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IN LOCAL NEWS:
• Despite that Portland Police has done little to correct their history of systemic racism and violent behavior toward peaceful demonstrators, Mayor Wheeler is set to propose pumping $400,000 into rehiring officers that left the force in a huff. The city also plans on spending $2 million on body-worn cameras and a civilian in charge of training the cops—both of which were demanded by the Justice Department to address the bureau's history of excessive force.
• I like hearing this news: "80% of Oregonians 18 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine." (Though it's still not enough to reach the ultimate goal: herd immunity.)
Will Oregon reach herd immunity from COVID-19 by Christmas?
— Portland Tribune (@ThePortlandTrib) October 28, 2021
Top state researchers now warn that progress on taming the current spike in infections has slowed.https://t.co/XoRe2zSxJv
• A new location for a houseless village is being proposed in Northeast Portland at the site of the former Whitaker Elementary School which was demolished due to mold problems in 2007. Portland Public Schools (who owns the property) is reportedly considering the city's proposal.
• Speaking of Portland Public Schools, the district is planning to start vaccination clinics for kids wanting their shot at eight elementary schools. This could happen within weeks, as soon as the vaccines are officially approved for ages 5-11.
U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, long criticized by some as too moderate for the Democratic Party, will assuredly face a challenge from the left if he seeks the nomination for Oregon’s fifth district in 2022, or even the newly formed sixth district. https://t.co/pAYlHvpGRY
— OPB (@OPB) October 28, 2021
• Looking for a curated list of the best live concerts in Portland this weekend, along with some hot new music to listen to? Tune in to Jenni Moore's great new column, "Hear in Portland!"
• It's time to get creepy with the latest HALLOWEEN edition of POP QUIZ PDX—this week featuring a lot of very fun trivia questions about Portland's most haunted places, along with Qs about modern day ghouls (hello, anti-vaxxers!).
IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:
• According to President Biden, Democrats have agreed on what he calls a "historic" deal to bolster the country's decayed social safety net, HOWEVER, many are displeased with the sections that have been cut (such as paid family leave, thanks to shitty obstructionists Manchin and Sinema), and the progressive wing is threatening to torpedo the infrastructure bill until they see the Build Back Better plan in writing.
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Pramila Jayapal said President Biden's visit did not shift her members, who insist that they will not vote for the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill until Biden's spending framework becomes a bill. https://t.co/JDnMStg1tU
— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) October 28, 2021
• A criminal sexual misconduct charge of forcible touching has been filed against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo who was forced out of office after multiple sexual harassment complaints.
• In a shitty, bald face attempt to take attention off their many controversies and attempts to ruin democracy, android CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook will be changing its name to "Meta." I'd explain what it means, but who the fuck cares? It's still a disgusting platform that's now dressed as a "pretty princess" for Halloween.
New York's hottest club is: META. Sentient manilla folder Mark Zuckerberg is back with an all-new hotspot for the worst people from your high school. This place has everything: pic.twitter.com/MF9SeFcnMu
— Rob SCARE-idan💀 (@rob_sheridan) October 28, 2021
• The most unsurprising headline you'll read today: "Oil giants deny spreading disinformation on climate change." The good news? Congressional Democrats tore their asses up in a meeting today when the execs tried to spread that bullshit. Let's watch Rep. Katie Porter in action:
This is why you don't tell Katie Porter - of all people - that she has a "fundamental misunderstanding of how the process works."pic.twitter.com/EPerpGpyK7
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) October 28, 2021
• Get ready for the fun fright of your life with SLAY—the Mercury's short HORROR film fest which is streaming online THIS WEEKEND from Oct 29-31, and showing LIVE and IN-PERSON at the Clinton Street Theater on Oct 29 & 30! GET THOSE TICKETS NOW.
• And now... THE WEATHER REPORT: Expect a rainy night, followed by showers in the morning with a daytime high of 59. (But then it dries up for a sunny Halloween weekend!)
• And finally, a brilliant, hilarious take on what would happen if video game characters could talk.
A comedic genius and hasn’t missed yet. pic.twitter.com/hnFVIs4zbt
— ✨Steph✨ (leave a message at the beep) (@Steph_I_Will) October 28, 2021