Auer Hall, Simon Music Center
Sunday, November 10, 2024, 2 – 3:15pm

Peter Ellefson is professor of music in trombone at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he was previously chair of the Brass Department.

More info: events.iu.edu…

Ford-Crawford Hall, Simon Music Center
Sunday, November 10, 2024, 1 – 2pm

More info: events.iu.edu…

Auer Hall, Simon Music Center
Sunday, November 10, 2024, 11am – 12pm

More info: events.iu.edu…

1202 E 38th St, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Friday, November 8, 9am – Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 8pm

Prepare for the ultimate culinary showdown at the 2024 World Food Championships (WFC)!

Over 1,500 chefs, home cooks, and professional teams from around the globe will compete for the coveted title of World Food Champion and a share of hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money.
From sizzling steaks to decadent desserts, the WFC showcases ten official categories, offering a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Whether you’re a passionate foodie, an aspiring chef, or just looking for a fun and delicious experience, the WFC has something for everyone.

Event Highlights:
Date: November 8-12, 2024
Location: 1202 E 38th St, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Special Features: Live cooking demos, tasting experiences, and opportunities to meet culinary stars!

Don’t miss out on this exciting event celebrating culinary creativity and excellence. Tickets are on sale now! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit worldfoodchampionships.com.


Follow on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes action:
Facebook: World Food Championships
Instagram: @worldfoodchampionships
Twitter: @WorldFoodChamp

Ticket Web Link: www.indianastatefair.com…
Communities: Bedford, Bloomington, Brown County, Columbus, Franklin, French Lick/West Baden, Greencastle, Greene County, Greensburg, Greenwood, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Martinsville, Seymour, Spencer, Statewide, Terre Haute
More info: worldfoodchampionships.com

The Vault at Gallery Mortgage
121 E 6th Street
Bloomington IN 47408
Ongoing through Friday, November 22, 2024, 5pm

Come enjoy the beautiful artwork by the talented artists of the Bloomington Watercolor Society. The Fall Membership Show, "Spaces and Faces" features 30 paintings by the BWS portrait and plein air painters.
Gallery Hours 9-5, M-F.
Receptions take place on Gallery Walk Fridays, 5-8 pm.

Presenter: Bloomington Watercolor Society Annual Fall Show
Contact: Jeanne Dutton
Cost: Free
Communities: Bedford, Bloomington, Brown County, Columbus, Greene County, Indianapolis, Martinsville, Seymour, Spencer

202 E 6th Street
Ongoing through Saturday, December 28, 2024

Senior cords, decorated corduroy pants and skirts popular with high school and college seniors, are a unique piece of Hoosier heritage. This exciting exhibit guest-curated by Kelly Richardson (Director of IU Sage Collection) follows their history from their Purdue University origins through their high school heyday in the 50s and 60s and up to their contemporary revival in bespoke fashion brands like BODE.
Exhibit is currently open and closes Dec. 28th

On view at the Monroe County History Center
202 E. 6th St
Bloomington, IN 47408
Visit monroehistory.org for hours, pricing, and parking information.

Presenter: www.monroehistory.org
Contact: Sarah Rosenkrans
Age Range: All Ages
Cost: $2 adults, $1 kids, free for members and ages under 5
Communities: Bloomington
More info: www.monroehistory.org

Rose City Rollers commemorates 20 years by hosting the sport’s global championships on their home turf. by Courtney Vaughn

Twenty years ago, Kim “Rocket Mean” Stegeman put an ad on the back page of the Portland Mercury. She didn’t have a business to advertise. She had nothing to sell. 

“My phone number was on the back of it for three months, and it said ‘Want to play roller derby?’” Stegeman recalls. “I would personally just answer phone calls and round up people.”

She and a handful of friends met at Club 21 and flirted with the idea of starting a roller derby team. Before long, they invited anyone interested in skating or volunteering to meet at Colonel Summers Park. 

