OREGON BUSINESS COUNCIL

May 10 2026TECHNOLOGY

Why CEOs Need to Start Thinking About AI That Works in the Real World

Business leaders have spent years focused on AI that helps with office work and data analysis. Now, a wave of new AI is emerging—one that moves, interacts, and performs tasks in warehouses, factories, and even dangerous places. Unlike the AI that answers customer service chats, this technology blend

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Apr 29 2026TECHNOLOGY

AI in Business: Smoother Workflows, Clearer Control

Businesses often juggle messy spreadsheets, approvals, and payroll while trying to spot problems early. Now, companies are embedding AI agents directly into the tools they already use—like accounting software and HR systems—to handle routine tasks without losing transparency. Instead of just spittin

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Apr 25 2026FINANCE

Why Big Sales Don't Always Mean Big Profits

Business owners often cheer when they see sales numbers climbing. High revenue feels like success, but it’s just the first half of the story. The real test comes when you subtract the hidden costs of running the company. Without tracking the difference between gross and net revenue, a business can g

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Apr 19 2026LIFESTYLE

Getting a Business Class Upgrade: What Airlines Don't Tell You

Business class upgrades sound great until you realize most people never get the full picture. Airlines make it seem like an easy win—just ask nicely or pay a bit more—but the rules are stricter than they appear. The cheapest tickets often lock you out entirely, even if you beg for an upgrade. Airlin

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Mar 26 2026LIFESTYLE

Travel Plans Don't Need to Derail Your Health

Business trips mess with your body more than you think. Airports, cramped flights, and back-to-back meetings create a perfect storm for exhaustion. Your sleep schedule gets flipped upside down, meals happen at random times, and the hotel you stay in feels like it’s built with malfunctioning pipes. T

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Mar 02 2026FINANCE

High‑Yield BDCs: A Quick Look at the Risks

Business Development Companies, or BDCs, often promise big dividends that can tempt investors looking for steady income. The allure is strong: many BDCs offer returns that beat traditional bonds and some stocks, which makes them seem like a gold mine for retirees or anyone needing cash flow. But

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Feb 27 2026EDUCATION

Oregon Plans Quicker Attendance Reports to Curb Chronic Absences

Oregon is set to change how it shares school attendance data, moving from an annual update to quarterly releases. The state’s Department of Education will begin publishing the figures each quarter, a move that lawmakers say could help spot and fix attendance problems faster. The change follows th

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Feb 16 2026WEATHER

Oregon Braces for a Snowy Week Ahead

Oregon is preparing for a snowy week, with the Cascades and Coast Range expected to receive the brunt of the storm. This is not just any snowfall; it's a much-needed relief for a year that has seen the lowest snowpack since 1981. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

Tax Cuts for Oregon Workers, Not the Rich

Oregon lawmakers are pushing a bill that would lower taxes for more than 200, 000 families and give a $25 million credit to local businesses that create good jobs. The proposal aims to fix the state’s budget gap created by federal tax cuts that largely benefited billionaires. If the current fede

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Jan 28 2026BUSINESS

Keeping Payments Smooth and Secure: A New Tool for Businesses

Businesses often lose money when customers' cards expire or get replaced. Charge1, a company that helps businesses handle payments, has a new tool to fix this problem. It's called the Automatic Card Updater (ACU). This tool automatically updates card details for businesses that sell things on a subs

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