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Senate passes imperfect, but historic gun bill as Supreme Court makes it easier for people to hide them.
Senate passes imperfect, but historic gun bill as Supreme Court makes it easier for people to hide them. ballyscanlon / Getty Images

GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! Hope you enjoyed yesterday's relatively cool day, because starting TODAY temps crank up to 84 before topping out at 97 degrees on Sunday. Check in on those people who may need some help, okay? And while you're at it, help yourself to some NEWS.

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• The city of Portland is poised to officially rejoin the Rose Quarter Interstate 5 project after walking away in 2020—but, but, BUT! There are conditions! Find out what the city is demanding in this report from our Isabella Garcia!

• A Washington man who's facing hate crime charges for violent, homophobic threats was (wait for it) a fundamentalist Christian who frequented Vancouver's Sure Foundation Baptist Church which also spouts similar hateful viewpoints.

• In sporty-sports news: The Portland Trail Blazers have chosen Canadian Shaedon Sharpe as their number 7 pick in the NBA draft. The young man is creating quite the buzz after he spent the last year in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, averaging 22.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.

• ALERT! There are only THREE days left to enjoy the Mercury’s Sandwich Week. Through Sunday, June 26, get deeeeelicious $8 sammies from 30 (!) local restaurants, including several vegan and vegetarian options. EAT. THOSE. THINGS. UP!

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

UPDATE 7:30 AM: Aaaaaand just after I hit "publish," this happened.

Stay tuned to the Mercury for local reaction.

• While it certainly doesn't provide the full protection America needs, the Senate did pass a bipartisan gun violence bill that would strengthen background checks and incentivize "red flag" laws. It's expected to pass the House and then sail to Biden's desk soon after.

• Sadly related: As the nation grieves for those children and adults who have died from near daily mass shootings, what has Trump's Supreme Court done? They've handed down a ruling that will make it so much EASIER to carry handguns around in public. (Hope they realize how much blood they're gonna have on their hands.)

• It was another humdinger of a day for the January 6 investigative committee yesterday, as they spotlighted Trump's attempts to install a no-nothing co-conspirator as the head of the DOJ, while also naming six TOTALLY INNOCENT Republicans who begged the president for a pardon after helping Trump with his attempted coup. LET'S NAME THEM, SHALL WE: Reps. Mo Brooks of Alabama, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Louie Gohmert of Texas, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

• In an attempt to avoid being surrounded by Russian troops, Ukraine is pulling troops out of the key city of Sievierodonetsk and moved to more fortified positions.

• And finally... this is me crying, "Uhhh... WHERE DID MY WEEKEND GOOOOOOO??"