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Portland Mercury

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Train Dreams Go on When I Close My Eyes

Portland Mercury ·

2025/11/04

Also very beautiful: William H. Macy. by Dom Sinacola Train Dreams introduces us to the story of Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton) by considering his life's footprint on a map. Orphaned early on, he grows up by the Moyie River in Idaho, before finding work in the 1920s as a logger, traveling west to the old growth forests of Washington. He never sees the ocean but comes within 90 miles or so of the coast. He doesn't

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Man Suspected of Starting Fire Near City Councilor’s...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/11/04

Police have arrested a suspect who they believe started the fire near City Councilor Candace Avalos' home on October 26. According to the Portland Police Bureau, Vashon M. Locust, 51, was trying to use an electrical outlet in a shed near Avalos’ house to plug in a heater in the early morning hours on Sunday, October 26. The outlet didn't work, so he reportedly lit a small fire, which spread. The fire destroyed the councilor's vehicle, carport, and part of her home. Initially,

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SAVAGE LOVE: Quickies!

Portland Mercury ·

2025/11/04

Get your sexiest questions answered lickety-split in this edition of "Quickies"! by Dan Savage 1. I’m a 34-year-old woman who has been with a man I really enjoy for three years. There are a few reasons I don’t think we’re going to last forever. Most importantly: I’m not planning to have kids. He knows that but he wants them. Do I cut it off or let it run its course? Allowing someone to live in hope is fine… so long

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Good Morning, News: Dick Cheney Dead at 84, Multnomah...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/11/04

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! It’s Election Day. Did you remember to turn in your ballot? If not, you’ve got until 8 pm to drop that puppy off at a

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Councilor Dan Ryan Breaks From Colleagues, Says “No”...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/11/04

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. by Taylor Griggs 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

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Multnomah County Pauses New Housing Vouchers After...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/11/04

As Mayor Wilson pushes for more shelter beds, county resources for moving people to permanent housing are dwindling by Jeremiah Hayden 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

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The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: Your Top Events for...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/11/03

This week: frybread, Emma Stone lathered in antihistamine cream, and lots and lots of books. by Lindsay Costello 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

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The Black Byline: A 10-Year-Old (Forgotten) Emergency

Portland Mercury ·

2025/11/03

In 2015 a Renters’ State of Emergency was declared. Ten years later, Oregon has its highest eviction levels in history—why? by Donovan Scribes (fka Donovan Smith) REMEMBER: DIKES ARE SAFE AT PRESENT. YOU WILL BE WARNED IF NECESSARY. YOU WILL HAVE TIME TO LEAVE. DON'T GET EXCITED. —Housing Authority of Portland (present day Home Forward), May 30, 1948 notice to Vanport residents. THE STORM The ground

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Good Morning, News: Judge Once Again Pauses Portland...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/11/03

by Wm. Steven Humphrey If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’s news reporting, arts and culture coverage, event calendar, and the bevy of events we host throughout the year. The work we do helps our city shine, but we can’t do it without your support. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there

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Judge: No National Guard in Oregon, For Now

Portland Mercury ·

2025/11/03

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. by Courtney Vaughn 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

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YOUR SUNDAY READING LIST: The Unwelcome Return of the...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/11/02

by Wm. Steven HumphreyGOOD MORNING, SUNDAY! It's the perfect time to catch up on some of the great reporting and stories the Mercury churned out this week! (PRO TIP: If you despise being "the last to know," then be one of the first to know by signing up for Mercury newsletters! All the latest stories shipped directly to your email's in-box... and then... YOUR HEAD.) • City of Portland Begins Enforcement of ‘Public Camping’ Rules This

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I love free expression, but...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/11/01

by Anonymous Whenever I see the Labubu Cybertruck it just ruins my day. I wish they'd change it to something else.

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We’ll one day tell our story

Portland Mercury ·

2025/10/31

by Anonymous I have an extra ticket to see Lucius on November 18th and am looking for a date who doesn't just like their music—they feel it. I'm searching for someone with a zest for life who appreciates the duo’s harmonies and thoughtful lyrics as much as the collective energy of a live show. Are you the type of person who lets the bass drum vibrate through your feet and body? Can you name where a feeling lives in your body and dance

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The Best Bang for Your Buck Events in Portland This...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/10/31

Cargo's Dia de los Muertos Celebration, World Vegan Month, and More Cheap & Easy Events Under $20 by EverOut Staff It's Halloweekend part two, and boy have we got some tasty treats for you. Spend some free time at events from The Blumenauer Bridge Witching Hour Celebration to Cargo's Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration and from A Larger Reality: Ursula K. Le Guin to the start of World Vegan Month. There's

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Portland Responds to SNAP Shutdown Delays and Funding...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/10/31

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dollars are delayed. These organizations, markets, restaurants, and cafes are trying to fill people's plates. by Suzette Smith 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

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Do You Believe in Life After Cars?

Portland Mercury ·

2025/10/31

“Cars ruin everything.” by Taylor Griggs “Cars ruin everything.” That’s the bold opening line of Life After Cars, the new book by celebrated transportation media figures Sarah Goodyear, Doug Gordon, and Aaron Naparstek. The writers make a case for that initial assertion, detailing the various ways cars—or, more specifically, car culture as we currently know it—ruin childhoods, destroy wildlife,

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Album Review: Puritan Themes, the Second Psych...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/10/31

A cosmic road trip shifting between physical and interior worlds. by Jonathan Ludwig 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

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Good Morning, News: Portland City Council Scandals,...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/10/31

by Suzette Smith 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 character, because after 5 pm we're

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Mayor Wilson Puts Portland Housing Bureau Director On...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/10/31

Social housing expert Helmi Hisserich has been the Bureau’s director since 2024, but Wilson remains ‘laser focused’ on temporary overnight shelters by Jeremiah Hayden 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

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City of Portland Begins Enforcement of ‘Public...

Portland Mercury ·

2025/10/30

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. by Jeremiah Hayden 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

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2,215 results