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Abe Asher

Abe Asher covers city news, politics, and soccer for the Portland Mercury. His reporting has appeared in The Nation, VICE News, Sahan Journal, and other outlets.
Posted inNews

Update: Multnomah County Animal Services Clarifies its Euthanasia Practices Following Policy Changes and Questions

Amid long-standing capacity limitations and a lengthy list of audit recommendations, some say the county’s animal shelter problems reflect broader government dysfunction.
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Update: February 29: This story has been updated to include input from the county about its euthanasia practices. Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) continues to face questions about its direction after removing language that animals would not be euthanized due to a lack of shelter space from its euthanasia policy. “It’s been dysfunctional for a […]

Posted inTimbers

Will the Timbers Show Up? A 2024 Season Preview

Will the mistakes of last season continue to haunt the Timbers? And is it a new day for the Thorns?
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The Portland Timbers’ 2023 season ended early in embarrassing fashion last November with a lopsided loss at Providence Park that ended the team’s playoff hopes. When the dust settled, 2023 was the second-worst season in the club’s MLS history. On Saturday night, the Timbers will return to Providence Park for their 2024 season opener—complete with […]

Posted inNews

Rene Gonzalez Holds Sizable Fundraising Lead in Portland Mayor’s Race

With the city’s Small Donor Elections program facing a budget shortfall, campaigns may have to adjust their strategy ahead of a pivotal election.
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As the city’s Small Donor Elections funding dwindles during a pivotal election year, campaigns face greater pressure to court donors. City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez has jumped out to a sizable fundraising advantage over fellow commissioners Mingus Mapps and Carmen Rubio in the race for Portland mayor. The mayoral candidate currently has more than double the […]

Posted inNews

From Portugal to Portland: How Drug Decriminalization is Playing Out in Two Different Countries

A recent trip by lawmakers, police and other leaders provided insight into what it takes to treat drug use as a health issue
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In 2001, after two decades of increasing rates of drug use and addiction, the European nation of Portugal took a radical step: it decriminalized drug use.  By many measures, the gambit has worked exceptionally well. Portugal’s prison population dropped significantly in the years following decriminalization, as did its HIV transmission rates via syringes. Despite warnings […]

Posted inHoliday Guide 2023

The Terrorism Trap

In 2010, a young Portlander attempted to detonate a bomb at the annual Portland Christmas tree lighting. Was he a burgeoning terrorist or just a disturbed kid entrapped by the FBI?
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On the morning of November 27, 2010, Portlanders woke up to disturbing news: someone, the FBI said, had tried to bomb the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square.  According to federal law enforcement officials, the suspect, Mohamed Osman Mohamud, was arrested in a sting operation after trying to detonate a car bomb […]

Posted inPolice Oversight

City Council Approves Independent Monitor to Watch Over Cops

The monitor will determine if Portland Police remain compliant with the DOJ’s demands regarding the bureau’s excessive use of force.
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The Portland City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday afternoon to amend the city’s 2014 settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to select an independent monitor to oversee the city’s compliance with the settlement.  The amendments mark a milestone in the enforcement of the settlement: not only will the DOJ not be directly […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Teachers Strike Rolls On, Timbers Hire New (Not Great) Manager, and Dems are Worried About Biden 😥

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The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! There’s a quite lot going on in our fair […]

Posted inTimbers

With Phil Neville, Timbers Make Controversial Pick for New Manager

The choice of Neville as the Timbers’ newest head coach is another finger in the eye for fans.
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The Portland Timbers announced Monday they have hired Phil Neville as their new manager, despite the outcry of supporters who have objected to his history of sexist tweets and lack of managerial success.  It’s a decision that is at once shocking and not surprising. Of all the candidates the Timbers could have chosen for their […]

Posted inNews

Portland’s Palestinian Diaspora Says Gaza is ‘More Than Its Suffering’

With Gaza under assault, local Palestinians reflect on the cycle of displacement that’s now preventing some residents from fleeing their war-torn homes
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Over the past three-plus weeks, much of the world has watched in horror as parts of the Gaza strip on the Mediterranean Sea in Palestine have been reduced to rubble. In Palestinian communities across the globe, including in the Palestinian diaspora in Portland, those images have been especially painful—resurfacing memories of the mass displacement Palestinians […]

Posted inNews

Portland Jewish Activists Rally for Cease-Fire in Gaza

As Oregon’s elected leaders convey steadfast support for Israel, protests highlight civilian casualties.
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As the number of Palestinian civilians killed by Israeli military forces in Gaza continues to rise, Jewish and allied activists in Portland are calling on the state’s congressional representation to press for a cease-fire in the region. Heather Dorfman, a member of the Portland chapter of the national organization Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), said […]

Posted inNews

New Oregon Law Requires Transparency From OHSU About Its Primate Research Center

After years of mishaps and notable animal deaths, new legislation aims to give the public more insight into a federally-funded testing site.
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When State Rep. David Gomberg was in his second term in the Oregon House of Representatives, a bill came to the floor to exempt workers at Oregon Health & Science University’s (OHSU) National Primate Research Center in Hillsboro from any kind of public disclosure. Under the terms of the legislation, Oregonians couldn’t disclose the names […]

Posted inNews

Unionized Burgerville Workers Say Company is Illegally Retaliating Against Organizers

Union says contract negotiations with management have stalled, noting a recent one-day strike saw temporary workers hired at higher wages than permanent staff
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Members of the Burgerville Workers Union say their relationship with the local fast food company has broken down amid a contract negotiation that has seen the union file a number of complaints with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Burgerville workers became the first fast food workers in the nation to unionize more than five […]

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