Your Daily Guide

A Portland Scrapyard That Keeps Violating Environmental Rules

For 15 years, NW Metals LLC has operated scrapyards that have racked up more than half a million dollars in environmental fines for failing to have the proper permits and operating outside the rules. It is a test of the state’s ability to enforce environmental rules — and it’s showing strain — according to reporting from Michael Williams at the Portland Mercury.

• Highest fine yet: In November 2025, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued a $357,000 fine for a list of violations that included operating without required solid waste or air quality permits. [Portland Mercury]
• Scrapyard response: Owner Moyata Anotta sued the DEQ in 2022, alleging that the agency discriminated against him, treating him differently from white scrapyard operators. A federal judge issued a summary judgment siding with DEQ, but that case is under appeal. Anotta said: “NW Metals has reason to believe that it has been subjected to disproportionate scrutiny.” [Portland Mercury]
• History: In 2018, more than 1,500 tires burned at a scrapyard owned by the same company. It sent potentially toxin-filled smoke billowing over the Cully neighborhood as the fire raged for 36 hours. The fire destroyed an apartment complex and duplex. It also forced the evacuation of 145 people (including 115 children from a nearby Head Start program). There were no human fatalities, but three canaries and 16 cats died. [Willamette Week / YouTube]
• A new effort at enforcement: After the publication of the Portland Mercury’s story, state Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced the state was going to court again, seeking to hold Anotta in contempt for his failure to follow a 2021 court order to comply with environmental law. Anotta disputed the allegations. [KOIN]

Trump May Dump Chavez-DeRemer

President Trump recently fired two Cabinet members and may axe more. Reportedly, he’s weighing a dismissal of the Oregonian on the Cabinet: U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a former Happy Valley mayor and one-term congresswoman, who is under investigation for an alleged affair with a subordinate as well as the use of public money for private travel expenses. [Oregonian]

Boycott of Trump Hits Oregon Tourism

Oregon has seen a drop in foreign tourists during Trump’s first year in office, with international arrivals down 21% in 2025 from the previous year. Particularly Canadians — Oregon’s most common international visitors — were less likely to visit, with 32% fewer flying into PDX last year. A reminder if you need it: Trump did threaten Canada with becoming the 51st state. [Oregon Capitol Chronicle]

Did Trump Backlash Also Hit Portland Music Festival?

The hip hop group Cypress Hill backed out of playing a Portland summer music festival now known as “Sublime Fest.” Organizers haven’t explained the changes, but online, Reddit has a theory: the group Sublime played a Trump golf course last year, and now faces political backlash. [Oregonian]