Tara Ohta and David C. Parker, two "trainspotters" monitoring Zenith trains this week. Credit: BLAIR STENVICK

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Tara Ohta and David C. Parker, two trainspotters monitoring Zenith trains this week.
Tara Ohta and David C. Parker, two “trainspotters” monitoring Zenith trains this week. BLAIR STENVICK

Good morning, Portland! Good news: It’s chili season!

Here are the headlines.

Blow the Whistle: The whistle-blower’s complaint about Donald Trump’s suspicious phone call with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky—you know, the one that spurred the Democrats to finally launch an impeachment inquiry—has been released in its entirety this morning. The complaint lays out the info about the phone call that we learned earlier this week, and also gives us this fun nugget:

“Senior White House officials had intervened to ‘lock down’ all records of the phone call, especially the official word-for-word transcript of the call that was produced as is customary by the White House Situation Room.”

Oregon’s Theoretical Death Penalty: You may have been following the recent state political fight over Senate Bill 1013, a new law that will significantly narrow Oregon’s use of the death penalty. But here’s the thing: Oregon hasn’t executed anyone in over 20 years, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. So why the outrage over this new law? Read my deep-dive into the issue here, or pick up our new print issue today.

Seeing Red:

Trainspotting: A group of environmental activists are holding a 60-hour vigil this week outside a terminal owned by Zenith Energy, which has been running crude oil trains through the city since last year. Portlanders are staunchly against Zenith’s presence—but what can City Council do about it?

ICYMI: A group of Portlanders—including Portland Police Association President Daryl Turner—still have hope that an empty jail in Multnomah County can be turned into a homeless shelter. Read up on why that’s probably not the best idea, and how it has parallels to Trump’s homeless plan.

RIP:

Bongs and Banks: You know how at most cannabis dispensaries, you have to pay with cash, just like it was back when you were buying weed from that dude with blonde dreads in your dorm? Well, the US House just passed a bill that could make it easier for cannabis companies to use the same banking practices as any other business—and Portland’s own Rep. Earl Blumenauer helped make it happen.

Here it is, the best whistle-blower tweet:

Blair Stenvick is a former news reporter and culture writer for the Portland Mercury.

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