by Taylor Griggs

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! There's rain on the menu for today, but you probably didn't need me to tell you that. Hopefully you know how to layer for November in Portland by now. Anddddd that's all the small talk we have time for this morning, so chop chop. It's news time. 

IN LOCAL NEWS: 

• Portland City Council is set to vote today on a five-year contract renewal for the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe district, as well as a major expansion of the service area it covers and a fee hike. A couple weeks ago, when this item was first brought to the council, many Portlanders testified against the contract renewal. Now, four incoming city councilors (Mitch Green, Sameer Kanal, Tiffany Koyama Lane and Angelita Morillo)—along with community organizations and dozens of residents, have penned a letter to the current City Council asking them to postpone the contract renewal. 

Why the negativity for Clean & Safe? Well, as an excellent new article from our Courtney Vaughn details, the Clean & Safe district is overseen by an organization that has significant overlap in its management with the Portland Metro Chamber, AKA the Portland Business Alliance. The new contract would funnel a good portion of the $58 million contract to the Metro Chamber, which they will spend on lobbying efforts for private business interests. The program is also convoluted and lacks oversight, and it contributes majorly to the criminalization of homeless people in downtown Portland. So there's a lot wrong with it. Read the article for more of the details, and stay tuned for City Council's decision today. 

• The Portland Auditor's Office has released a much-anticipated (by me, at least) report on the Portland Bureau of Transportation's (PBOT) Vision Zero Action Plan, which the city adopted in 2016 in an effort to eliminate traffic crash fatalities and serious injuries. But in the eight years since the Vision Zero plan was adopted (and been updated twice), traffic crash deaths have increased in Portland, especially in the last four years. In 2023, 69 people were killed in traffic crashes on Portland streets. Given the current reality, it's understandable that people are questioning how effective the Vision Zero program is. 

While the Auditor's Office isn't seeking an overhaul of the program, the report recommends PBOT makes several key changes to improve Vision Zero outcomes. The audit report says PBOT should create a better project evaluation system, install more speed cameras, and use more qualitative data to determine the most equitable safety projects. According to PBOT, most of the concerns expressed in the audit report have already been addressed in the most recent Vision Zero update.

PBOT leaders did say they are hopeful more traffic safety improvements will be possible when Portland finally (fully) transitions to its new, less-siloed form of government in January. The report just came out this morning, so there hasn't been much in the way of community response yet, but I'm sure it will spark some Thoughts, capital "T." 

•  On a related note, the World Day of Remembrance of Road Traffic Victims is this Sunday, an annual day to honor the many lives lost prematurely to traffic violence. Community organizations Families for Safe Streets, BikeLoud PDX, and Oregon Walks will join PBOT, elected leaders, and community members for a gathering at Portland City Hall. Find out more about the event here. 

          View this post on Instagram                      

A post shared by Families for Safe Streets PDX (@fss_pdx)

• Here's a painful fact, courtesy of a new investigation from OPB and ProPublica: Despite President Biden's repeated promises to save old growth forests in the Pacific Northwest, the Bureau of Land Management is allowing timber companies to log such forests now more than in the last 10 years. Biden's BLM is on track to log 47,000 acres of public lands during his four years in office— about the same amount that Trump oversaw during his first term in office. And, get this: This is after Biden made an executive order to protect mature and old-growth forests in 2022! Considering the rare beauty of these forests—and, more importantly, their importance to ecosystems and ability to mitigate carbon emission—this is very unfortunate. The Biden administration hasn't answered for the BLM's actions, or if they're planning to take steps to further protect old growth forests in preparation for the next Trump administration. Let's hope he makes some changes while he still can, because we all know Trump will be a lot worse. 

• Rene Gonzalez, after losing his bid for mayor, is seeking donations of up to $579 because his campaign is in debt. I wonder if anyone will pay him. 

Stealing this from the other site because y’all need to see it. Anyone gonna donate $579 to Rene Gonzalez’s failed campaign for mayor??? @pradapdx.bsky.social

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— Taylor Griggs (@taylorgriggs.bsky.social) November 12, 2024 at 5:11 PM

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS: 

• President-elect Donald Trump (ouch) has asked Vivek Ramaswamy (ouch again) and Elon Musk (commentary unnecessary here) to lead a new government agency that he plans to create in order to regulate federal spending. The new agency will be called the Department of Government Efficiency, which just happens to create the acronym DOGE, a reference to the Shiba Inu meme of the mid-2010s and the joke cryptocurrency by the same name that Musk promoted. Apparently, a Department of Government Efficiency needs to be run by two people. I hope I am adequately conveying my tone of contempt here. 

