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Good afternoon, Portland! Here's the latest on local news, national news, and a little bit of fun.
In local news:
⢠Portland's new policy requiring all city staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 doesn't apply to the city's police force, according to city attorneys. This news is a win for the Portland Police Association (PPA), the union representing rank-and-file Portland cops. So much for public safety!
⢠Portland City Council has delayed its vote to ban city dollars from benefiting Texas. The emergency resolution, originally scheduled for a Wednesday council vote, would prohibit city departments from purchasing products or services from Texas, and bans city business trips to the state. The resolution has yet to be formally rescheduled.
⢠Expect more news from the Newberg School Board soon:
BREAKING: The Newberg School Board's policy committee (Brian Shannon, Trevor DeHart, Rebecca Piros) will meet via Zoom tomorrow at 1 p.m.
â Ryan Clarke (@RyanTClarke) September 8, 2021
Included among its policy proposals? The official language for the ban on BLM, Pride and other political displays as determined by the board. pic.twitter.com/yzEFgYdssK
⢠The campaign to recall Mayor Ted Wheeler has one month left to turn in the required signatures necessary to prompt a recall election. At the rate the "Total Recall" campaign has been moving, however, it's far from certain they'll meet that deadline.
In national news:
⢠After the United States Supreme Court and the state of Texas have left Roe v. Wade hanging by a thread, Democrats in Congress have apparently decided it's time to lift a finger and try to help shore up abortion rights in this country. The House will likely hold a vote soon on the Womenâs Health Protection Act, which would enshrine abortion rights in US law. But there's no guarantee the bill will become law.
⢠Florida is less than a month into its new school yearâbut already, 13 Miami-Dade School District employees have died from COVID.
⢠An official from the newly formed Taliban government today announced that women will no longer be allowed to play sports in Afghanistan. "In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this," the official said.
⢠Supporters of Donald Trumpâand of the people arrested in the January 6 attack on the US Capitolâare planning to hold a rally outside the Capitol on September 18. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling for a security briefing among Congressional leaders to ensure that the day doesn't turn into another deadly, devastating insurrection attempt.
And just for fun:
⢠If you love sex, weed, and having the crap scared out of you, do we have a movie event for you! It's called the MERCURY'S MOVIE MASHUPâand it's showing live and in-person at the Clinton Street Theater, THIS WEEKEND on Friday, September 10 and Saturday, September 11!
⢠And finally: Your new favorite guilty shameless food pleasure.
Looking for vegan versions of your fave garbage food classics? The delightful Vegan Junk Food has you covered, and our Janey Wong (@janey_san) has the review.https://t.co/N8PhUDVnhI
â Portland Mercury đ (@portlandmercury) September 8, 2021