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Posted inNews

Multnomah County Sued Fossil Fuel Companies for Billions. What Happens Next?

The county’s case is playing out amid national efforts to shield fossil fuel companies from climate-related lawsuits.
Avatar photo by Taylor Griggs

In 2023, Multnomah County filed a nearly $52 billion lawsuit against more than a dozen major oil and gas companies, hoping to hold them responsible for climate change and its local impacts. Now, as Oregonians grapple with a historically dire wildfire season and other worsening climate impacts, oil companies want to get the case dropped.  […]

Posted inClimate Issue 2026

PCEF’s Community Benefits

Portland Clean Energy Fund grant recipients share the program’s impact on their lives.
Avatar photo by Taylor Griggs

This is one of many articles in the Mercury’s 2026 Climate Issue. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you’re feeling generous and want to keep these types of articles coming, support us here.—eds. Just after President Trump took office for the first time, environmental activists in Portland decided they […]

Posted inClimate Issue 2026

Safety NET

Portland’s community disaster relief volunteers may help you navigate the climate crisis.
Avatar photo by Cameron Crowell

This is one of many articles in the Mercury’s 2026 Climate Issue. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you’re feeling generous and want to keep these types of articles coming, support us here.—eds. When shit hits the fan, the first responders will most likely be your neighbors. That’s the […]

Posted inClimate Issue 2026

Pinot Noir Is So Hot Right Now

Willamette Valley winemakers are adapting to climate change in the historically cool winegrowing region.
Avatar photo by Katherine Chew Hamilton

This is one of many articles in the Mercury’s 2026 Climate Issue. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you’re feeling generous and want to keep these types of articles coming, support us here.—eds. The Willamette Valley is nearly synonymous with pinot noir, but that wasn’t always the case. In […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning News: (Business Edition) Portland Is So Back. Public Moda Center Dollars. Fossil Fuel Deals. Smoke Clearing Out.

Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution to the Mercury, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! Good morning, Portland! The smoke appears to be moving to a secret third location today, meaning Portland’s air quality is comparatively pretty good on the […]

Posted inNews

In Zenith Energy Transfer, the Public Wants Assurances. Is the City Listening?

Suspicions are growing that I Squared Capital is in cahoots with the city to “manage potential public opposition.”
Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

A Portland City Council committee on August 6 took its next step in deciding whether to transfer a city contract with Zenith Energy to a new, Miami-based investment company called I Squared Capital (ISQ). The transfer will allow the new company to take over operations of Zenith’s terminal, which sits between the Willamette River and […]

Posted inNews

Effort to Send Climate Dollars to Cops Won’t Qualify For November Ballot

Petitioners threaten legal action after ballot initiative to use Portland Clean Energy Funds for hiring more police failed to garner enough legally valid signatures.
Avatar photoAvatar photo by Courtney Vaughn and Jeremiah Hayden

A ballot initiative that sought to direct 25 percent of Portland’s Clean Energy Fund toward hiring additional police officers failed to gather enough valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot. The Portland City Auditor’s Office, which houses Portland’s Elections Division, confirmed Tuesday afternoon that after sampling and verification, the number of qualified signatures for […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: Wildfires Everywhere, People Still Hate Data Centers, and Maybe Business People Trashing on Portland Was a Bad Idea After All.

Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution to the Mercury, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! Good morning, Portland! July is wrapping up, and the hottest thing in town this August is the 10-day forecast. These trends don’t appear to be […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: WNBA Portland Fire, New Oregon Forest Fires, and This Weekend’s World Naked Bike Ride Promises to Be Fire 🔥

Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution to the Mercury, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! Good morning, Portland! It’s staying hot today with highs of 84, but it’ll cool off for the next few days over the weekend. That’s the […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News! Trump’s H-E-Double-Hockey-Stick Tariffs, Climate Change: So Hot Right Now, and Local Landlord May Need Real Job

Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution to the Mercury, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! Good morning, Portland! It’s looking to be a hot one today with highs of 96 and a 35 percent chance of rain if these weather […]

Posted inNews

A Dangerous Heat Wave is Coming. What Resources Are Available for Vulnerable Portlanders?

Whether Multnomah County will open cooling centers has yet to be determined, but there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself.
Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

Temperatures in Portland are expected to rise this weekend, with an extreme heat warning in effect from 11 am Sunday to 11 pm Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Saturday could bring highs of 92 degrees and 96 degrees on Sunday. On Monday, temperatures are forecasted to soar to 99 degrees. Local governments are […]

Posted inNews

Advocates Reject Zenith Energy Investigation in Letter Delivered to Mayor’s Office

An “artificially narrowed scope” predetermined the outcome of city-led investigation, letter says.
Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

Local environmental advocates remain frustrated with Mayor Keith Wilson over his handling of Zenith Energy, saying he has not kept his promise to revoke the Houston-based fossil fuel company’s land use credentials if the city found it violated the law. A small group of environmental advocates gathered at Portland City Hall Monday to deliver a […]

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