking USPS mail-voting changes.

Wildfire Tech in the Pacific Northwest: Bridger Aerospace and OroraTech are integrating satellite-based wildfire detection and fire-spread predictions into IGNIS, with recent testing tied to Oregon’s Grasshopper Fire. Public Health & Water Quality: Oregon DEQ says new tests from the Ross Island lagoon and the Willamette River found cyanotoxins below Oregon Health Authority recreational thresholds, after cancellations over a severe algae bloom. Healthcare Access: CVS says updated 2026–2027 COVID-19 vaccines are now available at CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic nationwide, with appointments and walk-ins. Broadband Buildout: The NTIA reports all 56 BEAD final proposals approved, with construction next; Louisiana also targets 15,000 BEAD serviceable locations by early 2027. Local Tech & Industry Growth: Hillsboro’s North Hillsboro tech corridor adds nearly 295,000 sq. ft. of industrial space as Trammell Crow breaks ground on phase two of Sewell Corporate Park. Policy Watch: A study finds private equity ownership may affect childcare outcomes, while Oregon lawmakers face another record wildfire-cost bill.

Earthquake Tech: Congress is funding Nevada’s ShakeAlert early-warning planning, extending the system already operating in Oregon and neighboring states—aiming to add precious seconds for “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” Wildfire Science: Researchers say the biggest home damage often comes from small, fast-moving fires, not just the largest ones—pushing new approaches for prevention and response. Coastal Safety: Oregon emergency managers released guidance for building tsunami vertical evacuation structures, estimating the coast needs at least 20 engineered sites. AI & Governance: A Washougal startup, Resect AI, launched with $25M to detect and stop AI hallucinations from happening, targeting enterprise compliance needs. Healthcare Research: OHSU-led work in Science finds cancer-fighting T cells need small amounts of ROS, and tumors can escape by removing those molecules—pointing to new immunotherapy targets. Local Tech in Action: Missoula County is using Oregon-based Dax robots to measure sidewalk ADA accessibility faster than traditional crews. Policy & Courts: Oregon is again challenging Trump mail-voting restrictions at the Supreme Court.

Wave Energy in Oregon: Oregon State University and PacWave have officially opened PacWave South, a pre-permitted, grid-connected wave energy test site off the coast near Newport, aiming to cut regulatory delays for developers and speed up real-world testing. Wildfire Tech for First Responders: Bridger Aerospace is partnering with OroraTech to plug satellite thermal intelligence and fire-spread simulation into its IGNIS wildfire operations software, targeting earlier threat detection for crews and incident commanders. Freight Safety Upgrade: Oregon DOT is expanding the PrePass Bypass Mobile App statewide so qualified carriers can bypass participating weigh stations at highway speed while getting in-cab safety alerts. Public Safety Planning: Oregon emergency managers issued new guidance for tsunami vertical evacuation structures, noting the state has only one and needs many more given Cascadia Subduction Zone risk. AI and Work Titles: Intel is dropping its 44-year “Fellow” title for “distinguished engineers,” reshaping its technical leadership standard around measurable progress. Health Guidance: Major U.S. medical groups released updated fall flu and COVID-19 vaccination guidance to reduce confusion amid shifting federal policy. Oregon Community Impact: Crime Stoppers of Oregon is dissolving after 43 years, citing tech changes, a data breach investigation, and fewer reward cases.