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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 inTransportation

Fatal Crash Spurs Renewed Calls for Transportation Safety Changes on SE Powell

SE Powell Blvd. is one of over a dozen state-owned highways in the Portland metro area.
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On Tuesday, Portland chef Sarah Pliner was biking to work when she was hit and killed by a semi-truck at SE Powell Blvd. and 26th Ave. Pliner’s death has generated calls for immediate safety changes to the intersection from transportation advocates and local politicians who have long considered SE Powell Blvd. a dangerous thoroughfare. “We’ve […]

Posted inNews

Transgender and Nonbinary Portlanders are Often Misgendered by Death Certificates, Officials Find

Epidemiologists from the Portland metro region are calling for a change to national standards.
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Over half of transgender and nonbinary people who died in the Portland metro area over the past decade were misgendered on their death certificates, a new study from tri-county officials found. The findings underscore how the region’s death investigation system is not set up to record valuable gender identity information. “What we learned will likely […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Portland Chef Killed in Powell Crash, Pandemic Personality Changes, and Thailand’s Deadliest Shooting in History

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! If you, like me, finally turned on your heating […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Portland Makes a Deal with Zenith, Dr. Oz’s Dogs, and Russia’s Grain Smuggling Operation

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! Looks like we’re actually getting some fall-ish weather today, […]

Posted inNews

Portland Approves Zenith Proposal for Renewable Fuels Operations

The proposal could lead to the end of Zenith’s ongoing legal battle with the city.
Avatar photo Isabella Garcia

The city of Portland granted a land use permit to oil transporter Zenith Energy Monday, paving the way for the company to continue operating its Northwest Portland facility—with conditions. The approval may lead to the end of Zenith’s ongoing legal battle with the city over a previous denial of the permit. In August 2021, the […]

Posted inEnvironment

Zenith Seeks Compromise with Portland Amid Legal Challenge

The company will commit to renewable fuels operations if the city grants operational permits for the facility.
Avatar photo Isabella Garcia

After more than a year of back and forth legal challenges, oil transporter Zenith Energy has extended a compromise to the city of Portland: if the city approves a land permit for Zenith’s Northwest Portland facility, Zenith will replace all of its crude oil operations with renewable fuels within five years. On the surface, the […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Oregon Hospitals Sue the State, Search for Oakland Gunman Continues, and the Latest on Hurricane Ian

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! Ahhh, wasn’t that rain delightful? There’s more where that […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Portland’s Union Wave Continues, Housing Market Cools, and Shakira Heading to Trial

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! Looks like it’s going to be another beautiful summer-ish […]

Posted inNews

Wheeler Moves Forward with Controversial Gunshot Detection Technology

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Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office will develop a pilot program for the controversial gunshot-detection technology ShotSpotter, according to an announcement at a police oversight meeting Thursday evening. The pilot will need to be voted on by City Council before being adopted by the city. ShotSpotter uses microphones placed on telephone poles, street lights, and other tall […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Affordable Housing Tenants See Rent Hike, City Council Candidate Gets Rental Deal from Donor, and 20 Quadrillion Ants

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—and happy first day of fall! I’ve decided to celebrate […]

Posted inNews

Candidate Rene Gonzalez Faces Historic Fine for Violating Election Law

Discounted rent could cost the city council hopeful $77,140 in total.
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City council candidate Rene Gonzalez may have to pay $77,140 in fines for violating the city’s small donor election laws, according to a letter sent to Gonzalez’s campaign Tuesday. The fine, proposed by city election officials, is the largest in Portland’s Small Donor Elections program history. Gonzalez’s campaign, which is attempting to unseat incumbent city […]

Posted inNews

Climate Advocates Object to Governor’s Nominee for Powerful Transportation Comission

Advocates want greater diversity on the commission and a public nomination process.
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Update Sept 23, 1 pm: The Oregon Senate confirmed Senator Lee Beyer’s nomination to the Oregon Transportation Commission Friday. Beyer will begin serving on the commission in 2023. Original story: Last week, it was reported that Governor Kate Brown is nominating outgoing Oregon Senator Lee Beyer to the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC). Less than 24 […]

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