Cities around the world mourn the murder of George Floyd.
Cities around the world mourn the murder of George Floyd. David Ramos / Getty News

Here's your daily roundup of all the latest local and national news. (Like our coverage? Please consider donating to the Mercury to keep it comin'!)

• Portland Public Schools superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero announced this morning that they will be discontinuing the practice of having armed Portland Police patrolling the halls, and intends to put the funds that made their presence available towards more social workers, counselors, and more culturally-specific support options for students. Our Blair Stenvick has more.

• Last night marked the sixth night of large protests in Portland, which drew thousands for a march across the Morrison Bridge, capped by inspirational speeches, and less violence from the rioting, tear gas-happy Portland Police. Check out the full recap from the Mercury here.

• Speaking of protests: After a stunning use-of-force from the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) on Tuesday night, some Portland City Council members are starting to call for reform, including the banning of tear gas and the defunding of certain PPB programs.

• Sounds like a threat to me!

• In honor of George Floyd's funeral today, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown ordered all State of Oregon flags to be flown at half-staff from 11am to sunset.

• Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, who oversees the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), refused to fulfill a police request to use PBOT vehicles as roadblocks downtown, explaining that not only does she not want to feed the implication that PBOT supports the PPB's methods, but she wants the Bureau to immediately cease using tear gas on demonstrators.

• Gov. Kate Brown has approved 26 of the 29 counties who applied to enter Phase 2 of reopening, which will allow for movie theaters and houses of worship to reopen with physical distancing, among other things.

IN NATIONAL NEWS:

• At a memorial service for George Floyd today in Minneapolis, Rev. Al Sharpton spoke to the crowd:

“The reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed to be, is you kept your knee on our neck,” Sharpton said, adding later: “What happened to Floyd happens every day in this country — in education, in health services and in every area of American life. It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say, ’Get your knee off our necks.’ ”

• Three of the Minnesota officers involved in the killing of George Floyd have been charged with aiding and abetting Floyd's death and their bail has been set at $750,000.

• You gotta love this headline: "As peaceful protests continue, LAPD budget could be cut by up to $150 million to reinvest in communities of color."

• The FBI in the state of Kentucky has re-opened their investigation into the murder of Breonna Taylor, an EMT who was shot to death by police in her own home after officers attempted to execute a no-knock search warrant.

• The six Atlanta police officers captured on camera stun-gunning a young Black college couple and forcibly removing them from their car for absolutely no reason have themselves been arrested and charged with "assorted aggravated assault and battery" counts. Two of the six officers have been fired already.

• The ACLU is suing the Trump administration for attacking peaceful protesters and members of the clergy with tear gas and flash bangs, so our idiot president could have his stupid, sacrilegious photo shoot at St. Johns Church.

• Today is the 31st anniversary of Tiananmen Square, when China's military killed protestors in droves. The Chinese government marked the occasion by making it illegal to mock to the Chinese national anthem.

• Early this morning, journalist April D. Ryan tweeted out the list of Vice-Presidential candidates the Biden team is currently vetting. Normally a VP pick doesn't carry that much importance, but considering Biden's previously suggested he's a one-and-done no matter what, this VP selection is potentially a Presidential nomination for 2024, too. The list includes Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and the should-be governor of Georgia, Stacey Abrams.


• You hate to see it: "Southern Baptists see historic drop in membership." (I love to see it.)

• If you're looking for a way to support Portland's Black community or educate yourself on America's systemic racism, here's a great list to start with! (Looking for great food tonight? Support these local Black-owned restaurants!)

• Do you have sex and/or relationship questions? OF COURSE YOU DO. So get your tickets now for the SAVAGE LOVE LIVESTREAM that's TONIGHT, where our Dan Savage will answer your real questions LIVE!

• And finally, be like Meatball.