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Christmas heats up at Fox News headquarters.
Christmas heats up at Fox News headquarters. Courtesy 6 News Australia

GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! We are always running for the thrill of it, thrill of it. Always pushing up the hill, searching for the thrill of it. LET'S GO TO PRESS.

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Portland Police has revealed that 17-year veteran officer John Hughes (who has a bit of a controversial past) was the person who shot and killed the man suspected of carjacking several vehicles on I-5 Monday.

• Right-wing Proud Boy Alan Swinney has admitted he assaulted a woman during an August 2020 downtown protest, but will not have to pay damages as part of a civil suit against him.

• Related: A Portland woman has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that the cops' use of tear gas in her neighborhood during protests seeped into her home causing a variety of side effects, such as cramping, irregular periods, and spotting.

• Highly respected and very experienced conservationist, Terri Preeg Riggsby, announced her run for the recently-vacated Metro Council District 6 seat. Our Isabella Garcia fills in the details!

• While we didn't feel anything on land, a whopping 50 (!!) earthquakes hit off of the Oregon coast in a 24 hour period.

• Wow! Our popular "Free Tickets Tuesday" giveaway has some absolute home runs this week, so hurry up and enter to win free tix to see the amazing Black Pumas AND Jazmine Sullivan!

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

• Pharmaceutical company Pfizer says their COVID-19 vaccines—two shots and a booster—are effective against the Omicron variant. They also noted that just two shots may be less effective but will keep the individual from getting seriously ill.

• In a video call yesterday, President Biden warned Russia's Vladimir Putin that there would be economic consequences if he continues to mount an aggressive, military stance against Ukraine.

• Today in the deteriorating wall between church and state: The Supreme Court will be hearing a Maine case that could significantly expand the amount of state funds that go to religious schools.

• The congressional panel investigating the domestic terrorist attack on the nation's capitol on January 6 are moving to hold former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows in criminal contempt for refusing to testify.

• The Senate could be voting as soon as today on a resolution that would nullify Biden's employer vaccine mandate—and it could very well pass, thanks to Democrat/traitor Joe Manchin.

• Today's holiday headline: "Giant Christmas tree outside Fox News headquarters set afire." (This sounds less like a "war on Christmas" and more of a war on Fox.)

• 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!

• And now... THE WEATHER REPORT: Expect clouds and rain today with a high of 48.

• And finally... if you're not familiar, please welcome your new favorite cable access show, "Gabfest with Paul and George."