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Hi plz stop sentencing people to death.
"Hi plz stop sentencing people to death." Franco Origlia / Getty Images

Good morning, Portland! We're looking at a high of 77 today, the perfect temperature for riding a Scroot. Here's the news you need to start your day.

This Is a Big Deal: Pope Francis has deemed the death penalty inadmissible in all cases, “because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.” Thanks, God.

Post-Mugabe: On Monday, Zimbabwe held its first election since ousting longtime president Robert Mugabe. By Wednesday, at least three people had died at the hands of state police for protesting what many believe to be a rigged election.

Manafort in Court: It's day 3 of the federal trial against human slime mold Paul Manafort. Here's what's happened so far (mostly conversations about stupidly expensive suits)—and what to expect from the case today.


Brad News: Oregon Labor Comissioner Brad Avakin has filed a complaint accusing Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek of ignoring the multiple complaints of sexual harassment against former Senator Jeff Kruse before they became public in 2017. Republican candidate for governor Knute Buehler wants both Democrats to resign over it.

Can She Do That? The Department of Justice is investigating a complaint filed by a Portland resident against Governor Kate Brown, claiming her negotiations with Nike and labor groups to keep a corporate transparency bill off Oregon's November ballot were illegal.

Rent Strike! A group of rightfully pissed-off tenants are withholding their August rent from their landlord until he improves their unsafe apartments and/or rolls back rent hikes.

ICEmelt: Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw is the latest local official to speak up about accusations made by a lawyer for a Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employee union. Here's what she said.

P.S. That lawyer, Sean Riddell, used to work for the Oregon Justice Department‚ but was asked to resign for deleting a "large number" of important emails (and having a track record of letting his "bad cop" ego bungle major cases).

Meanwhile: The internet's MAGA squad wants Mayor Ted Wheeler in jail.


Religious Freedom: The ACLU of Oregon has submitted a new amicus brief in the case against the federal government regarding the 121 immigrants being held in a Sheridan prison. The filing asks the court to let the remaining 74 prisoners practice their religions while incarcerated—a civil right they have allegedly been denied.

History Lessons: Portland State University will begin offering state's first bachelor's degree in Indigenous Nations and Native American Studies this fall.

Pickathon Picks: Your favorite woodsy-chic music fest starts today, Portland. Are you prepared? Here's a list of the top 12 artists Mercury staff say you shouldn't miss.


AND NOW, FOR THE FIRST ROBYN SONG IN EIGHT YEARS: