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.)
• Portland City Council Stops Transparency Advocate Proposal from Going to Voters In May
Portland City Council shot down a proposal that would’ve allowed Portland voters to decide if the city should create a new transparency watchdog—opting instead to pass their own surprise (and non-transparent) resolution.
Strap on your brain for this week's super-fun trivia quiz—this week featuring Dame's latest award, poker-playing water-skiers (?), and sorry, Oregon counties... Idaho doesn't want you. 😭
• Oregon’s Possible Removal of COVID Precautions Prompts Mixed Reactions
Oregon health officials are considering lifting the state mask mandate for healthcare settings as Oregon moves into a new phase of the pandemic. Some see the proposal as a strategic move to preserve public trust, while others are raising alarms.
This week in hot goss: A trashy investigation into President's Day, education for cops, and Bruce Willis' uncanny ability to surf a crashing plane.
• Candidate School Eyes Progressive Takeover of Portland City Council
Eyeing the expansion of Portland City Council in 2025, former mayoral candidate Sarah Iannarone and Our Portland, a political action committee, are launching a school for prospective candidates this summer.
In this week's music news roundup: The big feelings of Small Millions, Portland hip-hop artists onscreen, and let's roll out the red carpet for Rico Nasty!
It's time to take our quick (and *very* dirty) Mercury SEX SURVEY! It's anonymous, so tell us how you like to "do it" and we'll gather the results and share them ALL next week! SO MUCH DIRTY FUN! 🥳🤗😚
• The Future Past: Artists in Conversation
New exhibits at the Portland Art Museum showcase the conversation between Dakota modernist Oscar Howe's work and contemporary Choctaw and Cherokee artist Jeffrey Gibson.
• The Ghost Pop of Aaron Liu Contains Whole Sonic Worlds
His new double album spills over with gorgeous, gauzy indie-pop songs whose lush arrangements belie their lo-fi origins.
• An Interview with the Author of The Great Displacement
Author Jake Bittle says global warming won't cause climate migration, but climate displacement as people get pushed from place to place without refuge. Read more in this interview—and learn how the PNW could be impacted.
In this week's column: She's okay with pegging his butt... but pegging his face, too? 🧐
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!
