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! Unlike the last go-round, Washington State is agreeing to pay their fair […]
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
What Was Accomplished (and What Wasn’t) in Oregon’s 2022 Legislative Session
powerofforever / Getty Images The Oregon Legislature’s short sessions—held on even numbered years—are historically unusual. These month-long sessions are often used to fast-track uncontroversial policies or pass emergency budget packages to hold the state over for another year. Despite their swiftness, these sessions are not void of drama: The last time the state held a […]
Posted inUncategorized
Good Morning, News: Local Fentanyl Warning, Harnessing Energy from Waves, and US Expected to Ban Russian Oil Imports
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! Gas prices could continue to increase if Biden bans Russian oil as […]
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Bill Allows For More Speed Cameras on Portland Streets
Simon McGill / Getty Images Portland transportation officials are celebrating the passage of a bill that removes administrative barriers for processing speed camera photos. The bill will allow Portland leaders to increase automated speed limit enforcement in an effort to curb record high traffic deaths. “We are grateful to the legislature for giving us more […]
Posted inNews
Portland to Raise Parking Fees to Recoup Revenue and Disincentivize Driving
Portland Bureau of Transportation Parking is about to get more expensive in Portland as the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) seeks to close its funding gap and disincentivize solo car trips. Transportation leaders and parking reform advocates say the cost is more reflective of the true cost of driving a car that has long been […]
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Good Morning, News: No More Fireworks in Portland, PPS’s Climate Pledge, and One Million Ukrainian Refugees
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! The sale and use of personal fireworks is now permanently banned in […]
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Portland School District Passes One of the Strongest Climate Policies in the Nation
Portland students during a 2021 climate strike at Portland City Hall. Isabella Garcia After two years of work and 25 drafts, the Portland Public Schools (PPS) board adopted what is possibly the most robust and aggressive climate policy of any school district in the nation Tuesday. The policy tasks the district with achieving net zero […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning, News: A Use for Concordia’s Campus, Russian Forces Move Towards Kyiv, and Look! Art!
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! The University of Oregon plans to purchase the Concordia University campus in […]
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Oregon to Lift Indoor Mask Mandate on March 12
Oregonians won’t have to wear a mask indoors starting March 12. Alex Wong / Getty Images Oregon officials will lift the state’s indoor mask mandate on March 12, Governor Kate Brown announced Monday. This is the second time the end date for the state’s mask mandate has been moved up as COVID-19 cases decrease dramatically […]
Posted inHousing
Portland Leaders Unveil Locations for All Six Safe Rest Villages
Tiny homes at Kenton Women’s Village, one of several alternative outdoor shelters currently operating in Portland. The planned Safe Rest Villages could have similar shelters. MEG NANNA Portland leaders announced the future locations of four Safe Rest Village sites Thursday, moving one step closer to finalizing where all six outdoor villages will be situated. “Safe […]
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UPDATE: Five Severe Weather Shelters Reopen Thursday Night in Portland
Warming shelters will open February 22 at 8 pm. Motoya Nakamura / Multnomah County Update 2/24, 9:30 am: All five severe weather shelters in Portland will reopen Thursday evening at 8 pm as freezing overnight temperatures persist. The following shelters will open February 24 at 8 pm and close February 25 at 10 am if […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning, News: Snow in Portland, US Vaccination Efforts Slow, and Russia Launches Attack on Ukraine
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! The waterfront in December 2021, the last time Portland saw snow. Motoya […]