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Taylor Griggs

Taylor Griggs is a news reporter for the Portland Mercury. She is interested in all of your ideas, comments and concerns, particularly those related to transportation, climate, labor, and Portland city government. Send Taylor an email at tgriggs@portlandmercury.com, and find her on Bluesky @taylorgriggs. 
Posted inNews

As Anti-ICE Fight Grows, Advocates Are Divided About Portland Facility

Almost 15,000 people have signed a petition asking City Council to revoke ICE’s Portland building permit. Others say the move would backfire.
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Portland activists are pushing back on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as the agency escalates its aggressive detainment and deportation of immigrants, including people seeking asylum and those who have established legal status to be in the US. But over the past few weeks, as protesters have faced off with federal agents at nightly demonstrations […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Another Elected Official Arrested by the Feds, Growing Risk of US Involvement in Iran War, and Oregon’s Public Lands Are at Risk (and on Fire)

Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

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. Or is it? Personally, I’m a bit stressed out by, […]

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Portland Rises Up Against Trump and ICE with Two Saturday Protests

A massive march for “No Kings” day, followed by arrests at Portland’s ICE headquarters.
Avatar photoAvatar photo Taylor Griggs and Suzette Smith

An estimated 50,000 protesters rallied in Portland’s Waterfront Park on Saturday, June 14 for a “No Kings” demonstration, which was part of a nationwide series of protests against the Trump administration.  Brought together by a wide blanket of concerns—the Trump administration’s general authoritarianism, accounts of unlawful detentions and disappearances, militarized forces used on unarmed Americans, […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: More Asylum Seekers Arrested in Portland, Trump and his Allies Double Down on ICE Protest Crackdown, and Elon Musk Attempts to Mend Some Ties

Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

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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With Newfound Sway in City Hall, Portland’s Democratic Socialists Hope to Redefine the City’s Priorities

Amid a local budget crisis and national chaos, Portland DSA has big goals. For the first time, it also has a group of allies on City Council. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

How do you solve a problem like an unprecedented city budget deficit? Over the last few months of budget planning, Portland leaders suggested a host of ways to close the roughly $93 million gap, from closing community centers and cutting positions in the Urban Forestry department, to slashing parks maintenance funds. To members of the […]

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Amended Budget Approval Underscores Rifts Among Portland City Councilors

Councilor Steve Novick says community centers are off the chopping block after Council agreed to divert $2M from police to parks. 
Avatar photoAvatar photo Courtney Vaughn and Taylor Griggs

With more than 120 proposed budget amendments and nearly 12 hours of deliberations, Portland City Council worked until midnight Wednesday to pass an $8.5 billion 2025-26 budget.  The budget, which is scheduled for final adoption on June 18, includes additional funding for homeless shelter beds and public safety, but it also relies on deep cuts […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Election Results, a New (Bad) Vaccine Policy, and it’s Budget Amendment Day in Portland

Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

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! It’s gonna be cloudy and temperate today, in the high […]

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At This Cully Church, an Unwanted Parking Lot Is Now a Garden Refuge

Portland nonprofit Depave led the effort to transform a slab of blacktop behind a church into a thriving green space. The city’s zoning code didn’t make it easy. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church had a pavement problem. The church, located in Northeast Portland’s Cully neighborhood, was surrounded with space for car parking—well beyond what congregants needed or wanted. And the excess blacktop had consequences.  In the summer, the unused parking lot on the south side of the church trapped and radiated heat into […]

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After Manufacturer Backlash, DEQ Delays Clean Truck Rule

Enforcement of the Advanced Clean Truck rule, intended to reduce diesel emissions in Oregon, has been delayed until 2027. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Oregon’s attempts to curtail diesel emissions are in jeopardy following a state decision to delay enforcement of the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule until 2027.  The ACT rule, which was approved by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Commission in 2021, seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from high-polluting diesel engines by requiring truck […]

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With Vision Zero Resolution, City Councilor Wants Portland to Renew Traffic Safety Vows

Since Portland pledged to eliminate traffic fatalities in 2015, deadly crashes have hit 30-year highs. Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane wants the city to reaffirm its commitment to addressing the crisis. 
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Just about 10 years have passed since Portland City Council first adopted a Vision Zero resolution in June 2015, setting the goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on the city’s streets. At the time, city leaders said that even though it didn’t set target dates to accomplish its goals or dedicate funding to […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Blazers For Sale, Updates on the Big, Hideous Bill in Congress, and RFK Jr Wants Kids’ Teeth to Rot

Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’snews 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 and […]

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Advocates, Transit Agencies Say Oregon Legislators’ Transportation Package Proposal Falls Short

With public transit and safety programs on the line, Democrats are under pressure to find more funding. Increasing the gas and payroll taxes could be part of the solution.
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Hilda Perez lives with her family in Forest Grove, where she relies on the bus to get around. While Perez said “public transportation has been a lifeline,” it’s not always easy or safe for her to use. After moving to a neighborhood with minimal public transit service, Perez said she now is forced to walk […]

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