As ridiculous as this all is, it's also extremely bad. Trump, Musk, and Ramaswamy's plan is to fire thousands of federal employees, cut necessary regulations, and ultimately destroy many of the most crucial components of the federal government. All we can do is hope that SOME Republicans in Congress (we don't need all of them!) will realize how idiotic this is and block Trump's attempt to create a new government agency, which he can't do without congressional approval. Or can he? The limit to this idiocy knows no bounds.

However, given these men's volatility—which is replicated in many others in Trump's sphere—it does seem pretty likely that they'll all be in a huge fight by the time Trump takes office. I do think there are some major catfights on the horizon, if that gives you any comfort in these trying times. 

fundamentally this is what Trump administrations are all about: the guys. there will be new guys every week. they will startle you, you'll be astounded by them, and then as quickly as they appeared they will fade into an indistinguishable mass, leaves on the forest floor.

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— Peter (@notalawyer.bsky.social) November 12, 2024 at 4:39 PM

• Here's something that will NOT give you comfort in these trying times: Despite the hope last year would mark a global carbon dioxide emissions peak, humans are burning more fossil fuels this year than we did last year. The world is on track to put 0.8 percent more carbon into the atmosphere than in 2023. Though this is not surprising, it IS actually crazy behavior from humanity (and let me be clear, it's a tiny minority of humans leading the charge on this, though a substantially larger minority are eagerly/mindlessly participating in burning fossil fuels at a rate incompatible with the future of life on this planet). Good thing we will have strong climate leadership in the White House come January. NOT!!!! 

• One way people are attempting to #resist Elon Musk after he helped Trump get into office and will now seemingly play a key role in his administration? Leaving Twitter, AKA X, the social media site he bought and ruined. Bluesky may be the place to be now. (I am finding it much more pleasant.) 

In the week since the U.S. presidential election, Elon Musk has used X, the social media platform he owns, to reiterate his support for President-elect Donald Trump. Some of X’s users have decided they want to post elsewhere. Among the largest beneficiaries of that desire is Bluesky. nyti.ms/48JtYAt

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— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) November 12, 2024 at 10:46 PM

• Okay, here's some actual good news: The U.S. House voted down a bill that would've helped Trump censor and persecute his political opponents. The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act had previously received bipartisan support, but after Trump was elected, some Democratic lawmakers (and The Intercept) raised alarm bells. The bill would give the U.S. Treasury Department complete authority to revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofits it deems are "terrorist supporting organizations," which Trump could use to enable the destruction of nonprofits that the future president doesn't politically align with. WHEW. 

• Finally, please watch this video of a little boy and his crow friend. ???????? Bye bye! 

          View this post on Instagram                      

A post shared by Dogs | Puppies | Family (@yourpaws.global)

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is preparing for the sixth test flight of Starship, the world's most powerful rocket. It aims to conduct the launch as early as 18 November. Here’s everything we know so far

President-elect Trump and Elon Musk, two billionaires with strikingly similar DNAs, are fusing into a new, powerful governing-media paradigm.

Elon Musk will co-lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency in the Trump administration, president-elect Trump said late Tuesday. According to Trump’s press statement, the Department of Government Efficiency will […]

Elon Musk, X & Technology Platforms For Other Purposes  Forbes

Stephen King has posted on X to respond to the rumor that Elon Musk banned him.

Bluesky is having a very good week as some users abandon Elon Musk's X after the U.S. presidential election.

Don Lemon announced his departure from X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday. "It's time for me to leave the platform," the former CNN anchor said in a video posted to his official account. "I once believe that it was a place for honest debate and discussion, transparency, and free speech," Lemon added. "But I now feel...

The new organization isn't an official department. It is charged with working from the outside of the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance."

The post Musk & Ramaswamy tapped to head government efficiency effort first appeared on Federal News Network.

Elon Musk wades in on latest Italian migrant case: 'These judges must go'

Lack of moderation, spike in racist content had led to an exodus by brands.

Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to target "massive waste and fraud."

"Saturday Night Live" cast member Chloe Fineman is suddenly telling fans that Elon Musk made her cry three years ago when he guest hosted the show and said her comedy writing wasn't funny.

The post ‘SNL’s Chloe Fineman ‘Burst into Tears’ After Elon Musk Said Her Sketches Weren’t Funny appeared first on Breitbart.

Historian and political scientist Allan Lichtman said Tuesday on NewsNation's "Cuomo" that conservative media disinformation and billionaire Elon Musk were why his election prediction that Vice President Harris would win the presidency was incorrect.

The post Lichtman Blames Bad Election Prediction on Conservative Media ‘Disinformation’ and Elon Musk appeared first on Breitbart.

The cartoonist questions why no English publisher has snapped his biography of the South African tech mogul.

Billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will head an effort, dubbed DOGE, to reduce wasteful federal spending. Here's what it's about.

