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Rent Assistance Vouchers Are Helping Dig People Out of Homelessness
Service providers say Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance is among the most successful tools to combat homelessness. The only problem? A 5,560-person waiting list
Body Camera Footage Shows Officers Firing 30 Rounds Into Suspect's Car
Portland Police Bureau IDs officers who shot, injured a 24-year-old robbery suspect during a shootout in Woodlawn. One of the officers is no stranger to using force.
New Marie Equi Day Center Offers Unhoused LGBTQ+ Portlanders Respite, Resources, and Hope
With new digs and the help of Supportive Housing Services funding, a local nonprofit is helping queer and trans residents find safety, and a path off the streets.
Meet the Portland City Council Candidates: District 3
These candidates are running in the district that encompasses most of Southeast Portland east of the river to I-205.
Portland Elections Division Issues Warning Letter to Gonzalez Campaign Over Political Sign
A large sign supporting Rene Gonzalez for mayor left out a fine print financial disclosure. A separate investigation into his use of taxpayer funds was recently reopened.
Labor Complaint Against City Council Candidate Alleges Racist Treatment at City’s Community Safety Division
Lisa Freeman is the subject of a BOLI civil rights investigation, but other former city employees say the office has a problem with structural racism much larger than just one staff member.
Portland Auditor's Office Will Take Another Look At Gonzalez's Potential Campaign Finance Violation
Citing new information, auditors will revisit their prior determination of insufficient evidence of illegal activity related to Wikipedia edits
Sign of the Times: Eponymous Portland Coffee House Turns to Fundraising to Stay Afloat
Jim & Patty’s has been a fixture in Portland for 21 years, but the owner says it may not survive the new cost of doing business.
Controversial Dark Money Group, People For Portland, Dissolves Amid State Elections Investigation
The political organization known for its aggressive billboards says its election law violation had 'nothing to do' with decision. Another investigation is still active.
Activists Express Skepticism After Revisions to Police Oversight Board
In 2020, Portland voters called for a bold, independent police accountability system devoid of law enforcement influence. Now, police will help pick the new board members.
Judge: Portland’s New Police Accountability Board Must Be Operational In a Year
While the new community-led police oversight system is finally on track, some commissioners are furious at a federal judge's decision to postpone board selection until a new council is in place.
Two Years After Adopting Emergency Climate Action Plan, Portland is Behind on Goals
The city cites progress despite plan’s shortcomings. Skeptics say it needs clearer objectives.
Auditors Determine Insufficient Evidence that Rene Gonzalez Violated Campaign Finance Laws
Despite "exceedingly close call" Portland Auditor's Office says commissioner and mayoral candidate's use of taxpayer money to alter his Wikipedia page isn't a definitive violation. Secretary of State will investigate other potential violations.
After a Major Overhaul, Has Portland's Clean Energy Fund Found its Footing?
PCEF will invest nearly $92 million in climate projects around the city. Leaders say nonprofit grantees were thoroughly vetted and the projects align with the city's climate goals.
Meet the Portland City Council Candidates: District 1
These candidates are running in the district encompassing East Portland.
Meet Your Portland 2024 Mayoral Candidates
Here's who wants to be Portland's next mayor.
Suspicious Deaths at Oregon Prison Signal Alarming Rise in Inmate Drug Use
The Oregon Department of Corrections estimates half of all adult inmates struggle with addiction. Officials aren't sure how to stop the flow of drugs, or fatal overdoses in state prisons.
Police ID Officer Who Shot a Man in the Portsmouth Neighborhood
Nicholas Morales remains on leave after shooting and injuring Robert Seeger near a North Portland apartment complex on Aug. 24. Video footage of the incident was released Sept. 9.
After Years of Grant Discordance, Portland Adopts Centralized Policy for Doling Out Funds
Dan Ryan says the city’s process for funding nonprofits is “messy and decentralized.” He hopes a new unified policy will help straighten things out.
