The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support!
IN LOCAL NEWS:
• Houseless residents are wondering if the city’s many homeless sweeps are pushing campers into dangerous places—such as the place where Terrence Tombe was killed by an intoxicated driver. Our Alex Zielinski has more in this heartbreaking report.
Terrence’s uncle, James Tombe, on his nephew’s death:
“I want people to know that he had gotten through addiction and was trying to get off the streets. He just didn’t know how to get there.”https://t.co/7qhrYzqQPo
— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) December 9, 2021
• A newly released investigative report reveals that OHSU leadership has been failing on a number of levels, including supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and not being welcome to reports of misconduct or punishing that misconduct.
• Today in “Officer Whoopsy!”: “Oregon Department of Corrections SWAT team tear-gassed own coworkers during training.”
FBI arrests Lincoln City, Oregon, man for involvement in the Jan. 6 riot at the US Capitol https://t.co/O2fVEzKYQF
— OPB (@OPB) December 9, 2021
• Become 98% smarter about this weekend’s MLS Cup with Abe Asher’s guide to the Timbers vs NYCFC matchup, including team info, tactics, predictions, where to watch, and sooo much more! Casual soccer fans will love this one!
• Portland indie-punk act MAITA is dropping a new record, I Just Want To Be Wild For You, on February 18. Listen to their new single, and catch up on more local music news, in this week’s edition of Hear in Portland!
Kickstart your brain with the very fun POP QUIZ PDX, this week featuring a sporty theme with sassy Qs about the Timbers, Blazers, Portland sports history, AND a subjective question about the BEST non-sport sport! (Could it be “shin kicking”?) 🤔 https://t.co/cPgfV3ss0H
— Portland Mercury 🗞 (@portlandmercury) December 9, 2021
IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:
• The FDA has now authorized giving Pfizer booster shots to 16 and 17 year olds six months after receiving their second COVID vaccine, and the director of the CDC agrees. The move could protect teens against the continuing scourge of Delta and the coming scourge of Omicron.
Today, CDC expanded #COVID19 booster recommendations to everyone 16 years & older. We are focused on staying ahead of the virus by ensuring that more people have boosted protection against COVID-19. I strongly encourage those ages 16 & 17, who are eligible, get boosted. https://t.co/L2Avq9CFVz
— Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH (@CDCDirector) December 9, 2021
• An appeals court has ruled that Trump’s White House records can be released to the congressional panel investigating the January 6 domestic terrorist attack on the nation’s capitol. Naturally, he will make a last ditch effort to hide his crimes by appealing to… who else? The Trump Supreme Court.
“I think they understood that Trump’s principal strategy with this suit is to delay, and they were not going to facilitate that tactic,” law professor Jonathan David Shaub told The Daily Beast. https://t.co/MF44bj1Tn0
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) December 10, 2021
• After a squeaker of a 19-18 vote, Starbucks workers at a location in Buffalo, New York have become the first employees of the worldwide chain to successfully unionize. One other Starbucks decided against it, and the vote of another is under review.
• Actor Jussie Smollett has been found guilty for lying to the cops and faking a 2019 homophobic/racist hate crime. Legal experts say he will most likely be put on probation and sentenced to community service.
• Today in “OH SHUT THE FUCK UP”: “1 in 10 Americans say the COVID-19 vaccine conflicts with their religious beliefs.”
Birds Aren’t Real is a parody social movement with a purpose, its creators say — and Gen Z’s attempt to fight and poke fun at misinformation. “My favorite way to describe the organization is fighting lunacy with lunacy,” one organizer said. https://t.co/aHJ7d65e4g
— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 9, 2021
• 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: Light showers tomorrow with a high of 46.
• And finally, while I do not support the idea of “god,” I am fully in favor of his “tech support.”
GOD’S TECH SUPPORT pic.twitter.com/Aka1yAgkmc
— Brittlestar (@brittlestar) December 9, 2021
