
GOOD MORNING, SUNDAY! It's the perfect time to catch up on some of the great reporting and stories the Mercury churned out this week! (PRO TIP: If you despise being "the last to know," then be one of the first to know by signing up for Mercury newsletters! All the latest stories shipped directly to your email's in-box... and then... YOUR HEAD.)
• ALERT! Ballots are Due Tuesday, and the Mercury Election Endorsements Are Here to Help!
Alert! 🚨 Primary election day in Oregon is this TUESDAY! This one is particularly important, so fill out your ballot with help from the Mercury and our Election Endorsements!

• Hall Monitor: The Changing Symbolism of Portland’s Elk Statue
"It’s easy to unfurl a 'mission accomplished' banner over a statue and declare the city’s soul has been healed. It’s harder to confront the decades of trauma that a city’s police force has left on its residents for standing up for human rights."

• Oregon Court of Appeals Affirms Portland’s Denial of Zenith Operations
The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled in the city of Portland’s favor in the city's ongoing legal battle against Zenith Energy.

• THE TRASH REPORT
Hello, trash lovers! It's time for this week's gossip roundup, THE TRASH REPORT, in which Elinor Jones takes on conservative slut-shaming, the Met Gala, and some *very* kinky dolphins.

• Attacks on Three Religious Centers Underscore Rising Hate Crimes in Oregon
Three religious centers in Portland were vandalized and attacked within 10 days of each other. Religious leaders and watchdogs say that the attacks underscore a larger trend in Oregon.

• Savage Love: Real Worries
Wife is happy to entertain hubby's sexy cuckolding wishes... but what if she gets recognized online? Dan Savage has advice on that, as well as what to do during the current anti-abortion crisis.

• Harriet Tubman Students Call on District to Address Staffing Crisis
Harriet Tubman Middle School students are calling on Portland Public Schools to reinstate their suspended teacher and address the staffing crisis at the school.

• POP QUIZ PDX!
"Bleep-blik-BLORP!" Translated: "Calling all Portland earthlings! It's time for POP QUIZ PDX, featuring quizzy Qs about adorable orangutans, more stupid elk drama, and tourists from other WORLDS!" Also enter to win free pizza, bleek, blorp. 🍕👽

• RANKED: Who Will Be Champion of Salt & Straw's Month of Flower Ice Creams?
Salt & Straw brought back their range of flower ice creams for a second year, so we did our duty to judge them.

• Hear in Portland!
Portland-based rapper Wynne has a new single out, and Pickathon's bill just keeps getting better—they added GZA and his band the Phunky Nomads. 🤩 Here's what music columnist Jenni Moore suggests you should Hear in Portland.

WOW, THAT IS A LOT OF GOOD READIN'. I hope you didn't have any other plans this weekend! Dig in, and remember: Producing all this hard work costs moolah—so please consider contributing to the Mercury to keep it all coming! Thanks!