Portland Police Sergeant Placed on Leave After Drunk Driving Arrest
Sgt. Patrick Mawdsley was arrested for impaired driving in Minnesota in July while off duty. In 2015, he grabbed a woman by the throat during an altercation at a wedding.
Man Who Tried to Drive Into Crowd of Protesters Faces No Charges
Over 30 pro-Palestine protesters have been arrested in Portland since May, but a counter-protester who drove into a pedestrian area and deployed mace was never charged.
Thousands of Fred Meyer Employees Go On Strike Through Labor Day Weekend
The Unfair Labor Practice strike, planned to continue until Sept. 3, comes amid FTC hearings over a merger between Albertsons and Fred Meyer's parent company, Kroger.
De-Paving Paradise
After years of pop-up block parties and meetings with the city, a nonprofit will de-pave and revegetate a dangerous intersection on SE Sandy Boulevard.
Lack of Oversight in Police Training Seminars Raises Alarms
Two law enforcement training conferences in Oregon will feature Dave Grossman, a self-proclaimed expert in “killology" who teaches preparation for combat.
Meet the Portland City Council Candidates: District 4
These candidates are running in the district composed of Portland's west side and some Southeast neighborhoods.
Portland Elections Office Investigating Rene Gonzalez For Using Taxpayer Funds on Wikipedia Edits
Records show Auditor's Office received three complaints over a $6,400 expenditure by the city commissioner's office to alter his Wikipedia page in the thick of campaign season.
Attorneys Claim Plasma Donation Centers Illegally Discriminate Against Gay and Bisexual Men
Grifols USA, which operates two centers in Portland, faces a class-action lawsuit after an Oregon man was denied donation.
TriMet Board Members Say They Do Ride Public Transit (But It’s Unclear How Often)
Updated records from TriMet paint a fuzzy picture about board members’ transit use, but still suggest infrequent ridership.
KOIN TV Workers Allege Outrageous Union-Busting Tactics from Management
Even after a recent federal court order mandated KOIN owners to bargain with the union, they’ve refused to come to the table.
Advocates say Portland is Overdue for a Tenant Bill of Rights
After the defeat of an eviction defense measure in 2023, organizers aren’t done pushing for renters’ protections
Majority of TriMet Board Members Don't Ride Public Transit
Four out of seven board members never tapped their TriMet ID cards last year, records show. One critic says it makes the members unfit to serve.
City Commissioner Receives Frosty Reception at County Democrats Event
Rene Gonzalez’s campaign for Portland mayor highlights rifts among local Democrats. Some say the party’s politics have diversified.
Editor’s Note: The Mercury Has a New Owner—and (Phew!) They’re Cool!
New Owners, Noisy Creek, Has Exciting Plans for a Bigger, Better Mercury
STREET VIEW: Is the Central Eastside Good Now?
Okay, the area has always had its charms. But thanks to new bike infrastructure and a vision for the future, it's getting a lot better.
At a Critical Point for the I-5 Rose Quarter Plan, ODOT Critics Urge Feds Against Funding the Freeway Expansion
ODOT is up for a major federal grant to expand and cap I-5 through Portland’s Rose Quarter. In letters to USDOT, environmental and transportation advocates lay out their opposition.
How Rene Gonzalez Found Common Ground With a Right Wing Provocateur
Over the span of 24 hours, the Portland commissioner and mayoral candidate managed to anger his most conservative supporters, while inflaming progressives over a recent nod to Andy Ngo.
Oregon Nabs $200 Million EPA Grant to Help Meet State Climate Goals
The federal grant money will allow the state to expand electric car and truck incentive programs, encourage eco-friendly construction, and more.
Portland’s Summers Are Getting Dangerously Hot. More Trees Could Save Lives.
Amid a push for "shade equity," the city commits to planting more trees in Portland's least-leafy neighborhoods.
Portland Emergency Dispatch System Impacted by Global IT Outage
City says 911 is taking calls manually, as other businesses and a local hospital report disruptions from the massive software outage
Here's Who's Running for Portland City Council in 2024
As the city gears up for a new government structure and a 12-person council, candidates are in the thick of campaign season for a pivotal November election.
