If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’s 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 can’t 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! 👋

Grab some sun while you can today, because starting tomorrow showers and warmer temps will return and stick around through the weekend. OH, and speaking of this weekend, it's your last opportunity to enjoy the Mercury's HOLIDAY DRINK WEEK (happening right now)! That's correct: Gorgeous, creative, holiday-inspired cocktails concocted by the best bartenders in Portland, and they're only $8 each! But the fun ends Sunday, so put yer butt in gear, cha-cha! And now let's put our NEWS butt in gear.

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Trump's election win has apparently given new hope to the Greater Idaho Movement (GIM)—the whining complainers of several eastern Oregon counties who have long dreamed of becoming part of Idaho. The group has petitioned president-elect Trump to support their cause and to use his influence as a "practical problem-solver"—just a moment while I spit out my coffee HAHAHAHAAHAAAAAAA—to help these obstinate crybabies escape Oregon's satanic progressive policies which CLEARLY benefit them, even though they are too fragile to appreciate it. Despite what Trump or the GIM may desire, such an annexation would require buy-in from both state legislatures as well as the US Congress... but I have a possible second option! Idaho could happily welcome these whining crybabies into their state while leaving us the land, which we'll use to make room for the Americans who might actually appreciate not being constantly shat upon by heartless Republicans.

Portland expands popular free air conditioner program with $10M cash infusion

"City documents show the local tax on large retailers that voters approved in 2018 [the Portland Clean Energy Fund] is projected to raise $1.6 billion over the next five years."

www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

[image or embed]

— Shane Dixon Kavanaugh (@shanedkavanaugh.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 5:55 PM

• A Vancouver, Washington, man was shot and killed by police last night following an altercation in a Safeway parking lot. Officials say that after approaching the man, a fight broke out between a cop and the suspect who eventually pulled a gun. Police opened fire on the man who later died. The incident is under investigation by the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations.

• In labor news, a whopping 5,000 employees at 13 Providence health facilities across Oregon—including nurses and doctors, as well as hospital and health care workers—have authorized a strike. And while such an action is not currently planned, all 5,000 could potentially decide to strike simultaneously (an Oregon first), unless Providence management decide to pay their workers competitive pay and benefits, which has reportedly hindered hiring while causing excessive stress to current employees. 

• Multnomah County Commissioners are reportedly mulling an ordinance that would require the companies who own the massive oil tanks that border the Willamette River—and which could rupture due to a future major earthquake—to foot the bill for any damage caused by an oil spill. The cleanup of such a disaster could cost anywhere from $350 million to $2.6 billon.

Snow plows, drones, and riot gear: Christmas came early this year for Portland's bureaus and agencies. Let’s see what ‘Taxpayer Santa’ brought them!
www.portlandmercury.com/holiday-guid...

[image or embed]

— Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 10:41 AM

• Looking for some excellent theater? Then don't sleep on the latest production from Portland's Irish theater-focused company Corrib, who are kicking off their Waiting for Godot-style season with—you guessed it—Waiting for Godot. It's the perfect show for our "just waiting around to be rescued" times. John Rudoff has the review and some gorgeous pics!

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

• The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was brazenly shot and killed yesterday on the streets of NYC, in what authorities suspect was a targeted attack. And according to police, bullet casings recovered from the scene had the words "defend," "deny," and "depose" inscribed upon them—which could possibly allude to the insurance company's failure to adequately cover and compensate their customers. A citywide manhunt is underway for the shooter.

• Even some of Trump's own Republican senators have harsh words for Kash Patel, the president-elect's absolutely ridiculous and unqualified pick for heading the FBI. Last year, Patel vowed that, if he ever gained enough power, he would come after the reporters who "lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections”—a statement that has alarmed most rational people, and even some Republican senators on the Judiciary Committee which oversees the FBI and nominees.

Yes, there are lots of negatives around the Pete Hegseth nomination — the rampant alcoholism, the allegations of sexual assault, the hush money payment to an accuser, the total incompetence leading non-profits, and so on.

But ask yourself: 

Does all that outweigh the total lack of positives?

— Kevin M. Kruse (@kevinmkruse.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 4:08 PM

• Speaking of the self-inflicted wounds of Trump nominee Pete Hegseth, even while the incoming president has been encouraging the beleaguered Hegseth to fight on, he's also been secretly courting his old enemy (and Florida governor) Ron DeSantis to consider the job of Defense Secretary if Hegseth craps the bed. DeSantis is reportedly titillated by the idea, which could put him in a better political position to run for president (and hopefully be humiliated) again in the future.

• To the surprise of absolutely no one, the Trump-dominated Supreme Court appears to be leaning toward upholding Tennessee's draconian (and just plain cruel) bans on gender-affirming care for minors. Justices, such as the ultra-conservative Samuel Alito, repeatedly referenced Europe's recent moves to restrict such healthcare for their youth as a reason to support the ban—even though they have, and will continue to, turn a blind eye on Europe's heavy restrictions on firearms. (Hypocritical much?) The Supremes are expected to issue a final decision sometime this summer.

As an American it's embarrassing how south korea just did the right thing.

They didn't let some bad faith accusations of partisanship or bias stop them from doing what was necessary to preserve their republic.

[image or embed]

— Ambrose Grant (@ambrosegrant.bsky.social) December 5, 2024 at 8:26 AM

• The Department of Justice has completed its civil rights investigation of the Memphis police, ruling that the department "used excessive force, conducted illegal stops, searches and arrests and unlawfully discriminated against Black people." While the City of Memphis agreed to participate in the investigation, after hearing the decision they have signaled they will push back against any federal oversight of their officers, thereby allowing (discriminatory/racist/violent) business to continue as usual.

• And finally... waitagoddamnsecond! I just learn this TikTok dance, and these guys have to come along and up the ante, like, by ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND?? (The youth of today cannot be stopped!)

@flydiggerz APT. ダブルダッチしながらおどったバージョン🙌🕺🔥 👀入れ替わりに注目⚠️ #apt #doubledutch #flydiggerz #フラディガ #brunomars #rose ♬ APT. - ROSÉ & Bruno Mars