Motoya Nakamura / Multnomah County The COVID-19 pandemic is the worst it has ever been, with cases surging throughout the nation thanks to the highly contagious omicron variant. In a recent press conference, Oregon Health & Science University’s (OHSU) Peter Graven estimated about 65 percent of all Oregonians do not have immunity against omicron due […]
Isabella Garcia
Isabella Garcia is the former News Editor for the Portland Mercury. She covered City Hall, transportation, the environment, breaking news, and more.
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Private COVID Testing Sites Have Minimal State Oversight; DOJ Investigating
Center for Covid Control’s testing location in the Hollywood neighborhood. Isabella Garcia State and county public health agencies have minimal to no oversight of COVID-19 testing facilities run by private companies, the Mercury has found. As demand for COVID testing in Oregon far outpaces supply, testing services offered by Multnomah County and its community partner […]
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Good Morning, News: PPS Accuses Teachers of Coordinating Absences, Dame Out for the Season, and Pickle Pic Controversy
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! An educator greets students at MCDaniel High school, which has since returned […]
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APANO Director Duncan Hwang Appointed to Metro Council
Duncan Hwang MADDIE MASCHGER Metro Council appointed Duncan Hwang, co-director of the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO), to the council’s vacant seat Tuesday. Hwang is filling the District 6 seat previously occupied by Bob Stacey, who resigned from his position midterm amid growing health issues. Stacey’s seat, which covers a significant portion of […]
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Good Morning, News: Tide Pool Troubles, National Blood Shortage Declared, and Insurers to Cover COVID Tests
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 nation is experiencing its worst blood shortage in more than a […]
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Portland Public Schools Prepares for More Potential School Closures
Portland Public Schools Portland Public Schools (PPS) is preparing for more schools to temporarily return to remote learning as Oregon’s surge in COVID-19 cases compounds the district’s existing staff shortages. During a press conference Friday, PPS leaders laid the groundwork for a possible wave of schools being forced to return to remote learning. The district […]
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Metro Approves $36 Million for I-5 Bridge Project Despite Skepticism Over Process
The current I-5 bridge over the Columbia River. Oregon Department of Transportation Metro Council approved $36 million in funding for the continued planning of the Interstate-5 bridge replacement over the Columbia River on Thursday, despite councilor skepticism. “I see a flawed process, but opportunities on the horizon,” said Metro Councilor Christine Lewis. “Let’s take what […]
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Oregon Approves Pfizer Boosters for Kids 12 and Older
Oregon kids 12 and older are now eligible for a booster shot. Portland Public Schools Youth ages 12 to 15 are eligible to receive a Pfizer booster shot five months after completing their initial vaccine series, Oregon’s immunization advisory board announced Thursday. The board also authorized a third vaccine dose of Pfizer or Moderna for […]
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Good Morning, News: Remembering January 6, City Employees Prepare to Strike, and What is a “Low-Skilled” Worker?
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! Trump supporters in front of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. […]
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Portland Energy Fund Strips Grantee of Award After Vetting Failure
The change in partner organization may impact the city’s ability to distribute cooling units to vulnerable Portlanders before the next heat wave. Motoya Nakamura / Multnomah County Portland City Council stripped a local green energy nonprofit of a city-awarded grant Wednesday after an investigation by the Oregonian revealed the organization’s executive director had a history […]
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Good Morning, News: Oregon Smashes New COVID Record, Holmes is a Fraud, and Winter Storm Traps Virginia Drivers Overnight
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! A photo shared by Virginia US Senator Tim Kaine whose been stuck […]
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New Oregon Law Helps Protect Deaf and Hard of Hearing Drivers During Traffic Stops
z1b / Getty Images Hard of hearing and deaf Oregonians now have an option to declare their hearing status on their drivers license and vehicle registration thanks to a new state law aiming to protect hard of hearing drivers during traffic stops. As of January 3, hard of hearing drivers can apply to add a […]