Meet the Portland City Council Candidates: District 2
These candidates are running in the district located in North and Northeast Portland.
Another Suspected Heat-Related Death Pushes Oregon's Tally into Double Digits
During a wave of excessive temperatures, medical examiners across the state are investigating at least 16 deaths that may have been caused by the heat.
After Years of Stigma and Advocacy, a Willamette River Renaissance
A years-long push to increase access to the Willamette is paying off as more Portlanders turn to the river for recreation. Advocates say their work isn’t done yet.
Commissioner Rene Gonzalez Wants City to Rein in Public Comments Criticizing Police During Council Meetings
The city commissioner and candidate for mayor insists the city should no longer "platform abolitionists" by allowing comments about police brutality during council votes on legal matters.
How a Super PAC Upended Portland’s 3rd Congressional District Race
Polling shows candidate Susheela Jayapal had an impressive lead in spring, before AIPAC spent big money to help Maxine Dexter defeat her.
UPDATED: Cooling Centers Reopen Tuesday Amid Deadly Heat Wave
Three sites will operate until 10 pm Tuesday, offering a place for people and pets to cool down. Water and snacks will be provided.
Muslim Woman Forced to Remove Hijab in Multnomah County Jail
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office failed to follow religious protocol. The missteps may have been illegal.
Six Months Ahead of Official Government Transition, Portland Launches a Test Run
Six new deputy administrators will take over bureau administration as Portland commissioners take a step back.
What the Supreme Court’s Ruling Against Homelessness Means for Portland and Oregon
Portland must still abide by state law—policy which some experts say should be adopted by the entire nation.
Portland Will Rev Up Parking, Vehicle Registration Enforcement
Parking fees won’t sustain PBOT, but transportation leaders say increased enforcement will boost public safety and the financial health of the bureau.
Candidate for Mayor Carmen Rubio Snaps Up Endorsement From Gov. Tina Kotek
Rubio is among a crowded field of mayoral candidates, including two other current city commissioners.
Home Forward and City of Portland Unveil 206 New Affordable Apartments in Southeast Portland
The Hazel Ying Lee apartment complex sits at the site of a former strip club on Powell Boulevard. It's the largest new construction project funded by the Portland Housing Bond.
Hundreds of Women Rally on Burnside Bridge For Reproductive Rights
The June 24 demonstration was part of a national women's strike planned around the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling against abortion rights.
Providence Nurses Say They've Been Barred From Work By Management Following Strike
Meanwhile, the Oregon Health Authority is overwhelmed by staffing complaints from health care workers across the state
Update: Providence Nurses Locked Out After Three-Day Strike
Nurses say Providence broke state law, prevented them from returning to work Friday after a strike
Activists Reignite the Battle for Oregon’s Old-Growth Timber
Using both the democratic process and a bit of civil disobedience, "forest protectors" rally to save ancient trees.
Women Across Portland and the US Encouraged to Strike on June 24
On the anniversary of a landmark Supreme Court decision, activists will line the Burnside Bridge to protest diminished reproductive rights and gender inequality.
How a Billionaire Philanthropist is Transforming Oregon Nonprofits
Windfall donations come as MacKenzie Scott gives away $640 million in 2024 via her charitable organization, Yield Giving.
Oregon's Legislative Landscape Supports LGBTQ+ Rights, But Is That Enough?
As the American legal landscape for LGBTQ+ residents 
grows hostile, Oregon works to enshrine rights for all.
As Portland's White Collar Employees Return to Offices, Janitors Push For Fair Wages, Benefits
Janitors with SEIU work at high-profile businesses like Nike and Intel, but their work is often unsung. Amid labor contract negotiations, they're rallying for living wages and benefits.
