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.)
ā¢ Portlandās First Sanctioned Mass Homeless Camp Expected to Open This Summer in Central Eastside
According to the mayor, Portlandās 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.
ā¢ 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! š
ā¢ 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.
ā¢ 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! ššš
ā¢ 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.
ā¢ 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! š„
ā¢ 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.
ā¢ 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*! š³ļøāš
ā¢ Mercury Cover Artist of the Week: Justin āScrappersā Morrisonās 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!
ā¢ 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 eventāwhich just held its first post-pandemic showāhas thus far led to at least one wedding and at least one baby.
ā¢ SAVAGE LOVE
In this week's column: Abortion pills, escorts, and how to get laid at the gym!
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 moolahāso please consider contributing to the Mercury to keep it all coming! Thanks!
