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Good evening,
If you read the Morning Lookout newsletter today, I misinformed you. The Ducks won three individual national titles during the NCAA Track and Field Championships last week at Hayward Field, a few of you quickly pointed out.
I failed to mention Oregon’s Ben Smith winning the shot put with a throw of 21.04 meters way back on Wednesday. How soon we forget. Apologies to Smith, and regrets for the mistake.
On to today’s news:
As long as we are on the subject of the University of Oregon, today was graduation day. It was also the second day in a row when the high temperature soared into the mid-90s. Sunday’s heat broke a 112-year-old record for high temperature for June 14, Ashli Blow reports.
Because of the heat, UO postponed two college-specific afternoon graduation ceremonies at Autzen Stadium, moving them to this evening at Matthew Knight Arena instead.
The morning schoolwide commencement ceremony went off as planned, however. Photographer Isaac Wasserman and reporter Annie Aguiar captured the scene, in words and pictures.
The featured speaker, Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin, talked about how her deafness sometimes caused others to try to set limits for her. She told the graduates: “[Other] people do not get to define you. You do.” Annie sums up her talk and includes a full transcript of her speech.
The city of Eugene has approved a building permit for the Amazon warehouse and distribution center planned on property off Highway 99 near the Eugene Airport. Amazon now needs to pay $1.2 million in fees and complete an erosion prevention inspection, before the permit will actually be issued.
Eugene’s new pro soccer club, a USL League One franchise named Sporting Cascades FC, announced its coach today: Darren Sawatzky. He is a one-time player for the Portland Timbers and for the past few years has seen success as coach of the Richmond Kickers in Virginia, a team also in USL League One. Sporting Cascades plans to start playing in 2027.
Charges against a Veneta man, Martin Grant Tierney, 63, who was booked into jail last week accused of fatally shooting his adult son, have been dismissed. Authorities gave few details, but said more investigation was necessary.
Who’s in our Community Voices section today?
- Eugene’s Beverly Ringger says she will miss Bob Welch’s columns in Lookout.
- Roger Knudson of Eugene urges citizens and city officials to push back against “climate hushing,” that is, to speak honestly and directly about climate change and its challenges.
What’s on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor (350 words or less, please): lte@lookoutlocal.com
Have a news tip on something we should cover: newsroom@lookoutlocal.com
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DAILY DIGEST
UO commencement 2026: Graduate, celebrate, don’t forget to hydrate
By Isaac Wasserman and Annie Aguiar
On a hot but festive morning in Eugene, the University of Oregon class of 2026 marked their accomplishments.
Amid shifting climate trends, Sunday’s high temperature in Eugene breaks 112-year-old record
By Ashli Blow
The Willamette Valley is in the midst of a record-breaking heat wave, with temperatures reaching 96 degrees at Eugene Airport on Sunday. A climatologist says the region is seeing an increasing number of 90-degree days compared with past decades.
Eugene’s upcoming pro soccer club, Sporting Cascades FC, names coach
By Tyson Alger
Darren Sawatzky, who has for several years been head coach of the Richmond Kickers, in the same league the Sporting Cascades will enter, has deep Northwest ties, including a stint playing for the University of Portland and the Portland Timbers.
Enjoy your evening,
Bob