How a Food Bank Illuminated Cultural, Political Divides Over Gaza
The situation in Gaza has sent shockwaves through politics, universities, K-12 schools, and recently the Oregon Food Bank
He Isn't the DA Yet, but Nathan Vasquez Already Secured More County Money for Drug Prosecutions
Local groups cry foul after Vasquez scores backroom deal for drug prosecution funding.
City Will Spend an Estimated $1.1 Million on Munitions, Shields, and Training For Police
Stockpiling weapons and the return of Portland's crowd control team is reigniting dialog about how police respond to protests.
Proposed Ballot Measure to Repeal Police Oversight Board Can Now Start Gathering Signatures, Judge Says
Judge greenlights police union initiative to scrap and replace Portland’s independent oversight board—which was approved by voters—after striking down a previous PPA measure.
Democrats Maxine Dexter and Janelle Bynum Pull Off Wins in Key Oregon Congressional Races
Both candidates will face Republican challengers in the November election. Dexter is expected to win the 3rd District this fall, while Bynum is hoping to flip the 5th District in the general election.
Update: DA Mike Schmidt Concedes in Primary Election Marked by Big Spending, Progressive Upsets
County commissioners race: Shannon Singleton, Vadim Mozyrsky, and Meghan Moyer advance to November runoff. Jessie Burke and Sam Adams nearly tied for second place in District 2.
It's the Mercury's 2024 Primary Election Night Live Blog!
All the parties, all the results, and all the election night DRAMAZ!
May Primary Will Test Portlanders’ Tolerance For Outside Spending On Local Elections
Portland voters have tried to get big money out of local politics for years, but it has poured into Congressional races this spring.
As Maxine Dexter Touts Progressive Values, Conservative Donors are Flooding Her Campaign Coffers
With the election to determine who will take over Oregon's 3rd House District just days away, will Maxine Dexter's flood of opaque donations impact the race?
The Top Six Mercury Stories to Read Before Filling Out Your Ballot!
Election Day is this Tuesday, May 21—want to stop the conservative wave trying to hijack local and state races? We've got information you need to know.
What Multnomah County Voters Could Learn From Others Who Ousted Progressive DAs
Voters’ fears over crime and safety often fuel election outcomes. Evidence shows prosecutors have little impact on crime rates.
County Commissioner Candidate Saw More Than $40K Funneled to Her Husband by a Board She Oversees
Jessie Burke's vision and methods for Old Town’s rebirth have raised eyebrows. Meanwhile, her group has been accused of being hostile toward homeless service organizations.
Portland Transportation and Climate Groups Sue Over I-5 Expansion Plan
The five plaintiffs say the Oregon Department of Transportation's I-5 Rose Quarter project goes against city and regional climate plans. They also say it’s a bad way to spend $1.9 billion.
Portland Japanese Garden Employees Announce Union
After employees revealed glaring pay disparity and racially insensitive behavior, they hope union representation will alleviate workplace concerns.
Portland Approves New Public Camping Ordinance, After Facing Legal Pressure
The new rules no longer restrict camping hours, but still include fines and jail for non-compliance if a person refuses available shelter.
Industrial Northwest Redevelopment Plan Includes Streetcar Extension and Housing
The Montgomery Park Area draft plan envisions a new neighborhood in an underutilized part of the city.
Dark Money Casts a Shadow on Maxine Dexter’s Campaign
In one of Oregon’s most progressive congressional districts, anonymous super PAC money and tensions over Israel’s war in Gaza have taken the spotlight.
Police Arrest 30 During Portland State University Library Raid and Ongoing Protest
As cops swarm the urban campus to disband a days-long occupation, teachers denounce police response to campus protests across Oregon.
Pro-Palestine Protesters Occupy PSU Library; Police Say Arrests are Imminent
As colleges around Oregon and the US stage occupation-style demonstrations, a library takeover at Portland State University prompts calls for protesters to leave peacefully, amid threats of prosecution.
Portland Freight Train Derailment Spotlights Transportation and Environmental Risks
A Union Pacific freight train derailed on the east end of Portland's Steel Bridge Monday, halting traffic for several hours. Advocates say it could've been a lot worse.
