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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND!👋
Calling all nachos lovers! Today—and for the entire goddamn week–you can chow down on the best goddamn nachos of your goddamn life with the Mercury's NACHO WEEK! Picture it... more than 25 creative Portland chefs whipping up plates of one-of-a-kind 'chos, and they're only $10 each! I'm telling you, it's a goddamn dream come true, so check out the all the goddamn nachos here, plot your course with the goddamn Nacho Week map, and start stuffing your goddamn face today, and all the way through the goddamn Lord's Day (Sunday, June 29), goddammit! And now? Here's more of that goddamn NEWS.
IN LOCAL NEWS:
• I'm sorry, but Oregon lawmakers are just too dang lax when it comes to COPS. Now the Oregon legislature is currently prepping a bill that will make it easier for law enforcement agencies to use drones without a warrant—and (no shit, Sherlock) civil rights and privacy proponents are alarmed. First, the cops were like, "Oh, buy us these cool drones! We promise not to do any snooping with them," and look what's happening now. If you can name me one agency that's more spoiled than the cops... actually, don't bother. You can't. Anyway, our Abe Asher has the story.
Despite concerns over privacy and civil rights, Oregon lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are backing a bill that would make it easier for police to use drones for surveillance without a warrant.
— Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury.com) June 23, 2025 at 7:20 AM
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• People across Oregon gathered yesterday to demonstrate against King Fool's ridiculously reckless bombing of three nuclear facilities in Iran—more on that nonsense later—including roughly 300 protesters in Portland. Joining along in their angry dismay was Oregon lawmakers including Rep. Maxine Dexter, Rep. Andrea Salinas, Sen. Ron Wyden, and Sen. Jeff Merkley who noted that Trump once again lied when he said he would not take America into an unnecessary war, and that it was “a wrong decision on all counts.”
• And the bad news for Elon Musk just keeps getting badder—according to the latest count, Tesla registrations/sales in Oregon have plummeted a whopping 17 percent compared to this time last year. Oregonians, who are ga-ga for electric vehicles, are snubbing the drug-addled Trumper's car, which now account for only 1 in 6 new electric vehicles purchased in Oregon. (Saaaaad trommmmmboooone!)
In a political landscape that increasingly seeks to vilify and erase queer and trans people, Mikki Gillette’s plays offer the rare opportunity to support art made by and within queer community at a time where it’s more urgent than ever.
— Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury.com) June 19, 2025 at 8:37 PM
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• Tough news for another long-running Oregon newspaper: The owners of the Portland Tribune—Mississippi-based chain Carpenter Media—have laid off several of the paper's journalists, including Managing Editor Dana Haynes, veteran reporter Jim Redden, and more. The layoffs leave the paper's newsroom with no editor and only two reporters, and according to the Oregonian, "Oregon newspapers have lost three-quarters of their jobs in the years since the Tribune’s founding, according to state workforce data." Support your local fave newspapers, folks.
• Hate to be the one to break it to you, but today marks the first day for fireworks to once again go on sale in Oregon, despite causing wildfires, traumatizing pets and veterans, and blowing the fingers off the macho turds who use them. (So I guess they're not all bad).
Put on your thinkin' caps—it's time for another super fun POP QUIZ PDX! In this week's trivia quiz: "No Kings" day in Portland, more toxic cops, and your pick for cutest (and sleepiest) animal in the land! 🐶💤
— Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury.com) June 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
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IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:
• So! Despite his promises (which no one really believed, because he's a serial liar) to be a "president for peace," King Fool unnecessarily dragged America into a new war on Saturday by "obliterating" three nuclear facilities in Iran, without prior authorization from Congress (which, YEP, is a violation of the War Powers Resolution, and NOPE, the sites were not "obliterated"). Calling it a "spectacular military success"—something that worked out so well for former President Bush—it should be remembered that, during his first term, King Tiny Hands is the one who tore up America's nuclear arms agreement with Iran, which in turn inspired them to ramp up their nuclear capabilities. And now? While the people of Iran were never big fans of America in the first place, they are now rightly hopping mad, and the more militant factions will almost certainly strike back against our nation—but at their own time and pace. (Study up on how ISIS really took hold in the Middle East after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.) Thanks a pant-load, Trump. You've sentenced an unknown number of Americans—particularly members of the military—to an almost certain death.)
NEW: The head of IAEA said in an emergency meeting today that the conflict in Iran “risks collapsing the global nuclear non-proliferation regime,” and that if diplomacy is not pursued, “violence and destruction could reach unimaginable levels.” @mollytaft.com reports www.wired.com/story/intern...
— Andrew Couts (@couts.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:21 AM
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• And more bad news: As Iran plots their next move of vengeance against the United States—either by attacking American service members or activating sleeper cells within our country—federal agencies, like the DOJ, FBI, and counter intelligence units, have been decimated of top talent by Trump and his DOGE goons. In particular, our counter intelligence agencies have lost a full third of their workforce. Feel safer now?
Trump begged oil suppliers to keep prices down amid growing concern that Iran could shut down a major oil shipping channel in response to U.S. strikes.
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 7:55 AM
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• Congrats, I guess (because I don't know or care very much at all for basketball) to the Oklahoma City Thunder who defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the Finals to become the 2024-25 NBA champions. Maybe the Thunder will visit the White House—that is if it's still around in a few weeks.
• A dangerous heat dome is forming over the eastern portion of the US, with temps topping off in the triple digits this week in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. The National Weather Service is warning residents of the life-threatening conditions, particularly to the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health concerns.
• A reminder that you and I are tiny. And that's a good thing!
I spent 6 years staring at space photos of varying degrees of quality, so I was prepared to be underwhelmed by the first images of the Vera Rubin telescope, but even my jaded eyes are blown away by how amazing these look.
— Jimmy (@drjimmy.bsky.social) June 23, 2025 at 8:36 AM
skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne...
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• And say what you will about Sean "Diddy" Combs... at least he's thrifty? "Combs asked male escort agency not to raise rate since he was a regular customer, texts show."
• And finally... here is the Monday energy we should all be emulating.
@candycane45750 ♬ original sound - Candace