“I think at that first meeting it was more than 60 people. It was like, that boom moment,” Stegeman says, reminiscing about a wild idea that birthed, in 2004, Portland’s first incarnation of a modern roller derby league, the Rose City Rollers.

“Largely it was women in their mid-20s, a lot of us who were kind of starting careers,” Stegemen says. “But I think we all had kind of a sense of a need for community and just to have something that was really our own, our thing to be passionate about.”

Stegeman and her friends didn’t know their scrappy roller derby league would evolve into an international juggernaut with four championship wins. Rose City Rollers is now the largest derby league in the world, with four home teams, two adult all-star teams, a recreational team, and nine youth teams.

This weekend, Rose City Rollers’ Wheels of Justice all-star team will compete for a fifth championship win, when Portland hosts the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) Global Championships. The event includes 16 games over three days, with 13 teams competing in a single-elimination tournament. The prize? A metal sculpture of a roller skate and track known as the Hydra Trophy. 

It marks the first roller derby championship tournament since 2019. WFTDA paused all sanctioned competitive play during the Covid-19 pandemic—waiting until leagues across the globe could safely return to the sport and had the resources to do so. 

Now in the league’s 20th year, Rose City Rollers are strong contenders to take the Hydra, but competition is fierce. 

“Everyone is so focused on that tournament and so dedicated to do all this fine-tuning to get there next weekend and to take the Hydra home again,” says Nicole “Bonnie Thunders” Williams, a team captain for Wheels of Justice. In the weeks leading up to the championship games, the team is refraining from major strategy changes. Instead, they’re adjusting a few elements based on a few expected opponents. 

Williams is no stranger to the WFTDA Championships. She is to roller derby what Tony Hawk is to skateboarding. This weekend’s tournament will round out her 19th season playing roller derby, and if her team prevails, it’ll mark her eighth championship win.

Roller derby, how does that work?

Modern roller derby is a game of simultaneous offense and defense, played on a flat oval-shaped track. Each team has five skaters on the track at a time, with one skater from each team—the jammers—both racing through packs of players (called blockers) for up to two minutes at a time. The first jammer to make it past all four opponents gets lead advantage, meaning they can call off the two-minute jam whenever they want. 

Jammers skate laps around the track, scoring a point for every opponent they pass on each lap. Skaters mash and tangle their bodies together to block each other, knock each other out of bounds, or muscle their way past to block the other team’s jammer from scoring.

It’s one of few sports with no ball or object of play. The only goal is to field a jammer—who can make it past a wall of opponents with help from her blockers—in what is usually a grinding, grueling exercise of strength, skill, and strategy. 

Tina "Beans" Tyre (center) goes for a hit on a jammer during a western regional roller
derby tournament in June 2024.   recess the photographer

The sport requires remarkable endurance and agility. Portland’s all-star skaters spend their season practicing three nights a week in a converted airplane hangar in the parking lot of Oaks Amusement Park. Each practice is a cacophony of referee whistles and wheels grinding against a sport court track. On off days, skaters try to fit in at least one cross-training workout a week.

Despite flat track roller derby’s relatively recent emergence, the sport has evolved significantly over the past 20 years. Rules have changed, and strategies have transformed game play. Most visibly, the game attire worn by skaters no longer includes tiny shorts, funky knee-high socks, or fishnets. The sexualization and personal flair that used to permeate women’s roller derby leagues largely died out. 

“I think the focus has turned to the athleticism of it all,” says Tina “Beans” Tyre, co-captain of Wheels of Justice. “When I first started, it was really badass to do this sport. I remember we made dresses out of long t-shirts that we put frills on the bottom of, because it was playing off a theme, as opposed to being athletic."

The DIY ethos began to fade as derby became more competitive, elevating the sport to eventually getting coverage on ESPN. 

“I’ve really enjoyed—especially being a bigger skater—feeling myself as an athlete in a sport that’s taken more seriously every single year,” Tyre adds.

The sport has evolved in other ways, too. It’s become one of the few athletic spaces that welcomes queer, trans, and non-binary skaters. WFTDA-sanctioned leagues are open to skaters who identify as women or gender expansive. 

