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!👋

It's a return to spring today and tomorrow with showers (and maybe even the odd thunderstorm) along with highs in the upper 50s. Now if this is the type of weather that depresses you 🙋‍♂️, then here's something that should cheer you up: Starting today it's the arrival of the Mercury's HIGHBALL WEEK, featuring delicious, creative cocktails made by 41 of Portland's best bartenders! But it only lasts until this Sunday, May 18, so get out there and drink the clouds away! And now let's guzzle a tumbler of NEWS.

IN LOCAL NEWS

• Oregon's Democratic legislators are in a bit of a pickle trying to decide how to fund and implement the state's long-anticipated, multibillion dollar transportation package—and activists are piling on the pressure to make sure such necessities as public transportation, biking, and walking needs are taken care of... because NEWSFLASH! Not everyone can afford to purchase and insure vehicles, such as those wildly oversized (and under-utilized) pickup trucks that mostly result in damaged streets, wasted fuel, and repeated road rage incidents. And in this informative article from our Taylor Griggs, activists are saying that the current proposal from the Dems "gives lip service to safety, equity, and climate stewardship, [but] legislators need to make sure those goals can be financed, or they will never be realized." Get smart, and read it all here.

As the Oregon Legislature works on a major transportation package, advocates say it's crucial the final bill includes enough funding for public transit and safe streets— and, many say, the current framework doesn’t go far enough. 

www.portlandmercury.com/news/2025/05...

[image or embed]

— Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury.com) May 10, 2025 at 12:13 PM

• In other transpo news, ODOT officials have revised the budget for the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project—which would widen the highway, and cap it to rejoin the historically Black Albina neighborhood—and are now saying that the total cost could eclipse (gulp!) $2 billion. (Up from the previous estimate of $1.5 billion.) Transportation activists and Republicans alike are saying there appears to be no consequences for ODOT for continually going over budget, and even the department admits they have a credibility problem. 

• While there are currently no reported cases of measles in Oregon (unlike the 709 cases sweeping Texas since January), due to dropping vaccination rates in the state, we may not be so lucky for long. Only 94 percent of students in the state are vaccinated against measles, and that number is even lower (90 percent) for Oregon's kindergarteners. Health officials would like to remind you that herd immunity is attained at a 95 percent vaccination rate, and that so far nationwide, three children have reportedly died and 13 percent have been hospitalized due to the highly contagious viral infection.

• Dozens of local moms spent their Mother's Day in a very productive manner yesterday by demonstrating for human rights outside of Portland's ICE headquarters. Organized by Portland for Palestine, the protesters issued the very true reminder that DUE PROCESS IS THE LAW OF THE LAND—one that Trump and his corrupt cronies are refusing to grant to immigrant deportees. “We have every obligation to stand up and push back," organizer Michele Darr said to reporters at the protest. "We must let these people know who are in there, trapped in this system, that they are not alone. We’ll never stop fighting for them.”

Calling all trivia lovers! It's the latest hilarious edition of POP QUIZ PDX. This week: the Real ID deadline, dumbass ideas from dingbat Republicans, and everything you know about the area's newest fast food sexpot, Jollibee! (See how well you score!)

[image or embed]

— Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury.com) May 8, 2025 at 9:58 AM

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

• Blustery Trump caves in again: After lobbing wild tariff threats at China, King Fool is once again backpedaling as his impossibly stupid plan threatens to upend the global economy. Both countries have agreed to temporarily slash tariffs for 90 days, with the US cutting its insane penalty on China from 145 to 30 percent. While the stock market responded positively, who knows how long that will last, and prices are still expected to remain inflated.

President Donald Trump spoke Monday about negotiations with China that resulted in a dramatic step back from a tariff trade war — but in a rambling speech, he revealed the talks had left him confused.

[image or embed]

— Raw Story (@rawstory.com) May 12, 2025 at 8:05 AM

• Oh, and surprise, surpriiiiise: "China now more popular worldwide than the US." According to the 2025 Democracy Perception Index, admiration for the United States has taken a severe nose dive since Trump has taken office from a 20 percent global approval rating to (HAHAHAHAHHAAAAA) negative five percent! And yep, that's even below Russia, whose leader Vladimir Putin is ten percent more popular than his puppet Trump. 

• Can someone please inform the NYT that a president accepting a plane from a foreign government (AKA a bribe) doesn't "raise ethical issues"—it's a direct and brazen ethical violation. SAY THE WORDS.

Breaking News: President Trump plans to accept a luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar that he will use as Air Force One and will keep using after he leaves office. The plan — involving possibly the biggest foreign gift ever received by the U.S. government — raises substantial ethical issues.

[image or embed]

— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) May 11, 2025 at 9:09 AM

• A tale of two headlines: 1) "Trump and RFK Jr. say their new plan will lower American drug prices." And 2) "House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts that Democrats warn will leave millions without care."

• Opening statements are underway in the sex trafficking/racketeering case of Sean "Diddy" Combs in New York City, as prosecutors have begun their opening statements. One of his alleged victims, singer Cassie Ventura, could take the stand as soon as today.

• And finally... do you ever wonder how the clock was invented? 🤔 Check out this historical footage of the clock's inventor attempting to justify his choices.

@darealmeech135 #fyp #fypシ #viral #funny #meme ♬ original sound - darealmeech135