Support Smart, Local Journalism
Make a Small Monthly Donation

Give now
Avatar photo

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 inBooks

The Newsletter Trying to Turn Portland into “Tennis City, USA”

Tennis Courterly’s editors insist it’s not a secret literary magazine. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Portland might not have professional tournaments or world-class tennis academies, and many of the city’s public courts have seen better days. But Portlander Tyler Pell sees potential in the city’s community tennis culture. He wants to make sure other people see it, too.  Enter Portland Tennis Courterly: The stylish, quarterly (get it?) newsletter devoted to […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: ODOT Starts Rose Quarter Construction, Flag Burners Beware, and Lori Chavez-DeRemer Wants to Sell Portland Out

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 […]

Posted inNews

Despite State Transportation Funding Crisis, Construction Begins on I-5 Rose Quarter Project

As legislators prepare to duke it out over transportation funding in a special session this week, ODOT has quietly broken ground on the first phase of the $2.1 billion freeway project.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) broke ground on the first phase of the I-5 Rose Quarter project this week—an event nearly a decade in the making. But the occasion commenced without fanfare. Even after years of buildup for the project, ODOT didn’t hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark its official start, nor did the […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: California Moves Forward With Redistricting Plan, Vancouver Woman Unearths a War Weapon and Portland, Prepare For a Nasty Heat Wave

Avatar photoAvatar photo Courtney Vaughn and 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 […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Radioactive Shrimp, DC Under Siege, and It’s Safe To Swim in the Willamette Again

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! The weather is going to be nice today, with temperatures […]

Posted inNews

Updated: The Willamette River is Swimmable Again, Health Officials Say

The Oregon Health Authority has lifted its advisory against recreating on the river, issued last week due to a toxic algae bloom.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Update August 19, 2025: The Oregon Health Authority lifted its advisory warning of a harmful algal bloom on the Willamette River, stating “water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Ross Island Lagoon and the Willamette River…are below recreational guideline values for people.” OHA continues to advise people be “alert to signs of […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Portland Pays Big for Police Wrongdoing, Hurricane Brewing in the Atlantic, and the Scoop on the Portland Meetings You Don’t Know About

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! Heyyyyyy. (Trying something new.) Good morning, Portland. I have good news! It’s not […]

Posted inNews

Portland’s Most Effective Channel For Addressing Community Concerns is a Back Door

The city’s Public Environment Management Office runs frequent community meetings and gets quick results. You just might not know about it. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Portland’s new form of government, which went into effect this year, was designed to make it more accessible for all residents to participate in city policy discussions. Still, most Portlanders struggle to figure out how to cut through layers of local bureaucracy to make their voices heard, with limited time and opportunities available to speak […]

Posted inNews

For a Glimpse Into Portland’s Thriving Future, Look to the River

After years of dedicated advocacy, Portland is getting on board with being a “swimmable city.”
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

“Everything exciting and imaginative that’s happening in Portland right now seems to be touching the river.”  That assessment comes from Willie Levenson, who may be biased, considering he’s spent the better part of two decades working to change Portland’s relationship with the Willamette River through his organization, Human Access Project. But his analysis rings true. […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: RFK Jr. Cancels Lifesaving Research, Some People Want Fred Meyer to Sell Liquor, and ChatGPT is a Toxic “Companion” to Teens

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 going to be unseasonably cool today, and we’re […]

Posted inNews

Supporters Pack Courtroom for Portlander Facing Federal Protest Charges

After weeks of surveillance, the FBI showed up to arrest Jacob Hoopes at gunpoint six weeks after his alleged offenses at a Portland ICE protest.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Robert Jacob Hoopes and his girlfriend looked out their bedroom window last Friday morning to find FBI agents surrounding their home. A minute later, the armed officers were pounding at their door, demanding they open up, reportedly without providing a warrant. Eventually, they learned the federal officers were there to arrest Hoopes, 24, for allegedly […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Massive Earthquake in Russia Triggers Tsunami Warnings and Advisories, Portland NIMBYs Are Out in Full Force, and the US Government Literally Hates the Whole World and Wants To See Us All Suffer

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! If you haven’t partaken in the Mercury‘s Summer of […]

Gift this article