A memorial for Robert Delgado who was killed by Portland police in Lents Park on Friday.
A memorial for Robert Delgado who was killed by Portland police in Lents Park on Friday. Alex Zielinski

Here's your daily roundup of all the latest local and national news. (Like our coverage? Please consider making a recurring contribution to the Mercury to keep it comin'!)

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• ICYMI: Portland saw its first fatal police shooting of the year Friday. According to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), Officer Zachary DeLong fatally shot 46-year-old Robert Douglas Delgado in Lents Park after responding to an alert of a man with a gun in the area. There are many questions that are still unanswered, and we're staying on the story. However, here's what we do know about the deceased.

•Today opened up the vaccine floodgates for Oregon, with all adults over the age of 16 becoming eligible for a dose. That's a LOT of people! If you need help with tips 'n' tricks for scoring a vaccine appointment, check out our handy primer!

• The Oregon Health Authority is also considering "indefinitely" keeping mask and social distance requirements in effect inside businesses, at least until the pandemic is fully in our rear view mirror. Of course, the wailing cry-babies who have complained this entire time are still complaining.

• Must read thread of the day:

• The Portland area (Milwaukie specifically) now has its own queer-owned skatepark designed to be a "space that felt more welcoming to everyone on the outskirts of skateboarding," which sounds so cool! Our Blair Stenvick has more.

IN NATIONAL NEWS:

• Closing arguments have been completed, and jury deliberations have begun in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis cop who killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for nearly nine-and-a-half minutes. In the final moments of the trial, the judge waved away the defense's request for a mistrial based on remarks made by California Rep. Maxine Waters at a protest—though the judge had scathing remarks for Waters as well. The nail-biting can now begin, and here's what you can expect from the deliberations.

• According to a medical examiner, Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick died of natural causes following the domestic terrorist attack of January 6, due to a blot clot at the base of his brain that caused him to suffer two strokes. While the chemical irritants shot at cops by the Trumpers may not have led directly to his death, the medical examiner did note that "all that transpired [that day] played a role in his condition."

• Because of the Republicans' refusal to do anything to restrict gun ownership in this country, two more mass shootings occurred over the weekend—one in Chicago, the other in Austin, Texas—and at least nine people were killed. (The former law enforcement officer suspected of the Austin killings has been captured.) This marks the sixth large-scale mass shooting of 2021.

• Oh, and this literally came in as I was writing the above blurb: "Nine injured after gunfire erupts at 12-year-old's birthday party in Louisiana." So make that the seventh large-scale mass shooting.

• Speaking of disturbing headlines: "Recent poll finds nearly half of Texas voters are in favor of Matthew McConaughey becoming governor." (Maybe they should find out where he stands politically first?)

• Time to get wild, space nerds! NASA’s experimental helicopter Ingenuity took off today from the surface of Mars, making it the first powered aircraft to ever fly on another planet, and will significantly increase our ability to explore the surface.

• HELLO, STONERS! You will be pleased to know that SPLIFF—the short flick film festival about cannabis and all things "stoned"—has kicked off and is currently running through April 24, socan get your tickets NOW.

• Let’s celebrate! The Portland Mercury’s PIZZA WEEK is back, starting today and running through Sunday, April 25! Check out all the slices you can score for a measly $2 each! (Whole pies are available, too!)

• And now... THE WEATHER REPORT: Another gorgeous day tomorrow with a high of 75!

• And finally, we don't usually advertise random products in Good Afternoon, News... but today we make the exception.