ICYMI, testing has confirmed there are arsenic and cadmium in playground soil very near Bullseye Glass, the Southeast Portland glassmaker state officials announced this week might have been emitting the carcinogens for decades. It’s unclear how contaminated the soil is, but a day care near Bullseye says its looking into either removing soil or covering the playground with a new surface. The disclosure was one of a bunch of things officials told concerned parents Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, the area near SE 21st and Powell isn’t the only place state environmental quality workers are investgating. The O reports there are also concerns over two glass manufacturers between I-5 and the Fremont Bridge, one of who says they stopped using arsenic years ago because it’s too toxic.
Is Gov. Kate Brown’s minimum wage proposal going to get ditched? It looks like maybe, after Senate Democrats on Thursday cast aside Brown’s two-tiered wage raise for a plan that would carve the state into three parts—with lower wages than Brown has suggested in rural areas, and a slightly higher $14.75 in Portland.
You’re tired of standoff news, but it’s still a thing. Ammon Bundy—he who was just pleading with the remaining occupiers to bail from Harney County—is now telling the authorities to do the same. He might be piqued at having just been indicted by a federal grand jury, of course.
There’s a memorial service today in Utah for LaVoy Finicum, the militant who was killed by state police last month. Think anybody will show up?
Pete Santilli: Online radio host, self-styled journalist, militant sympathizer, and federal prisoner until he’s formally tried, a judge ruled yesterday.
Remember how Southeast Portland neighborhood honchos were gonna hold a meeting on homelessness, but didn’t want, initially, to invite any homeless advocates? Well, they did, and the meeting was last night. A recap from KGW.
I didn’t see the Democratic debate last night, but apparently it was a doozy—with Hillary Clinton going after Bernie Sanders for his constant suggestion she has Wall Street sympathies, and Bernie sticking to those guns. New Hampshire primary next week! [sobbing emoticon]
Two of three teenagers accused of shooting five people at a Seattle homeless camp, killing two, will be tried as adults. Officials say they were looking to collect on a drug debt.
Reason number 11,234,567 not to visit Naples, Florida: Wrinkles the Clown. {Full disclosure: I’ve actually been to Naples, and it’s okay. Saw an armadillo and palm trees.]
So you know those enormous cranes surrounding us on all sides these days? One of them just collapsed in Manhattan.
Well LOOKEE HERE:
In the extremely unlikely event that you heard Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White died, and wondered whether you should care: YES GOD DAMN IT. This’ll get you started.