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National Politics
Posted inNews

UPDATE: Judge Extends Restraining Order Blocking National Guard Deployment in Oregon

US District Judge Karin Immergut ruled October 15 that a restraining order issued earlier this month will be extended by two weeks.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Updated 1:03 pm October 15 A temporary restraining order prohibiting the deployment of National Guard troops to Oregon has been extended. On Wednesday, October 15, US District Judge Karin Immergut extended the temporary restraining order (TRO) she’d granted on October 5 for another two weeks. The TRO was set to expire October 18. The ruling […]

Posted inNews

Federal Judge Grants Restraining Order Blocking Trump From Deploying Troops to Portland

Judge says Trump administration violated Constitution and failed to provide proof that National Guard activation was necessary.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

A federal judge has granted the state of Oregon a temporary restraining order, legally prohibiting the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland through at least October 18. The decision comes a week after Trump announced in a Truth Social post he would be sending troops to the “war torn” city of Portland, […]

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Portland Mayor Mandates Compliance With Trump Policies in Effort to Retain Federal Funds

Mayor Keith Wilson issued an executive order halting some DEI programs as the federal government threatens to withhold millions from jurisdictions that don’t comply. Lawyers estimate 75 city programs will be impacted.
Avatar photo Mercury Staff

Three weeks after warning city residents that Portland may have to cave to the Trump administration to keep millions in federal funding, it appears that’s now happening. In a news release, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said Thursday that he issued an executive order requiring the city to “adjust any programs or policies at risk of […]

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Portland Protesters Rally for “Tesla Takedown”

As Tesla stocks tumble, hundreds of people are holding regular protests outside the Portland dealership to protest Elon Musk’s government takeover.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Hundreds of people gathered outside Portland’s Tesla dealership during the afternoon rush hour on Monday, March 3, chanting and waving signs with messages like “Stop Musk’s coup,” “We Didn’t Elect Elon,” and “Send Elon Musk to Mars.” The roughly 300 protesters stood on both sides of South Macadam Avenue, attracting supportive honks from many drivers […]

Posted inOpinion

“Dear Elon Musk: Here’s What I Accomplished Last Week”

Mercury Editor Wm. Steven Humphrey answers Elon Musk’s threatening weekend email to federal employees.
Avatar photo Wm. Steven Humphrey

[Editor’s Note: On Saturday evening, February 22, billionaire White House advisor Elon Musk sent an email (from OPM, the Office of Personnel Management) to 2.3 million US federal employees, telling them to send “approx. 5 bullets” describing what they accomplished at work last week, and to respond by midnight, Monday, February 24. Musk later said […]

Posted inNews

Portland Jewish Activists Rally for Cease-Fire in Gaza

As Oregon’s elected leaders convey steadfast support for Israel, protests highlight civilian casualties.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

As the number of Palestinian civilians killed by Israeli military forces in Gaza continues to rise, Jewish and allied activists in Portland are calling on the state’s congressional representation to press for a cease-fire in the region. Heather Dorfman, a member of the Portland chapter of the national organization Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), said […]

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Thousands of Portlanders Gather to Oppose End of Roe

Avatar photo Alex Zielinski

Pro-choice protesters wave signs along SW Naito Friday. Alex Zielinski Thousands of Portlanders gathered downtown Friday evening to protest the morning decision by the US Supreme Court to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion. Hoisting homemade signs reading “Abortion is Health Care” and “Fuck You SCOTUS,” the crowd gathered to hear speeches and rallying […]

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The Curriculum Culture Wars Come to Portland-Area Schools

Schools in the Portland metro area have been put on defense as conservative groups push against LGBTQ and race-related lessons required by state law
Avatar photo Isabella Garcia

“You can’t talk to children like this!” yelled a woman in the audience at a North Clackamas School District (NCSD) board meeting on an evening in late May. “These babies do not deserve this!” The woman was interrupting the board’s proclamation of June as LGBTQ pride month at NCSD, arguing that the topic is inappropriate […]

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Oregon Medical Providers, Politicians, and the Public Respond to Draft Repeal of Roe

Avatar photo Alex Zielinski

Activists gather at the US Supreme Court Tuesday to protest the court’s draft opinion overturning abortion rights. Win McNamee / Getty Images The leaked majority opinion draft from the US Supreme Court, indicating the court will overturn the abortion rights enshrined in 1973’s Roe v. Wade, has Oregonians on the defensive. As the late Monday […]

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