Happy Friday, Portland!
We’re in for a beautiful day today, with temperatures expected to peak in the high 70s this afternoon.
However, rain is on the horizon for the weekend, though it shouldn’t significantly disrupt plans.
Now, let’s dive into some important news from our local community.
The ACLU of Oregon has stepped forward with a lawsuit against the termination of an Oregon State University Ph.D. student’s F-1 visa.
The student, who was conducting research on the restoration of wildfire-impacted ranchlands in Oregon, claims that the termination was sudden, unjust, and without the proper foundation.
The ACLU of Oregon’s Legal Director emphasized the importance of having talented researchers like him on campuses, especially given Oregon’s escalating wildfire issues.
In a concerning turn of events, Silverton High School has closed its doors today due to receiving two swatting calls within the last week.
The Silverton Police first responded to an alarming 911 call on April 11, indicating a shooting inside the school, which was later found to be a false report.
Yesterday, a second swatting call—again computer-generated—prompted another lockdown, but once more, no active threat was discovered.
However, authorities later caught wind of an implied threat for today, leading to the Silver Falls School District’s decision to cancel high school classes and athletic events, although other district schools will remain open with heightened police presence.
In a significant breakthrough, the estranged husband of a woman discovered dead in a parked car in Beaverton back in 1988 has been convicted of murder.
This outcome was made possible by the meticulous work of Washington County’s Cold Case Unit, which revisited the case using modern forensic techniques, thanks in part to a federal grant received in 2020.
Robert Atrops, the convicted individual, is expected to face sentencing next month.
Additionally, two young men from Texas have received federal prison sentences for their involvement in a robbery back in 2022, where they impersonated DEA agents while attempting to steal over 200 pounds of marijuana from a Southern Oregon property.
In another legal matter, a Beaverton woman was arrested with federal charges of laundering drug proceeds through her money service business.
Prosecutors contend that from 2021 to 2024, she funneled an alarming $18.5 million to international drug organizations.
The Chief of the Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Division for the District of Oregon highlighted the staggering amount of illicit funds reportedly circulating through small businesses back to countries like Mexico and Honduras.
In related drug enforcement news, a man was sentenced to federal prison this week for possessing nearly 16 pounds of powdered fentanyl and over 57,700 fentanyl pills.
The man was apprehended after law enforcement sought help from the U.S. Marshals Service to locate him due to an outstanding felony warrant related to drug distribution in Colorado.
Authorities also seized a stolen gun, ammunition, and pill press machinery during the arrest.
On a more uplifting note, the effort to bring a Major League Baseball team to Portland is advancing, as SB 110, which secures funding for the Portland Diamond Project, has successfully passed through the Oregon Senate and is now in the hands of the House of Representatives for further consideration.
In scientific news, researchers at Cambridge University believe they may have found the strongest evidence to date of biological activity on another planet.
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists detected gases in the atmosphere of a planet over 120 light-years away, indicating a potential presence of life.
Now, shifting gears to the weekend ahead!
April 18 marks the continuation of OMSI’s Sci-Fi Fest, featuring screenings of popular films such as The Fifth Element and Ready Player One at the Empirical Theater.
For those looking for a nostalgic night out, Emo Night Brooklyn is happening at Mississippi Studios tonight.
Furthermore, Cinema 21 has screenings scheduled for both Friday and Saturday nights of the classic film Cronenberg’s The Fly.
And if you’re interested in new artistic works, don’t miss the array of performances in connection with the 2025 Fertile Ground Festival of New Works taking place this weekend.
April 19 kicks off National Park Week, which features a Free Entrance Day at National Parks on Saturday.
The Great Thunderegg Hunt takes place on Saturday at the Rice NW Museum of Rocks & Minerals from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In case you’re wondering, a thunderegg is a geode-like formation, and it would be exciting to learn more about them!
For food lovers, the Flipside Vegan Market starts at noon on N. Interstate, boasting over 30 vendors, a free craft table, and tattoo sessions onsite!
OMSI’s Sci-Fi Fest continues into Saturday with additional screenings of iconic films like Super 8, Midnight Special, Terminator, and Terminator 2.
If you’re in the mood for some vocal expression, the Tomorrow Theater will host Portland’s Yelling Choir on Saturday for a unique collective vocal experience.
Screenings also include Bushra Azzouz’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Prison at the Hollywood Theatre, following a production of Shakespeare’s work staged within the walls of Eastern Oregon’s Two Rivers Correctional Institution.
At 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, attendees can dive deep into the history of cannabis with insights from a former High Times editor and VICE series creator.
April 20 is packed with events as well.
Sunday morning slots are still available at Topaz Farm for Easter Weekend festivities, where folks can engage in egg hunts, paint potatoes, enjoy animal meet-and-greets, and try their hand at Ukrainian-style egg decorating.
Earth Day celebrations unfold at The Oregon Garden with a free event running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring workshops, dancing, snacks, and an appearance by Caesar the No-Drama Llama.
A family-friendly bike ride and egg hunt organized by Kidical Mass PDX is set for 2 p.m., rain or shine!
OMSI’s Sci-Fi Fest continues with screenings of The Iron Giant, A Scanner Darkly, and Gattaca on Sunday as well.
At 4 p.m., The Side Yard Farm invites you to the Greekster (Greek Easter) celebration, complete with an all-you-can-eat seed-to-plate buffet, curated Greek music, and traditional Greek dancing.
To cap off the night, Phish will perform at the Moda Center, coincidentally on 4/20, making it a must-see event!
That’s all the news for today! Stay tuned for the next Newsroom Report on Tuesday.
And remember, for the latest updates, you can always catch news on the FOX 12 app!
Your friendly local assignment editor, Kate.
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image source from：https://www.kptv.com/2025/04/18/newsroom-report-apr-18/
