Hi Portland! I’m Shelby, the newest Mercury news reporter. My boss tells me that Blogtown loves pets, and since I want you all to like me, I thought I’d start with a picture of my dog:

Pinta (animal) and Shelby (friend to animals) on the open road.
  • Pinta (animal) and Shelby (friend to animals) on the open road.

I love words and news! I’ve been digesting and regurgitating information as news for about four years, mostly writing about violent crime and shady cops at various Oregon dailies.

I’m an Oregon native (living mostly in Eugene) who moved to Portland from Bend last September. Before moving to Bend I spent two years living in Klamath Falls (which was a special form of hell). I wrote about commercial real estate and development at the Daily Journal of Commerce for about six months before coming to the Mercury. Now that I’m here with you all, I’m going to continue covering land use and development, but at the DJC, my stories were mostly like, “Things are great for developers in Portland! Build multifamily and you’ll get richer!” At the Mercury they’re going to be more like, “Rent is outrageous! No one can afford these new apartments you’re building!” (Which is how I really feel.)

I became a journalist so I could be a voice for underrepresented groups, so basically I’m here to shake things up. In addition to covering development, I’m also excited to write about women’s issues and the ongoing gentrification of Portland’s neighborhoods. What do you think I should write about? Please, tell me the problems you have with the powers that be. And to help everyone heal from the loss of Denis C. Theriault, I will also pick up where he left off covering Portland police reform.

Finally, I’m thrilled to work for a news outlet where I can swear in my stories. Fuck! (That felt good.)

6 replies on “Meet Shelby King: News Reporter, Friend to Animals”

  4. That’s a fine looking dog! Could you please write about driving habits, and bikes? And anything about going to New Seasons. Thanks.

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