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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

Fundraiser for City Councilor Displaced by Fire Creates Legal Complexity

An outpouring of donations flowed in for a District 1 councilor after a catastrophe, but state rules complicate things for public officials on the receiving end. 
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Updated: 2:50 pm October 30 An online fundraiser for Portland City Councilor Candace Avalos amassed more than $14,000 in just a day, after a fire destroyed part of her home. The outpouring of support was a reflection of Portlanders’ eagerness to help, but the donations could subject her to extra reporting requirements, or even require […]

Posted inNews

Trump Stymied Again; Appeals Court Will Rehear Oregon’s National Guard Deployment Case

The 9th Circuit Court’s decision will prevent any troops from deploying for now. A trial in Oregon’s case starts Wednesday.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will rehear an appeal regarding Oregon National Guard deployment. By agreeing to reconsider the case, the court vacated an earlier ruling that would have allowed for troops to deploy to Portland. The decision comes after a panel of three judges sided with the Trump administration on October 20, finding […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning News: Investigators Doubtful That Fire at Councilor’s Home Was Targeted Violence, Elon Musk’s New Anti-Woke Wiki, and DOJ Attorney’s Sobering Remarks About a Third Trump Term

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Attorneys in Chicago are asking a judge to block federal immigration agents from using tear gas, alleging Department of Homeland Security agents have violated the terms of a current temporary restraining order that restricts the use of the chemical irritant.

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UPDATE: National Guard Deployment Paused Again in Oregon, as Appellate Judges Decide How to Proceed

A district judge was expected to rule whether to allow out-of-state troops to deploy to Portland. Then, in a Friday twist, an appeals court temporarily halted any deployments until October 29. 
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Updated: 5:44 pm October 24. Originally published 2:04 pm October 24. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has paused any deployment of National Guard troops to Portland until Tuesday evening, October 28. The order was issued as a decision was pending from a different court on whether out-of-state troops could deploy to Portland.  In its […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News:  Trump Pardons Binance Cryptocurrency Founder, mRNA-Based COVID Vaccines Might Fight Cancer, and Balch Gulch Bridge Goes Historic

Avatar photoAvatar photo Suzette Smith and Courtney Vaughn

If you appreciate the Mercury‘s interesting and useful news & culture reporting, consider making a small monthly contribution to support our editorial team. Your donation is tax-deductible. You can also subscribe and have our papers delivered! Good Morning, Portland: And good morning RAIN—today. Rain—tomorrow! Rain—Sunday! That’s just Portland being Portland; let’s hit the news! IN LOCAL NEWS:• On Thursday […]

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Good Morning, News: The Court Ruling Nobody Wanted, What’s Fueling the Portland Parks Levy, and Congressional Dems Vow to Investigate ICE

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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 a pleasant, mostly sunny day with a […]

Posted inNews

On No Kings Weekend, Chants, Inflatable Costumes, and Tear Gas Shroud Portland ICE Facility

Following a massive anti-Trump march, hundreds gathered to protest hostile immigration enforcement and violent policing.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Courtney Vaughn and Suzette Smith

Hundreds of people packed the sidewalks and streets outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland Saturday, to protest increasingly hostile US immigration policies. With momentum from a massive No Kings rally Saturday afternoon, a jubilant, sometimes raucous crowd chanted and held up signs and middle fingers at federal agents surveilling the […]

Posted inNews

Portland City Council is Using City Codes to Fight Back Against Trump

A new ordinance will bolster local sanctuary law while a resolution aims to strengthen protections for immigrants and protesters.
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An ordinance and a resolution approved by Portland City Council on Wednesday aim to strengthen the city’s sanctuary status and use all available legal resources to resist deployment of any federal military presence. What was approved Councilors unanimously approved a Protect Portland Initiative, which prevents local police from being federalized, and creates a framework to […]

Posted inNews

A Night of Terror: Civil Disobedience Met With Extreme Force at Portland ICE Facility

Federal agents brutalized press and protesters, firing repeated crowd control munitions during weekend protests.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Kevin Foster and Courtney Vaughn

Portland’s protest antics have made national headlines in the past week. The chicken suit; the giant inflatable frog; and the growing flurry of other inflatable animal costumes have put a spotlight on the benign nature of most anti-ICE protesters. Yet federal agents are responding with increased force. Federal police unleashed a volley of weapons and […]

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UPDATE: Judge Extends Restraining Order Blocking National Guard Deployment in Oregon

US District Judge Karin Immergut ruled October 15 that a restraining order issued earlier this month will be extended by two weeks.
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Updated 1:03 pm October 15 A temporary restraining order prohibiting the deployment of National Guard troops to Oregon has been extended. On Wednesday, October 15, US District Judge Karin Immergut extended the temporary restraining order (TRO) she’d granted on October 5 for another two weeks. The TRO was set to expire October 18. The ruling […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: The Crime of Squeaky Sneakers, A Ceasefire Deal Plays Out, and Meet the Local Aid Groups Working to Help Immigrants

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: Kristi Noem Thinks We’re Idiots, Feds Get Sued For Excessive Force During Protests, and Portlanders Can Snag Free Trees For Their Yards

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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