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 […]
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
East Portland Man Ambushed by Unidentified Armed Men in Tactical Gear and Unmarked SUV
Video footage shows three men in plain clothes rushed in to pry a man from his vehicle in a case of mistaken identity.
Updated: 8:45 am January 16. Originally published: 3:15 pm January 15 This story has been updated with additional reporting and corrected to reflect whose home the incident occurred at. Earlier this week, three men in tactical gear ambushed a man in East Portland with weapons drawn, before promptly leaving after indicating they were looking for […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: A Potential Mask Ban For Law Enforcement, Gruesome Discovery at a Local Recycling Yard, and DOJ Officials Resign After Being Blocked From Investigating Renee Good’s Death
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
“Sometimes Criminals Get Shot”: Portland Police Officer Defends Minnesota Shooting of Renee Good
Portland cop pulled from protest duty after remarks, while the Police Bureau reviews another incident involving an officer punching a protester during an arrest.
While Portland’s police chief has encouraged residents to exercise their First Amendment rights in response to recent shootings by federal agents, videos show his own officers exhibiting violence against a protester and justifying the shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota. Now, the actions of two Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers are under internal review. On […]
Posted inNews
After Border Patrol Agent Shoots Two People In Portland, Oregon AG Vows to Investigate
Update: Homeland Security identifies man and woman shot and injured during an encounter with immigration agents in East Portland. Oregon officials are imploring DHS to leave the state.
This story has been updated with additional reporting. Updated: 8:30 pm January 9; Originally published: 3:56 pm January 8 The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified the man and woman shot Thursday by a US Border Patrol agent. According to DHS, Luis David Nino-Moncada was driving the vehicle that agents tried to conduct […]
Posted inNews
Update: Still No Council President After Full Day of Deliberation and Votes
Public awaits zephyr of white smoke from council chambers announcing who holds the gavel in 2026
Update: 9:10 pm January 8 After the second day of a scheduled two-hour vote for a new council president, the City Council still has not made a decision. That’s because the election abruptly recessed, then adjourned without a vote Thursday as some city councilors learned that federal agents had shot two people in East Portland. The […]
Posted inNews
New Lawsuit Seeks $1.18 Million For Man Imprisoned For an Overdose Death That Never Happened
Man who pleaded guilty to drug charges says he served a full prison sentence that was based on false information about a fatal overdose.
A Portland man is suing several government entities, alleging he served prison time for causing a fatal overdose that never happened. Devin Rowell, 35, filed a lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Corrections, Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County, city of Portland, and Multnomah County DA’s Office on December 23. According to the complaint, Rowell was […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Mayor Plans to Kick People Out of Shelters, the Slow Death of Public Broadcasting, and Everything You Need to Know Before City Council’s Leadership Vote
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! It’s Wednesday, January 7. We’re in for more rain […]
Posted inMercury 2025 Recap
Mercury 2025 Recap: Housing and Homelessness
In 2025, new elected leadership in Portland presented a change of course in the city’s approach to housing and homelessness. At times, the mayor’s vision clashed with that of city councilors, with the mayor focused on expanding shelters and the Council focused on reshaping housing policy. Portland’s City Council adopted new policies aimed at combating […]
Posted inNews
Despite DOJ Intervention, Portland Police are Still Killing People in Mental Health Crisis
A grand jury declined to indict officers who used deadly restraint on a man with schizophrenia in June. His family is weighing legal options.
Teri Johnson never expected justice. Her brother Damon Lamarr Johnson died in June after being restrained by Portland police for several minutes as they tried to take him into custody for behavioral health evaluation. A medical examiner’s report concluded Johnson 52, died of a prone-restraint-induced cardiac arrest, with methamphetamine use being a “contributing factor.” Prone restraint […]
Posted inNews
One of Portland’s Few Black-Owned Music Venues is Facing Eviction
The Heights owner claims predatory lease terms left him in default. His landlord says payments were missed even after a rent reduction.
One of Portland’s few Black-owned music venues is facing eviction from its location in Southeast Portland. The Heights lounge and event space was founded in 2024 by local musician Jermaine Malone. Since then, it’s operated out of a 3,800-square-foot space on SE Foster Road. The lounge features a rotating calendar of events from comedy nights, […]