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 Approves Incentives for Office-to-Apartment Building Conversions
Facing a housing crisis and a sluggish downtown economy, Portland City Council is aiming to incentivize developers to convert vacant office buildings into residential apartment complexes by waiving fees and relaxing seismic requirements. But is it enough?
Hey brainy butt! 🤓 See how well YOU score on the latest POP QUIZ PDX! This week: famous Oregon flops, creepy bird lovers, and the eventual (and welcome) death of capitalism! 🤗
• Climate Change and the Housing Crisis are Burdening Portland’s Emergency Shelter System
As climate change increases the frequency of severe weather events and the region’s housing crisis persists, operating emergency shelters is taking an increasing toll on the county and city—as well as the community volunteers who run the shelters.
• Traffic Deaths in Portland Remain Record-High For a Second Year
Sixty-three Portlanders died in traffic crashes in 2022. Speed, dark conditions, and prolonged road exposure played a significant role in another year of record-high fatal crashes in the city.
Let's go, trash pandas! 🦝 Here's the hottest goss of the week: A slap-less Oscars, a disappointing revelation about Hugh Grant, and... if you love bird puns... buckle up, baby! 🦜
• Win Free Tix to the Treefort Music Fest!
Oooh-WHEE! There's still time to enter to win TWO five-day general admission passes to the Treefort Music Festival! (WHAT?? YESSSSS!) 🏃♀️
• Oregon Is at a Crossroads for Trans Rights
Guest editorial: Blair Stenvick of Basic Rights Oregon on why the fight for gender-affirming care and trans rights is especially important right now.
In this week's music news: All-ages hip hop shows from Friends of Noise and the Y La Bamba record release show deets you desperately need.
• Oregon Symphony 2023-24 Season: Cancellations, Crowd-Pleasers, and Comebacks
Approachable programming like the cinematic Popcorn series returns in the recently announced Oregon Symphony 2023-24 calendar. But budget cuts nixed the annual free waterfront concert.
In this week's column: She was never able to have vaginal penetration orgasms before... but now? BLAMMO! What's up with that?
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!
