In partnership with

Good Morning,

Consumer sentiment index fell to second lowest level in history, Nvidia announces largest share buyback in history, BlueCross says AI is driving healthcare costs up, Portland housing is so deflated all housing is ‘affordable’, Blazers execs emphasize commitment to Portland, Idaho Forest Service leader tied to $1M wildfire, Anthropic filed to go public.

— Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe here —

Let’s Rip

PNW Market Look

As of market close 9.28.26

NVIDIA Announces a $150 Billion Share Repurchase Authorization Increase (Nvidia)

Anthropic's IPO prospectus shows sweeping AI vision, surging costs (Reuters)

Headline Roundup

The Seattle Office of Labor Standards announced Monday that Seattle's minimum wage will increase to $22.14 per hour in 2027. (K5)
Seattle ranks fourth among world’s top cities in new report (ST)
Trump Moves to Cut Off Student Loans for Tons of Degrees (TNR)
Analysis examines AI in hospital billing as spike in complex patients adds nearly $1 billion in extra costs (BCBS)
Portland Real Estate Is Such a Mess That All Housing Is Affordable Housing (WSJ)
Audit: Oregon Department of Education Has Failed to Oversee $338 Million Program for Boosting High School Graduation Rates (WW)
New report warns of ‘grave risks’ at Portland’s critical energy infrastructure hub (KOIN)
(ID) Legislative committee opts to move funds away from rural school health program (IDP)
Lee Enterprises acquires Great Falls Tribune from USA Today Co. (MTFP)
Boeing identifies 737 MAX software glitch (KOMO)
Investigation ties Forest Service leader Boren to $1M Idaho wildfire (IDS)
Wildfire home damage totals at least $188M, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson says (IDC)
Data centers proposed on federal land in eastern Oregon, Idaho and other Western states (IDC)
Trump administration revokes $810M approved by Congress for refugee aid and more (OCC)
Education Department Rolls Back Biden-Era Title IX Interpretation (Ground)
Oregon sets 10% maximum allowable rent increase for calendar year 2027, up from 2026 (KTVZ)

A Message from G.A. Rogers

PNW Rip partners with G.A. Rogers for professional and executive hiring in the Pacific Northwest. If you’re in the area (or moving here), check them out here.

Need a side hustle? G.A. Rogers pays for successful referrals - reach out to learn more.

Community Highlight

Washington state worker union OKs new contract with no pay hike (OPB)

“The collective bargaining agreement runs from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2029 and covers roughly 42,000 workers. Union negotiators did secure language requiring the two sides to meet next August to discuss a potential pay raise for the second year of the contract.

Mike Yestramski, president of the federation, said they knew this would be a tough cycle and they “tried to be very realistic with people right from the beginning.”

Ferguson’s negotiators repeatedly warned that for a third straight year the governor and lawmakers will need to pare spending to cover ongoing expenses and the cost of expanding government programs.

The contract makes gains in non-economic items and ensures the state will continue to pay 85% of monthly health care premiums, with employees paying the remaining 15%. The state wanted employees to pay a larger share.

“Given the climate and given the budget, overall I think we got the best we could get,” he told the Standard shortly after the vote was final.

Some Washington Federation of State Employees shared their disappointment on the union Facebook page.

These contracts separately cover administrative law judges, classified workers and student support services staff at The Evergreen State College, and employees at Central Washington University and Washington State University. There is an agreement with the Community College Coalition that negotiated on behalf of workers at 12 community colleges.

The pay raise is not final since the Office of Financial Management must still sign off on the full arbitrated agreement, Yestramski said.”

Rip’s Spotlight

OHSU Releases Files From Investigation That Preceded Abrupt Firing of Health System CEO (WW)

“An Oregon Health & Science University investigation found that Tarek Salaway, the health system’s former CEO, engaged in hostile and unprofessional conduct before his firing early this year after just over three months on the job.

OHSU released a copy of the lengthy Workplace Review investigation on Friday, in response to a public records request.

Among other things, the report details interviews conducted in March with several OHSU staff members: “multiple senior leaders, a frontline clinical traveler” and Salaway himself.

One key point: The OHSU investigation was “inconclusive” as to whether Salaway made violent threats regarding a departing colleague, a claim he has vehemently denied.

The OHSU investigation “substantiated” that Salaway engaged in “hostile conduct.” The report also found he’d shown “variability in demeanor”—essentially that Salaway presented markedly different personas depending on the audience: “polished, collaborative, and professional in board-level or large-group settings, but interruptive, dismissive, or less regulated in 1:1 or small-group meetings.”

The best in influencer marketing. And you’re invited.

Get ready for Return on Influence Festival '26. An entire day dedicated to influencer marketing with speakers running some of the best programs in the world.

Already booked: