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 just checked the weather report, and YES, there […]
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
City Council Okays $80K for New Police Drone Program
Portland Police will launch a new pilot program using drones to surveil crash scenes, bomb threats, and armed suspects—though critics worry the devices could be also be used to violate civil rights.
Portland Police Bureau will roll out new drone program after council okays $80K expenditure.
Posted inNews
New Affordable Housing Complex Provides Alternative to Tent Cities
Hattie Redmond apartments in North Portland billed as model for housing done right.
A new affordable housing complex offers more stability to Black Portlanders than plans laid out by the city, according to project leaders.
Posted inNews
Five Months Down, 20 to Go: Checking In on Portland’s Charter Reform Makeover
Portland will need a city manager, voting district maps, retooled software for ranked-choice elections, and much more. Can it all be accomplished by November 2024?
It’s been nearly five months since Portland voters approved substantial changes to the city’s government. With a long list of critical tasks to complete by next fall, it begs the question: Can they get it all accomplished in time? Here’s what’s happened so far.
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: TriMet Wants Buses Away from Stalled Freight Trains, Vice Principal Caught Up in Sex Sting, and ChatGPT Could Diagnose Your Pet’s Ailment
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! Don’t break out the sunglasses just yet. Today it’ll be cloudy […]
Posted inTransportation
TriMet Wants to Fix its Most Unreliable Bus Line, While Making Routes Safer for Students
Changes to Line 70 would reduce Cleveland High School students crossing Powell Boulevard.
Amid concerns for pedestrian and student safety near Southeast Powell Boulevard and reliability of buses due to frequent freight train delays, TriMet is poised to change its routes for bus line 70.
Posted inNews
Oregon Legislators Aim to Reduce Waste With New Reusable Takeout Container Rules
Senate Bill 545 could curb landfill waste by allowing customers to bring reusable boxes to restaurants.
Oregon lawmakers are considering a new bill that would allow customers to bring their own reusable containers to restaurants for takeout orders.
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Allergy Season’s Upon Us, Author Michelle Zauner’s Portland Stop, and Will Oregon Pump Its Own Gas?
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 Tuesday, March 21, and as of yesterday it’s […]
Posted inNews
After Years of Financial Mismanagement, Embattled Neighborhood Group Is Asking Portland For More Funding
Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. is looking to turn over a new leaf, but critics say no meaningful change has been made.
Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. (SWNI), a nonprofit representing neighborhood associations in South and Southwest Portland, wants the city of Portland to restore its annual contract funding after city leaders cut the group off from city money, following a 2020 audit.
Posted inNews
Introducing the Portland Mercury’s Newest Staffer, Courtney Vaughn
Hello, readers! I’m Courtney Vaughn and I’m a recent addition to the Mercury’s news team. I’ll be keeping an eye on environmental issues, transportation, and the many ways city government impacts Portlanders. The Mercury is a new home to me, but I’ve been working in journalism for more than a decade. You may have previously […]