A wave of Oregon evictions have started, but many are unaware of help from the state that could stop it.
A wave of Oregon evictions have started, but many are unaware of help from the state that could stop it. Bill Oxford / iStock / Getty Images

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IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Oregon’s moratorium on evictions ended on June 30, and the wave of evictions began in earnest. Unfortunately, thousands of renters are unaware of the funding and help available to them from the state. Our Alex Zielinski tells their stories, and provides the information they need to get rental relief.

• Gov. Brown has ordered (but not mandated) that all Oregon healthcare workers must get vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID testing. Which makes me think, “Okay, which of these buttholes weren’t getting vaccinated before?” (Our Isabella Garcia has more on the story.)

• The number of Oregonians being hospitalized by COVID jumped to 457 today (35 more than yesterday)—nearly all thanks to the highly contagious, and more dangerous, Delta variant sweeping the state. 1,382 new known cases were reported today as well as eight deaths.

• Not an abuse of power, LIKE AT ALL: Portland police officer Sean W. DiGregorio resigned while under investigation for allegedly getting drunk in multiple bars, flashing his badge around, and telling everyone he was on an undercover “sting” operation. (Oh, and he also tried to hit a patron in the face as well.) But nothing in his training told him NOT to do anything of these things, right??

• In case you missed Oregonian Ryan Crouser’s gold-winning shot put throw at the Olympics, you should check it out. It’s herculean!

• If you were not so fond of the last Suicide Squad movie, there’s a good chance you’ll like this incarnation better! (Or at least that’s what flick critic Chase Hutchinson has to say about it in his latest review.)

IN NATIONAL NEWS:

• Looks like Portland isn’t the only big city whose cops are being looked at by the Department of Justice. The DOJ is also investigating the Phoenix police department over allegations of using excessive force against peaceful protesters and abusing their houseless community.

• More and more public health experts are lining up to agree: The Delta variant of COVID is very “different,” and no matter where you live in America—vaccinated or not—you should be masking up indoors and getting tested if you have symptoms.

• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott—in an apparent bid to see if he can out-Trump Trump—is calling a second special session with the intention of not only restricting voting rights, but to ban masks at school, ramp up immigration enforcement, and prevent trans kids from playing on sports teams. WHAT A PRINCE.

• In related news… I’m just going to leave this paragraph right here: “A Texas Republican leader who was hospitalized with COVID-19 died Wednesday, just days after he shared a post on social media questioning the effectiveness of the coronavirus vaccine.”

• Watch out, creeps: Apple has revealed a new plan in which they intend to scan iPhones and iPads for any evidence of child pornography or text messages to kids containing explicit content.

• Though the journey was rocky with occasional shocking losses, the US Women’s soccer team still pulled through with a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics after defeating Australia, 4-3.

• In #FreeBritney news: Britney Spears’ lawyer has filed a court motion to immediately remove her father, Jamie Spears, as the conservator of her estate. She’s hoping to replace him with a forensic accountant to sniff out if there’s been any misuse of funds while dad was holding the purse strings.

• REJOICE! Portland’s favorite food event is back! Sample 37 delicious, one-of-a-kind burgers from the greatest local restaurants (and only $6 each). It’s the Mercury’s PORTLAND BURGER WEEK, coming at you August 16-22!

• Look your best (and support local journalism) by purchasing a new Mercury T-shirt! Check out this month’s hot designs here!

• And now… THE WEATHER REPORT: Possible morning showers tomorrow (yes, please!) with a cool high of 75 degrees.

• And finally, first there was regular COVID, and now there’s the Delta variant?? What’s next?? NEW COKE???

Bang bang, choo-choo train, let me see you shake that thang. Wm. Steven Humphrey is the editor-in-chief of the Portland Mercury and has held the job since 2000. (So don’t get any funny ideas.)