It's been a huge, busy 2025 for Portland, with a brand new 12-person City Council settling (and occasionally stumbling) into their new roles, important elections, Trump's failed efforts to embed the National Guard in the city, and—as usual—Portland making headlines across the nation. And perhaps there's no better way to remember 2025 than to check out the Mercury's most read stories of the year. Kudos to the Mercury staff, who worked their asses off in 2025 to bring you the best local coverage of politics, arts & culture, and... as always... trouble.

1) The Mercury's May 2025 Election Endorsements by the Mercury Election Strike Force

While school board elections aren't exactly known for being "sexy"... at least compared to races for mayor and city council... Portland realized that it was time to step up and stop the influx of MAGA minions from populating local boards, and implementing their toxic policies. As usual, the Mercury's Election Strike Force's endorsements were on hand to help Portlanders fill out their ballots.

2) "Dear Elon Musk: Here's What I Accomplished Last Week" by Wm. Steven Humphrey

In February, the former head honcho of "DOGE," Elon Musk, sent an email to 2.3 million US federal employees, telling them to send "approx. 5 bullets" describing what they accomplished at work the previous week. Musk said if they did not respond, their non-answer would be taken as their resignation. There was absolutely no reason for Mercury editor Wm. Steven Humphrey to respond to Musk's email, since he doesn't work for the federal government. But he did it anyway.

3) Portland ER Nurse Shot by Federal Agents at ICE Protest Plans to Return: “I’ll Be Out There Again” by Suzette Smith

Vincent Hawkins, a local ER nurse, was protesting at Portland's ICE facility when he was shot in the eye with a projectile by a federal agent. In this powerful story, our Suzette Smith interviews Hawkins about his past and why he continues—even following his injury—to protest against injustice.

4) "Secretary of War" Pete Hegseth Issues Order to Activate Oregon National Guard in Portland

Following threats made by President Trump in September to send troops to "war ravaged Portland"—in order to presumably protect the ICE facility from what he called “Antifa and other domestic terrorists”—"Secretary of War" 🙄 Pete Hegseth issued a memo instructing "200 members of the Oregon National Guard to be called into federal service effective immediately for a period of 60 days." (Spoiler alert: It did not end well for them.)

5) A Night of Terror: Civil Disobedience Met With Extreme Force at Portland ICE Facility by Courtney Vaughn and Kevin Foster

On Saturday, October 11, federal police unleashed a volley of weapons and chemical agents on anti-ICE protesters and journalists—a notable escalation that led to violent arrests, a photojournalist getting shot with a pepper ball, and a large group being sprayed indiscriminately with tear gas. Oh, and if that didn't smell bad enough, right-wing influencers were on the scene as well.

6) Portland's Emergency Naked Bike Ride in Photos by Elayna Yussen and Suzette Smith

Under rainy skies in mid October, nude (or nearly-so) cyclists gathered for an "Emergency Naked Bike Ride" to protest ICE and tell city council to revoke the land use approval for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland. Photo journalist Elayna Yussen was there, and took some fantastic pics.

7) As Oregonians Take to the Streets to Protest Trump Policies, Oregon’s Attorney General is Turning to the Courts by Courtney Vaughn and Kevin Foster

Since Trump’s inauguration, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield has been going hard against the administration's cruel policies, taking them to court (and winning) on many occasions. In this example, Rayfield joined a multi-state lawsuit to block Trump's plan to cut funding for medical institutions that provide gender-affirming care, as well as another case to stop Elon Musk from gaining access to the private information of millions via the US Treasury Department.

8) Satyricon: An Oral History

From 1984-2011, Satyricon was a beloved music venue where legends, locals, and total unknowns shared a stage. Melissa Locker wrote this fascinating (and entertaining) history of the downtown dive that refuses to be forgotten.

9) New Seasons Employees Remain on Strike Over “Unjust” Firing of Longtime Employee by Cameron Crowell

New Seasons management and staff have had a tumultuous relationship for years, but when the grocery chain tentatively agreed not to fire staff without just cause, and then terminated a 19-year employee who aided a blind colleague—well, that's when the relationship got exponentially worse.

10) Mayor Wilson Puts Portland Housing Bureau Director On Leave by Jeremiah Hayden

In late October, Mayor Keith Wilson put Portland Housing Bureau Director (and social housing expert) Helmi Hisserich on leave—leaving many to suspect she was not willing to go along with the mayor's "shelter first" plan. Later Hisserich said she was unfairly blamed by the mayor's office for allegedly "sitting on" $21 million in funds that went unspent by the Housing Bureau, an accusation she fervently denied. Now city council is figuring out what to do with those previously missing funds, and looking to conduct an investigation into who was actually behind those hidden funds. Our Jeremiah Hayden has been all over this story.

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Even more top Mercury stories of 2025!

• Following Massive Daytime Downtown "No Kings" March, Protesters Gassed at ICE Facility by Wm. Steven Humphrey and Mercury staff

• With Newfound Sway in City Hall, Portland’s Democratic Socialists Hope to Redefine the City’s Priorities by Taylor Griggs

• Project Pabst Is Back in a Big Way This Summer by Nolan Parker

• Shoofly Vegan Bakery Employees Locked Out After Disputes With New Owner by Courtney Vaughn

• Supporters Pack Courtroom for Portlander Facing Federal Protest Charges by Taylor Griggs

• The Lawsuit that Broke the Council’s Back by Courtney Vaughn

• Portland Preps for New, “Toes-in-the-Water” Riverfront Park by Taylor Griggs

• Portland City Councilor Hires, Then Immediately Fires Controversial Local Podcaster  by Kevin Foster

• County Commissioner’s Staffer Fired After Scrutiny Over Political Activity by Courtney Vaughn