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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

What the Supreme Court’s Ruling Against Homelessness Means for Portland and Oregon

Portland must still abide by state law—policy which some experts say should be adopted by the entire nation.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Courtney Vaughn and Taylor Griggs

Attorneys and advocates for the unhoused say today’s long-awaited US Supreme Court ruling on an Oregon homelessness case sets a dangerous precedent. The high court ruled 6-3 that cities and other government jurisdictions may punish people for sleeping outside in public spaces, regardless of whether adequate shelter is available. Friday’s ruling gives cities and states […]

Posted inNews

Candidate for Mayor Carmen Rubio Snaps Up Endorsement From Gov. Tina Kotek

Rubio is among a crowded field of mayoral candidates, including two other current city commissioners.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Portland City Commissioner and mayoral candidate Carmen Rubio nabbed an endorsement from Gov. Tina Kotek, Rubio’s campaign announced Wednesday. Kotek’s endorsement of Rubio for mayor comes as campaigns for the Portland City Council race and mayor’s seat are ramping up. To date, Rubio is one of 10 people running to be Portland’s next mayor. She’s […]

Posted inNews

Home Forward and City of Portland Unveil 206 New Affordable Apartments in Southeast Portland

The Hazel Ying Lee apartment complex sits at the site of a former strip club on Powell Boulevard. It’s the largest new construction project funded by the Portland Housing Bond.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Note: This story has been updated with additional information about rental rates and bond expenditures. A decade ago, the Safari Showclub operated as a strip bar on Powell Boulevard serving an array of fried foods late at night. Patrons told of handsy dancers, fish tanks full of piranhas, taxidermy big game animal heads as decor, […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Local Noodle Factory Burns Down, Louisiana Sued Over Ludicrous Ten Commandments Law, and Women Are Righteously Pissed at SCOTUS

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! Keep your sunnies close by, because today’s high is […]

Posted inNews

Hundreds of Women Rally on Burnside Bridge For Reproductive Rights

The June 24 demonstration was part of a national women’s strike planned around the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling against abortion rights.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Among a sea of red shirts, dresses, and capes, a chant echoed through a crowd of more than 200 people–mostly women–gathered along the Burnside Bridge Monday. “Hey hey! Ho ho! The Supreme Court has got to go!” the crowd shouted, led by organizers with megaphones.  As the sun beat down on a row of women […]

Posted inNews

Oregon’s Legislative Landscape Supports LGBTQ+ Rights, But Is That Enough?

As the American legal landscape for LGBTQ+ residents 
grows hostile, Oregon works to enshrine rights for all.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

[Find the Mercury‘s Queer Guide in print—available in more than 500 spots citywide!—eds.] In 2023 Oregon House Bill 2002 was hailed as transformative, crucial legislation for protecting the rights of women and LGBTQ+ residents. The reproductive health care bill protects doctors from prosecution, ensures a patient’s right to abortion at any age without requiring parental […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Anti-vaxxers Bring Measles Back, Celtics Bring Home a Championship, and Seniors Bring Student Loan Debt into Retirement

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! What’s up Portland?! This week is bringing us real summer weather because […]

Posted inQueer Guide 2024

The Long Road to Justice

As the American legal landscape for LGBTQ+ residents 
grows hostile, Oregon works to enshrine rights for all.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

[Find the Mercury‘s Queer Guide in print—available in more than 500 spots citywide!—eds.] In 2023 Oregon House Bill 2002 was hailed as transformative, crucial legislation for protecting the rights of women and LGBTQ+ residents. The reproductive health care bill protects doctors from prosecution, ensures a patient’s right to abortion at any age without requiring parental […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: How To Buy a Portland Streetcar, Light Sentence for Lake O Dad Who Drugged Girls During Sleepover, and Justice Alito’s Wife Hates the Gays

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! We’re in for a high of 74 degrees with […]

Posted inNews

He Isn’t the DA Yet, but Nathan Vasquez Already Secured More County Money for Drug Prosecutions

Local groups cry foul after Vasquez scores backroom deal for drug prosecution funding.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

A handful of local advocacy and nonprofit groups are denouncing a recent budget increase for  the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office to pay for an anticipated uptick in criminal prosecutions of drug crimes. A letter signed by Safety and Justice Oregon, Portland for All, Next Up Action Fund, Unite Oregon, Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Suspected Serial Killer in Court, a Gazillion City Council Candidates, and Steve Bannon is Headed to the Pokey

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! Keep your shades on because today’s high is 87 […]

Posted inNews

City Will Spend an Estimated $1.1 Million on Munitions, Shields, and Training For Police

Stockpiling weapons and the return of Portland’s crowd control team is reigniting dialog about how police respond to protests.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

As city bureaus are undergoing budget cuts to address a projected funding shortfall in the next budget cycle, the city of Portland will spend an estimated $1.1 million on shields, munitions, and training for police. In what was termed as an “emergency vote” on Wednesday, Portland City Council unanimously approved allocating additional funds to the […]

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