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Courtney Vaughn

Courtney Vaughn is the news editor at the Portland Mercury. She appreciates your news tips and musings. Reach out at cvaughn@portlandmercury.com or find her on Bluesky @courtneyvaughn.
Posted inNews

Portland Settles Lawsuit With Journalists, Legal Observers Targeted By Police During Protests

The $938K payout to nine plaintiffs marks the city’s largest protest-related settlement to date.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

The city of Portland will pay out $938,330 to settle a lawsuit from journalists and legal observers who were attacked and threatened with arrest for covering the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in Portland. The legal settlement, approved by the Portland City Council on an 11-1 vote Wednesday, stems from a case brought against the […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Council Weighs $938K Payout to Journalists, a US Cryptocurrency Reserve, and Elvira Goes Elviral For Ditching Tesla

Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’s news reporting, arts and culture coverage, event calendar, and the bevy of events we host throughout the year. The work we do helps our city shine, but we can’t do it without your support. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Oregon’s Union Membership is Growing, How to Buy Immigration Rights For $5M, and Trump’s New DEI Police

Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

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! Between yesterday’s mild temps and sunshine, and today’s forecast […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Providence Strike Ends, Climate Groups Appeal City’s Zenith Decision, and a California Library Goes MAGA

Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’s news reporting, arts and culture coverage, event calendar, and the bevy of events we host throughout the year. The work we do helps our city shine, but we can’t do it without your support. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism […]

Posted inNews

Will Portland Police Cooperate with Trump’s FBI?

The Police Bureau’s relationship with a federal anti-terrorism task force triggered a broader conversation about illegal surveillance, racial profiling, and Islamophobia.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

For years Portland Police Bureau has cooperated with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), but with a new federal administration intent on broadening the JTTF’s scope and power, city leaders are uneasy about PPB’s arrangement. What seemed like a routine annual report to City Council sparked a broad discussion Wednesday about racism, immigration, surveillance, […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: A New Spotlight on Portland’s Climate Crisis, America’s Fury Over Trump, and the Opossum Stealing Cake and Hearts

Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’s news reporting, arts and culture coverage, event calendar, and the bevy of events we host throughout the year. The work we do helps our city shine, but we can’t do it without your support. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism […]

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As Oregonians Take to the Streets to Protest Trump Policies, Oregon’s Attorney General is Turning to the Courts

Oregon has signed on to five multi-state lawsuits challenging recent presidential executive orders on birthright citizenship, DOGE, federal funding, and health care. 
Avatar photoAvatar photo Courtney Vaughn and Kevin Foster

Update, February 14: As of Friday, February 14, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order to block the withholding of federal funds from health institutions that provide gender-affirming care. Originally published: Wednesday, February 12 As protesters descended on the Oregon State Capitol last week to protest a litany of executive orders from the Trump […]

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New Housing Committee Takes on Portland’s Affordability Crisis

City Councilor Angelita Morillo says she’ll introduce a policy to ban anti-competitive rental price-fixing software.
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Portland city councilors provided inklings of their first legislative work this week, signaling their intent to address construction permitting, rental pricing, and residential vacancy rates as key tools to address the city’s housing affordability crisis. The first round of Portland City Council policy committee meetings kicked off Monday, laying the groundwork for how the city’s […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: City Committees Kick Off, Homeland Security Wants IRS to Be ICE, and Prepare to Say Goodbye to the Penny

Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

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! Expect sunny skies today, but don’t let the sunshine […]

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City Council Reluctantly Approves Mike Jordan’s Tenure as City Administrator Until 2026

Despite Council frustration and public outcry over recent Zenith decision, Jordan will continue to lead the city through a transitional year and turbulent budget cycle.
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Michael Jordan, Portland’s interim city administrator, will continue in the role through the end of the year—though not without some drama.   Jordan has been in the top administrative management role since July 2024, when former Mayor Ted Wheeler appointed him to serve as the city’s first (albeit temporary) city administrator. It’s a new position […]

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Good Morning, News: Zenith Prevails (Again), RFK Jr Can’t Wait to Feed Us Ivermectin, and Here’s How to Outsmart AI

Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’s news reporting, arts and culture coverage, event calendar, and the bevy of events we host throughout the year. The work we do helps our city shine, but we can’t do it without your support. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism […]

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Michael Jordan Tapped to Stay on as City Administrator

Portland City Council will vote on Mayor Wilson’s appointment of Jordan to the city’s top management role through end of 2025.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Portland’s first city administrator is… the same person who’s been quietly keeping the city running for the last few years. Michael Jordan, who’s served as the interim city administrator since July, is expected to stay on until next year. The position is responsible for overseeing all of the city’s bureau operations, with deputy city administrators […]

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