Abe Asher

Abe Asher

Abe Asher covers city news, politics, and soccer for the Portland Mercury. His reporting has appeared in The Nation, VICE News, Sahan Journal, and other outlets.
News Jun 13 3:45 PM

Portland School District Considers Bringing Back Cops —At a Distance

Pilot program aims to restore Portland Public Schools' relationship with police, after shootings near campuses earlier this year.

News May 30 4:53 PM

State Finds Portland Public Schools Wasn’t at Fault For Bus Driver Who Espoused Religious Views to Students

Parent expresses frustration over school district’s push for the driver to remain on his route, despite prior incidents

News May 29 8:00 AM

Nonprofits Say Social Service Workers Are Dangerously Close To Needing Services They’re Paid To Provide

Community organizations call on city, counties to build better wages into nonprofit contracts.

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Say Nice Things About… Portland Sports!

“Portland isn’t a good sports town”? We beg to differ.

News May 15 12:49 PM

Democratic Lawmakers Are Advancing a Domestic Terrorism Bill That Some Say Is Ripe for Abuse

HB 2772 was crafted to punish extremist attacks, but activists worry it will be used to target climate and racial justice protesters.

News May 11 3:27 PM

Portland Parent Says Public School Bus Driver Encouraged Prayer, Religious Singing

Oregon’s education agency warns district could lose funding if religious activity took place on Faubion School route.

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Homeless May 10 3:20 PM

Unhoused and Unaided

Despite ADA laws, Portland-area shelters struggle to accommodate people with disabilities.

News Apr 27 4:42 PM

OMSI Employees Push For Living Wage As Museum Plans Massive Expansion

Staff say unionization isn’t off the table, but diversity of staff positions, rate of turnover present challenges for organizers

News Apr 11 1:00 PM

Progressives Fear Portland NAACP’s New Leadership Is Backing Away from Social Justice

A forced resignation and controversial management have cast doubt on the organization’s agenda.

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News Apr 7 2:16 PM

Downtown Starbucks Workers Say Company Used Illegal Tactics to Thwart Unionization

Critics say corporation’s attempts to capitalize on labor agency’s backlog have had a chilling effect on union organizing.

News Mar 13 1:00 PM

Climate Change and the Housing Crisis are Burdening Portland’s Emergency Shelter System

Emergency officials say the only true solution is housing.

parks Mar 10 12:45 PM

Luxury Business vs. Public Use: The Battle for Portland’s Historic O’Bryant Square

Can the public plaza find common ground between social services and business interests?

Coronavirus Mar 3 10:52 AM

Oregon to End Healthcare Mask Requirement April 3

The announcement comes as the US moves to end the COVID-19 emergency declaration.

Timbers Feb 24 10:00 AM

Timbers 2023 Season Preview: What You Can Expect On the Field… and Off

The Timbers kickoff their thirteenth season Monday night.

Coronavirus Feb 23 11:30 AM

Oregon’s Possible Removal of COVID Precautions Prompts Mixed Reactions

Despite the continued spread of COVID, health officials say rolling back pandemic safety measures is necessary to preserve public trust in emergency situations.