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 set to be a cloudy one today, but […]
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.
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UPDATED: Loud, Polluting Leaf Blowers Are on Their Way Out of Portland
Portland City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to ban gas-powered leaf blowers starting in 2026.
UPDATED: March 13, 3 pm— City Council voted unanimously to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers at this morning’s meeting. The city will create incentives for small landscaping businesses to purchase electric leaf blowers so they can more easily comply with the ban, which will begin on a partial basis in 2026. By 2028, gas-powered leaf […]
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Multnomah County Commissioners Poised to Vote on Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution
The resolution, introduced by Commissioner Lori Stegmann, has been in the works for the last month. But pro-Palestine organizers are disappointed by what they see as a watered-down statement.
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners will discuss a resolution calling for a cease-fire in the war in Gaza at the county’s next board meeting Thursday, March 7. The resolution, initiated by Commissioner Lori Stegmann, comes amid mounting pressure for national and local elected officials to denounce the war that has resulted in the deaths […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Recriminalizing Drugs, World Record-Breaking Tongues, and Wendy’s Economics (Wendynomics?)
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! What’s up, y’all? It’s set to be a rainy and windy one […]
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Parkrose High School Students Speak Out Against Planned Freight Development
After years of neglect and environmental injustice, Northeast Portland teens want to turn the tide on plans for a diesel warehouse they say will pollute their school neighborhood
When Kiely Quintero thinks of the ideal future for the Parkrose neighborhood, where she lives and goes to school, she envisions a healthy, thriving community with accessible grocery stores and welcoming spaces for all. But Quintero says she’s already felt the impacts of environmental injustice living in the Parkrose neighborhood. The outer Northeast Portland neighborhood […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Rideshare Drivers Want Better Treatment, The Uncertain Future of Daylight Saving Time in Oregon, and DO NOT GO TO RARE REPTILE SHOWS!
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! A few announcements for you today: • It’s SANDWICH WEEK. […]
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Portland Rideshare Drivers Call for Government Reform to Fix Unfair Working Conditions
Workers cite low pay, a lack of fare transparency, and differences in worker protections in Oregon and Washington. Advocates say the path to change is through government action.
Bob Nesbitt had a long career in sales. After retirement, he turned to the gig economy to earn some extra income. Nesbitt, now 75, has been driving nearly full-time for Uber and Lyft in the Portland-Vancouver area for about seven years. Nesbitt said it’s been harder to rely on income from rideshare companies lately. His […]
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At Long Last, Portland’s Bike Ridership Is on the Mend. What Now?
After an alarming report last year revealed a major drop in cycling, Portland’s bike advocates want to change the narrative.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) released the city’s 2023 bicycle count data this week, revealing an uptick in bike ridership compared to the year prior. But among local bike advocates, the verdict is still out about how to interpret the new numbers. The initial findings from the 2023 report showed a nearly 5 percent […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Portland Jazz Club To Make a Comeback, Grover the Muppet Gets Owned By Cynical Journalists, and Happy Valentine’s Day, Lovebugs!
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 a very happy Valentine’s Day to you all. It’s […]
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Commissioner Rubio Faces Pushback for Proposal to Support Portland Street Response with Clean Energy Funds
Rubio has offered PSR a lifeline from the Portland Clean Energy Fund. Critics say Rubio is treating PCEF like a slush fund to boost her political aspirations.
Why should popular, valuable Portland initiatives wither away from a lack of funding when there’s a city treasure trove available to bail them out? That appeared to be the question on Commissioner Carmen Rubio’s mind when she offered Portland Street Response (PSR) a life raft in the form of $3 million from the Portland Clean […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Beloved Vegan Bar Announces Closure, Taylor Swift’s Private Jets, and IT’S THE VALENTINE ISSUE!!!
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 set to be a pretty normal February day in […]
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Darcelle XV Plaza, Formerly O’Bryant Square, Ignites Heated Debate About Public Space
The blighted downtown site is scheduled to make a comeback in 2025. Some worry plans are being heavily steered by the nearby Ritz-Carlton and other private interests.
Portland advocates for parks and public space were excited when city officials announced the plan to overhaul and reopen O’Bryant Square, the downtown park now named Darcelle XV Plaza, after the late, renowned drag performer. Now, roughly a year since the plaza’s rebirth process began, some early project stakeholders and local urban design leaders fear […]