You know the story: In 2012, the US Department of Justice swooped into town and ordered the City of Portland do something about the city’s disproportionately high number of police officers shooting and killing people with a mental illness. In a settlement agreement with the feds, Portland vowed to make substantial changes to police policy, […]
Opinion
Posted inTech
Why You Should Care About What’s Happening at Deadspin
The front page of Deadspin on Oct 29 It’s hard out here for a publication. If you don’t believe me, just ask anyone that works in the media. Many of them will tell you that, if they’re not having their profession denigrated by folks in the highest echelons of power, they’re watching helplessly as the […]
Posted inSports
Liberals That Don’t Get It: Booing Trump Is the Most American Thing Ever
“Waitasecond… I’m starting to think that maybe people dislike me.” Courtesy MLB I’m sure you’ve heard all about it, but the joy this clip brings is a thing of national pride. Full on “LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP!” chants heard throughout the crowd at Nats Park after President Trump was announced and shown on […]
Posted inNews
Hall Monitor: What Election?
So, you found a ballot in your mailbox. Don’t panic. We’re still a whole year away from the day we get to boot Trump out of the White House and elect at least one new commissioner to Portland’s city council. Those races have absolutely nothing to do with this year’s ballot, or the upcoming November […]
Posted inNews
TriMet to Add More Fare Inspectors—Because You’re Supposedly Mad About People Not Paying Fares?
TriMet TriMet announced on Monday they will be introducing even more fare inspectors to their routes—apparently because YOU are getting upset about people who are jumping on the train or bus for free? Let’s go to TriMet’s press release for more on this highly dubious claim: You walk up to the MAX station and tap […]
Posted inNews
Hall Monitor: Dirty Money
Portland has a Trump problem. No, it’s not another symbolic lawsuit filed against the Trump administration by the City of Portland. It’s the fact that a US ambassador who played a key role in Trump’s potentially impeachable negotiations with the Ukrainian government also happens to be one of Portland’s most generous campaign donors. While there […]
Posted inI, Anonymous
The I, Anonymous Blog Quote o’ the Day: “Get Off the Heroin, Brad!”
One way to inform the world of your many varied complaints is to submit them to the I, Anonymous Blog. Another way is to… well, see for yourself in this I, Anonymous submission called, “Town Crier.” Brad, get off the heroin! I say that on behalf of the entire block, and your girlfriend, who was […]
Posted inNews
Hall Monitor: Seeing Red
The moments before Hannah Ahern’s arrest on August 17, caught on cell phone video, have a cinematic feel: A woman in a red dress and heels emerges from a chaotic crowd of black-clad activists and police officers. She coolly crosses the street and walks toward the camera, pausing only to turn her head and spit […]
Posted inNews
Hall Monitor: Setting the Table
The last time city commissioners met Portland’s police union at the bargaining table, it made national headlines. “Clashes erupt in Portland, Ore., over new police rules,” read the Los Angeles Times on October 12, 2016—the day City Council approved its latest contract with the Portland Police Association (PPA), Portland’s union for rank-and-file cops. And, from […]
Posted inNews
Hall Monitor: Budget Blind Spots
Every spring, Portland City Council struggles to balance its annual budget—bemoaning the challenge of having to make big decisions in a short time and lamenting their inability to gather genuine public feedback before distributing dollars. But in 2020, the council will have a new tool to inform its whirlwind budget decisions: data. In May, City […]
Posted inSports
Timbers Double Down on Support for Iron Front Ban
Craig Mitchelldyer/Portland Timbers On Monday morning, barely more than 12 hours after their loss to Atlanta United, the Portland Timbers front office released a longwinded, wide-ranging statement on “the Iron Front symbol, politics at stadiums and human rights.” In it, the Timbers doubled down on a position that has drawn an increasing amount ire over […]
Posted inNews
Hall Monitor: Landlord Fatigue
The landlords have lost their spark. In late July, Portland City Council considered a new policy that would require landlords to register each of their rental units with the city’s housing bureau—and pay the city $60 per unit every year. The funds would go toward the city’s burgeoning Rental Services Office, which focuses on overseeing […]