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.)
• What ICE Can and Cannot Do in Oregon As Trump Targets Immigrants
Increased enforcement and shrinking protections for immigrants have raised questions about where and how ICE agents are allowed to conduct enforcement, and what Trump’s decree means for sanctuary cities and states.
• "Dear Elon Musk: Here's What I Accomplished Last Week"
Mercury editor Wm. Steven Humphrey emails Elon Musk to describe what he accomplished at work last week, and... wait. He included "taking edibles" and "eating a lamb gyro"? 🤔
Project Pabst is back in a big way this summer—the massive lineup includes Iggy Pop, Devo, Cap’n Jazz, Death Cab, Exploding Hearts, plus so many more!
• Climate Advocates Will Appeal the City’s Zenith DecisionÂ
A group of climate organizations and city residents will challenge Portland's decision to issue a key land use credential to Zenith Energy, filing an intent to appeal with the state Land Use Board of Appeals. Petitioners say the city failed to involve the public in its decision.
The Mercury Music Picks weekly round-up has a lot to share with you this go around, and—because you deserve it—we’ve added a music news section to the mix, so you can stay up on what’s really happening in Portland music!
• THE TRASH REPORT
This week's pile of gossip includes: RFK is a weirdo maniac, salmon sperm facials, and Lady Gaga has the perfect Diet Coke recipe!
• Will Portland Police Cooperate with Trump’s FBI?
“My family was surveilled, stripped of their home, livelihood, and dignity,” City Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane told Portland police officials during discussions about an FBI anti-terrorism task force. “So my question is, how can we work together to make sure that history like this isn’t repeated?”
• HEAR IN PORTLAND
This week's column has the goods on the best R&B happenings in the city, including what’s up with The Thesis and Friends of Noise.
• Theater Review: The Antipodes Attract
By design, Annie Baker's "The Antipodes" is a script that’s difficult to summarize, but Shaking the Tree’s captivating production will reward audiences who enjoy sitting with big questions.
• Author Q & A: Omar El Akkad on Gaza, Power, and the Stories Empires Steal
Omar El Akkad's "One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This" began as a quote tweet about a video showing a bombed city street in Gaza. But the urgent new work that grew from that idea isn't actually about Gaza; it's about the West.
It's Portland's biggest night of comedy—the Mercury's annual UNDISPUTABLE GENIUSES OF COMEDY! Get your tix now for this hilarious evening of stand-up comedy, hosted by Adam Pasi with special guest Mohanad Elshieky!
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• SAVAGE LOVE
"My partner was prescribed a boric acid suppository. Will I die if I eat her out?" While this may be a question for poison control, Dan Savage is happy to answer it anyway in this week's edition of SAVAGE LOVE!
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!
