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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND!👋
Woooo-wheee, it was a HOT one yesterday, right? Well, don’t dress only in flip-flops and thongs to go to work today, because while it will remain mostly sunny through Wednesday, the temps will drop down to a much more manageable 77 degrees. (On second thought… who am I to tell you not to wear your thong to work? You look hot, so you do you.) And now let’s do some let’s-do-you NEWS!
IN LOCAL NEWS:
• A tragic, frightening incident at Portland’s Multnomah Athletic Club (MAC) this weekend: According to reports, a disgruntled former employee who had allegedly threatened members of the tony club for years, rented a car, filled it with explosive propane and pipe bombs, and then drove it into the first floor of the MAC, blowing up the car. In doing so, the suspect killed himself and caused significant damage to the property. The alleged suspect was Bruce Whitman of North Portland, a former bartender at the MAC who had reportedly developed an obsession with the private club, and was considered a mental health risk by neighbors and police. Whitman had a history of threatening MAC members—even showing up at their homes—and was reportedly convinced that the club and its members were conspiring against him. The ground floor of the MAC has been completely destroyed, and the building is closed until further notice as the investigation continues. Most importantly: If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call or text 988 for help. You are needed in this world.
• On May Day, hundreds of protesters demonstrated downtown and then marched to Portland’s ICE facility calling for the protection of both workers and immigrants. The situation grew confrontational early on, as some of the protesters began rattling the gate of the ICE facility, inspiring Portland Police to make two targeted arrests. This protest was different in that federal agents—who are regularly violent and vengeful—chose to stay inside. While Portland Police rarely interfere with ICE protests, they claim they were forced to step in to curb “criminal activity.” The crowd had largely dispersed by 9:30 pm.
• Our new WNBA franchise, the Portland Fire, lost their preseason game against the Los Angeles Sparks, 85-75, last night at the Moda Center thanks to numerous turnovers and several key players missing due to injury or illness. That said, Coach Alex Samara was not particularly worried, and has high hopes for the team’s first regular season home game this coming Saturday against the Chicago Sky! Should be a banger!
• REMINDER! You should now have your ballot for the May primary election, and if you are confused AF by all the candidates and measures, CALM THYSELF. Because the Mercury Election Strike Force is back with loads of thoughtful analysis and opinions about who and what you should vote for in our election endorsements! So grab your ballot and vote with confidence! (No time to read? Then get all our picks lickety-split with our handy-dandy voter cheat sheet!)
• The future of foie gras is on shaky ground in Portland. Many believe that production of the luxury ingredient, made by force-feeding ducks until their livers become fatty and enlarged, is cruel and inhumane. A proposed ordinance would ban the sale of foie gras within city limits, with restaurants receiving a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 for each violation. Over 75 people signed up to provide testimony at a City Council hearing last Wednesday, bringing out advocates from two of Portland’s most prominent groups—animal rights activists, many of them wearing bright green “Pro Animal Oregon” T-shirts, as well as restaurant owners and industry supporters. Our Katherine Chew Hamilton was there and filed this report spotlighting the many varied opinions (and some are WILD) on this hot button topic.
• Electronic music pioneers Cabaret Voltaire, along with Genesis P-Orridge, revolutionized what is now called harsh noise, techno, and industrial—and they’re making their Portland debut May 8 at Roseland Theater. Music journalist Dave Segal caught up with CV founding member Stephen Mallinder ahead of what will be their only Portland date ever to chat about the band’s 50+ career and what can be expected on this, their farewell tour.
• It’s always a crapshoot how close any given staging of The Glass Menagerie will stick to Tennessee Williams’ intended tone; the sorrow contained within his memory play can be so potent that many have swung for something lighter. We’re impressed Shaking the Tree’s Samantha Van Der Merwe chose the nuclear option. Read our full review by Holly Hazelwood.
IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:
• Trump’s completely stupid and useless war against Iran continues to embarrass him after the country claimed it struck a US warship that was approaching the blocked Strait of Hormuz during a mission unimaginatively called “Project Freedom.” The US ships were there to guide freighters through the strait, and say they have successfully helped two ships navigate the waterway as Iran fired rockets and cruise missiles near them, reportedly striking one ship—a claim the US denies. Unfortunately, escorting two ships through the strait probably won’t do much to stop skyrocketing gas prices, while at the same time (prepare for the shock of your life) Trump’s approval ratings have reached their lowest point ever. Wonder if there’s a correlation?
• Former New York Mayor and lying Trump lackey Rudy Giuliani is currently hospitalized and in critical condition for reasons that have yet to be revealed, according to his spokesperson. Last week Giuliani was complaining of a raspy voice during his nightly online show, and was admitted to the unnamed hospital over the weekend. This inspired Trump to hop on social media and squeal into the ether, “What a tragedy that [Giuliani] was treated so badly by the Radical Left Lunatics, Democrats ALL—AND HE WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!” Apparently Trump has forgotten about Giuliani being disbarred and exposed as a liar during his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, and (my favorite) trying to convince everyone he chose the outside of the Four Seasons landscaping company for a press conference on purpose. As he himself likes to say, “never forget.”
• The bargain basement Spirit Airlines announced on Saturday that it had gone out of business and cancelled all of their flights, citing their two previous bankruptcies and skyrocketing oil prices (thanks, Trump) which have made it impossible for them to continue operating. While they say that customers can expect refunds for their canceled flights, roughly 17,000 employees are now unemployed. While the Trump administration could have funded a bailout for the discount air service, Secretary of Transportation (and former Real World cast member) Sean Duffy said “we often times don’t have half a billion dollars laying around.” But they do seem to have it “laying around” for a war against Iran, the National Garden of American Heroes, and a new, oversized White House ballroom, don’tcha know.
• And the battle for legal abortion rages on after the ultra-conservative 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals went along with the state of Louisiana’s request for the abortion pill mifepristone to be distributed only in person, rather than through the mail. The drug has been one of the primary methods of terminating a pregnancy—particularly for those who live in a state with draconian anti-abortion laws—since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in 2022. The good news is that the Supremes have temporarily blocked the lower court’s ruling following a request from one of the makers of mifepristone, Danco Laboratories, who asked for a temporary stay while their appeal is considered. And just so you know, the current order will only be in effect for one week—so do with that information what you will.
• And finally… may all the people in your life show you the attention you deserve this week (but maybe not like this Dutch Bros employee).
