This week, an Oregon Federal court ruled that bloggers or any type of new media journalists do not qualify for the same protection rights as journalists working for a more traditional news entity (ie: newspapers, radio, TV stations). This ruling developed from a Oregon defamation case involving an investigative blogger, Crystal Cox, who refused to […]
Alex Zielinski
Alex Zielinski is a former News Editor for the Portland Mercury. She's here to tell stories about economic inequities, cops, civil rights, and weird city politics that you should probably be paying attention to.
Posted inPolitics
Mayoral Candidate Housing Forum
This morning, six mayoral candidates participated in a public forum on housing conducted by local housing and homelessness organizations. The candidates — Jefferson Smith, Shonda Colleen Kelley, Josh Nuttall, Loren Charles Brown, Charlie Hales and Eileen Brady —tackled topics from gentrification to budget cuts in the two-hour-long discussion. Most candidates presented polished, on-topic responses to […]
Posted inScience!
Today in Understated Space News
NASA may have found another Earth. Although it’s 600 light years away and considerably larger than our own planet, Kepler-22b (we win with the catchier name) maintains a 72-degree climate, marking it as a “habitable planet.” The NASA scientists behind the discovery remain vague about the distant planet, suggesting a lot more research and investigation […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning News!
Cain’s Waiting Game: Herman Cain is hours away from announcing whether or not he will continue his run for presidency after a considerably bumpy start. What’s Next?: Occupy Portland aims to re-occupy an unnamed park today, much to Mayor Sam Adam’s discontent. Stay tuned for updates. Didn’t See That Coming: The U.S. unemployment rate hits […]
Posted inPolitics
New Holiday of the Week
It’s official. As of yesterday, the first week of December will now be regarded as “National Christmas Tree Week.” Who do we have to thank? Sen. Jeff Merkley, doing the good work at the Senate. And this isn’t just a casual put-it-on-a-cheap-calender-and-forget-it holiday. It comes with some serious rules. Here’s the Senate’s resolution: Resolved, That […]
Posted inCrime
Rabbit Capers!
Last weekend, some mysterious animal rights gang stole Fiona Petra ‘s rabbits from their cozy outdoor hutches. WHAT. All they left behind was a short rather condescending note: “I’m sure you care about your bunnies, but for whatever reason are unable to provide proper housing at this time. They will be given a roomy home […]
Posted inSchools
University of Oregon President Ousted
I feel obliged to report on this because this man handed me my diploma: Oregon Board of Higher Education decided not to renew the contract of Richard Lariviere, University of Oregon president. To put it nicely, he’s fired. Why? It looks like the man didn’t have many supporters in the Oregon University System, let alone […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning News!
Wheee: NASA launches a “roving science lab” — powered entirely by plutonium — into space. Go, science, go! No Soup for You: Following the Nov. 10 oil spill in Brazil, the country cuts off Chevron’s drilling rights. Head ’em Out: A little behind Occupy Oakland/Wall St/Portland’s schedule, the mayor or Los Angeles announces a Monday […]
Posted inNews
Personhood Politics
A Fetal-Rights Amendment May Land on Oregon ballot
A “personhood” amendment, like Mississippi’s, could make it to Oregon’s 2012 ballot.
Posted inPortland
Multnomah’s Comings and Goings
At least once a week, I meet a Portlander from a different state. Granted, I fall within that category, but it’s always wild how many folks come from so far away to be a part of the Portland experience. How many, you ask? Lucky for us, Forbes has made a fun interactive map showing how […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning News!
Occupation Station: At UC Davis, cops pepper spray peaceful sitting Occupiers, Occupy Los Angeles files a restraining order against the police, and Occupy Portland members are kicked out of a foreclosed house. Whew. Like Father..: Libyan officials say they captured the elusive son of Moammar Gaddafi, Saif al-Islam. There Goes Winter Break: Despite protest, Swiss […]
Posted inNews
What's Next for Occupy Portland?
Protest Eviction Means New Life—and New Headaches
What does the eviction mean for the movement and the city?