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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! Looks like a rainy, showery weekend with highs in the low 50s—which sounds like perfect DRINKIN' WEATHER, if you get my drift. Now, LET'S GET AFTER SOME NEWS.
IN LOCAL NEWS:
• According to a new poll, Portlanders OVERWHELMINGLY support changing the city's "commission" form of government which is super-duper antiquated, and Abe Asher breaks down what the poll reveals and how changing our city government could also change the political landscape very quickly. (Note: Just so we're clear, I've been pushing for this change for the last 20 FREAKING YEARS, so thanks for finally jumping on the Humpy bus. And maybe next time I say something? You'll be more amenable to the idea!)
A Salem man faces a possible life sentence after being indicted by a Portland grand jury in what police are calling Oregon’s largest known “ghost gun” operation while also distributing fake oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl.
— OPB (@OPB) March 18, 2022
https://t.co/TxLWQwMHR1
• Due to staffing reductions in the Multnomah County District Attorney's office and a "crushing" caseload, the office has lost 12 prosecutors in the last year, a chief deputy attorney said in a press conference yesterday. Currently they're reaching out to other areas of the country to lure prosecutors to Portland.
• Reproductive rights advocates in Oregon have been anticipating the day when Idaho would pass restrictive anti-abortion laws (like they're about to), forcing the women of that state to search elsewhere for the medical procedure. Luckily they're prepared, but can still use our help. Our Alex Zielinski talked to these advocates about their needs and plans for the uncertain future.
• Meanwhile, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a measure that would ban Texas and Idaho-style anti-abortion laws prohibiting people taking legal action against those helping anyone seeking an abortion.
New singles from J. Graves and Snugsworth, Rose Tinted’s residency at Holocene, and—OMG—H.E.R. Is Coming to Portland! It's all in this week's Hear in Portland by @JenniferKayMo! https://t.co/6boOg8s25g
— Portland Mercury 🗞 (@portlandmercury) March 17, 2022
• "Gaaaaah! Why does this nutria have ORANGE TEETH?" Answer that question and more in this week's sassy-ass local trivia game, POP QUIZ PDX! (Plus, you get to choose which Portland neighborhood has the WORST drivers!)
• Tickets for lotsa cool bands go on sale TODAY, get 'em, get 'em, get 'em!
Rock ain’t dead! Franz Ferdinand, Incubus, Violent Femmes, and Wolf Alice have all announced tours coming through our fair city. Plus, Feast Portland has announced its highly anticipated return in September. https://t.co/zGuU8war6Q
— EverOut Portland (@EverOutPortland) March 17, 2022
IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:
• In Ukraine, while 130 people have been rescued so far from the rubble of a theater in Mariupol that was bombed by the Russians, hundreds more remain unaccounted for. Meanwhile Russian missiles have been pounding the airport at Lviv, as President Biden is speaking to China's leader Xi Jinping to discuss how each country will navigate the Ukraine crisis, and look for common ground.
In Lviv today, one baby stroller for each of the more than 100 children killed so far during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. (Photo: @scottmclean) pic.twitter.com/QowgJCEjPk
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) March 18, 2022
• This headline tracks: "More than two dozen Senate Republicans demand Biden do more for Ukraine after voting against $13.6 billion for Ukraine."
• Moderna has now joined Pfizer is asking the FDA to approve an additional (that would make it the fourth) COVID booster shot for all adults.
• Wait... wait... wait, wait, WAIT! Are you telling me that scientists have proven that dipshit podcaster Joe Rogan's favorite fake COVID cure (ivermectin) doesn't work... like, AT ALL? I'd like a second opinion from Tucker Carlson, please!
• Cancel fragile newspaper editorial boards:
"Americans are losing hold of a fundamental right as citizens of a free country: the right to speak their minds and voice their opinions in public without fear of being shamed or shunned," writes the New York Times editorial board. https://t.co/piqkNJyyxb
— New York Times Opinion (@nytopinion) March 18, 2022
• SNL star (and Kanye West foil) Pete Davidson will no longer ride along on the next Blue Origin edge-of-space launch, according to the company, probably because of a schedule conflict. (I'm sure the other white privileged passengers will be crushed.)
• Feeling thirsty? Then get ready for the boozy fun of the Mercury’s HIGHBALL—a week of specialty cocktails mixed by the city’s best bartenders… and for only $6 each! And it's happening RIGHT NOW through this SUNDAY, March 20!
• And finally, if you're moving to LA to make it big... well, this will be you in a year.
girl in LA who everyone’s worried about pic.twitter.com/OAUJOhmy2B
— kylie brakeman (@deadeyebrakeman) March 15, 2022