Good morning, Portland. It's link time.
First up, out in print as of yesterday (pick up a copy), is our summer guide. It's fun and good and you should read it.
The Portland Police Bureau insists on taking guns into the new Unity Center for Behavioral Health despite the psychiatric facility asking them not to, Dirk VanderHart reports. "The rationale for asking police to ditch their weapons is clear. Patients admitted to psychiatric wards are in severe crisis and need medical attention. Some of those people might react poorly to the presence of police officers, advocates say."
State "House lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday that would make Oregon award its Electoral College votes only to presidential candidates who win the national popular vote," the Oregonian reports. "Wednesday's vote marks the first time that such legislation, already passed by 11 other states, may have a shot at becoming law in Oregon."
Yesterday, TriMet approved a budget with funds for a controversial new transit police center, the Portland Tribune reports. "Board of directors rejects argument that Transit Police unfairly target minority and low-income riders for fare enforcement."
Remember when power was out in downtown Portland the other day because of a fire destroying an underground electrical unit? It fucked shit up for schools in Southwest Washington, too. Per KATU: "It really stopped all basic functions that people don't really think about — like grading, attendance, human resources are all online. So we lost all of that," said Scott McDaniel, the director of technology at Battle Ground Public Schools.
The Coos Bay World reports the Lone Rock Timber Management Company will sue the state for $3.3 million for not selling them the Elliott State Forrest: "The attorney for the Roseburg-based timber company sent an email to the land board members and the Department of State Lands (DSL) Director Thursday, informing them of the company’s intent to sue and seek tort claims for misrepresentation and negligence."
And, finally, the nuttiest news of the day. Montana Republican and tech millionaire Greg Gianforte, who's up for election TODAY for a congressional seat, body-slammed and punched a reporter rather than answer his questions about the Republican healthcare plan.
Gianforte was eventually charged with assault. Fuck that guy.
The recap from last night: Gianforte charged with election-eve assault https://t.co/38dsw1L4ZU
— Bozeman Chronicle (@bozchron) May 25, 2017
This is the same dude who literally believes the biblical Noah was 600 years old "when he built the ark" and that's why you should be able to collect social security.
speaking of #Gianforte...
— Jesse Lehrich (@JesseLehrich) May 24, 2017
in 2015 he railed against retirement, saying Noah was building the ark at age 600, not collecting Social Security pic.twitter.com/yR2KIuuHor