Athletes acknowledge that roller derby culture isn’t perfect. Transphobia still rears its head, but largely, homophobia and transphobia are taboo within the sport. 

'Roller derby saved my soul'

Competitive roller derby is more than a hobby, and more than a sport. It’s a subculture, a way of life. Skaters say it’s a heavy commitment, but one that comes with a tight-knit community. 

“This community is so beautiful at times,” Tyre says. “I have gone through break-ups and had people to live with, people who pick you up when you’re down. In roller derby, a lot of people say ‘roller derby saved my life’ or ‘roller derby saved my soul,’ and I think it’s true for a lot of people who have joined this community and stuck with it for years and years.”

In many ways, roller derby has managed to both mirror and shape the culture of Portland. 

Stegeman says 20 years ago, Portland’s young demographic and cheap rental market made the city primed to support roller derby. 

“When somebody called Portland ‘a place where 30-year-olds go to retire’ that felt very on-brand for us,” Stegeman, now the executive director of the league, says while recounting the early and mid-aughts. “Because there was an amazing, emerging art scene, and there was just unbelievable amounts of live music going on. On any given night, you could leave the house with $25 and be out for a night and have a great time. There was so much interconnection that it was really a natural place for us to have something like derby.”

Decades later, it’s given thousands of people–predominantly women and girls–a place to try out something new, challenge themselves, and make friends along the way. For many, roller derby’s impact is immeasurably deeper.

“I think a lot of people who joined learned a lot about their sexuality and gender through derby, and having a supportive community that was open to queer people being part of it,” Williams says. 

Eight days before the upcoming tournament, Stegeman’s nerves are raw. There are countless tasks and boxes to check before November 1. For instance, she and the Rose City Rollers crew still have to disassemble the track in the league’s practice space at Oaks Park and haul it to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where it will be reassembled by a team of volunteers. 

The league partners with Travel Portland and Sport Oregon to gauge the economic impact and tourism connected to the international tournament. Last time Portland hosted the WFTDA Championships in 2016, it generated an estimated $1.5 million in economic impact to the city. This year is likely to surpass that. 

Rose City will host teams from Australia, France, Canada, and Sweden, in addition to US teams from Los Angeles, Denver, New York City, Atlanta, St. Louis, and Jacksonville, Florida.

Despite its global reach, derby still has a long way to go before it could be considered mainstream. For now, the sport maintains an interesting hybrid status: It’s played by amateur, unpaid athletes, but still fills major sports arenas during championship events. For the most part, skaters say that’s a good thing. 

It might be a sport relegated to counter culture, but  Stegeman no longer has to blast her personal phone number on the back of the Mercury to recruit new skaters. 

Women’s Flat Track Derby Association Global Championships take over Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 N Ramsay Way, Fri Nov 1-Sun Nov 3, schedules and tickets at wftda.com, $30-$225, all ages

by Anonymous

Please vote as if you want stress to become eradicated. Please vote as if a solution to gentrification is needed to be found. Don't let the disaster capitalists continue to have the loudest voices in the room. Please vote to free us from private equity's grip. Please vote that bouncing forward not resilience can become an aftermath of any disaster. Please vote that the new form of feudalism is not okay and should not continue. . Please vote to continue to capturing consensus in the public sphere. Please insert yourself into the public sphere as much as you can after the election so the consensus model can truly expand. Thanks for the read! xoxox

NW Natural talks up its climate strategy, but new legal challenges say the company has spent years lying about the environmental impact of natural gas. by Taylor Griggs

For years, environmental advocates have said NW Natural attempts to obfuscate the negative climate and health impacts of natural gas utilities in order to remain dominant in the market. NW Natural, Oregon’s largest gas utility operation, has responded to such allegations with fierce resistance, promoting its service as more climate-friendly than electric alternatives and talking up plans to go greener in the future. 

