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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! Prepare thyself for more sunny-sun this week with highs starting at 80 degrees today and remaining just about the same through Wednesday, which means it’s the perfect time for… what? That’s right, it’s the Mercury’s BURGER WEEK, baybee! Starting today and running through this Sunday, you’ll be able to scarf down up to 120 (!!) delicious, creatively cooked burgers from Portland’s cleverest chefs, and for only $10 a pop! Hope you are gastronomically prepared for this… as well as today’s occasionally delicious NEWS.
IN LOCAL NEWS:
• This coming Wednesday will mark a big day in the continuing Moda Center negotiations and controversy, as Portland City Council will have an all-day meeting to discuss—and potentially vote on—a final term sheet to send to the Blazers obstructive ownership gang. The term sheet is a framework of asks from the city as they enter into formal negotiations with the Blazers… one that the team’s owners have labeled as “a non-starter.” The crux of the matter is that Portland rightly wants some kind of return on our massive investment, and not just fork over $120 million to a bunch of billionaires who have, so far, shown only disrespect to our city. Last week, the council voted on a gaggle of amendments to the term sheet, many of which would have demanded some sort of return on the investment, and every one of them failed to garner enough votes to pass. However, this Wednesday you can expect even more amendments to be introduced—as well as more arguments—as the council tries to finalize the sheet. You can also expect to hear more selfish yowling from the billionaires’ local supporters—some of whom were paid to yowl—and are unreasonably petrified that we’ll lose the team if we don’t bend over backwards for these oligarchs. Pop up some corn, it’s gonna get wild.
• The state’s current largest wildfire—the Big Grass fire in deep southeast Oregon that has jumped into Idaho—is getting close to becoming the largest such blaze in state history. Despite the efforts of thousands of firefighters, the Big Grass fire accumulated another 70,000 acres and, by yesterday morning, was only 39 percent contained. Meanwhile the Grasshopper fire that’s currently spreading in the Mount Hood National Forest—and the one closest to Portland—has grown to 54,000 acres, and has warranted calling in the National Guard to help stop the blaze from crossing Highway 35 and possibly endangering Timberline Lodge and the communities of Government Camp and Rhododendron. All are currently under Level 1 (or be ready) evacuation notices, as the fire is only 23 percent contained.
• After 66 years of serving capitalism—which ultimately killed it—the Lloyd Center Mall had its last day in business on Saturday. And to celebrate, various groups showed up and showed out for the indoor community space, including snazzily dressed mall walkers, a funeral-procession and bike ride through the parking garage, a visit from a throng of Santas, artists, vendors, and musicians in the food court, and loooooong lines for a last bite of Joe Brown’s Carmel Corn. Plus hundreds of ice skaters took their final loops around the rink, including beloved figure skating duo Jerry and Tally Leonard who closed out the festivities with a heartbreakingly sweet spin around the ice. Pour one out for the Lloyd Center, it was a real one.
• In case you haven’t noticed, e-bikes are quickly becoming Portland’s transpo du jour, and at least some of that is thanks to Portland’s Clean Energy Fund (PCEF). As such, the Mercury spoke with several people who purchased electric bikes through PCEF’s new rebate program. While the recipients’ backgrounds and transportation habits varied, everyone echoed the same general sentiment: e-bikes are game-changing. Check out the inspiring report from our hot-shit transpo reporter, Taylor Griggs. (Note: This is exactly where PCEF money should be going, rather than the bottomless pockets of the cops and other totally unrelated projects that the city’s wealthy class don’t want to pay for.)
IN NATIONAL AND WORLD NEWS:
• According to an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the country has no intentions of reopening the much-fought over Strait of Hormuz until the United States agrees to “make amends for its illegal and destructive actions.” Besides ending their blockade, Iran wants the US to compensate the country for the damage inflicted on their people during the war, lift economic sanctions, and release Iran’s frozen assets. Meanwhile, Trump—who faces opposition from… well, just about everybody over the war—reportedly intends on increasing economic pressure on Iran, as oil and fuel prices continue to rise.
• A 7.4 magnitude quake shook the South American countries of Colombia and Ecuador this morning, killing at least two and causing the collapse of several buildings. The epicenter was in San Jose Del Palmar and led to evacuations as far away as the capital of Bogotá, while in Cali, their mayor reports that an unknown number of people are currently trapped underneath the rubble of 19 collapsed buildings. This story is developing.
• Today in “Florida man” news: The state attorney general of Florida, Republican James Uthmeier, is threatening to bring charges against WNBA players who foul—or as he puts it, commits “assault and battery”—against transphobes like the Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham. As you recall, Cunningham got an earful from Portland’s fans during the Fire’s meet-up with the Fever, after the player made recent transphobic comments during an ESPN interview. Then after Cunningham received a hard foul at the hands of Chicago Sky’s DiJonai Carrington (who claims that race was involved), Florida’s AG felt it necessary to weigh in, saying that “The WNBA knows better than to play games down here in Florida, because I’ll be charging people with assault.” Ummmm… bitch? THERE ARE NO WNBA TEAMS IN FLORIDA ANWAY, BECAUSE Y’ALL SUCK! (Maybe Sophie can move to Florida where she can create her own women’s basketball team made up entirely of trad wives.)
• It’s taken 30 years, but today jury selection finally began in the murder trial of Tupac Shakur, who was shot dead on the Vegas strip following a boxing match in 1996. The suspect, Duane Keith Davis, was indicted in 2023 on one count of murder with a deadly weapon, and has pled not guilty—however, officials are saying that Davis “talked himself right into jail,” by giving numerous interviews over the years and even writing a book implicating himself in the crime. Out of all the occupants of the car which was involved in the shooting of Tupac, Davis is the only person still alive.
• And finally… it’s Monday morning, and you know what time it is, right? TWERKIN’ TIME, BAY-BEEEE!
