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Posted inElection

The Mercury’s May 2025 Election Endorsements

Our top picks for the May 20 Special District Election, featuring school board seats, public school bonds, and more! 
Avatar photo The Mercury Election Strike Force

This story has been updated with additional information since it first published. On May 20, Multnomah County residents will elect new leadership on local school boards and utility boards. Portland voters will also decide whether to approve a sizable school bond measure to fund Portland Public Schools. We picked the brains of local school board […]

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Update: PSU Says Pressure From City Councilor Didn’t Influence Decision to Drop Penalties Against Student Protesters

After Councilor Mitch Green made controversial threats to withhold city funding for Portland State University over its handling of pro-Palestine voices, students received letters of dropped charges. 
Avatar photo Kevin Foster

Updated: 11:55 am April 28 Originally published: 11:47 am April 26  Note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Portland State University about its decision regarding student conduct violations. Amid a threat from Portland City Councilor Mitch Green to vote against city funding for Portland State University’s (PSU) new performing arts center, […]

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At a Massive “Hands Off” Rally, Portlanders Protest Trump From All Angles

On April 5, protesters took to the streets in cities across the US. Portland’s event showed the diversity of opinions in the anti-Trump movement. 
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Portlanders took to the streets en masse on April 5 to participate in the city’s “Hands Off” mass mobilization, with thousands of people filling up the downtown waterfront to rally against the Trump administration. The event, organized by the groups 50501 and Rose City Indivisible, began at the Japanese American Historical Plaza, but the crowd—which […]

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Oregon Senate Bill Aims to Address Greenwashing

The bill has been criticized as overly broad and difficult to enforce, but environmental advocates say truthful marketing is crucial to addressing the climate crisis.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

As the effects of the climate crisis become increasingly clear, the market for “eco-friendly” products has become more and more lucrative, and politically significant. From household cleaner brands to gas utility companies, many businesses have found success by advertising their products as greener than the alternatives. The problem? Those claims aren’t always true.  It’s not […]

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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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