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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

Update: Man Stabbed to Death on MAX Train Was Commuting Home From Work

Michael Brady was killed Friday, March 29. The suspect later told police he heard voices and hadn’t taken medication for a mental health condition in months.
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Updated April 3, 5:58 pm: This story has been corrected to add a statement from TriMet and clarify its assistance with the ongoing investigation. A man was stabbed to death Friday evening on a MAX train by another man who later told police he heard voices and thought the victim was trying to kill him […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: City Promises to Fix $17K Water Bill, the Local Origins of the Ted Lasso Tracksuit, and Cicada-geddon is Coming

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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! I’m pleased to report that we’re in for more sunshine today, with a high of 72 degrees. Hell. Yes. While you’re soaking up the sunshine 🌞, soak up these headlines. 🥁           View this post on Instagram                       […]

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Within Three Years, Five Portland Officers Shot Eight People

Watchdogs, legal groups say repeated deadly force incidents are alarming. Portland Police Bureau says it’s a byproduct of high-risk job assignments.
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As the city invests in multiple gun violence initiatives in an effort to drive down shooting and homicide rates, data shows a handful of the city’s own police officers have perpetuated gun violence on multiple occasions. Portland Police Bureau (PPB) data shows four officers involved in recent fatal shootings have each shot at members of […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: A $17K Water Bill, a SLAPP in the Face to Elon Musk, and the Return of the Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest

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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! Are we all still daydreaming about last week’s weather? Repeat after me: Showers bring flowers. ☔🌸 Let that run through your head today, tomorrow and the day after because we’re in for a wet week. The weather apps say we’re in for sunshine this weekend, so just be patient.       […]

Posted inNews

Portland Police Will Get Premium Pay for Joining New Crowd Control Team

Amid lingering criticisms and lawsuits stemming from the 2020 protests, the city approved a 6 percent pay bump for new public order team officers.
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Portland police officers who join the city’s new riot squad will get a 6 percent pay bump. The council unanimously approved a letter of agreement with the Portland Police Association–the union representing rank-and-file officers–to offer an additional 6 percent of an officer’s base salary if they agree to work on a new public order team […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Another Boeing Plane Found in Disrepair, the Race to Revive Supersonic Jets, and the Portland Pickles are Opening a Bar

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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! We’re in for another day of sublime weather as […]

Posted inNews

Auditors: Future of Historic Kenton Firehouse in Jeopardy After Mismanagement

A new report finds a city bureau failed to oversee management of the building. A state politician has been using the city-owned building rent-free since 2022.
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Update: 9:40 pm: This story has been updated to note the relationship between the former executive director of North Portland Community Works and the Secretary of State. The Portland City Auditor’s Office says mismanagement of the Historic Kenton Firehouse led to state Rep. Travis Nelson (D—44) using the city-owned space rent-free for the past two […]

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City, County Leaders Unveil Plans to Cut Homeless Count By Half. Not Everyone Is On Board.

Joint efforts would see about $57 million spent to open 1,000 more shelter beds and a sobering center.
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Local leaders are heralding a “comprehensive and ambitious plan” to address homelessness in the county. On Monday, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler announced plans to open 1,000 additional shelter beds and provide roughly 2,700 unhoused people—the equivalent of half the current count of those who are unsheltered—with housing or […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Freakish Fruit, Biden’s Promise to Eat the Rich, and Utility Bills Will Be the Death of Us

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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 to everything except the time change, which is wreaking havoc […]

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Portland Eyes Another Round of Water and Sewer Rate Hikes

If approved, Portland households would pay 6.24 percent more for water and sewer services, starting July 1. The Portland Utility Board has questions.
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Portland’s water and sewer rates are likely to increase this summer. The Portland Water Bureau is proposing a nearly 8 percent hike in water rates, while the Bureau of Environmental Services is asking for a 5.15 percent increase in sewer rates. The spike in combined rates amounts to a 6.24 percent increase in water and […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: A Likely Water Rate Hike, a Wrestler’s Farewell, and ‘Biblical Devil’ Trump Gets Desist Orders Over Campaign Tunes

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 due for a little sunshine today, but don’t […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning News: Portland’s Crowded Council Race, Prominent Stripper is Running For Mayor, and the Feds are Fighting to Block a Grocery Merger

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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! Fake spring is over and we’re back to chilly, […]

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