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Good morning, Portland! Last week at this time it was 80 degrees and smoky as shit. Just perceive time for a sec. NOW FOR THE NEWS 🙃

IN LOCAL NEWS:
• If you've been following the rise of "aw shucks, those are just my right-wing buddies" congressional candidate Joe Kent in Clark County, Washington, the recent Daily Beast investigation, which COULD NOT FIND the company Kent is allegedly employed by, probably peaked your interest. Late yesterday, OPB's Troy Brynelson reported that Kent’s campaign provided "glimpses of the candidate’s tax documents," which suggested that Kent and his campaign have repeatedly misstated his company’s name. “I do have flexibility, and I can dictate my schedule," Kent told OPB. "I don’t have a boss, you know, making sure I clock in and clock out and report at a desk somewhere.” MUST BE NICE. WHAT A SALT OF THE EARTH FELLA.

• Seattle Times' Jim Brunner has a good thread on details about Kent's contributers:

• To all my competitive souls out there, I just want you to know that I already voted—AND received a confirmation email from Multnomah County Elections. If you want to read the Mercury's endorsements for local, state, county, and federal elections CLICK ON THROUGH. 

• ICYMI: Portland City Council will vote today on whether it should award $47,500 to yet another Portlander for injuries she sustained due to PPB's unreasonable force, during the 2020 Portland protests. The situation and damages are similar to a case from this past September—and likely just the tip of the iceberg.

IN NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
• This morning, President Biden announced that—as a method of fighting raised consumer costs during this time of inflation—the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will take new steps to eliminate "junk fees," like banking fees, hidden charges, and added fees on cable bills, airline tickets, and hotel bookings. Watch your butt, AirBnb!

• The Hill reports that a judge on the New York Supreme Court ordered ordered New York City to reinstate 16 sanitation workers who were fired earlier this year for refusing to comply with a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for city employees. The judge referenced President Biden's "the pandemic is over" and the ending of New York’s state of emergency in his reasoning.

• The Pacific Northwest mood this week:

@megan_hogue When Seattle fall finally hits… #pnw #seattletok #lionking #itistime #cozyseason #winteriscoming ♬ original sound - Nan Marine