Goodbye 2023: Here are Oregon’s top 10 feel-good stories of the year
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Feel like you don’t get enough happy stories in your news feed? Maybe you missed some of Oregon’s best feel-good stories of 2023.
KOIN 6 has compiled a list of the most-clicked, uplifting news stories of the year. The stories are listed by popularity in ascending order. Here’s to more good news in 2024.
10. Portland, OR to hold troll sculpture from Danish artist Thomas Dambo
Trolls, scavenger hunts and giant works of art: This story had it all. Portlanders were ecstatic to take part in celebrated Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s massive troll sculptures exhibit, which debuted across the Puget Sound and Portland in August. The sculptures will remain on display locally into 2026.
9. In-N-Out Burger submits appeal to open restaurant in Portland, OR metro area
It’s no secret that Oregon is home to quite a few California transplants. In-N-Out Burger is also creeping its way north, opening restaurants in Medford, Grants Pass, Roseburg and Salem. Most recently, the California-based chain has set its sights on Beaverton.
8. Amateur DB Cooper investigators reveal find in latest Vancouver, WA search
More than 50 years later, DB Cooper enthusiasts are still eager to uncover the identity of the mysterious hijacker. In October, a team of amateur sleuths say they may have unearthed new evidence in a forested area of Vancouver.
7. Portland pizzeria named one of the best in the U.S.
Craving some pizza? Give Ken’s Artisan Pizza a try. In February the Southeast Portland restaurant was named one of the top 20 pizza spots in the U.S.
6. Former Siegfried & Roy tigers given new home in rural Oregon
Six tigers previously kept at the Mirage casino in Las Vegas for the “Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden” were in need of a new home after the attraction closed in 2022. After an extensive search, a big cat sanctuary near Scotts Mills, Ore. was approved to accept the tiger family.
5. Archaeologists uncover evidence of oldest human-occupied site in North America
A discovery made by a team of archaeologists shows that Oregon may be home to North America’s oldest known human-occupied site. Researchers say that artifacts found in Riley, Ore. date back to more than 18,000 years ago — a major historical discovery.
4. Parkdale Lava Flow: This rarely visited lava mound is one of OR's most hidden gems
The use of Google Earth during the 2023 wildfire season led KOIN 6 News to a distinct geological formation on Mount Hood that had previously received little to no news coverage — the remnants of a 7,700-year-old lava flow. Turns out the U.S. Forest Service is well-aware of the ancient lava flow settled on the outskirts of the Mount Hood National Forest. According to a USFS report, the agency hopes to one day make the distinct formation more accessible to the public.
3. What Will Ferrell did in Portland besides catch a Trail Blazers game
Beloved comedian Will Ferrell visited Portland for the first time in January. The actor had such a nice time that he visited the city again seven months later, returning in September for a Timbers’ game and an impromptu stand-up set.
2. Oregon confirms historic $5.6B revenue surplus, record kicker credits coming
Get ready to get paid. In October, the State of Oregon confirmed a $5.6 billion revenue surplus, the largest in state history. That means a nice, juicy kicker for the state’s taxpayers in 2024.
1. Oregon player wins $1M in Powerball money
A near-perfect Powerball ticket was purchased in Tillamook on Nov. 23 as the jackpot reached $1.04 billion — the fourth largest Powerball jackpot in history. The winner received a $50,000 prize for the ticket. The near-jackpot caught the public's attention as the country was overcome by billion-dollar daydreams, making the event the most-viewed feel-good story of the year.
Honorable Mentions:
Cougar sighting closes Cannon Beach at Haystack Rock
A mountain lion captivated the state in July when it ventured onto Haystack Rock while hunting in the Cannon Beach area. Wildlife experts said it was the first time in recorded history that a mountain lion was spotted on the iconic sea stack.
PHOTOS: Oregon and SW Washington snow on February 22, 2023
A storm unexpectedly hit Portland with a record 10.8 inches of snow between Feb. 22 and 23. The snow was a disaster for commuters and snarled traffic for days as motorists were forced to abandon their cars on snow-packed roads. However, the surprise snow was also a welcome sight for many locals, who played in the snow and enjoyed the beautiful winter scenery.