Stay up to date on Portland news and politics. Looking for fun? Here are the best Things to Do in Portland today.
Goooood Morning Portland! It’s Friday, it’s sunny, it’s time for a beach trip. Tomorrow could be hot and muggy with clouds and a high of 81, but we’ll have clear skies on Sunday. Let’s get to the news!
After months of posturing, the day has finally come: the day we really start our trade war with China. The United States has officially placed $34 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese goods, and the Chinese government immediately struck back with its own tariffsโon pork, soybeans, and cars. If Trump keeps to his previous threats, he could add tariffs to $450 billion worth of Chinese goods. Check out this episode of the Daily to hear how it could affect farmers.
Despite the Great Chinese-American Trade Warโข of 2018, job growth was strong in June with over 200,000 jobs added. The unemployment rate moved from 3.8 percent to 4 percent, a possible sign that more workers are moving into the economy who previously weren’t seeking jobs when the economy was badโpeople like stay-at-home parents, high school and college students, and discouraged job seekers.
Scott Pruitt, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, has resigned from his position. The fossil fuel-loving lobbyist was controversial when he took office, and soon became surrounded by scandals of misuse of taxpayer money, mistreatment of aids, and nepotism. The guy used his power to get his wife a job, forced his aids to buy him a used mattress, and had some kind of freaky obsession with lotion.
I have accepted the resignation of Scott Pruitt as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Within the Agency Scott has done an outstanding job, and I will always be thankful to him for this. The Senate confirmed Deputy at EPA, Andrew Wheeler, will…
โ Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2018
In case you want to cry this morning (and even if you don’t), you should watch this: An immigrant mother reunites with her 8-year-old daughter 55 days after they were separated at the border. “I’ll never leave you alone again,” the mother says as she hugs her daughter, weeping. They’re just one of more than 2,000 immigrant families separated by the Trump administration.
The two top picks for Trump’s Supreme Court nominee have become clearโand they’re trying to tear each other down. Judge Amy Coney Barrett and Judge Brett Kavanaugh are both hyper-conservative, young, and frightening, and they keep saying mean things about each other.
31 percent of American voters think a second American civil war could happen.
Dearest friends,
I spent all morning preparing myself for the second Civil War. Bluetooth headphones are charged, playlists are ready, gluten free snacks are packed and I put a clean bandana on my support animal. Tomorrow we shall be free! #SecondCivilWarLetters
โ Wayward Records (@evilive7) July 4, 2018
A Thai diver has died while bringing supplies to a dozen young boys trapped in a flooded cave. Saman Kunan, a Thai Navy SEAL, fell unconscious deep in the underwater cave and his team members could not save him. The boys became trapped while exploring the cave when rain flooded the entire underground cave system. With more rain on its way, the Thai government is still working to figure out their rescue.
Southern Oregon is on fire! I-5 is closed due to a massive blaze near the California border. The 8,000 acre fire was spread by strong winds and is only 5 percent contained.
#KlamathonFire [update] off Klamathon Road and Copco Road, south of Hornbrook (Siskiyou County) is now 8,000 acres and 5% contained. Evacuations in effect. https://t.co/MNW31CJqMV pic.twitter.com/6Y58o1l7Wo
โ CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) July 6, 2018
If you’re a politician of color in Oregon, you have to dress very carefully before canvassing to avoid scaring weak-ass white people. After Oregon Representative Janelle Bynum had police called on her while canvassing this week, other POC politicians began telling their own stories about canvassing while Black or Latino. Spoiler alert, they get cops called on them for existing. Spread the word: tell your friends and family to stop calling the cops for no reason!
The Portland Energy Fund is likely to make it to the November ballot. It’s proposed 1 percent tax on Portland businesses with over $1 billion in annual revenue, and money raised would go to eco-friendly projects and job training for women and people of color.
That’s all folks! Did you know that Rick Astley still makes music? We have a new Rick Roll, I guess. To be honest, I always loved that song, and the man’s still got it. (Is it just me, or did he age like a fine wine? Damn, Rick!)
