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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! 👋

After some early clouds, get ready for (SURPRISE!) more sun, and a high of 87—which for me is "doable." Speaking of "doable," let's doable some NEWS.

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Earlier this week it was reported that Commissioner Rene Gonzalez is adding more security to his already robust 24/7 security detail after getting an "online threat"—probably the same type I get on a regular basis... but you do you, Rene. Now we learn that Gonzalez called 911 back in late January when he was jostled (at best) by another rider on a MAX train, telling the operator he was the victim of "a light assault." According to the transcript, obtained by the Oregonian, Gonzalez claims he was "bumped twice"—though video of the incident clearly shows that the person barely brushed by him (if even that). Reminder that one should only call 911 for SERIOUS emergencies... not when you get your feelings hurt. (Maybe some people are just too sensitive to run for mayor. 🤔)

• The election for our new city council is just around the corner (some might say it can't come soon enough), and the Mercury has been interviewing candidates and posting profiles for months. For those who live in the west side and Sellwood (AKA District Four), we've got some new updates for you! (But you can read about allllllll the districts here.)

• The body of beloved Portland chef Naomi Pomeroy has been recovered days after a tragic drowning accident on the Willamette River near Corvallis. Her body has been missing since Saturday. Be sure to check out Andrea Damewood's touching and emotional tribute to this Portland legend.

• Governor Tina Kotek has been tinkering with the state calculation that provides money to our woefully underfunded public schools, and believes she has found an adjustment that could pump an extra $515 million into the fund for the 2025-2027 school years. Is this enough, and should state legislators put more effort into this shameful lack of funding? Nope, and YES. (But it's a start.)

• Looking for the hottest new music or want to check out the best local shows? Then do not sleep on Jenni Moore's HEAR IN PORTLAND which has got you covered. This week: a Blossom and Night Heron combo platter, the latest Project Pabst info, A Beat Happening lands at L’Atelier Yaffe, and a (literally) hot new release from Rasheed Jamal.

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

• One should know by now to never get one's hopes up, BUT... it sounds like President Biden's stubborn refusal to drop out of the race is beginning to soften. The New York Times reports that the two top Democrats, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, met privately with the president to share their deep concern with his campaign and how it could also endanger the chances of Dems controlling congress—which will be paramount to stopping Trump from carrying out his deeply evil plans. And while Biden is still publicly saying he has no intention of stepping down, the fact that he's taking these meetings means something.

• Oh, and did we mention Biden has COVID? He has COVID. His symptoms are reportedly mild. 😬🙄😭

• The single GOOD Biden headline of the day: "Biden administration cancels another $1.2B in student debt."

• Trump's vice presidential pick (and virulent douchebag) J. D. Vance was the star of last night's edition of the Republican convention, where he waxed poetic about his Appalachian roots which were documented in his terrible book, Hillbilly Elegy. As the AP reports, even some in his own party are suspicious of Vance's insistence on blaming the people of Appalachia for their problems, rather than "the decades of exploitation by coal and pharmaceutical companies that figure prominently in Appalachia’s story." Trump will be taking the stage tonight to accept his party's nomination.

• Reminder:

• The Secret Service remains in deep doo-doo over their botched attempt to protect former President Trump during Saturday's assassination attempt—and that includes how long it took to get Trump off the stage, allowing his fist-pumping photo op, and letting him retrieve his lift-assisted shoes. Meanwhile more information has been trickling out about the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, who days before the assassination attempt was searching for info on Trump, Biden, and Attorney General Merrick Garland, and left this chilling message on a gaming platform: “July 13 will be my premiere, watch as it unfolds.”

• Some positive news: A man in Germany is the seventh person to seemingly be cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant for treating his acute myeloid leukemia. As of today, multiple (and very sensitive) tests have detected no viable HIV in his body.

• And finally... this is why you never pick up the phone.