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’s First Sanctioned Mass Homeless Camp Expected to Open This Summer in Central Eastside

According to the mayor, Portland’s first city-run, sanctioned mass camp for homeless residents is expected to be up and running by this summer. California-based (and controversial) nonprofit Urban Alchemy will run the 150 person camp.

MOTOYA NAKAMURA / MULTNOMAH COUNTY

• POP QUIZ PDX

Strap on your brain, trivia lovers! Let's see how you score on this week's super fun POP QUIZ PDX. This week: fancy new cop cars, Republican dickwhistles, and SLAP FIGHT! SLAP FIGHT! SLAP FIGHT! šŸ‘‹

SERGEY_PETERMAN / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES

• Accused Normandale Gunman Pleads Guilty on All Charges

Benjamin Smith pleaded guilty this week to fatally shooting one person and injuring four others during a mass shooting at a protest near Normandale Park last year.

Mathieu Lewis-Rolland

• Orgies, Sex Toys, and Your Awesome Kinks

Don't miss the Mercury's 2023 SEX SURVEY RESULTS in which a whopping 2,000 (!!) Portlanders told us all the naughty and *very* interesting details of their sexy sex lives! šŸ‘šŸ†šŸš€

• Race for Open Multnomah County Commission Seat Takes Shape

Homelessness, economic recovery, and community safety are top of mind for three candidates vying for the open Multnomah County Commission seat this May.

Courtesy of candidates

• HEAR IN PORTLAND

Get all the hottest music news, including a new TYuS single that has major throwback vibes, and a triple-threat bill at Lollipop Shoppe! šŸ”„

CHO GI-SEOK, COURTESY OF SACKS & CO.

• ILY2 (or I Love You Too) Takes Root

Portland's newest contemporary art venue, ILY2 (or I Love You Too), previously existed as an emotional-support hotline and a pop-up "glamshot" photo studio at the Lloyd Center.

Robbie Augspurger

• THE TRASH REPORT

Hello, trash pandas! Let's dig into the week's hottest gossip with THE TRASH REPORT! This week: Russell Brand has some shitty new friends, Portland Police defunds the rest of the city, and estrogen in the water makes you *fabulous*! šŸ³ļøā€šŸŒˆ

EMMA MCINTYRE / GETTY IMAGES

• Mercury Cover Artist of the Week: Justin ā€œScrappersā€ Morrison’s Sincere Celebrations

Check out this week's cool/sexy/weird Mercury cover art by local bon vivant (and former Mercury art director) Justin "Scrappers" Morrison, and read our interview!

Robbie Augspurger

• Front Porch Sessions Is a Loneliness-Destroying Storytelling Show

Front Porch Sessions is a word-of-mouth legendary storytelling show in Portland. The premise is simple but the event—which just held its first post-pandemic show—has thus far led to at least one wedding and at least one baby.

FRONT PORCH SESSIONS

• SAVAGE LOVE

In this week's column: Abortion pills, escorts, and how to get laid at the gym!

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!