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“Weaponized Charges of Antisemitism”: Human Rights Advocates Reject Councilors’ Characterizations of Investment Policy
“You get two Jews in a room, you’re going to get three different opinions,” Kelcie Smolin Grega, a Jewish resident in City Council District 4 says. It’s an old joke—one that was echoed by others who spoke to the Mercury after recent calls for the city to divest from companies…
Good Morning, News: Kotek Says She Would Separate State Psychiatric Hospital from OHA, Egg Prices Are Down, and SNAP Admin Costs Are Going Up!
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! Today’s…
A Battle Over Growth Threatens the Fabric of a Small Oregon City
The city of North Plains may be small, but its government is in a state of turmoil even much bigger cities rarely experience. In late July, the City Council voted to part ways with the city manager. The next day, the mayor resigned. Multiple city councilors have resigned this…
How revelations like $450M tax breaks created a powerful opposition movement against Oregon data centers
A storm of revelations about data centers’ aggressive expansion around Hillsboro and elected officials’ support for them created powerful grassroots opposition this year. That coalition now threatens to topple the area’s longtime development-above-all status quo. The broad…
Pearl District, NW Examiner Cancel Forum After Brushing Up Against Elections Law Violations
If you didn’t know any better, you might think downtown’s City Council district is down to four candidates vying for three seats. “Final four square off,” reads a headline announcing a downtown candidate forum set for next week. Bruce Studer, the president of the Pearl District…
Meet the Multnomah County Commissioner Candidates For District 2
Seven candidates are running to serve District 2 on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. The district covers most of North and Northeast Portland. The seat is currently held by Shannon Singleton, who is running for county chair. This November, voters will use ranked…
Eugene Voters to Weigh Clean Energy Fund Modeled After PCEF
The landscape for climate funding has turned bleak since President Trump returned to office. But Portland’s dedicated clean energy fund has stood out as a remaining source of income for emissions reduction efforts—and other communities have taken note. The Portland Clean Energy…
Will Billboard Attacks Be Enough to Oust Portland’s Progressives?
It isn’t uncommon for big business interests to throw cash at elections in hopes of moving the electorate—and not just at the federal level. Amid growing wealth inequality and ongoing affordability crises, some Portland City Council candidates are also facing an onslaught of…
Mayor Wilson Rams Through Massive Fossil Fuel Deal in Second-Ever Tie-Breaking Vote
Mayor Keith Wilson on Wednesday used his power to break a tie City Council vote for the second time on his watch, this time to facilitate a massive fossil fuel deal. Wilson joined six councilors in voting to transfer a contract the city has with Houston-based fossil fuel company…
State Complaints Allege Portland Police Chief Broke State Rules Prohibiting Political Activity
Updated: 4:33 pm September 23 After speaking out against a city councilor over recently resurfaced social media posts from 2020, Portland Police Chief Bob Day is now the subject of multiple state complaints. The complaints allege Day violated state laws that prohibit certain…
Councilors’ Proposal Would Make Mega-Corporations Pay to Address Inequality, Budget Woes
Two city councilors are likely to infuriate a handful of CEOs in their quest to address the city’s perennial budget issues. District 4 Councilor Mitch Green and District 3 Councilor Angelita Morillo introduced what they call the “Fair Share Tax” on Wednesday, seeking to increase…
Good Morning, News: Washington County Board Chair Resigns, Where To Get $10 Wings, and Freedom Fest Canceled After Just 6 People Bought VIP Tickets
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