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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND!👋

A pleasant, semi-sunny morning turns into more showers this afternoon, and a high in the mid-60s. (It's almost like it's APRIL, or something!) Speaking of April, it's also the month we celebrate the Mercury's famous and delicious PIZZA WEEK which starts this coming Monday, April 14! Get your one-of-a-kind scrumptious slices for only four damn dollars from Portland's top 68 (!) pizza slingers all week long. Can the Easter Bunny beat that? NO, HE CANNOT. He can't beat today's roundup of NEWS, either. (Suck it, rabbit.)

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Let's kick off with some sad news: Dan Handelman, one of the loudest voices for Portland police accountability for the last 20 years, has died after suffering a stroke at age 60. Most famously known for leading Portland Copwatch, an organization that reported on police malfeasance while offering constructive criticism on how it could improve, Handelman also helped create Portland's newest police oversight committee, and was a tireless advocate for justice. On a personal note, Dan has been offering wildly smart quotes and providing much needed education on police matters to the Mercury for the last two decades—and while we are absolutely brokenhearted, we stand in awe of Dan whose hard work and passion for the subject of police accountability heavily influenced our own. Bon voyage, Dan—you were one of the good ones. 

Dan Handelman, an ardent police watchdog and co-founder of Portland Copwatch, died Wednesday. Handelman was best known for his decades of commitment to police oversight and accountability, but his legacy is also steeped in the dogged pursuit of social justice. www.portlandmercury.com/news/2025/04...

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— Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury.com) April 10, 2025 at 8:26 AM

• A total of four University of Oregon international students have had their visas yanked away by Trump's Department of Homeland Security for the dastardly crimes of... checks notes... "unspecified criminal charges." 🤔 The students have been informed they have 15 days to vamoose out of the country, unless they can provide a good legal reason they should stay. One good reason might be, "You legally cannot kick me out of the country without providing me with proof of whatever 'unspecified criminal' activity I did!" But I'm no lawyer—but then again, the Trump administration doesn't give two shits about the law.

• A new bill is heading to Oregon's legislative floor that would build on the effects of Measure 114—a voter-approved gun law which bans high capacity magazines, requires owners to buy a permit, as well as complete a background check. The new House Bill 3075-2 would tweak the measure, mandating that state police would have to complete criminal background checks on gun buyers (sounds good to me), increase the permit fee from $65 to $150 (love it, should be more expensive I think... I pay more than that for car tabs), and private owners would have to prove they purchased their high capacity magazines before the law takes effect or get rid of them. Expect lots more crybaby antics (such as appeals) from gun lovers who put their own irrational fears before the safety of the community.

The first major legislative action under Portland's new form of government drew broad support from renters struggling to afford inflated housing costs. The proposal to ban algorithmic price fixing also drew fierce opposition from entrenched business advocates seemingly threatened by shifts in power.

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— Jeremiah Hayden (@jeremiahhayden.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 2:03 PM

• On the topic of conservative gun nuts, two Latino Fest and Juneteenth celebrations in central Oregon have been canceled this year thanks to (you guessed it) racist threats from Trump followers, causing deep and reasonable concern for the safety of people of color. “In today’s increasingly volatile political climate, with rising incidents of racial aggression and threats—particularly toward Black and Latino communities—safety must come first,” organizers told OPB. While celebrations are planned to continue in other areas around the state, this should be a stark warning that Oregon legislators need to step up and directly confront the racist, fear-based tactics conservatives used to control (non-white) communities.

• Today in "Surprise, surpriiiiiiise!": "Oregon Republican Party chair accused of not paying $110K owed to banks."

Get hip with Hear In Portland to find out about some real deal R&B, cumbia, and hip-hop happenings around town! Hit the link below if you knows what's good for ya ↘️⬇️↙️

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— Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury.com) April 9, 2025 at 1:03 PM

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

• After stocks rebounded yesterday—though not nearly to the level they were before Trump began playing his idiotic tariff game—the markets are tumbling again today, as the reality set in for investors that import prices are still expected to climb. Yesterday, Trump was frantically backpedaling on his tariff plan, announcing he would institute a 90 day extension on the insane tariffs against other countries, but economists are still predicting a rise in prices across the board, which will stunt America's economy. So I guess the Trumpers are getting exactly what they want? Hope you're enjoying your egg prices that continue to rise, even while the bird flu is getting under control! 🤷‍♂️

I’m sure it’s a coincidence that MTG bought all these stocks just before word of the tariffs pause that caused the stock market to surge.

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— Chris Sotomayor 🇵🇷 (@sotocolor.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 8:45 AM

• Republicans in the House have passed a budget framework designed to push through Trump's shitty agenda, after defiant fiscal conservatives were persuaded to vote in favor of it. The plan was in danger when a few conservatives refused to play along unless they got guarantees for deeper spending cuts. (Never you mind that the ultimate passage of the bill could add trillions of dollars to the national debt.)

BREAKING: The House passed a GOP bill to require proof of U.S. citizenship for voting, a Trump priority. Its fate is uncertain in Senate.

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— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) April 10, 2025 at 8:40 AM

• As previously mentioned, Trump is taking specific aim at foreign students attending US colleges and universities, canceling their student visas and giving them two weeks to leave the country. While the students are being charged with "unspecified crimes," it turns out their criminality is limited to protesting at pro-Palestinian rallies, and in some cases, getting traffic tickets. The students are left scrambling to find legal representation or figure out some way of escaping the country before ICE is sent to arrest them. 

“We need to get better at treating this like a business,” Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said, explaining he wants to see a deportation process “like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings.”

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— Marisa Kabas (@marisakabas.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 6:14 AM

• The number of people killed in the tragic roof collapse of a Dominican Republic nightclub has risen to 218. The cave-in, which happened at the popular disco Jet Set, was so devastating that authorities are unsure of how many people were in the club, but do not expect to find any more survivors.

• And finally... DO YOU WANT YOUR OPS AND ENEMIES TO WIN?? No?? Then do yourself a favor and follow this advice!

@cayydences Inspired by: @gio ♬ Eine Kleine Nachtmusik 1st movement(996517) - East Valley Music