It can be easy to take public libraries for granted. The free (tax-funded) service allows anyone with a library card to skim through books, access resources like computers and public archives, or just chill out in a climate-controlled space. “It’s a real anti-capitalist move to utilize the library,” said Katie O’Dell, a Multnomah County Library […]
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
Portland Youths Call for Local, State Climate Action at Annual Climate Strike
Hundreds of Portlanders gathered Friday, Sept. 15 to demand Gov. Tina Kotek declare a climate emergency and take action against Zenith Energy.
“Tina Kotek, listen up! All the youth have risen up.” This was one of many chants that echoed through downtown streets during the Portland Youth Climate Strike (PYCS) last Friday, September 15. The strike, which saw teens leave school to march downtown, was held on an unseasonably warm September day, with temperatures in the 90s, […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Portland Gets Organized, Toodles, Ted, and Congressional Hijinks Enter The Realm of the Dramatic —Literally
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! Want a weather report? That was a rhetorical question, […]
Posted inlabor
Organizing Portland: Local Labor Organizers See Surge in Union Solidarity, Diversity
Independent union membership is growing at Portland retail stores, restaurants, and even strip clubs. Longstanding unions are also receiving community support.
For the last several months, union activity in Portland has appeared to surge, matching the national energy toward worker’s rights particularly demonstrated by the ongoing, high-profile Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. And Portland labor organizers say it’s not all hype: Union membership is growing across all industries, and it’s here to stay. “In […]
Posted inTransportation
TriMet Joins Portland’s War on Drugs
After a study found negligible amounts of meth and fentanyl residue on transit, TriMet calls for a “crackdown.” Experts recommend a more nuanced approach.
A recent study from the University of Washington (UW) revealed new insights about the prevalence of fentanyl and methamphetamine on public transit in Portland. The UW study showed the presence of airborne remnants of both drugs on buses and light rail cars in Seattle and Portland, though transit agencies say the amounts are minuscule—one public […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Goodnight, Sweet Rev. Nat’s Cider, A Time-Released Arts Festival, and Don’t Worry, Guys, Mitch McConnell Says He’s Totally Fine
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! In case you haven’t heard, the Mercury has another […]
Posted inFall Arts 2023
Why Were So Many Libraries Closed This Summer?
Seven of 19 Multnomah County libraries are currently closed for renovation—here’s why.
It can be easy to take public libraries for granted. The free (tax-funded) service allows anyone with a library card to skim through books, access resources like computers and public archives, or just chill out in a climate-controlled space. “It’s a real anti-capitalist move to utilize the library,” said Katie O’Dell, a Multnomah County Library […]
Posted inNews
Missing the Forest and the Trees: How City Politics Are Getting in the Way of Portland’s Tree Canopy
Experts say trees play a key role in combating the effects of climate change, but Portland’s convoluted system has led to confusion and neglect.
New York and Chicago have towering skyscrapers. San Francisco has classic Victorian houses. Here in Portland, we have trees. From mammoth Douglas-firs to an impressive, multispecies roster of Heritage Trees all over the city, Portland is a dendrophile’s paradise—at least, that has long been the city’s narrative. Portland’s lush tree canopy isn’t distributed equally across […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Portland City Council Candidates Emerge, The Return of the Mighty Bike Bus, and LOTS ABOUT REPTILES
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! YOU GUYS. It’s raining, like REALLY raining. You don’t […]
Posted inNews
2024 Election: Portland City Council Candidates Already Scrambling For Public Campaign Dollars
With new City Council districts confirmed, campaigns are already underway for 12 council seats.
The next Portland City Council election isn’t until November 2024, but candidates are already announcing their intent to run. Since the beginning of August, five people have filed paperwork with the city’s Small Donor Elections Program, signaling forthcoming bids for City Council. Another five people filed campaign finance forms with the state, making 10 City […]
Posted inNews
Low Pay and High Consequences: PSU Adjuncts Say Treatment of Part-Time Instructors Reveals Institutional Problems
Adjunct faculty at Portland State University, currently bargaining for higher wages, say they aren’t being fairly paid for their contribution to Portland’s largest university.
Adjunct instructors at Portland State University (PSU) say they play a critical role at the school, but aren’t being treated fairly by university management. PSU is Portland’s only public university and the second-largest college in the state, with a total enrollment of a little more than 22,000 students. In order to educate so many students, […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: More Andy Ngo Hijinks, Outdoor Dining in Portland is Here to Stay, and, YES, THE MUGSHOT WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR
Good morning, Portland! Happy Friday to all. It’s gonna be hot again this weekend…but did you hear the RAIN last night?? I fell asleep to the sound, and it was glorious. Perhaps we’ll get lucky and there will be more next week, as is currently on the forecast. (Can you tell I’m counting down the days […]