If youāre reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercuryās news reporting, arts and culture coverage, event calendar, and the bevy of events we host throughout the year. The work we do helps our city shine, but we canāt do it without your support. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support!
Good morning, Portland! Expect real fall weather today. Weāre likely in for some rain, with a high of 64 and a low of 55 degrees.Ā
Election Day is three weeks away, but Multnomah County will begin mailing ballots to voters this week. Mercury staffers have been working hard around here on a nifty guide to help you navigate this historically overwhelming election. Look for it on the web and in print around the city, starting tomorrow. And remember: Rank your preferred candidates, but donāt rank anyone you donāt like or arenāt sure about. šā š³
Cat imitates owner's injured leg..šš¾š pic.twitter.com/lS3XJhncbe
ā šoĢ“gĢ“ (@Yoda4ever) October 15, 2024
In Local News:Ā
- Sisters of the Road, the local social justice organization that works to empower and advocate for the cityās unhoused residents, got some bummer news recently. After a long fundraising stint, the groupās purchase of the former House of Louie building fell through. Sisters of the Road planned to move its offices there and reopen its cafe that famously allowed folks to pop in and take on tasks around the cafe in exchange for a nourishing meal. Not only does the organization have to regroup and find a new space, the executive director, Kat Mahoney, is leaving this month.
- A 17-year-old high school senior who was shot while trying to move from Warm Springs to Lincoln City is recovering at a Portland hospital. According to family and a GoFundMe fundraiser, Yisidro Greene was transporting personal belongings in a truck with his grandfather and a family friend, when a car in front of them came to a full stop on Highway 26, about a mile from Government Camp. Someone in the stopped car opened fire on the truck and one of the bullets struck Greene. The shooting wasnāt random. Greeneās sister said her brother was moving to escape a home where drugs were a constant. The truck they were driving was Greeneās motherās, and it was targeted by a group who had been tracking her. Oregon State Police is investigating the shooting.
- Mark your calendar. Oct. 30 is the return of Two Evils with Arlo Weierhauser and Kate Murphy. This hilarious game show offers comedy and mischief, and itās probably the only live performance where the audience is encouraged to use their phones during the show. This monthās special guest is comedian Ben Harkins. Get your tickets now, this thing sells out!
Itās audience vs. a special guest in a devilishly fun game of good vs. evilāit's the HALLOWEEN edition of the most hilarious game show in town, "Two Evils with Arlo & Kate"! (With special guest Ben Harkins! š) Get those tix NOW! https://t.co/uoPgo6CMAN
ā Portland Mercury š (@portlandmercury) October 15, 2024
In National/World News:
- A massive, 10 million-pound meat recall is in effect, and the impacted products were sold at multiple national grocery chains. Listeria contamination Ā detected on meat sold by BrucePac prompted the USDA to issue a warning last week. Yesterday, a list of grocery retailers who carry the recalled products was circulated. The list includes Kroger, Albertsonās, Trader Joes, Target, Amazon Fresh, and several others. The meat was mostly sold in prepared foods like sandwiches, salads, and wraps, but some can be found in frozen meals.
The listeria-launched recall of nearly 10 million pounds of meat and chicken products has reached the store brands of seven of the top 10 grocery-selling chains in the nation. https://t.co/RMrCpn1zAX
ā The Seattle Times (@seattletimes) October 14, 2024 - Dockworkers at several American shipping ports are no longer on strike, after a tentative labor agreement was reached earlier this month. Members of the International Longshoremenās Association fought for a contract with fair wages that prevents their jobs from being lost to automation. The union includes about 45,000 workers across 36 ports, but only 14 ports were affected. Prior to this year's strike, the union hadnāt gone on strike since 1977. Here's a breakdown of what the tentative agreement includes. *Note: A previous version of this segment incorrectly stated the status of the strike. The Mercury regrets the error.
- Lilly Ledbetter, the woman who inspired the namesake Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, died last weekend at age 86. Ledbetter was an advocate for fair pay in the workplace after discovering she had been paid less than her male counterparts for the same work at a tire manufacturing site in Alabama where she worked for 20 years. Ledbetter tried to sue the company, but was told by a court that her legal complaint couldnāt be heard because more than six months had passed since her employment there. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act later became the first piece of legislation signed into law by then President Barack Obama in 2009, making it easier for employees to sue for pay discrimination.
i never even considered dr. pepper could be a woman. maybe i'm a bad person
ā graet (@graetgalaxy) October 14, 2024
- In long overdue action, the White House reportedly sent a letter warning Israel that if the humanitarian crisis in Gaza isn't improved, the United States will consider withholding military aid. Huh. Wonder why it took nearly a year.