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Portland
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Canadian Tariffs Paused, the Fight to Save Sunflower Stars From Extinction, and Multnomah County’s Fight Against Oil and Gas Companies Continues in Court
The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! Good morning, Portland! Happy hump day. Not to jinx anything, but we’ve […]
Posted inNews
Boom Town! Centennial Mills Demolition Underway
A former industrial building in the Pearl District is being dismantled after a fire made it Portland’s public safety emergency.
For once, Portlanders knew where the sound of a loud explosion originated. Demolition crews used a series of controlled explosions to bring down the water tower on the former Centennial Mills site Monday afternoon, after an August 2 blaze degraded the building’s stability. The former flour mill sat vacant for decades along Northwest Naito Parkway […]
Posted inNews
Portland Offers Blazers a Fully-Funded Arena Renovation, But Will It Be Enough?
In 8-4 vote, City Council sends proposed Moda Center lease terms to Trail Blazers with nearly $400M commitment from city over 20 years
Updated: 3:20 pm August 14 Amid raucous calls from protesters not to spend millions renovating the Moda Center, Portland City Council approved a lease term sheet to send to the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday, August 12. The city is in the process of negotiating a 20-year lease agreement with the Blazers for the team’s use […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning News: E-biker Shot Blocks From Downtown Police Station, County Chair Defends Moda Negotiator, Colombia Quake (Look for the Helpers)
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! Local weather is looking to be in the low 80s for the next week—high of 82 today. No rain in sight. That’s […]
Posted inSports
Portland Fire Fans Say Moda Center Kicked Them Out For Anti-Transphobia Shirt
A July 31 match against Indiana Fever sparked a pre-game rally with protesters. Ticket holders say venue security asked them to leave for refusing to change shirts.
The Portland Fire’s July 31 game against the Indiana Fever was already couched in controversy before it even began. In the week or so before the game, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham gained national attention for transphobic comments she made during an interview with ESPN. When asked about the nickname “MAGA Barbie” given to her […]
Posted inGood Morning, News!
Good Morning, News: Police Funding Initiative Falls Short, America’s Global AI Blunder, and Drought Led a European City to Blow Up a Riverbed
Good morning, Portland! Let’s all try to stay safe, avoid breathing too much polluted air, and look out for each other. Today’s forecast is hot and toxic. There’s a heat advisory in effect now until Thursday night, with a high of 94 degrees and unhealthy air blanketing the region. IN LOCAL NEWS: • A ballot […]
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: Portland’s New Government Is Being Stress‑Tested By the $600 Million Moda Center Deal
We are in the midst of one of the largest public‑private negotiations in Portland’s history: a $600 million package of public funding is being proposed to renovate the Moda Center, a city-owned asset and home to the Trail Blazers. This moment is a major test of Portland’s newly overhauled government: our expanded 12‑member City Council […]
Posted inNews
Police Oversight Board Members Say Budget Ordinance Could Erode Public’s Trust in New System
Six members of Portland’s Community Board for Police Accountability caution that a new attempt to raid funds could invite legal trouble.
Members of Portland’s new police accountability system are speaking out amid a proposed supplemental budget ordinance that could draw money from the Office of Community-based Police Accountability to repay contingency funds borrowed from the city’s general fund. An ordinance from Council Vice President Olivia Clark, along with Councilors Steve Novick, Loretta Smith, and Elana Pirtle-Guiney, […]
Posted inNews
High Turnover, Low Pay: Staff at Prominent Legal Aid and Advocacy Group Call For Ouster of CEO
Disability Rights Oregon workers fight for livable wages despite sizable annual raises for the organization’s top executive.
Workers at Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) are urging the nonprofit law firm’s board to fire executive director Jake Cornett. Low pay is the main frustration for employees—a resentment aggravated by their boss receiving big raises in recent years. The nonprofit advocacy organization “cannot move forward in its current state, and [Cornett] seems to be uniquely […]
Posted inNews
After Months of “Political Football,” Council Funds Housing for Black Portlanders
The individual projects enjoy broad support, but conflicts over funding sources, process, and transparency could be a recurring issue.
Two Portland housing development projects that have become a “political football” in recent months crossed into the end zone after city councilors finally approved their funding. In a 10-2 vote Wednesday, June 3, Portland City Council allocated $2.5 million in city funds to two homeownership development projects: one at the corner of Northeast Williams and […]
Posted inNews
Portland City Council Adopts New Law Enforcement Mask Ban, ID Requirements
The city ordinance won’t give local police the authority to unmask ICE, but its supporters say it will help verify and prevent law enforcement impersonators.
When federal immigration agents started showing up for duty last year in plain clothes with their faces half covered, it stoked fear in immigrants. It also sparked concerns about accountability and transparency within the broader community. Still, an ordinance aimed at requiring police to display agency ID and keep their faces visible at all times […]