But two lawsuits filed against NW Natural earlier this month put a spotlight on its alleged greenwashing practices, arguing the company has knowingly disenfranchised customers and contributed to the climate crisis. The first lawsuit, filed on October 7, adds NW Natural to Multnomah County’s existing legal challenge against several other oil companies for their role in perpetuating the deadly 2021 heat dome event. Just two days later on October 9, two NW Natural customers filed a class action suit against the company for falsely representing a program it says will offset the carbon emissions caused by customers’ natural gas use. 

Many Oregonians rely on gas heat appliances, whether to heat their homes or power their stoves, and nearly all of them have NW Natural as their service provider. NW Natural serves more than two million people across Oregon and southwest Washington, and is the only gas utility company serving Multnomah County. 

Proponents of natural gas say gas utilities are economical, efficient, and reliable in the case of power outages. But scientists and environmental experts say there are major downsides, too. Residential and commercial energy use accounts for about 20 percent of Oregon’s carbon emissions—the second largest category after transportation—and natural gas combustion accounts for a sizable portion of those emissions. Methane leaks from gas appliances also have a major climate impact, with gas stoves in particular emitting planet-warming greenhouse gasses even when they’re not in use. 

And if the environmental harm wasn’t enough, recent studies also show gas stoves are worse for human health than previously thought, with clear connections to carcinogenic pollutants. Long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves has also been shown to lead to tens of thousands of cases of childhood asthma. 

As experts have sounded the alarm on all the impacts of gas utilities, environmental advocates and lawmakers have ramped up efforts to move Oregonians away from natural gas. The Portland Clean Energy Fund, for example, has invested tens of millions of dollars in deep energy retrofit projects, which will replace fossil fuel-reliant heating and cooling systems with electric systems. The program has invested millions more into building new, energy-efficient housing and commercial buildings. 

In resisting being pushed out of the market, the recent lawsuits say NW Natural has duped customers and pushed false propaganda about natural gas and the environment. 

Environmental advocates hope the legal challenges will have a practical impact on the company’s bottom line and enlighten the public.

Part of NW Natural’s public outreach strategy has been its sponsorship of community events, including those hosted by environmentally-minded organizations. In an effort to limit the gas utility’s greenwashing message, environmental advocates want local groups to cut ties with NW Natural, or think twice before accepting a future sponsorship deal. 

“NW Natural has a captive audience that trusts what their natural gas utility is telling them,” Carra Sahler, an attorney and director of Lewis and Clark Law School’s Green Energy Institute, tells the Mercury. “The more we can do to encourage skepticism, the better, and the easier it will be for people to make a switch [to electrify their homes] and to feel good about making that switch.” 

County lawsuit alleges a history of greenwashing 

Multnomah County’s amended lawsuit says NW Natural’s carbon and methane emissions have been “a cause of enormous harm” to the county and its residents. But, the lawsuit says, you wouldn’t know that by listening to the gas utility company’s public messaging. 

The county’s lawsuit states NW Natural has emitted at least 72.1 metric tons of CO2 equivalent in the last few decades, but has “deceived the public by claiming its product is safe, clean, and environmentally friendly.” 

The lawsuit provides several examples of the company’s alleged deceitful practices. Some particularly egregious instances include attempts to influence children and the Oregon education system. In 2021, NW Natural offered activity booklets to schools containing colorful drawings and activities for children promoting natural gas. The company also tried to use a front organization to host a training session for teachers about renewable gas, offering a $200 stipend to each teacher who attended. The training was canceled after public backlash. 

An image in NW Natural's school activity book, included in the county's lawsuit. multnomah county attorney

The misinformation from NW Natural got so bad, state agencies had to step in.

Earlier this year, NW Natural distributed a newsletter to its customers containing misinformation about Oregon’s Climate Protection Program policy. The newsletter said the climate policy would not reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but would result in a 14 percent rate hike for all NW Natural customers. In response, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality made a statement disavowing NW Natural’s campaign against the state policy. 

“In summary, NW Natural has routinely misrepresented to the public the climate impacts of extracting, transporting, storing and burning their product while over-estimating the costs of transitioning to renewables or reducing their pollution in an effort to frighten customers and discourage policy makers from using their authority to protect the public,” the Multnomah County lawsuit states. 

