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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND!  Expect another gorgeously sunny day with highs in the mid-80s, and cooling down a touch as some clouds drift in over the weekend. Now let's Tokyo Drift (still the best Fast & Furious movie) into some NEWS!

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Second time could be the charm: The Interstate 5 bridge project—which would replace the bridge between Portland and Vancouver—hit a major milestone this week and is advancing to a federal environmental review process... despite significant pushback from environmental activists and skeptical local leaders. Our Isabella Garcia explains it all for you!

• The US Air Guitar Nationals comes to Portland this weekend, and Elinor Jones has a sweet, hilarious profile of one of its air-shredding competitors.

• On Wednesday the Portland Clean Energy Fund asked city council to approve $107 million in green energy grants—but you'd best believe the council had A LOT of tough questions for the organization following a series of criticisms about the voter-approved program. Our Isabella Garcia has the story.

• Look, you're hungry, right? Then DO NOT SLEEP on  the Mercury’s NACHO WEEK: $6 plates of creative nachos from some of the most skillful snack makers around town—but, hurry, hurry... it all ends THIS Sunday, July 17!

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

• Democratic traitor Sen. Joe Manchin has done it again, and is refusing to support funding for President Biden's climate and energy programs, as well as taking a poop on the president's idea for raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations. This pretty much sinks Biden and the Democrat's agenda, that rat bastard.

• Well, this doesn't sound good: The Secret Service allegedly erased text messages dated January 5th and 6th after an investigation was launched into their response during the January 6 attack on the nation's capitol.

• Jayland Walker, the Black man killed by Ohio cops following a chase last month, was shot 46 (!!) times by officers according to the medical examiner.

• Saaaad trommmbooooone:

• Despite clearly saying he wouldn't, Biden is scheduled to meet with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman today, even after previously calling him a "pariah" for the 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Possibly related: Democrats are reportedly searching around for a possible Biden replacement in 2024.

• And finally... wonder if she meows backwards?