A Kaiser Permanente worker strike has narrowly been avoided.
A Kaiser Permanente worker strike has narrowly been avoided. Justin Sullivan / Getty News

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IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Breathe a sigh of relief that management came to their senses, because thousands of Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers will stay on the job after a tentative agreement was reached that addressed workers' concerns about wages, racial justice, and a staffing crisis. Abe Asher has all the details!

• In more labor news, national members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees voted to ratify a three-year agreement, thereby avoiding a looming strike. What does this mean for Portland film and TV set workers? Chase Hutchinson breaks it down for you.

• The Portland School Board announced they will not be taking a student vaccine mandate vote this week, and in fact will be delaying the vote for "at least" six months in order to consider all the latest scientific information before jumping into the deep end.

• If you haven't noticed, Oregon pharmacies are very much understaffed, resulting in long lines and wait times for medicine. But what you might not know is that the companies who control drug prices are largely to blame.

• It was another windy, soaker of a day, but other than a few showers tomorrow, expect a sunnier, cooler Tuesday.

• Author Casey Plett is on the leading edge of trans storytelling in Oregon, and Elanor Broker calls Plett's newest collection, A Dream of a Woman, "one of the deepest and most insightful works to date." Check out the fantastic Mercury review here!

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

• It took freaking forever (mostly because of Republicans and a couple obstinate Dems) but Biden has signed the $1 trillion infrastructure bill that former President Trump repeatedly tried and failed to accomplish. Note: This infrastructure bill may not solve all ills, but it's still the biggest such step in a generation (and a much needed "win" for the president).

• PARTY BUS!

• Meanwhile, the head of the Congressional Budget Office had some not-so-great news regarding the $1.85 trillion social safety net/climate change legislation, saying that the Biden administration's idea of ramped up enforcement of tax evaders by the IRS still won't be enough to foot the bill.

• The defense in the Kyle Rittenhouse murder case made its closing arguments today, and tried to depict the killer as just "a 17-year-old kid out there trying to help this community." OH, FFS! (But it gets worse: Before closing arguments, the very politically suspicious judge in the case dismissed a weapons charge against Rittenhouse.)

• Trump toady/walking turnip Stephen K. Bannon has surrendered to the authorities after refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House committee investigating the January 6 domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol.

• Lying Infowars doorknob Alex Jones will be held liable for defaming the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre with his "false flag" lies, according to a judge.

• Today in "gerrymandering" news: "Redrawn Congressional Maps Put House Republicans One Seat Away From Majority So Far."

• You want to find the perfect gift while also supporting local businesses, yes? YES! Then don't miss the Mercury's Holiday Gift Guide, featuring only the coolest gifts and where to find them... locally!

• Speaking of shopping locally:

• And now... THE WEATHER REPORT: A chance of showers tomorrow with a cool high of 49.

• And finally, Christmas may have Die Hard... but Thanksgiving has THIS!