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 Wednesday. It’s going to be cooler out […]
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
Councilor Mitch Green Suggests Borrowing Money from PCEF to Fund Parks
Green’s proposal comes as Mayor Keith Wilson floats deep cuts to Portland Parks & Recreation to fill a budget shortfall.
As Portland leaders grapple with a major citywide budget shortfall, some have sought potential relief from one of the city’s most prosperous initiatives—the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF). The fund, which collects a 1 percent tax on local sales at large retailers to pay for carbon reduction projects, has found major financial success […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Ways to Celebrate May Day, Gretchen Whitmer and Trump Share a Controversial Embrace, and Ron Wyden Isn’t Helping Us Beat the Gerontocracy Allegations
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! Temp check: We’ll be in the high 60s today. […]
Posted inCommunity & Activism
Protest, Organize, Celebrate: May Day 2025 in Portland
The federal government’s attacks on workers, immigrants, and marginalized people make May Day all the more relevant and important.
This Thursday is May Day—also known as International Workers’ Day—and Portland is showing up. From a rally hosted by the Portland Association of Teachers on May 1 to weekend events for the working stiffs who can’t call out, Portlanders have options for how they want to celebrate workers’ rights. If the day’s title reminds you […]
Posted inCity Guide 2025
See Your City on a Bike!
Explore the often unseen Portland with these four routes that cover a variety of situations.
[Read all of the articles in our Portland Fun Guide HERE! Looking for a print copy? Look at this handy-dandy map!—eds.] Everyone knows Portland is a great city for biking. But once you have your bike, and you’re on the street getting ready to push the pedals, you may find yourself wondering: Where should I […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: PGE Forest Park Plan Faces Frosty Reception in City Hall, (Some) Oregon Colleges Join the Resistance, and RFK Jr. Continues to Show No Regard for Health or Human Services
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! That’s right, it’s Wednesday again, and I have news to […]
Posted inNews
City Council to Overturn Hearings Officer’s Approval of PGE Forest Park Plan
All 12 members of the council indicated they would reject the plan at an appellate hearing last week. Their decision underscores the broader implications of the utility project to people on both sides of the issue.
Portland General Electric’s proposed utility project in Forest Park, which would require removing nearly 400 trees in order to make way for transmission upgrades, has been a source of controversy in the city since it was announced last year. A recent City Council move to reject the plan marks the latest snag for PGE’s project—and […]
Posted inNews
Update: Using K9, Tear Gas, and Robots, Police Arrest Man Involved in Previous Standoff
Following crisis negotiations that ended without arrest earlier in the week, police returned to NW Portland for a tense arrest of an unhoused man with warrants.
Updated: 8:40 am Thursday, April 17 Portland police officers returned to Northwest Portland Wednesday afternoon, to effectuate the arrest of a man involved in an armed standoff earlier in the week. Police used a bevy of weapons, including tear gas, a police K9, a flash bang device, and robots to force 44-year-old Raul Nava, Jr. […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: White House Targets PSU International Students, More Details About Monday’s Police Standoff in NW Portland, and Trump Hates Big Bird and High-Quality News
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 […]
Posted inNews
Does a “Big Tent” Approach to Labor Include Police Unions?
The Portland Police Association’s bid to join the Northwest Oregon Labor Council has sparked backlash.
When members of Portland’s broader labor ecosystem found out about the city police union’s bid to join the Northwest Oregon Labor Council (NOLC), many immediately reacted with suspicion. While the Portland Police Association (PPA) and NOLC leaders said their goal was to bring workers of all stripes together, labor activists and police critics were doubtful, […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Urban Forestry’s Getting Sued, No More CAHOOTS in Eugene, and Trump’s Tariffs Are Upsetting the Manosphere
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 […]
Posted inNews
At a Massive “Hands Off” Rally, Portlanders Protest Trump From All Angles
On April 5, protesters took to the streets in cities across the US. Portland’s event showed the diversity of opinions in the anti-Trump movement.
Portlanders took to the streets en masse on April 5 to participate in the city’s “Hands Off” mass mobilization, with thousands of people filling up the downtown waterfront to rally against the Trump administration. The event, organized by the groups 50501 and Rose City Indivisible, began at the Japanese American Historical Plaza, but the crowd—which […]