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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! Today is “tell your boyfriend to bring a sweater” weather. Despite some afternoon sunshine and the recent week-long dose of heat, it’s not summer yet. If you plan on being outdoors this evening, or even before lunch, a t-shirt and shorts probably won’t cut it. Today’s high will be 70, with a low of 49. Layers are your friend!

IN LOCAL NEWS:

  • TriMet’s Board of Directors is slated to meet Wednesday and vote on the first fare increase in over a decade. Standard adult fare is expected to go up by 30 cents for two-and-a-half-hour bus and MAX rides. Not a quarter, or 50 cents, rather, an amount that will no doubt be a pain in the ass for riders who pay in cash. The proposed fare hikes have prompted backlash from folks who say the agency should find a way to keep rates the same, or go fareless, since fares account for less than 10% of the agency’s budget. A rally is planned as the vote takes place. 

 

  •  Gov. Tina Kotek threw a curveball at legislators, when she proposed changes to Senate Bill 337, aimed at fixing the state’s public defender crisis. The bill seeks to create a pool of state-employed public defense attorneys, rather than the current system of contracting with private firms. Kotek’s proposed changes have some concerned that support for the bill could now be thwarted.
  • Despite some improvements, Portland residents still face dangerously long wait times when they call 911, while some calls go completely unanswered. KATU reports Bureau of Emergency Communications leaders say call volumes are too high and staffing is too low. 
  • This weekend kicks off the Portland Rose Festival, including Friday night fireworks. If you wanted to relive your childhood by eating a bunch of junk food, then hopping on some rickety carnival rides to see how fast you puke, you’re in luck! City Fair opens this weekend at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. You can also check out the Multnomah County Fair at Oaks Amusement Park. Looking for something to do before then? The EverOut team has you covered. 

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

  • A Fender Stratocaster owned and smashed on stage by Kurt Cobain sold at auction last weekend for nearly $600,000. The guitar’s body features handwritten messages and signatures from Nirvana’s members. 

  • Negotiations over the U.S. debt ceiling continue, as the nation has 10 days before we hit a federal default. President Biden and Democrats have proposed keeping spending flat, while raising taxes on the ultra wealthy, including some big companies. Republicans say that’s out of the question. 
  • Montana, which shall henceforth be known as the “clamp down” state, recently implemented restrictions on abortion, and more recently, was the first state to ban TikTok–yes, the popular social media app that lets you watch ridiculous videos of wiggling dog butts, homework tutorials and outfit tips. TikTok is pushing back on the state’s ban on the video app. 
@dogzof funny dogs Comp 🤣  . . . #dog #dogsoftiktok #dogs ♬ original sound - Dogs

Go get some exercise.