Sahler commends the county for including NW Natural in the big oil lawsuit.

“NW Natural is a trusted provider of warmth in homes, part of the local fabric... It’s exciting to see the county taking action—it’s brave to take on one more fossil fuel interest, especially a local one,” she told the Mercury. “Multnomah County's lawsuit appropriately lumps Northwest Natural in with the other big fossil fuel companies that we know are problematic, and it helps people understand what we're dealing with here.” 

David Roy, NW Natural’s director of communications, told the Mercury the company is “disappointed the County is spending resources on litigation instead of on developing effective emission reduction policies that work for County residents and businesses.” 

“We will continue to pursue pathways that allow Oregonians, including low- and moderate-income customers, to have access to two energy systems—electric and gas—for their homes and businesses,” Roy said. “NW Natural will vigorously contest these claims should they come to court. Regarding the Multnomah County action, we believe adding the company to the suit at this later date is an attempt to divert attention from legal and factual flaws in the case.” 

Class action suit says customers were deceived about carbon offsets

While Multnomah County’s lawsuit hones in on misleading claims and practices, the class action lawsuit specifically targets NW Natural’s Smart Energy program, an additional monthly fee available to customers, ostensibly to offset the carbon emissions associated with their natural gas use. Upon further investigation, however, NW Natural sends this carbon offset surcharge to industrial dairy farms for questionable “manure digesters,” which generate energy from methane-producing livestock waste. 

The complaint says the relationship between “carbon offset” funds, like NW Natural’s Smart Energy program, and the industrial dairies may incentivize the expansion of factory farming and enable further livestock waste production. 

“Independent research demonstrates that, at best, the climate benefits of manure digestion are not well studied and remain unclear,” the lawsuit says. “At worst, emissions reductions are significantly overstated.” 

Nicolas Blumm, one of the plaintiffs in the Smart Energy case, tells the Mercury he signed up for the program shortly after becoming a NW Natural customer. Since he didn’t have much of a choice about his gas utility system, he wanted to be as eco-friendly as possible while doing it. 

Blumm said the additional payment for the Smart Energy program was small—last January, he paid about $5 extra on his gas bill—so he didn’t think about it much. But once he realized where the money was going, he felt taken advantage of. 

The Smart Energy lawsuit points out that “corporate claims regarding sustainability and lower climate impact are particularly difficult for consumers to verify” and “climate-conscious consumers are particularly vulnerable to climate-related ‘greenwashing.’” 

“People deserve to have a chance to be honestly informed,” Blumm said. “I don’t think you should have to dig through and make sure every dollar you’re giving NW Natural is going exactly where they say it is. If they say the program is going to make your service carbon neutral, that’s how it should be.” 

NW Natural in the community 

In addition to the two lawsuits, NW Natural recently faced a blow from the Oregon Public Utilities Commission (OPUC). Last week, OPUC ordered the company to phase out gas subsidies by 2027. These subsidies are also known as line extension allowances, which gas utility companies including NW Natural charge existing customers in order to pay for expanding natural gas infrastructure to connect new customers to the service. 

Line extension allowances have been criticized by renewable energy advocates as environmentally damaging and economically burdensome for customers. But Roy, the NW Natural communications director, told the Mercury the company is “disappointed with the Commission’s decision,” and believes its subsidy proposal “supports the state’s goals for increased housing and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.” 

Advocates hope the recent news about NW Natural will lead to change in the community’s relationship with the company. While many consumers don’t have a choice about whether or not they can pay NW Natural for their monthly gas utility service, local organizations have more flexibility. NW Natural frequently sponsors or co-sponsors events across the region, ranging from county fairs to the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) annual Sunday Parkways open streets events. At these events, the utility company often sets up a booth to share information about natural gas, which environmental advocates say is often misleading. 

PBOT Communications Director Hannah Schafer told the Mercury the bureau is “aware of the concerns” and hasn’t made sponsorship decisions for the 2025 Sunday Parkways season. 

