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! This month, be thankful for holiday lights because it’s clouds and rain for the foreseeable future. Today’s high is a measly 46 degrees with an overnight low of 38. Bundle up! 🥶

IN LOCAL NEWS: 

  • Mayor Keith Wilson’s pick for Portland’s next city administrator was announced Tuesday. Wilson tapped Raymond Lee to assume the city’s top administrative position. Lee hails from Greeley, Colorado where he served as city manager up until last month. In somewhat unusual fashion, Lee tendered his resignation from his Colorado job while Portland’s leaders were still interviewing finalists for the position, weeks before Wilson picked Lee. Wilson said Lee fits the bill for the “innovative city administrator with a track record of success” that the city needs. Jeremiah Hayden has the rundown.

Mayor Keith Wilson has made his choice for the city’s first long-term top bureaucrat after a year-long nationwide search. Wilson nominated Raymond Lee, who has served as the city manager for Greeley, Colorado since 2021. ✍️ @jeremiahhayden.bsky.social

[image or embed]

— Portland Mercury ( )

  • As Portland faces pressure to build more affordable housing, an estimated 1,900 publicly subsidized affordable apartments are currently vacant, the Oregonian reports. As hundreds of people are on waitlists for affordable units, there are nearly 2,000 sitting empty, partly because the "affordable" monthly rent isn't actually that much cheaper than market rate rent. 

  • Let’s face it: arts and culture are the backbone of Portland’s identity, and “the city that works” is also the city that twerks, and sways, and shuffles, and bobs along to whatever band is hitting the stage. It can be tricky keeping up with artists’ touring schedules, and discovering new music. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. 

  • Need a reason to meet up with friends, or a good date night? Maybe you’re overdue for a solo outing at the bar. ‘Tis the season to raise a glass. Let the Mercury’s Holiday Drink Week guide you. Check out the full list of $10 limited edition, festive libations. 

It's officially Holiday Drink Week in Portland, and the best bartenders in the city are crafting festive cocktails 🎄 Your guide to all 25 holiday drinks and where to find them in PDX >> shorturl.at/6BcEl

[image or embed]

— Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury.com) December 1, 2025 at 10:43 AM

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS: 

  • The race for a House seat in Tennessee appears to have gone to Republican Matt Van Epps. The special election garnered heightened attention, as political pundits watched to see whether the US House of Representatives seat would go to a Democrat, signaling waning support for President Trump in Republican territory.
  • Won’t someone think of the children? These billionaires did. Susan and Michael Dell (yes, the “dude, you’re getting a Dell!” computer founder) announced their $6.25 billion pledge to the new Trump accounts for 25 million qualifying American children. Trump announced earlier this year the creation of a new investment account program that will see the US Treasury deposit $1,000 into an account opened for children born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028. The billionaire couple’s donation means each child will get an extra $250 in their account.
  • Democratic lawmakers are trying to push back on Trump's plan to appoint hundreds of military lawyers with no immigration law experience as temporary immigration judges. The move comes after the Trump administration fired "at least a dozen tenured judges," NPR reports. Democrats introduced a bill on Wednesday that would only allow the attorney general to appoint immigration judges who have either served on appellate panels, work as administrative judges, or who have at least 10 years of immigration law experience.

This holiday season, it's all about beloved childhood fictional characters letting it all hang out. 

@sparklythunderthighs Didn’t know Snoopy got down like that 🙂 #knottsmerryfarm #snoopy ♬ original sound - .