What Would You Do With $15 Million of City Money? Petition Would Give Portlanders a Say
If a participatory budgeting campaign gets off the ground, residents would be able to spend 2 percent—about $15 million—of the city’s budget each year on community projects.
City Council Formulates New Public Camping Rules For the Unhoused; Gonzalez’s Plan Rejected
Commissioner Rene Gonzalez’s idea to hand policy control to the mayor and fine houseless people up to $1K was shot down in a 3-2 vote.
Commissioners Introduce Dueling Homeless Ordinances; Experts Say None Get to the Root of the Problem
Mayoral candidates Gonzalez, Mapps, and Rubio have unveiled starkly different ordinances for regulating camping in Portland, as the city tries to fix legal issues with its prior rules.
With Scant Evidence, City Commissioners Point to Fentanyl as Potential Contributor to Rise in Deadly Crashes
Transportation advocates say putting the blame on victims is a distraction from the real causes of traffic deaths.
Despite Record-High Traffic Crash Deaths, PBOT Leaders Say Vision Zero Is Working
Advocates who have been tracking the city’s response to traffic fatalities aren’t so sure.
Portland Will Pay Nearly $1.6 Million for Independent Monitor to Oversee City's Compliance With DOJ Settlement
Mark P. Smith & Associates will take over monitoring of Portland Police Bureau’s adherence to federal directives. The team includes a former violence prevention leader for the city.
New Plan Seeks to Help Lower Southeast Portland “Rise”
The Lower Southeast Rising Plan would add transit access, infrastructure and more housing. Residents worry it could transform neighborhood affordability and character.
Public Pleas to Save Portland Street Response Dominate City Budget Session
As Portland prepares to slash bureau budgets ahead of 2024-25 fiscal year, residents make their case for investments in alternative response programs and gun violence reduction.
Frustrated with Biden’s Stance on Gaza, Activists Want Voters to Write “Uncommitted” on Their Ballots
Oregon Democrats are encouraged to cast protest votes in the May primary election. State officials say it may not work as intended.
Mayor Wheeler Revises Homeless Plan In Attempt to Avoid Legal Challenges
This time, he may have the support of a commissioner who previously cast the lone "no" vote.
City of Portland to Form a Designated Climate Commission
The Sustainability and Climate Commission will be the missing half of the now-dissolved Planning and Sustainability Commission. Advocates hope it will be an influential voice for strong climate policy.
Mayor Wheeler’s Office Pledges to Support, Sustain Portland Street Response
Former city commissioner and program founder chastises “poor leadership” for the popular emergency response team’s lack of growth.
Portland is Updating its Tree Management Plan, Last Edited in 2004
The city is poised to update its Urban Forest Management Plan, modernizing it for a changing climate and funding landscape.
Asylum Seekers in Portland Could Face Homelessness While They Await a Government Decision
At least 20 families filing for asylum could be out on the street soon, as funds for temporary shelter dry up.
Update: Man Stabbed to Death on MAX Train Was Commuting Home From Work
Michael Brady was killed Friday, March 29. The suspect later told police he heard voices and hadn't taken medication for a mental health condition in months.
Portland’s Government Transition Team Wants Your Input on Future Council Operations
Charter reform will usher in a wave of new processes and transform how City Council conducts business.
The Number of Pacific Northwest Residents Who Support Secession Is Growing
But the Union Isn't Screwed. Probably.
Within Three Years, Five Portland Officers Shot Eight People
Watchdogs, legal groups say repeated deadly force incidents are alarming. Portland Police Bureau says it’s a byproduct of high-risk job assignments.
Portland Elections Office Finds Zenith Energy Violated City Lobbying Rules
Activists hope the findings will substantiate their concerns about Zenith's operations and promote further action against the oil transport company.
Portland Preservationists Think the Future of New Housing is in Old Buildings
At a recent City Council meeting, members of Portland’s Historic Landmarks Commission asked elected officials to rethink the "new build" approach to housing production.
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