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GOOD AFTERNOON, PORTLAND! We've got a small stretch of sunny skies and crisp temps in the low 40s to enjoy over the next few days, so enjoy them! But will we see any SNOW next week? The (weather) jury is still out. So while we wait, let's enjoy some NEWS.

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• A big disappointing day for Mayor Ted Wheeler and his bosses at the Portland Business Alliance: The Multnomah County Commission has voted AGAINST helping fund Wheeler and his wealthy pals' plan to criminalize homeless people and force them into mass internment camps. The city tried to force the county to put $21 million of excess funds into their controversial plan that most Portlanders hate, but instead the county commissioners voted to spend all $28 million on keeping people from becoming homeless (such as rental and other financial assistance) as well as putting the currently homeless into permanent housing instead of a dead-end shelter. Now all there is to do is sit back and watch Wheeler and the Cruel Millionaires Club™ pitch their hissy-fits and then spend millions on disinformation campaigns to chase the county commissioners out of office.

• A new study from Portland State that has been closely following the progress of the still-new Portland Street Response program—which answers certain 911 calls dealing with mental health crises instead of the cops—gives PSR props for all the great work they're doing... BUT! They also noted that their workload has increased 700 percent (!!), they need more staff members to help them out, as well as more cooperation from the police and firefighters they are helping. (WARNING: There is a jaw-dropping quote from a firefighter in this story that will make you seriously reconsider your respect for the fire bureau.) Our Alex Zielinski has the details.

• A Harney County judge continues to defy the will of the voters in relation to Measure 114, and after putting a temporary hold on its implementation until the state has its gun permitting system up and running, has now blocked the ban on the sale of large-capacity magazines... you know, the ones consistently used in mass shootings. His oddball logic is there is "less than a 1 in 1,000,000 chance of a person being a fatality in a mass shooting in Oregon," soooo... let 'em die, I guess! Go crazy, gun nuts!

• Almost certainly related:

• It's time for the jolliest trivia quiz of the year, the holiday edition of POP QUIZ PDX! This week: Mayor McGrinch, the classic toy you want under your tree, and GODDAMN... what are we gonna do with all these SANTAS??  🎅  🤔

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

• Three Michigan men (and members of a paramilitary group) have been sentenced from seven to 12 years each for helping in the plot to kidnap that state's governor, Gretchen Whitmer. The ringleader faces life in prison.

• A former Texas police officer has been convicted of manslaughter for the death of Atatiana Jefferson, who was fatally shot by the officer through the window of her home after responding to call about an open front door. The jury decided against charging him with murder.

• The Biden administration released more than 13,000 records documenting the assassination of President John F. Kennedy today... BUT! Apparently there are still more that remain redacted and out of the public eye, despite a law requiring transparency, and are currently in the hands of the (dramatic sting) CIA. 

• Grifter and former Trump crony Rudy Giuliani is in danger of being suspended or even disbarred after a bar disciplinary committee in Washington, DC, found that he had violated at least one rule when he was trying to help the former prez invalidate the 2020 election results. (Maybe he could get a job helping Trump sell his laughably terrible NFTs?)

• And finally... just some really good advice: