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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.
Avatar photo by Stephanie Kaloi

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

Avatar photo by Courtney Vaughn

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

Avatar photo by Tiffany Koyama Lane

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.
Avatar photoAvatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden and Courtney Vaughn

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.
Avatar photo by Anna Del Savio

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.
Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

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.
Avatar photo by Courtney Vaughn

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 […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News! Centrist Dems Seem To Have Lost; Oregonians Cool With Taxes, Actually; Ebola; And Stephen Colbert Signs Off

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 gorgeous out! Here’s hoping you have some time to enjoy the sun and see some friends this long weekend if you’re […]

Posted inNews

Cop Union Alleges City Councilor Interference in New Police Oversight System

Councilor Sameer Kanal was invited to present at a meeting of the Community Board for Police Accountability. The Portland Police Association is crying foul.
Avatar photo by Courtney Vaughn

City officials say they’re evaluating complaints made by Portland’s largest police union against a city councilor.  On March 19, Aaron Schmautz, president of the Portland Police Association, fired off a memo to Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, City Administrator Raymond Lee III, and other top city administrative staff, alleging District 2 City Councilor Sameer Kanal had […]

Posted inMusic Issue 2026

Justin Townes Earle’s Portland Years

The late singer-songwriter’s time in town was pivotal and painful.
Avatar photo by Jonathan Bernstein

What follows is one of the many articles in the Mercury‘s 2026 Music 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. On November 6, 2016, Justin Townes Earle made an important proclamation: He was moving […]

Posted inMusic Issue 2026

Get Into the Groove

How Discogs evolved from a Portland vinyl collector’s dream to a worldwide phenomenon.
Avatar photo by Ryan J. Prado

What follows is one of the many articles in the Mercury‘s 2026 Music 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. Like many dot-com era ideas ushered into use just below the radar in the […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: The Latest Moda Center Funding Fight, Trump’s Laughable Plan To Lower Gas Prices, and the Video Game You Didn’t Know You Needed

Avatar photo by Courtney Vaughn

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! Hopefully you got outside and frolicked in the sunshine […]

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