Seattle Uber drivers get to unionize, the city’s councilmembers decided yesterday. That’s a game-changer for the sharing economy giant, if the law survives what are certain to be vociferous legal challenges. Seattle, once again, is on the bleeding edge of improving the lots of workers.
Remember the mayor’s race? And how it’s back? It’s gonna be one hell of a fight between County Commissioner Jules Bailey and state Treasurer Ted Wheeler, if polling Bailey’s camp just unveiled can be trusted. Bailey says he may actually be the public’s preferred mayor at this early hour, though his polling’s margin of error would more than erase that lead. Wheeler’s people say the poll is trash.
There’s a lot of aspiration tied to 2050 these days, what with the climate accord reached in Paris this weekend. Add Oregon to that pile. The state says it would love to stop selling cars that spew carbon by 2050, though no one has any idea if that’ll be possible.
The state’s politicos are meeting with influential business types at this year’s Oregon Leadership Summit, and making dire predictions about the many fractious ballot measures that you, the voter, may have a say in next year. There’s talk of “civil wars” and “scorched earth battles,” but a lot of it’s code for measures that would tax businesses and increase the minimum wage.
A 38-year-old named Martin Greenough was killed Saturday night while bicycling on a dicey and dangerous gap in the NE Lombard bike lane. Police say a 26-year-old driver who’d been smoking pot was the culprit, and fled the scene. It’s been a rough year on Portland roads.
A newly released study documents just how much NE Alberta and its environs have gentrified in the last two decades. Spoiler: A lot.
East Portlanders, meanwhile, see that they’re the next stop for the G train. They really want to nip upcoming displacement in the bud.
Huge martini glass is back in the Southwest Hills, I guess? I’d never heard of this.
The FBI says a Baltimore-area man was wired nearly $9,000 from ISIS representatives and planned to carry out a terrorist attack. The suspect, Mohamed Elshinawy, says he was merely trying to bilk those ISIS rubes for a couple Gs. It’s an airtight alibi but, surprisingly, unsuccessful so far.
Bowe Bergdahl, the Army sergeant who was rescued in a rare tradeoff with the Taliban after years in captivity, could face life in prison, after an Army commander ordered up a court-martial on serious charges. That’s surprising some people, but will no doubt delight Donald Trump, who called for Bergdahl’s execution because the soldier left his post.
Aaaaaaaaand Bill Cosby’s suing seven of his accusers—leaving roughly 30 that he hasn’t sued (yet).
Weather? Weather.
Seriously? The Martini Glass is one of the few homegrown Portland heirlooms left! Everyone from here knows about it.
Bergdahl not only left his post, but caused the death of five of his comrades when they tried to rescue him. He should be tried for treason and executed.
^^^ What’s to dislike?