Free Newsletter
Tiny Texas firm beat Wall Street at its own game
Dear Mr. Berko: Can you tell me in plain English how credit default swaps work? And can you tell me how an unknown, small financial firm called Amherst Holdings outsmarted […]
Portland-based firm got big contract in 1989
This month we look back at events of August 1989, when Riedel Environmental Technologies agreed to a $155 million deal with the Metropolitan Service District to construct and operate a […]
Hatch a nest egg by going after these issues
Dear Mr. Berko: We have $153,000, and would like to invest in a portfolio of good stocks that would yield 6 percent or more. We need about $8,000 in annual […]
So you really wanna be an architect?
At least once a year, some bright-eyed young student calls me up and, either out of academic compulsion or actual interest, asks to interview me about the architectural profession. I […]
Federal stimulus needs to build some steam
Dear Mr. Berko: With all the money being dumped into the economy, why is it taking so long for things to turn around? I would have thought that the huge […]
Getting to the blight of the matter
On June 24, Portland City Council voted 4-1 to approve an amendment to the urban renewal plan of the River District, which includes the Pearl District. The amendment expands the […]
A bigger investment adviser isn鈥檛 always better
Dear Mr. Berko: I鈥檝e been using an investment adviser, one of the really big ones, to manage my 401(k) since I retired five years ago. I had terrible years in […]
Effective writing is essential for building industry firms
While good writing is valued, it鈥檚 also in short supply. Many of us weren鈥檛 educated to be strong writers. It can be time-consuming to write something great. And it鈥檚 always […]
State stimulus hasn鈥檛 lived up to its billing
It has been over six months since the Oregon Legislature trumpeted and passed the state stimulus package. The goal of the legislation was to get Oregon workers back to work […]
American higher education isn鈥檛 making the grade
Dear Mr. Berko: We really enjoyed your fascinating social and economic presentation when you spoke to our social group in Tampa, Fla. However, when a member of the audience asked […]
The United States of Goldman Sachs
If you are like millions of other Americans, your investments didn鈥檛 do so well last year. Now it has been revealed that you are in good company. In recent filings, […]
Wall Street has earned increase in financial oversight
Dear Mr. Berko: Why are the Obama people changing the rules and regulations of the entire financial industry? I鈥檓 60 years old, and for as long as I can recall […]
News
- $960,000 office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 10, 2026
- Two projects in historic districts in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 10, 2026
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
