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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 […]

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What ICE Can and Cannot Do in Oregon As Trump Targets Immigrants

Portland joins sanctuary city lawsuit against Trump administration as Oregon agencies reaffirm federal policing restrictions
Avatar photo Kevin Foster

February 28: This story has been updated to include Sen. Ron Wyden’s efforts to prevent information sharing between immigration agencies and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. As the Trump Administration intensifies immigration enforcement nationwide, undocumented immigrants and their loved ones are on high alert. The passage of the Laken Riley Act in Congress has heightened the […]

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As Oregonians Take to the Streets to Protest Trump Policies, Oregon’s Attorney General is Turning to the Courts

Oregon has signed on to five multi-state lawsuits challenging recent presidential executive orders on birthright citizenship, DOGE, federal funding, and health care. 
Avatar photoAvatar photo Courtney Vaughn and Kevin Foster

Update, February 14: As of Friday, February 14, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order to block the withholding of federal funds from health institutions that provide gender-affirming care. Originally published: Wednesday, February 12 As protesters descended on the Oregon State Capitol last week to protest a litany of executive orders from the Trump […]

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City Council Solidifies New Policy Committees

The eight committees will be the primary conduit for public engagement and policy proposals from councilors. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Among the many changes to Portland’s city government, one of the most consequential—for both councilors and members of the public—is the introduction of council committees. These committees, which City Council members hashed out at a Wednesday evening meeting, will serve as the primary venue for councilors to “consider, develop, and recommend legislation.” They’ll also be […]

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Portland City Council Increases Its Staffing Budget by $4.6 Million

Citing poor policy moves and “defunding” from previous leaders, the new Council will pull from contingency funds to hire additional staff.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the Government Transition Advisory Committee’s Council staffing recommendations. The Mercury regrets the error. “Kneecapped.” “Defunded.” “Not set up for success.” Portland’s city councilors had blunt words to describe the budget bestowed on them by the prior Council. The city’s new 12-person City Council voted Wednesday evening to increase […]

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Earl Blumenauer Reflects on Long Political Career and “Bike-Partisanship”

After 28 years in Congress, Blumenauer will return to Portland as a civilian with big plans for the city and state’s future. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Throughout Earl Blumenauer’s 28 years in the US House of Representatives, his constituents back home have taken a certain pride in knowing their congressman brought a distinctly Portland flair to Washington, D.C.  The Democratic congressman, who will officially pass the baton to incoming Congresswoman Maxine Dexter on January 3, is known across the country for […]

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Affordable Housing Advocates Warn Slashing Supportive Housing Tax Could Be Catastrophic

As the regional government considers a handful of changes to the Supportive Housing Services tax on high-income earners, social service providers are sounding the alarm.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Dec. 17: This story has been updated to clarify the status of SHS spending by Multnomah County. Since its rollout in 2021, Metro’s Supportive Housing Services tax has raked in nearly $912 million to help prevent evictions and transition people from homelessness to housing. But as Metro Council faces pressure to help lower the tax […]

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Dan Ryan Announces District 3 Council Candidate as Key Staff Pick

A veteran City Hall executive who recently ran for a Council seat will lead Ryan’s office. Mayor-elect Keith Wilson has also picked a top staffer.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

A former Portland Fire & Rescue executive who ran for a seat in Portland’s City Council District 3 has been tapped as Dan Ryan’s new chief of staff. Kezia Wanner, a veteran city staffer who previously worked in management roles with Portland’s fire and transportation bureaus, will lead Ryan’s team when he takes office under […]

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Multnomah County Chair Defends Herself Against Former Employee’s Lawsuit

A former employee alleges retaliation for blowing the whistle on potential records law violations among staff in Jessica Vega Pederson’s office.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Updated: Nov. 20. This story has been updated with additional input from the county clarifying its investigation into alleged unlawful workplace behavior. Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson is defending what she calls limited and “rare” use of private email channels to conduct county business. The remarks came in a newsletter from the county chair’s […]

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City Council Urged to Postpone Vote on Controversial Downtown Service District Contract

Citing ethical issues and potential conflicts of interest, advocates want the city to halt a no-bid contract renewal that would funnel millions to the Portland Metro Chamber.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

For years, Portland has collected fees from property owners in enhanced service districts to pay for added cleaning and security services in designated areas. The districts are typically concentrated around businesses, offering private security, extra policing, janitorial services, and more recently, removal of homeless camps.  Some stakeholders say the city has yet to confront the […]

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Friday Election Results: Bynum Flips US House Seat Blue; Close Race in Portland City Council District 4

Portland will have the most racially diverse City Council the city has ever seen, with a progressive majority.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

A fourth round of preliminary election results was released Friday, showing little to no changes in presumptive winners. That means Portlanders now have a clear idea of what the city’s future leadership will be, come January. Portland City Council is likely to have a progressive majority and for the first time, and a roughly 40 […]

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Keith Wilson is Portland’s Next Mayor

Portland’s City Council races are still being tallied, but preliminary results have held firm since Tuesday night.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Multnomah County has released its second round of preliminary results for the Portland mayor and City Council races, adding roughly 47,000 more citywide votes to the election night count. The results are essentially the same as Tuesday’s report, with all leading candidates maintaining their standing from the county’s election night tally.  Still, the county hasn’t […]

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