Elon Musk’s favorite cryptocurrency Dogecoin spiked by as much as 20% Wednesday after the Tesla mogul was tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to lead a newly created “Department of Government Efficiency” — or DOGE. The meme coin, which features an image of a Shiba Inu breed dog and was created…

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun said in an X post on Tuesday that the company had produced 100,000 Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicles in 230 days. Luna Lin/AFP via Getty Images Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun posted a photo of himself sleeping on the factory floor. Lei was celebrating an EV production milestone — 100,000 units…

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has kept quiet on Elon Musk’s recent comments criticising Italian judges for again blocking Meloni’s migrant transfer policy with Albania, while President Sergio Mattarella responded to the billionaire, calling for respecting Italy’s sovereignty. Commenting on…

Social media posts falsely claim that Elon Musk banned author Stephen King from X, the social media platform owned by Musk. The rumor that King was banned originated on a satirical website. King's X account remains active, and he used it on Nov. 13 to debunk the claim.

The post Musk Did Not Ban Stephen King from X, Contrary to Online Claims appeared first on FactCheck.org.

Donald Trump has not even taken the oath of office yet and already has violated the Constitution for the united States of America. Yes, you read that correctly. Trump recently established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Heading this newly established department will be Vivek Ramaswamy, former ineligible presidential candidate, and Elon Musk, head of …

Os contornos e prioridades da nova Presidência de Donald Trump estão começando a tomar forma à medida que ele faz as indicações a cargos importantes.

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed successful businessmen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to help ferret out and identify budget items to cut to save the U.S. treasury money. Trump has created a new initiative that is being called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) according to reports on Tuesday. “I am pleased to announce that […]

The post SLASHERS: Donald Trump Appoints Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Department of Government Efficiency appeared first on The Lid.

Elon Musk frequently references "Doge," an internet meme from the 2010s based on a photo of a Shiba Inu dog with Comic Sans text overlaid on top.

A Philadelphia judge has explained why he didn't shut down Musk's $1M-a-day sweepstakes last week.

"The entertainment value will be epic," the billionaire said.

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun was celebrating a production milestone of 100,000 units of the SU7, his company's EV.

Top government officials typically take government and policy fairly seriously. Donald Trump's planned appointees dispense with that old-fashioned idea, writes Phillip de Wet.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk accused a senior NATO officer of Orwellian tendencies in a post on X Wednesday, a day after Donald Trump named the world's richest man to a top government post.

As Donald Trump prepares his return to the White House, one of his most omnipresent confidants has been not his running mate or wife but a fellow brash billionaire, Elon Musk.

Donald Trump has tasked Elon Musk with setting up a panel to streamline the US government. Although the president-elect has said little about how this group would operate, Musk has previously set an ambitious goal of cutting $2 trillion of spending.

Allan Lichtman, often dubbed the "Nostradamus" of US Presidential Polls, is blaming the "explosion" of disinformation and billionaire Elon Musk for his incorrect prediction that Kamala Harris would win the 2024 election.

The viral video features young Vivek Ramaswamy, then an 18-year-old student at St Xavier High School, reflecting on his journey through high school.

Donald Trump, US President-Elect, has appointed Elon Musk, chief executive officer (CEO) of Tesla and SpaceX, to lead a soon to be established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, was a staunch supporter of Trump during the electioneering leading up to the November 5 presidential election in which the former president defeated Vice-President Kamala Harris […]

The post Trump appoints Elon Musk to lead department of government efficiency first appeared on Business Hallmark.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella told Elon Musk on Wednesday not to interfere in Italian affairs after the US billionaire said Rome judges blocking a government anti-immigration initiative should be sent packing. The highly unusual statement from the Italian head of state came against a backdrop of growing tension between the ruling coalition and the judiciary […]

Are you not entertained?

Jordan Libowitz from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington on Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's potential ethical obligations.

Elon Musk has jokingly suggested the 'Department of Government Efficiency' to describe his role with the new Trump administration.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk is increasing his political footprint as he joins the Trump orbit for days at Mar-a-Lago and traveled with President-elect Trump to Washington, D.C.

President-elect Trump has tapped Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to lead what he's calling the "Department of Government Efficiency," or DOGE. Still, only Congress can create a new federal agency.

The Tesla CEO claimed he could slash US spending by eradicating “waste”.

US President-elect Donald Trump appointedElon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DoGE).

Musk and Ramaswamy have to find ways to cut down on government spending and overall bureaucracy.

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon said on Wednesday he is leaving Elon Musk’s X, a decision made less than a year after X announced that “The Don Lemon Show” would appear on the social media platform three times a week. That deal was canceled before it was ever signed, and Lemon sued Musk and X […]

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