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.)


• City Council Passes $27 Million Budget Package to Fund Homeless Encampment Plan

Portland City Council approved the first bundle of funds for a plan to ban street camping and move people into mass encampments. The proposal relies on cutting funds currently required to operate several homeless shelters.

Alex Zielinski

• POP QUIZ PDX!

Let's go, brainy pants! 🧠 It's time to play another exciting POP QUIZ PDX (the "world cup" of trivia games). This week: Quizzy Qs about local Pinocchios, celebrity Santas, and boo-hoo cry-baby businesses that threaten to skedaddle out of town! 🙄

ALPHASPIRIT / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

• Merritt Paulson Will Sell Portland Thorns, Keep Timbers

After months of pressure, Merritt Paulson announced that he is selling the Portland Thorns in the aftermath of an abuse scandal that rocked the National Women’s Soccer League.

STEVE DYKES / GETTY IMAGES

• City Agrees to End the Use of "Flash-Bang" Grenades in Settlement With Don't Shoot Portland

The City of Portland has agreed to stop using "flash-bang" grenades against demonstrators in its $250k settlement agreement with 2020 racial justice protesters.

Mathieu Lewis-Rolland

• THE TRASH REPORT

Calling all trash pandas! 🦝 It's time for the hilarious new edition of THE TRASH REPORT. This week: Salt & Straw's new "PANIC!" flavor, look out for "Kevin the Turkey," and Ellen's got a new skincare line for mean people. 🤔

CHIP SOMODEVILLA / GETTY IMAGES

• Charter Commission Advances Second Round of Amendments to Voters, Council

Portland’s Charter Review Commission voted Tuesday to send seven charter amendments to voters in 2024 and five potential charter amendments to City Council for final deliberation.

LUĂŤS HENRIQUE BOUCAULT / GETTY IMAGES

•  Check Out the GORGEOUS and Festive $7 Cocktails of the Mercury's HOLIDAY DRINK WEEK (Happening Now!)

Want to take a sneaky-peek at some of the deliciously festive cocktails you'll be gulping down during the Mercury's HOLIDAY DRINK WEEK (happening right now)? Behold!

• The Majority of Portland-Area New Seasons Stores Have Moved to Unionize

A New Seasons store in Beaverton became the tenth of the grocery chain's 19 Portland-area stores to announce a union drive.

New Seasons Labor Union

• Two Portland Galleries Make Their Move

Both Blackfish Gallery and Chefas Projects are expanding, and that’s a good sign for Portland's arts community.

COURTESY OF BLACKFISH GALLERY

• HEAR IN PORTLAND

This week in Jenni Moore's expert picks: The Thesis celebrates 8 years, and we have FOMO for J.I.D and Smino's "Love Is Forever" tour.

MAC DOWNEY (MAC.ALL.MIGHTY)

• Public Urges Multnomah County to Pass Flavored Tobacco Ban While Retailers Raise Concerns

Multnomah County leaders heard hours of public testimony about their proposed ban on flavored tobacco and nicotine products, including menthol.

MOTOYA NAKAMURA / MULTNOMAH COUNTY

• SAVAGE LOVE

Short on time, but long on sexual problems? Allow Dan Savage to answer your questions lickety-split with another speedy edition of SAVAGE LOVE "quickies"!

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!