Massive waves expected in Coos Bay, power rates surge in northern California, and local debates over a baseball park and Flock cameras

By JPR News Team

Published November 13, 2026 at 4:03 PM PST

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High water on U.S. 101 in Tillamook in December, 2023. The Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, coupled with rising sea levels, will cause up to 6 feet of coastal erosion and put many communities on top of new floodplains, a new study finds. — Storm waves up to 35 feet expected to pummel the Oregon coast, adding to coastal land erosion and flooding. Image: High water on U.S. 101 in Tillamook in December, 2023. The Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, coupled with rising sea levels, will cause up to 6 feet of coastal erosion and put many communities on top of new floodplains, an environmental study finds.

The JPR news team discuss the news stories they've worked on this week, including coastal storm weather, local leadership debates over a new baseball stadium in Medford, keeping Flock cameras in Roseburg, and surging power rates across northern California.

Historic swells threaten the Oregon coast
A powerful Pacific storm is driving extreme ocean swells toward the Oregon coast, with waves expected to reach 30 to 35 feet. While land winds remained relatively light around Coos Bay, offshore gusts reached 60 mph, creating hazardous beach inundation and severe erosion risks. A high wave warning remains active through Monday morning. The Coast Guard restricted traffic across the Coos Bay Bar and warned that 30-foot seas exceed lifeboat operating limits, leaving helicopter crews from Air Station North Bend as the sole search-and-rescue asset.

Pacific Power seeks unprecedented 57% California rate hike
Pacific Power has requested a record 57% electricity rate increase for 46,000 Northern California customers across Del Norte, Siskiyou, Shasta, and Modoc counties. The company attributes the request to rising insurance, inflation, and massive wildfire mitigation expenses, including line hardening and a $575 million settlement. If approved by state regulators, average monthly bills would jump by approximately $120. However, regulators previously approved only partial increases, making full approval unlikely.

Medford weighs $75 million stadium proposal
Medford City Council reviewed a study detailing a proposed $75 million to $90 million minor league baseball stadium in Hawthorne Park for the Eugene Emeralds. The team owner offered $10 million toward construction, but strictly conditioned the relocation on building at Hawthorne Park for a 2029 opening. Local organizers opposed losing the green space, while city councilors voiced strong doubts over the steep price tag, tight timeline, and required debt financing. UPDATE: By late Friday morning, Nov. 13, Medford officials and the ownership of the baseball team announced they had shelved the stadium project and that the Emeralds would explore ways to keep the team in Eugene.

Roseburg retains license plate surveillance cameras
The Roseburg City Council voted to maintain its $75,000 contract for 15 Flock automated license plate recognition cameras through February 2028. Despite public opposition regarding privacy and potential police overreach, councilors supported law enforcement officials who highlighted the technology's value in investigating burglaries, vehicle thefts, and abductions.

Guests

Justin Higginbottom, JPR reporter
Jane Vaughan, JPR reporter
Theo Greenly, JPR reporter