As of January 2026, the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Fairfield, California—a community landmark since 1976—is preparing for its imminent closure, scheduled between February 9–22. The decision by the global brewing giant to shut down the facility has stunned locals, particularly coming just 18 months after a $7 million upgrade.

The Pacific Northwest's fuel supply chain, long characterized by its fragility, came under scrutiny in late November 2025 when Oregon faced a potential gasoline shortage due to a pipeline failure. While the incident was contained without widespread disruptions, it exposed structural weaknesses that could cascade across the West Coast. Oregon's reliance on imported fuels, compounded by stringent environmental regulations and regional refinery pressures, mirrors trends in Calif