Celebrations and tears following the announcement that former officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd.
Celebrations and tears following the announcement that former officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd. SARAH SILBIGER / GETTY IMAGES

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'!)

THE BIG STORY:
• After deliberating for less than a day, the jury in the Derek Chauvin murder trial has returned with a verdict: GUILTY ON ALL THREE COUNTS (unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter) in the slow, excruciating, and cruel death of George Floyd. Until his sentencing in three weeks (for which he could get up to 40 years in prison), former Officer Chauvin has been remanded to custody. While many are rejoicing that the jury made the right and moral call (especially because it involves the police who routinely get away with killing suspects), Floyd is still dead, and people—particularly those of color—are still being routinely killed by cops on a regular basis.

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Moments before a jury declared Derek Chauvin guilty for the murder of George Floyd, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler announced a 24-hour-long state of emergency across Portland. But "regardless of the verdict," Wheeler said, it was important to prepare for demonstrations and potential criminal activity, in light of recent demonstrations by police abolitionists. Our Alex Zielinski has the details.

• The Portland Police Bureau has released dispatch audio recordings detailing the minutes leading up to the moment Officer Zachary DeLong fatally shot 46-year-old Robert Delgado at Lents Park last Friday, as well as making public photos of a replica handgun they allege Delgado was carrying at the time of his death. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this new information raises even more questions about what really happened. Our Alex Zielinski has more.

• Oregon legislators have approved a new measure that would increase the notification time (at least 72 hours) for houseless people to leave an area before being forced to leave. It would also require letting the unhoused folk know where their things are being stored following the sweep.

• If you're looking for some great movies and TV to watch on 4/20 (which is to say while BAKED OUT OF YOUR MIND), our Blair Stenvick has some excellent suggestions for you!

IN NATIONAL NEWS:

• Another day in America, another shooting: One person is dead and two others were wounded when a gunman opened fire in a Long Island grocery store. According to police, the suspect is in custody.

• The European Medicines Agency—which regulates drugs in the European Union—say they have found a “possible link” between Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine and extremely rare blood clots. And while they advise adding a warning label, they also heartily recommend people keep using it as the benefits clearly outweigh the very small risks.

• President Biden is pledging that the US will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least in half by the end of this decade—but of course that will take cooperation from Republicans who plans on doubling their obstructions.

• Today in "Saaaaad Trommmboooone": "Ted Nugent, who once dismissed Covid-19, tells fans he's tested positive for it."

• Walter Mondale, champion of civil rights and vice president under Jimmy Carter, has died at the age of 93.

• 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, so a href="https://www.splifffilmfest.com/">get your tickets NOW.

• Let’s celebrate! The Portland Mercury’s PIZZA WEEK is back 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 77! (But watch out... clouds are on their way.)

• And finally....