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Getty Images / Mario Tama

Good morning, Portland! It's *allegedly* August, and it's verifiably going to be another toasty summer day. Let's get you up to speed on this morning's news:

- For months, we've comforted ourselves with the idea that a COVID-19 vaccine is the one things standing between this current dystopia and a return to normalcy. Surprise: Public health experts say it's not going to be that simple.

- Trump has escalated his assault on the US Postal Service and a November vote-by-mail election, now claiming that children will steal ballots out of mailboxes (and other theories). Finally, someone is shining light on the child thieves that have plagued Oregon's vote-by-mail system for decades. In the meantime: Support USPS by purchasing stamps or legitimately rad t-shirts from its online store!

- Wilford Brimley, the actor with that glorious walrus mustache, has died. This morning, we're pouring out a bowl of oatmeal in his honor.

- If you're stumped why the US has struggled for decades to rein in abusive, corrupt police officers, you need to first understand the unique power of police unions in this country. Start with the New Yorker's excellent deep-dive.

- Oregon's poised to kick off another special legislative session on August 10, this time focusing on closing the massive budget gap COVID-19 has dropped in our lap. Some legislators are also hoping to squeeze in a few stronger police reform bills, but it's not yet clear if they have the support.

- Gov. Kate Brown has announced a new statewide program offering two weeks of financial assistance to agricultural workers who must self-quarantine due to COVID-19. The workers do not need to be US citizens to receive the support.

- On Saturday, a group of protesters marched to a Eastside office for Multnomah County law enforcement, and were met by a line of sheriffs deputies and Portland police. Officers shone lights in protesters' eyes while several members of the public allegedly threw bottles at the police, which appeared to illicit this response:

- Multnomah County jail corrections officers have resisted following face mask requirements at work, placing vulnerable inmates at high risk of catching COVID-19.

- Former Portland Police Chief Jami Resch has been appointed to the bureau's executive team by Chief Chuck Lovell—two months after Lovell replaced Resch as the bureau's leader. (Don't worry, it makes my head spin, too.)

- Gresham has elected its first Black man to city council, 31-year-old Vince Jones-Dixon. Jones-Dixon was sworn into office last week. "I'm not looking for a pat on the back or a thank you," he told the Portland Tribune. "I'm just looking to be here — be at the table."

- And here's the food news (openings! closings! patios!) you need before starting yet another week where you must eat food.