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Good morning, Portland! Bask in the mild summer temps of today, because by the weekend, we’ll be roasting. The current forecast calls for highs of 99 to 102 degrees starting Friday, with an excessive heat watch in effect from Thursday evening to Sunday, so plan accordingly.

On to the headlines!

In Local News:

  • Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is undergoing another round of layoffs, announcing it will cut 297 staff members, after already cutting 142 employees last month. Oregon’s largest health care system, which announced a buyout, err….merger with Legacy Health last year, is apparently now cutting patient-facing staff–a move the organization previously said it wouldn’t do. In an email to media Monday, the Oregon Nurses Association said OHSU is cutting jobs at its Connected Care Center, which offers remote services like health advice, appointment scheduling, triage, appointment preparation and other services. KGW reports that OHSU plans to cut administrative jobs, but add “more than 500 patient-facing jobs.”
  • The next election is roughly four months away and it’s a big one. It’s not just a presidential election, but also a pivotal election for the city of Portland. Voters will choose an entirely new city council and mayor, using a ranked-choice voting system. Do yourself a favor and familiarize yourself with the candidates running for mayor. They include a longtime activist and houseless man, a stripper and fierce arts advocate, a trucking company owner, former Commissioner Chloe Eudaly’s chief of staff, and a man who hates Portland, won’t ride public transit, and seems to think unhoused people are the scourge of society.
  • Metro, the regional government entity that includes Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas Counties, is now considering asking voters to adjust the Supportive Housing Services tax fund to allow money to be used on affordable housing. Voters approved the homeless services tax on high-income earners and large businesses in 2020 to fund shelters for the region's unhoused population, and related services. Since its rollout, the tax has brought in more money than expected, and counties haven't spent the funds as quickly as they come in, leaving taxpayers frustrated.
  • Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Consider the plethora of events going on around the city, lovingly curated by our Everout team. Of note: the Waterfront Blues Festival, which runs Thursday through Sunday, the family-friendly Playing With Light exhibit at OMSI, and another free Comedy in the Park gathering at the beautiful Laurelhurst Park, courtesy of our friends at Kickstand Comedy.
  • And in case you needed a reminder, it’s officially the Summer of Slushies! All month, you can treat yourself to a delightful, frozen cocktail at one of the two dozen participating bars. Personally, I’m pleased as punch to see a Teaches of Peaches on this menu (bless you, whoever named this!) and will absolutely be getting Baja Blast’d, because duh. Watch this space, because Nacho Week is right around the corner!

In National/World News:

  • The US Supreme Court is really out to prove that old adage from Lord Acton, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In a flurry of decisions over the past week that’s making our heads spin, the court ruled Monday that former President Donald Trump does have some immunity from charges stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021 capitol riots that ensued when he tried to overturn the election results. The court’s decision said presidents should have “some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office.” As a CNN analyst put it, the ruling “has the long-term effect of placing presidents in a different system of justice than other Americans.” Outlets are already reporting that Trump is trying to have his hush money conviction thrown out, even though the cover-up went down before he took office.
  • Speaking of the legal landscape, California has two notable, recent moves worth mentioning. The Golden State has a new law that requires bars to offer drug testing kits to patrons, which detect whether a drink has been spiked with drugs. The law requires 2,400 bars and clubs with certain liquor licenses to display signs saying, "Don't get roofied! Drink spiking drug test kits available here. Ask a staff member for details." The kits will be free or fairly cheap. California is also making big moves on reparations payments to atone for the generational toll felt by slavery and racist laws. The state set aside $12 million for reparations initiatives, though it's unclear what the money will fund and isn't likely to result in direct payments to Black residents, for now.
  • If you need a dose of levity and good vibes, check out this wholesome video of SZA and champion gymnast Simone Biles talking gymnastics (SZA is a former gymnast who can still do the splits!) and music, complete with a handstand contest. SZA did not disappoint Ms. Biles.

 

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