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Good Afternoon, Portland. It's rainy and gross out. Traffic's gonna be bad for another hour. Let's order pizza, stick around the office, and READ THE NEWS.
IN LOCAL NEWS:
• The Guardian reports the story of a Portland man traveling to Ukraine. First, he wants to save his mother—hiding, in her home, from missile bombardment just outside Kyiv. Then he plans to join the Ukrainian forces and fight.
• The nominees for the 2022 Book Awards are out—and the pickings look primo! This is a graphic novel year, so there's a number of Portland comics authors on the finalists list to swoon over.
• Mimi Cave's Fresh contains many moments where you're sure you know where the story is about to turn. Mercury critic Chase Hutchinson assures: "You absolutely do not." Read the spoiler-free review.
• ICYMI: The last day to sign up for state emergency rent assistance is March 14!
Oregon will close its online application portal for rent assistance next week. In other words, if you need help paying rent—apply ASAP. https://t.co/Naqrsrsz9z
— Portland Mercury 🗞 (@portlandmercury) March 8, 2022
• Our Spring Arts Guide slammed down a list of 30 arts events we think look promising. Some of the picks are coming up this week!
NATIONAL NEWS... AND BEYOND:
• Today in MOON NEWS, scientists at NASA plan to open a tube filled with rocks and soil from the 1972 Apollo 17 mission. To do this they will employ a tool the scientists call the "Apollo can opener."
Big big J6 news: Enrique Tarrio, who was the Proud Boy chairman until recently, has been hit with federal conspiracy charges in connection to the Capitol riot. https://t.co/k7wjNjx6SC
— Tess Owen (@misstessowen) March 8, 2022
• On Tuesday, the Irish Times reported on a leaked internal email from U.N.'s Department of Global Communication, which instructed employees to avoid using the terms "war" and "invasion" to describe the war Russia started when it invaded Ukraine.
• This morning, several UN representatives denied such an email existed, but followed the denial with statements about "war" and the Russian "invasion" in Ukraine. Even Snopes' is confused.
• Feeling thirsty? Then get ready for the boozy fun of the Mercury’s HIGHBALL—a week of specialty cocktails mixed by the city’s best bartenders… and for only $6 each! Coming at ya March 14!
• Do yourself a favor and click through to the account from which I brought you this nugget of wisdom. It is truly a marvel of design and/or madness.
