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.)
• City Council Approves Daytime Camping Ban; Legal Challenges Could Arise
Portland City Council approved a daytime camping ban ordinance which city attorneys say is legally sound. However, at least one nonprofit law firm begs to differ.
Crank up that brain—it's time for another super fun POP QUIZ PDX! This week: Quizzy Qs about Oregon booby trap makers, wild animals on the rampage, and speaking of rampaging... it's the Mercury's 23rd birthday! 🎉🎂💀
• Portland City Employees Form New Workers Union
More than 700 professional workers are now eligible to join an independent union for Portland employees. Organizers said salaries haven't kept up with inflation, and many other city workers are already unionized.
• Wildfang and Darcelle XV Showplace Will Attempt to Set a New Guinness World Record
Darcelle XV Showplace and Wildfang are trying to set a new world record. And they're raising money to fight the Tennessee drag ban and other anti-drag bills in the US. It's kind of awesome.
• What Does MoviePass 2.0 Mean for Local Theaters?
MoviePass—the ridiculously cheap movie subscription service that flamed out in 2019—is back! Here's what it means for film lovers like you... and local movie houses.
• Freight Train Pain: City Will Study Solutions for Frequently Blocked Eastside Railroad Crossings
The lengthy freight trains that run through Portland's Central Eastside have become synonymous with congestion, inconvenience, and safety risks. PBOT hopes to find solutions with a new federal grant.
This week: The return of "Bennifer," how Mike Meyers almost ruined "Wayne's World," and can you please stop putting your fingers in Pedro Pascal's eyes? 👀
In this week's music news: The Prids bring their atmospheric indie shoegaze to Lollipop Shoppe, Mississippi Records releases Be Present Art Group's debut, and are you ready for Janelle Monae's "Age of Pleasure?" 🙋
Happy Pride! To celebrate, what follows is a sentence filled with the most LGBTQ shit that Dan has ever read.
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!
