Mayor's Roundtable Aims to Reinvigorate Central City, With or Without Key Stakeholders 

A close look at the group’s membership shows who gets to decide the future of downtown.

City Issues Report Clearing Zenith Energy of Alleged Violations

Environmental advocates and city councilors remain skeptical, saying the investigation may have excluded critical context.

Update: Supporters to Rally Thursday Over Funding Cuts to Innovative PCC Music Program

Students and faculty are trying to save Portland Community College’s modernized music program that could soon disappear. 

Update: Portland Housing Bureau's Unspent Funds Reach $106 Million

News of the unspent money comes two months after city councilors learned the city's Rental Services Office amassed $21 million in revenue, which went unreported for months.

Proposed Renter Support Bill May Divert Some Funds to Developers

A proposal to use $21M in unspent funds for rent assistance could be marred by efforts to reappropriate funds toward a cash-strapped housing project.

Legacy Emanuel Sends Cease and Desist to Nurses Union Over ICE Statements

Oregon Nurses Association previously spoke out about alleged patient privacy violations of ICE detainees who receive medical care at the Legacy facility.

City Council Elects Jamie Dunphy as New President

Olivia Clark voted council vice president, capping off days of heated deliberation and stalemate votes

Update: City Councilor Apologizes After Lashing Out at Press After Mercury Story About Offensive Group Chat

Councilor Dan Ryan initially said he lacked appropriate context for a statement. Here are the receipts.

"Racist, Dehumanizing": Chat Images Show Portland Power Players Disparaging Councilors of Color 

Messages obtained by the Mercury contain a slew of offensive tropes sent during a council president election.

After Border Patrol Agent Shoots Two People In Portland, Oregon AG Vows to Investigate

Update: Homeland Security identifies man and woman shot and injured during an encounter with immigration agents in East Portland. Oregon officials are imploring DHS to leave the state.

Update: Still No Council President After Full Day of Deliberation and Votes 

Public awaits zephyr of white smoke from council chambers announcing who holds the gavel in 2026

Mayor to Force Some Homeless Portlanders from Alternative Shelters in February

Wilson says people living in city-run alternative shelters need incentives to move from shelter to housing. The city and county are already overwhelmed.

Mercury 2025 Recap: Housing and Homelessness

Mercury 2025 Recap: Portland City Council's First Year

We asked councilors to reflect on their achievements and give us a sneak peek at what's to come in 2026.

372 Multnomah County Residents Died While Homeless in 2024

Multnomah County's Domicile Unknown report shows 18% decline in homeless deaths from 2023 to 2024. Overdose, transportation, assault are main contributors.