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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

PPS and the Teachers’ Union Ratified a Contract Agreement. Now What?

While the teachers’ strike is officially over, questions remain over calendar changes, and students are frustrated after being left out of decision making.
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Portland Public Schools (PPS) educators and students returned to the classroom on Monday, November 27, after a nearly month-long teachers’ strike. But before the contract agreement between PPS and the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) union could be called a done deal, the union and school board had to vote to ratify it. On Tuesday, […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Teachers and School Board Vote “Yes” on Contract, Search and Rescue on Mt. Hood, and No Catholic Guilt at Climate Conference

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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! Have you had an $8 holiday drink yet, courtesy of the Portland Mercury‘s […]

Posted inTeachers Strike

With a Tentative Agreement Reached Between PPS and Teachers’ Union, Students Will Return To School

If the union and school board approve the tentative agreement, the historic Portland Public Schools strike will officially come to an end.
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After a lengthy and historic strike, Portland Public Schools (PPS) administration and its teachers’ union reached a tentative contract agreement. Though the agreement has yet to be ratified by members of the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) union or the PPS school board— both will need to sign off on the terms of the contract […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: City Council Candidate Lowdown, Magic Mushroom Centers, and Catholic Guilt: Climate Solution?

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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 Thanksgiving eve. Today is a wonderful day […]

Posted inNews

Disagreement About Class Size Decisions Fueling Teachers’ Strike Stalemate

Amid weeks-long strike, the teachers’ union says parents should help make decisions about how many students can be enrolled in a class. PPS board members disagree.
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Portland Public Schools (PPS) teachers and district management have been negotiating a new contract for the better part of a year, with educators proposing substantial cost-of-living-adjustments, mental health support reform, and more. But as the PPS teachers’ strike nears the three-week mark, it appears the final sticking point in contract negotiations is about whether or […]

Posted inTeachers Strike

After the Teachers’ Strike, How Will PPS Make Up For Lost Time?

The strike is still ongoing, but concerns about students meeting educational requirements are taking hold.
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While recent bargaining developments may increase the chances of Portland Public Schools (PPS) students being back in school before the end of November, the PPS teachers’ strike— currently on day 12— is already one of the longest in recent American history. No matter when the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) union and PPS management come […]

Posted inNews

City Hopes Clean Energy Funds Will Help End Teachers Strike as It Surpasses the Two-Week Mark

With Thanksgiving Break days away, PPS and the teachers’ union still haven’t reached a contract agreement. City officials hope fast-tracked clean energy funds will help.
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Update: Portland Public Schools announced late Thursday that students will not return to school until at least November 27. Educators from Portland Public Schools (PPS) began their historic strike on November 1, temporarily shutting down more than 80 schools across the city. Since then, little progress has been made to relax the stalemate between the […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Baby Elephants, Fighting Congressman, and THE HOLIDAY GUIDE IS HERE

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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! We got some nice autumn sun yesterday, but the rain is set to […]

Posted inHoliday Guide 2023

The (White) Elephant In the Room

Sometimes a white elephant gift exchange goes awry. Other times, you end up with a portable bidet that can put out fires.
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Choosing a present for a white elephant gift exchange is a daunting endeavor. Historically, the term “white elephant” (which apparently originates from royal gift-giving customs surrounding real white elephants in Southeast Asia) has referred to unwanted possessions that are difficult to get rid of. Wrap your shit up in red and green wrapping paper and […]

Posted inNews

“We Don’t Cross Picket Lines”: Benson High School Construction Workers Walk Off The Job In Solidarity With Striking Teachers

“We aren’t gonna build this thing if [PPS] doesn’t meet their demands,” one union electrician said.
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Construction workers have been onsite at Benson Polytechnic High School’s inner Northeast Portland campus for more than two years, laboring away at the $300 million school modernization project set to be complete next summer. But in the last few days, workers at Benson have walked off the job in solidarity with members of the Portland […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Portland Police Will Get An Independent Monitor, Shrek Raves, and The End of the Hollywood Strike

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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! We got some sunshine yesterday, but today it’s back to […]

Posted inTeachers Strike

PPS Unions Representing Administrative, Cafeteria, and Custodial Workers Request Mediation

The PPS labor relations crisis isn’t limited to the ongoing teachers’ strike.
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In the midst of the ongoing Portland Public Schools (PPS) teachers strike, two other unions representing school employees have filed for mediation with the district. The decision comes after months of failed bargaining between the district and non-teacher school employees, and demonstrates how PPS’ labor relations turmoil extends far beyond its educators’ union.  Last Friday, […]

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