Sorry, youre still not invited to march in the parade!
Sorry, you're still not invited to march in the parade! Multnomah County Sheriff's Department

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IN LOCAL NEWS:

• After six months of negotiation, Portland's police union wants to move contract talks into private mediation, claiming the city just isn't taking their needs seriously. (Orrrrr maybe they just don't want the public to witness their shenanigans?) Our Alex Zielinski has the details!

• The Multnomah County DA's office announced that a 23-year-old Troutdale man will be sentenced to five years in prison for setting a fire near a police precinct during last year's racial justice demonstrations, as well as other various felonies unrelated to the protests.

• Following a very weird spray-painting attack by a neighborhood "Karen," the city announced that at some point the statue/bust of York—an enslaved member of the Lewis & Clark expedition—will have to come down because it's not built for the weather. But all ideas are on the table about what it will be replaced with, including another bust of York. (Sorry "Karen," it probably won't be you!)

• Yes, the pandemic has messed up some of the fun of the annual Pride festival, but in our new Pride Guide dropping this week, Andrew Jankowski has some GREAT (and hilarious) ideas to improve the city's best party next year!

* Today in DEFUND COP PRIDE CARS:

IN NATIONAL NEWS:

• Like the cops, Mitch McConnell CANNOT BE REFORMED: The Senate Minority Turd said that if the Republicans regain the Senate, it's "highly unlikely" they'd let Biden pick a Supreme Court justice in 2024.

• Not that America necessarily needs it right now, but the new Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is being lauded by its makers for its effectiveness (90 percent) and ability to stand up to variants. It's expected to head to the FDA for approval soon.

• ON THE OTHER HAND: Experts are becoming increasingly worried about the Delta COVID variant that's on the rise in the US and which could cause a surge of severe illness this fall in unvaccinated Americans.

• Decidedly UN-shocking headline of the day: "Coronavirus infections dropping where people are vaccinated and rising where they are not, Post analysis finds."

• Former National Security Agency contractor (and majestically named) Reality Winner has been released from prison for good behavior after being sentenced for leaking classified information about Russia's attempts to hack the 2016 presidential election.

• RIP actor Ned Beatty (Deliverance, Network, Nashville, and so much more!) who has died at the age of 83.

• From the makers of HUMP! and SPLIFF comes a new film fest that features short documentaries made by YOU! It's called SCOOP! and you can find out more about it here.

• And now... THE WEATHER REPORT: Sun and showers tomorrow with a high of 70.

• And finally, ERCOT (the Texas power commission that royally fucked up during last winter's ice storm leaving millions without electricity for days) is at it again, asking Texans to now reduce their electricity use due to the soaring temps because so many of their power plants are mysteriously offline. Here's the hilarious Blair Erskine as an ERCOT spokesperson just trying to do her job!