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.)
• Advocates Fear Increased Pedestrian Deaths in Planned Rose Quarter Project
ODOT's analysis of the I-5 Rose Quarter project shows an increased risk of pedestrians being hit by cars near the Moda Center. ODOT says the design is still being developed, while critics doubt the project's commitment to safety.

 • POP QUIZ PDX
Wake up, brain! 👀 It's time for another super fun POP QUIZ PDX. This week, sassy-ass trivia Qs about new governors, new soccer coaches, and the author's apparent obsession with EGGS. 🤔 (Don't ask.)

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• Portland Thorns Announce New Head Coach Amid Leadership Upheaval
The Portland Thorns announced Monday that the club has hired Mike Norris as its new head coach, elevating the former assistant coach at a time of major upheaval.

• Aubrey Gordon's “You Just Need to Lose Weight” Is a Sharp Sword Against Anti-Fatness
In “You Just Need to Lose Weight,” Maintenance Phase co-host and Your Fat Friend columnist Aubrey Gordon wrote 20 short, sourced arguments you can hand to your mom (and your doctor) about fatness.

• SportsBox Is a Strip Club Reborn as a Vegan Esports Bar
When SportsBox opened its doors In March 2022, it started as Casa Diablo owner Johnny Diablo Žūklė initially imagined it—a vegan Hooters. But it was soon obvious people weren't coming in for the servers. They were there for the food.

• THE TRASH REPORT
Let's go, trash pandas! 🦝 It's time for another hot goss party with THE TRASH REPORT from Elinor Jones! This week: GOP shit show, John Lennon was a narc, and a Jason Sudeikis/Meghan Markle/Prince Harry love triangle? 🤯

• Living Room Theaters Employees Picket in Downtown Portland
The staff at the Living Room Theaters claim the management’s refusal to meet with employees is an unfair labor practice.

• HEAR IN PORTLAND
In this week's HEAR IN PORTLAND, we have the "Renaissance" dance party you must attend, a new album of contrasting songs from Snugsworth, and a spring headliner visit from Kingsley!

• SAVAGE LOVE
In this week's column: Can you guess which advice is Dan's, and which was written by a horny robot? 🤖 🍆

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!