Do you have questions for the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial candidates facing off in the November election? 

Here’s your chance to hear some answers: Lookout Eugene-Springfield is working with other Oregon media outlets to co-sponsor “Election 2026: The Governor’s Debate.” It will take place between Gov. Tina Kotek and state Sen. Christine Drazan at 6 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 1.

Journalists with Lookout Eugene-Springfield and other media outlets are preparing questions for the candidates. We want your help. Send your suggestions for what we should ask Kotek and Drazan.

Lookout Eugene-Springfield is co-sponsoring the debate alongside Oregon Journalism Project, KVAL TV, and the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.

Panelists will be Lookout senior correspondent Ben Botkin, Nigel Jaquiss of Oregon Journalism Project and Bayla Orton of UO. KVAL’s Kendall Bartley will moderate.

Please send your ideas for questions to ben@lookoutlocal.com.

The debate will be held on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene and will be broadcast on KVAL, streaming live on YouTube. It also will be available on Lookout’s website, mobile app and Facebook page. 

There will be no live audience. 

Lane County’s trash troubles; landowner battles for road access; timber group lawsuit

Lane County trash saga: Here’s where things stand with Lane County’s efforts to build CleanLane and the environmental impacts of a hauler taking trash out of the county to a landfill hours away. 

UO strike averted: University of Oregon classified workers reached a tentative agreement, avoiding a strike that had been set to start at 6 a.m. today. 

County gate troubles: Lane County and a landowner are embroiled in a dispute over how he can access his private land, which is blocked by a county gate.

Timber wars: A timber industry group wants to intervene and fight a lawsuit that it says would disrupt ongoing forest projects.

— Ben Botkin

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Inside Eugene City hall with Grace chinowsky

Sidewalk repairs: The city of Eugene is exploring changes to its sidewalk repair rules as aging sidewalks, rising demand and limited city resources strain the current system.

Hynix plant on sale: The 1.2-million-square-foot former Hynix semiconductor factory in west Eugene, the site of an inquiry into possible data center development, is back on the market.

Checking in on Springfield With lillian Schrock-Clevenger

E-motos: Officials are banding together to inform community members about the differences between e-bikes and e-motos amid increased e-moto use and community concerns. 

Glenwood development: Plans continue to move forward for riverfront development in Glenwood, as the Springfield Economic Development Agency approved the demolition of the Bombaugh Building, the former site of a pipe organ manufacturer, located in an area planned for a riverfront park. 

Park upgrades: Willamalane is making improvements at four parks, including Tyson Park, where construction started in June to install a new playground, basketball court and other features. Meadow, Lively and Willamalane parks will also see improvements.

beyond lane county

Oregon’s congressional seats considered safe: The Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that political analysts and political observers don’t expect any of the state’s six congressional districts to change hands after the election. 

State audit dings education program: A state audit found the Oregon Department of Education needs to provide better oversight of a $338 million program intended to boost graduation rates, the Oregon Journalism Project reports. 

Paramount and Warner Bros. merger: Oregon and 11 other states reached a settlement agreement about the merger of the two film companies. Here are the details of what they’re promising to do, according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle.  

Public Meetings this week

Monday

  • Springfield City Council holds a work session at 5:15 p.m. to review a request for proposals for a contractor for City Hall work and to discuss an annexation request for a stabilization center and behavioral health hospital.
  • Springfield Economic Development Agency meets at 7 p.m. to review requests for financial assistance. 
  • Springfield Economic Development Agency holds an executive session at 7:30 p.m. to discuss downtown property. 
  • Eugene City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. for a work session with an update on the Community Safety Payroll Tax and a discussion of the recruitment process for boards and commissions.
  • Eugene City Council reconvenes for a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday 

Thursday 

  • Springfield Police Advisory Committee meets at 6 p.m. to review jail policy. 

Do you have story ideas or tips? Send them our way — ben@lookoutlocal.com | grace@lookoutlocal.com | lilliansc@lookoutlocal.com

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Ben Botkin covers politics and policy in Lane County. He has worked as a journalist since 2003, most recently at the Oregon Capital Chronicle, where he covered justice, health and human services and documented regional efforts to combat fentanyl addiction. Botkin has worked in statehouses in Idaho, Nevada, Oklahoma and, of course, Oregon. When he's not working, you'll find him road tripping across the West, hiking or surfing along the Oregon Coast.

Grace Chinowsky graduated from The George Washington University with a degree in journalism. She served as editor-in-chief of the university’s independent student newspaper, The GW Hatchet, and interned at CNN and MSNBC. Grace covers Eugene’s city government and the University of Oregon.