GOOD MORNING, SUNDAY! It's the perfect time to catch up on some of the great reporting and stories the Mercury churned out this week! (PRO TIP: If you despise being "the last to know," then be one of the first to know by signing up for Mercury newsletters! All the latest stories shipped directly to your email's in-box... and then... YOUR HEAD.)


• Police Transparency Once More in Question Following “Doxing” Accusations

The police bureau is turning to a new technique to shield officers who use force against the public from being identifiable. Whether it's a short-term fix or the start of a more permanent policy remains to be seen.

Mathieu Lewis-Rolland

• Fire Bureau Critically Lagging in Emergency Response Times, Report Finds

Portland Fire & Rescue's response times to fires and medical emergencies are lagging behind national standards, placing Portlanders' lives at risk daily, according to a new study—and being underfunded and understaffed is the problem.

Portland Fire & Rescue

• TriMet Unveils a New Frequent Bus Line Following Historic Service Cuts

TriMet’s new frequent service bus line opens September 18—the same day the agency is reducing 10 bus lines amid a historic driver shortage. The agency says it will prioritize the FX line to ensure buses arrive every 12 minutes.

Isabella Garcia

• HEAR IN PORTLAND: The Latest Local Music News

As we approach Queen Bey's holy birthday, we know where you can find two back-to-back BeyoncĂŠ dance parties. Plus, read a forecast of the incoming Tegan and Sara content storm. It's Jenni Moore's weekly music news column Hear in Portland!

Tegan and Sara

• POP QUIZ PDX

Look out, brain!🧠It's our SATAN-themed edition of Portland's fave trivia game, POP QUIZ PDX! This week featuring devilish Oregon destinations, hellishly popular Portland strip clubs, and Satan-worshipping Republican Kevin McCarthy's visit to Oregon! 😈

BIG CHEESE PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

• It’s Been One Year Since Portland Moved to Stop Zenith’s Oil Operations—So Why Are They Still Operating?

One year ago, the city of Portland took an unprecedented step to stop operations at Zenith Energy's Northwest Portland oil facility—so why is the company still chugging along?

Isabella Garcia

• THE TRASH REPORT

Calling all trash aficionados! 🦝 It's time for the latest fun 'n' gossip from Elinor Jones and THE TRASH REPORT. This week: Biden puts haters on blast, Republicans go home, and... are we okay with Virgos? 🤔

DREW ANGERER / GETTY IMAGES

• Film Review: Regina Hall Is Divine in Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.

Adamma and Adanne Ebo’s Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is a riotous skewering of Southern megachurch culture, and at its center is a banner performance from Regina Hall.

Sundance

• Expanding the Lose Yr Mind Music Festival

This weekend's Lose Yr Mind fest is expanding—not only in venues, but with different musical genres as well.

AARON SHARPSTEEN, COURTESY OF LOSE YR MIND

• Your Guide to September 2022 Events in Portland

Enjoy Portland's ceaseless array of happenings as you ease into fall. We've compiled the biggest events you need to know about in every genre, from Time-Based Art Festival to the 69th Annual Portland Greek Festival, and from The Shins to ODESZA.

The MAiZE at the Pumpkin Patch

• For National Cinema Day SOME Portland Movie Theaters Will Offer $3 Admission

National Cinema Day is sort of like Record Store Day for movie theaters—it aims to entice audiences back into movie houses with one day of $3 tickets. But are YOUR FAVORITE spots participating?

Suzette Smith

• SAVAGE LOVE

Waaaitasecond... if he walks, talks, and fucks like a boyfriend... then why does he insist he's not? In this week's SAVAGE LOVE, Dan helps a guy who can't figure out why the man he's seeing wants all the perks of a relationship—without the label.

Joe Newton

WOW, THAT IS A LOT OF GOOD READIN'. I hope you didn't have any other plans this weekend! Dig in, and remember: Producing all this hard work costs moolah—so please consider contributing to the Mercury to keep it all coming! Thanks!