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Isabella Garcia

Isabella Garcia is the former News Editor for the Portland Mercury. She covered City Hall, transportation, the environment, breaking news, and more.
Posted inNews

Multnomah County Voters Will Weigh in On Voting Rights, Jail Inspections, and Ranked Choice Voting This November

Multnomah County Commissioners approved all seven of the proposed county charter amendments Thursday
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The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved all seven amendments to the county’s primary governing document proposed by a volunteer committee Thursday. Every six years, local lawmakers convene a committee to review the Multnomah County Charter—the county equivalent to a constitution. The committee is tasked with reviewing the charter and suggesting changes for voters […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Clackamas County Clerk Claims Success, a Police Naughty List, and Now That’s What I Call Music

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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! Let’s jump right in today. In local news: • […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: FBI Raid Trump’s Estate, One Heat Death, and the “Mental Health Pandemic” Hits Oregon Kids Hard

Avatar photo Isabella Garcia

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 back to more typical summer weather today with […]

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UPDATE: Two Cooling Centers to Open Sunday in Portland

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Multnomah County Sunday through Monday.
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Update August 7, 12:03 pm: Two cooling centers will open at 2 pm in Portland Sunday as temperatures return to the triple digits. The Midland and Gresham libraries have extended their hours until 8 pm to help people stay out fo the heat. The Lloyd Center Mall has also extended its hours until 10 pm […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Anti-Racist Training for Coaches, NFL Pushes for Stronger Punishment, and Oregon’s Housing Shortage

Avatar photo Isabella Garcia

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! Goooooood morning, Portland! If you’re feeling thirsty on this lovely Thursday, may […]

Posted inNews

Know Your Neighbors

The city is turning to neighborhood emergency teams to fill in the gaps in the region’s heat wave response.
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During the unprecedented deadly heat wave in June 2021, overheating Portlanders languished in the stifling temperatures for up to 90 minutes as they waited for a taxi or an Uber to take them to an emergency cooling shelter. This year, during the record-breaking weeklong heat wave in late July, over 200 people requesting a ride […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Anti-Vaxxers Target Salem Restaurant, Expanding Portland’s Bike Infrastructure, and a Tale of Two Erics

Avatar photo Isabella Garcia

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, P-town! My apartment actually cooled down enough overnight to make […]

Posted inNews

UPDATED: Five Cooling Shelters to Open During Heatwave

Four overight cooling shelters will remain open through at least Sunday morning.
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Update July 29, 12:15 pm: The county will keep four cooling shelters open to the public through Sunday morning, as the region’s sweltering temperatures enter a holding pattern over the weekend. The National Weather Service has placed Portland under an excessive heat warning until Sunday evening, with highs reaching just under 100 degrees each day.  […]

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North Portland Roofing Facility Agrees to Emissions Mitigation Plan After Historic DEQ Fine

The Malarkey Roofing facility released at least 10 tons of formaldehyde per year into the Kenton neighborhood for nearly a decade.
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Nine months after receiving the largest environmental fine in Oregon history, Malarkey Roofing has reached an agreement with state officials to reduce and monitor formaldehyde emissions at its North Portland facility in the Kenton neighborhood.  “This agreement puts Malarkey on track for compliance and gives the company the opportunity to engage with the surrounding community […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Another Police Shooting, Suspected Heatwave Death, and Everything You Need to Know About Monkeypox

Avatar photo Isabella Garcia

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! I hope you’re staying cool (physically) and safe. Here […]

Posted inNews

Multnomah County COVID Contact Tracing Could Not Keep Up With Pandemic Surges, Audit Finds

The county can learn from the tracing team’s challenges to better prepare for future emergencies, report says.
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Even on their most accomplished days, Multnomah County COVID-19 tracers only contacted 80 percent of people who reported positive tests during the pandemic, according to a report by the Multnomah County Auditor’s Office released Wednesday. Amid the pandemic’s largest surges, only 10 percent of people who reported positive tests were contacted by tracers. While state […]

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