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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! Color you peach and black. Color me takin' aback. Crucial... I think I want ya. LET'S GO TO PRESS.
IN LOCAL NEWS:
ā¢ The state is giving some 24,000 workers out of 42,000 state executive branch employees an extra six weeks (until November 30) to get vaccinated, after unions pushed for more concessions, including getting extra time off if they suffered side effects from the vaccines.
A case of COVID-19 and a potential walkout by Republicans in the state legislature has added further roadblocks for lawmakers as they attempt to redraw Oregon's political maps.https://t.co/mc4r5gaAUC pic.twitter.com/R4I7GB1TD8
ā OPB (@OPB) September 21, 2021
ā¢ The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has once again run afoul of state law, this time a judge has agreed with the ACLU that when the cops livestreamed protests in 2020, they were "collecting information about the political, religious or social views, associations or activities of people who are not suspected of criminal activity." That's a state law no-no! Our Alex Zielinski has more.
ā¢ Also in trouble again: Clackamas County commissioner Mark Shull is drawing mass condemnation for stupidly sharing an antisemitic meme on Facebook comparing COVID-19 health restrictions to the Holocaust. This is the same ding-dong who, in July, compared vaccine passports to Jim Crow laws. Somebody needs to take an analogy class! (And maybe get recalled?)
THREAD: Three months ago Mark Shull called vaccine verification āJim Crow 2.0.ā At that time I condemned his insensitive actions as they ignored the realities of systemic oppression, driven by Jim Crow laws, exclusion acts, mass incarceration, health disparities, & redlining. https://t.co/nn0Gg6CvRc
ā Rep Rachel Prusak (@Rachel_Prusak) September 22, 2021
ā¢ Not ready to brave the crowds just yet? No problem, you can still enjoy some great art and performances with the Time-Based Art Festival's virtual events! And the Mercury has some superb suggestions.
IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:
ā¢ Answering calls from critics, President Biden is now vowing to double America's purchase of Pfizerās COVID-19 shots to 1 billion doses that will be shared with the world. Working with leaders from other countries, he hopes to hit a 70 percent global vaccination rate.
NEW: The coronavirus vaccines were all thought to be equally effective.
ā Apoorva Mandavilli (@apoorva_nyc) September 22, 2021
That has turned out not to be true.
A series of studies has found that the Moderna vaccine seems to be more protective than the Pfizer-BioNTech over the long term.https://t.co/L6ZbVdfaP1
ā¢ The House has passed legislation that would avoid a government shutdown and extend the debt limit until after the 2022 elections. But don't worry! Obstructionist Senate Republicans (and a couple of foot-dragging Dems) will do everything in their power to stop it.
ā¢ Former president and forever loser Donald Trump is taking his niece and the New York Times to court, saying that a 2018 story about his shady taxes violated a settlement agreement with his niece and the Times forced her into it.
ā¢ The House committee investigating the January 6 domestic terrorist attack on the nation's capitol will reportedly be issuing subpoenas to top Trump aides to find out what the former president knew about the riot and any plans he may have had to start it.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent a fleet of state-owned vehicles to line up for miles as a barricade along the border with Mexico. The āsteel wallā of vehicles was meant to stop migrants from crossing the dam, he said. https://t.co/KhAiBR8P2P
ā The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 22, 2021
ā¢ RIP beloved actor Willie Garson (Carrie's best male friend on Sex and the City) who has died at the age of 57.
ā¢ Today in "Too Good to Be True" news: "Two Men Found Vehicle With āFree Carā Sign, Took It for a Ride, Then Found Naked Dead Body in Back."
ā¢ Are you ready for some sexy fun? Then don't miss HUMP! 2021āfeaturing tons of hotsy-totsy five-minute filthy flicksācoming at ya LIVE AND IN-PERSON at Revolution Hall for two screenings only on October 1! (You can stream it online, too!) GET THOSE TIX QUICK, it's heading toward a sell-out!
ā¢ Hey Savage Love fans! Get your tix now to see Dan Savage live and in-person on October 2 for a reading of his newest book, Savage Love from A to Z, an illustrated collection of 26 never-before-published essays! (Plus, paid attendees get their own copy of the book!)
ā¢ And now... THE WEATHER REPORT: A touch cooler and cloudier today with a reasonable high of 72.
ā¢ And finally, I wasn't around yesterday, so you get this today! YOU ARE WELCOME!
Paul Rudd Dancing to āSeptemberā on September 21st just because...pic.twitter.com/I6GnwiXnO4
ā Rex Chapmanšš¼ (@RexChapman) September 21, 2021