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.)
In a recent news release, the White House accuses Portland protesters of engaging in years of "premeditated anarchy," attempting to bolster Trump's decision to send National Guard troops to “crush violent radical left terrorism" in the city. Local leaders remain firm in their opposition to the move.
• Portland Police Will Continue Patrols at ICE Protests, Despite Restrictions on Overtime Spending
Portland's police chief says officers will continue to monitor protests at the ICE facility. Data shows protest response is costly, requiring staff to work significant overtime hours. In June, PPB spent over $875K in just two weeks on staffing for its protest response at the ICE building.
How much do YOU know about "war ravaged" Portland? 🙋 Let's find out in this week's super sassy trivia quiz, POP QUIZ PDX! (See how well YOU score! 🤓)
• Books to Beats: Music in Juvenile Detention
Inside Portland's juvenile detention center, a literacy program called Books to Beats is teaching youth the tools to tell their stories.
When legends both living and deceased pop up in Mercury Music Picks, you know it's gonna be a good week.
In this week's gossip: Dispatches from the "hell hole" of Portland, Trump's grotesque tiny hands, Lana Del Ray, and hot shark threesomes!
• Album Review: The Sophisticated Sleaze of Menos el Oso Turns 20
Because time isn't linear, it feels like Minus the Bear released their Menos el Oso album just a couple years ago—but at the same time it feels like forever since they stopped playing live. The band is touring behind the 20th anniversary of Menos (with a stop in PDX), so read our album review!
• In Heart Throb, a Vampire Looks for Love
Hosts Mack Lee and Aleah Liebenau referee Kickstand Comedy's lo-fi dating game show, in which sexy singles—including a real vampire—seduce a divorcee in a tracksuit.
A pearl-covered penis, horny hubbies on PrEP, the major differences between molasses and lube, and much more in this edition of Savage Love "Quickies."
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!
