GOOD MORNING, SUNDAY! It's the perfect time to catch up on some of the great reporting and stories the Mercury churned out this week! (PRO TIP: If you despise being "the last to know," then be one of the first to know by signing up for Mercury newsletters! All the latest stories shipped directly to your email's in-box... and then... YOUR HEAD.)
• SAY NICE THINGS ABOUT PORTLAND
Let's celebrate: The Mercury has a print product again! Be on the lookout for the Merc's "SAY NICE THINGS ABOUT PORTLAND" guide in 500+ places across our lovely city—or on the internet, if you're old-timey.
Thinking crowns on! 👑 It's time for POP QUIZ PDX! This week: Dear god, look at all the religious shenanigans going on around here. Have YOU been keeping track? See how well you score on our sassy (and unholy) trivia quiz! 👿
• Fire Destroys Downtown Portland Apartment Building
Despite smoke and flames at the 113-year-old building in Goose Hollow, some residents initially ignored fire alarms, noting persistent "false alarms" at the building. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, without a working computer dispatch system.
• Traffic Cops are Back—But Advocates Still Want More Speed Cameras
Portland Police are bringing back the traffic enforcement team, but advocates point to traffic light cameras as the best way to slow drivers and reduce racial bias in policing.
• Say Nice Things About... the Portland Food Scene!
The Mercury's "Say Nice Things About Portland" guide (in print!) features a truckload of stuff describing the best things about our city... including this delicious piece about Portland's top-notch food scene by Andrea Damewood! 😋
• Democratic Lawmakers Are Advancing a Domestic Terrorism Bill That Some Say Is Ripe for Abuse
HB 2772 was crafted to prevent extremist attacks, but activists worry it will be used to target climate and racial justice protesters.
• Election Results: Julia Brim-Edwards Wins County Commissioner Race
Get caught up with all of this week's election results with the Mercury Election Strike Force!
• Say Nice Things About… Portland’s SEXIEST Statues!
They're artistic, historical... and HOT! 🤤 Don't miss Elinor Jones' hilarious picks for the city's SEXIEST statues in our "Say Nice Things About Portland" guide!
• Artists Repertory Theatre’s True Story Packs a Hard-Boiled Punch
With just five characters and 80 minutes, Artists Repertory Theatre's final production of its 2022-23 season unpacks how easy it is to lose the plot line of truth.
Put on those latex gloves... it's time to dig through this week's trashiest gossip. In this episode: Lying liars, Mayim Bialik vs Ken Jennings, and RIP MTV news!
• Say Nice Things About… Portland’s Delightfully Wild Arts Scene!
Galleries and museums? Of course. But a local cemetery and a mall as well? You better believe it. Martha Daghlian explains.
• Q&A With PICA's Outgoing and Incoming Executive Directors
The experimental arts organization PICA has hired a new executive director. In this Q & A, we spoke with the outgoing and incoming directors about the transition and asked: What is PICA's purpose in Portland's arts scene?
WOW, THAT IS A LOT OF GOOD READIN'. I hope you didn't have any other plans this weekend! Dig in, and remember: Producing all this hard work costs moolah—so please consider contributing to the Mercury to keep it all coming! Thanks!
