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GOOD AFTERNOON, PORTLAND! Word to the wise, if you don't want to miss out on the always super-sexy and fun HUMP! Film Festival that kicks off this weekend, you better get those tix quick! Two screenings have already sold out, and that's probably just the beginning... so hurry hurry! Now, may I sell you some NEWS?
IN LOCAL NEWS:
• Because he is a reasonable person who doesn't put up with bullshit, US District Judge Michael Simon had a lot of probing questions for the Portland Police who have been fighting body camera negotiations tooth & nail, because they want to "prereview" footage before writing a report on how they shot somebody. The court also heard about how the Portland Police Bureau consistently drags its feet when it comes to investigating troublesome officers. Our Isabella Garcia has all the details.
• Related:
🚨 TONIGHT is the virtual Town Hall on Gunshot Detection Technology Hosted by @PCCEPportland starting at 6pm‼️
— Candace Avalos (@candaceforpdx) March 1, 2023
More info here :https://t.co/7BR5ajgumn
• Mayor Wheeler pitched a hissy fit today and abruptly halted today's City Council meeting when—during a discussion of the Police Accountability Commission—four people used their testimony time to roast Commissioner Rene Gonzalez' terrible (and completely illogical) ban on bureau employees handing out tents to houseless people to protect them from freezing to death. (Kind of sounds like Gonzalez is already more trouble than he's worth.)
• Today in stories that make you go "HMMMM": One of the state's biggest reproductive rights organizations, Pro-Choice Oregon, announced that it is dissolving, which came as quite a shock to the thousands advocating for abortion rights during this fraught political time. A number of reasons were given for the dissolution... most of which might inspire you to go "HMMMM."
In @JenniferKayMo's Hear in Portland column this week:
— Portland Mercury 🗞 (@portlandmercury) March 1, 2023
• Wu-Tang Clan and Nas at the Moda
• Pickathon 2023 tickets on sale and they say they fixed the parking!
• Eyelids album release show and US tourhttps://t.co/GKUBGvOMYn
• According to a new report from the Oregon Department of Transportation, the state's bridges continue to be in a state of decline, and the report also warns that communities should be repairing or replacing these "distressed" bridges more quickly.
• A boozy reminder:
Good news: The Mercury is extending the delicious HIGHBALL WEEK (thanks, *no thanks* to the snow)! Now you'll be able to sip creative cocktails from the city's best bars all the way through Sunday, March 5! 🥳🥂🎉https://t.co/mumncTg6eC
— Portland Mercury 🗞 (@portlandmercury) February 24, 2023
IN NATIONAL/ WORLD NEWS:
• In Putin's war against Ukraine, while Russian forces continue to launch largely unsuccessful attacks on the eastern city of Bakhmut, they also reportedly suffered a huge loss after getting routed during a three-week tank battle—the biggest fight of the war thus far.
Starbucks committed “egregious and widespread” violations of federal labor law while trying to halt union campaigns, a judge ruled, and ordered the coffee giant to give backpay and damages to employees who launched a nationwide organizing drive. https://t.co/1AJb92bUMm
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 2, 2023
• While President Biden is not exactly confident that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of his student loan forgiveness program (thanks to Trump's judges), one of the president's lawyers apparently made a great case for the idea today which reportedly was very persuasive... so fingers crossed.
• Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee's plan to ban drag performances from public property or anywhere children might see them was thrown a curveball when a photo was revealed showing... wait for it... Governor Lee dressed in drag. (Life comes at ya fast!)
• Today in "Wow... cops are really expensive, while at the same time not worth the trouble": "NYC agrees to pay millions to hundreds of George Floyd protesters who were corralled by police."
Jupiter and Venus will appear very close together in the night sky, with the two planets set to pass each other in what’s known as a conjunction. https://t.co/N7PPksL4xw
— CNN (@CNN) March 1, 2023
• According to a release from Prince Harry and Meghan's press secretary, “We can confirm The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been requested to vacate their residence at Frogmore Cottage,” which is perhaps the most "British" thing anyone has ever said.
• And finally... a reminder that we'll be publishing the results of the 2023 Mercury Sex Survey on Friday. (What's in YOUR suitcase?)
— NO CONTEXT HUMANS 👤 (@HumansNoContext) March 1, 2023