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Posted inNews
Councilor Dan Ryan Breaks From Colleagues, Says “No” to Parks Levy
Ryan, who previously served as the commissioner in charge of Portland’s parks bureau, voted in July to refer the parks levy measure to voters. He now says he can’t support it.
In an email newsletter last week, Portland City Councilor Dan Ryan came out against the ballot measure that would create a new, increased levy to help fund the city’s parks system. In the newsletter, Ryan—who oversaw Portland’s parks bureau for a period of time prior to the city’s government transition—said he supports the city’s parks. […]
Posted inNews
Multnomah County Pauses New Housing Vouchers After Losing State Funding
As Mayor Wilson pushes for more shelter beds, county resources for moving people to permanent housing are dwindling
Multnomah County is pausing new housing placements for hundreds of homeless residents after adjusting its budget to address the loss of state funding it had expected to receive. The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 October 30 to approve funding for 1,051 people to continue their housing process through rental voucher programs. But it […]
Posted inDo This, Do That
The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: Your Top Events for November 3-9
This week: frybread, Emma Stone lathered in antihistamine cream, and lots and lots of books.
Halloween’s over! And it’s cold, rainy, and kind of dark outside!! Guess what would help? Adding to your TBR list. This week, new reads proliferate in many local venues and varieties: Portland Book Festival posts up at the art museum, Cover to Cover brings readings to lit-friendly locations on both sides of the river, and […]
Posted inNews
Judge: No National Guard in Oregon, For Now
Buying herself more time to fully review evidence, US district judge issued a preliminary injunction maintaining status quo until a final opinion is issued on November 7.
A preliminary injunction blocking the federal government from deploying National Guard troops to Oregon will remain in effect until November 7. The injunction was issued Sunday evening, November 2 by US District Judge Karin Immergut, in Oregon’s case against the Trump administration over National Guard deployment. Immergut said she is still reviewing all the exhibits […]
Posted inFood and Drink
Portland Responds to SNAP Shutdown Delays and Funding Cuts: Resources to Use and Support
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dollars are delayed. These organizations, markets, restaurants, and cafes are trying to fill people’s plates.
Oregonians that rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars will likely find their accounts running low this November. Whatever’s in there won’t disappear, but new deposits will likely be delayed. There’s more than one reason why. The major issue looming in everyone’s minds has to do with the ongoing shutdown of the federal government—in […]
Posted inTransportation
Do You Believe in Life After Cars?
The authors of this new book—and hosts of The Wars on Cars podcast—have hope.
“Cars ruin everything.”
Posted inAlbum Review
Album Review: Puritan Themes, the Second Psych Masterpiece by Holy Sons in 2025
A cosmic road trip shifting between physical and interior worlds.
According to the Puritan Themes press release, the album’s lead single “Chain Gang,” is “an imaginary take on if Cat Stevens had smoked a ton of salvia and taken a much darker route within the world of dense, story-telling songwriting.” Experiences with salvia can be impactful. Fun trips where textures replicate themselves across various surfaces, […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Portland City Council Scandals, Non-Scandals, and Nothing-to-See-Heres
If you appreciate the Mercury‘s interesting and useful news & culture reporting, consider making a small monthly contribution to support our editorial team. Your donation is tax-deductible. You can also subscribe and have our papers delivered! Good Morning, Portland: Happy Halloween! So, of course, today will be cloudy with highs in the mid-50 degrees. Then it’s time to build […]
Posted inNews
Mayor Wilson Puts Portland Housing Bureau Director On Leave
Social housing expert Helmi Hisserich has been the Bureau’s director since 2024, but Wilson remains ‘laser focused’ on temporary overnight shelters
Mayor Keith Wilson has put Portland Housing Bureau Director Helmi Hisserich on leave, effective immediately. City Administrator Michael Jordan sent an email to city councilors and city leadership on October 30 announcing Hisserich’s leave, according to public records obtained by the Mercury. The letter names Michael Buonocore as the interim director while Hisserich is on […]
Posted inNews
City of Portland Begins Enforcement of ‘Public Camping’ Rules This Weekend
The same day federal SNAP benefits expire for over 15,000 homeless Multnomah County residents, Mayor Wilson piles on penalties for being homeless in Portland.
Note: This story has been updated to include comments from Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vazquez. This weekend, the city of Portland is resuming enforcement of its local laws governing when, where, and how homeless Portlanders can live in public spaces. Mayor Keith Wilson announced that enforcement would begin November 1, saying he wants people […]
Posted inEverOut
Ticket Alert: Miguel, 5 Seconds of Summer, and More Portland Events Going On Sale This Week
Plus, Florence + The Machine and More Event Updates for October 30
Get ready, ’cause here they come! R&B artist Miguel brings chaos (and his fifth album Caos) to the Keller Auditorium next March. Aussie boy band 5 Seconds of Summer travels stateside for their Everyone’s a Star world tour in summer 2026. Plus, tickets for Florence + The Machine’s Everybody Scream tour go on sale next […]