Sahler, the attorney, told the Mercury, considering the harm burning natural gas has caused to the planet and to human health, she wants to see local leaders draw a line in the sand. 

“Fossil fuel companies are like tobacco companies. You wouldn’t have a tobacco company at [events like Sunday Parkways],” Sahler said. “At some point it has to be unacceptable to support a business that is poisoning us.” 

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 is no us. Thanks for your support!

GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! ????

Look, it's time for two things: VOTING and NAIL-BITING. We're T-minus five days from the November 5 election, so (if you haven't already) it's time to fill out your ballot! Need help? Then check out the Mercury's Election Issue (in more than 500 spots around town) which comes complete with all our endorsements AND our handy-dandy voter cheat sheet! I can't help you with the nail-biting... but I can provide some NEWS.

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Police have revealed more about the Ballot Box Bomber (igniter?) who dropped incendiary devices into election boxes in Portland (harming three ballots) and Vancouver (destroying 475). Cops previously identified the make and model of the car—a Volvo S60—and says the suspect is likely a "Caucasian male, 30-40 years of age, very short hair or balding, thin to medium build, thin face, wearing a dark shirt, highly knowledgeable in both metal fabrication and welding." A reward of $2,500 has been offered for information that leads to the arrest of the individual, who police say may strike again. 

• In other election news, city leaders are freaking out over the possibility of civil unrest on election night if an authoritarian despot takes office with the intent of dismantling democracy and making life a living hell for anyone other than his supporters (which is to say, wealthy business leaders and Christian nationalists). Portland Police officers plan to work 12 hour shifts starting on election day, outgoing DA Mike Schmidt is promising criminal prosecutions for those who commit violence and/or the destruction of property, and the county is freeing up jail beds. And of course, Portland's shadow mayor—Andrew Hoan of the Portland Metro Chamber (AKA Portland Business Alliance)—is once again being platformed by local media, and blaming protesters for Portland's shitty reputation when it was his own allies in the millionaire and political class who in 2020 cried like babies to Fox News and the New York Times that Portland was "dead" and a hellhole, because they weren't getting the tax breaks they felt they were entitled to. Reminder that while there definitely a small group of violent a-holes mixed in with the thousands who were righteously protesting police violence against people of color, most of the so-called riots were not riots, and that these cynical attempts by the city (and its business rulers) to curb free speech is exactly why we don't want Trump in office. Stop being fooled.

Independent Audit: Portland has done almost no oversight of business districts that could criminalize homelessness

Lame duck City Council: Let’s give them a 10 year contract extension!

????‍????????‍????????‍????https://t.co/WaNF5JnDqP

— Portland for All (@PDXforAll) October 30, 2024

• Oregon's largest gas utility, NW Natural, is on the receiving end of two lawsuits alleging they use greenwashing tactics to hide the negative environmental impact of natural gas, while knowingly disenfranchising customers and contributing to the climate crisis. Our Taylor Griggs has the details.

Oregon’s first romance-only bookstore is now open in Portland https://t.co/vRKgRyRWa9

— Ryan Haas (@ryanjhaas) October 31, 2024

• Big news: Our own Rose City Rollers derby team will be hosting the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association Global Championships this weekend, right here in Portland! Our Rollers will also be competing for their fifth straight championship win. Trust me, I've attended one of these championships and they are a goddamn BLAST. Interested in going, and learning more RCR's very interesting history? Check out this banger of a story from our own Courtney Vaughn.

• Oh, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN (to those in my coven who celebrate). For those planning on trick-or-treating tonight, you better find matching raincoat to go with your Sexy Chipotle Fork costume—the weather forecast calls for steady rain during the prime candy grabbin' hours.

Looking for fun on election night? Join your friends at Mississippi Studios for the Mercury's official election night watch party—hosted by the hilarious Alex Falcone and Shain Brenden! (And what? IT'S FREE!)https://t.co/OXyBltoyPr

— Portland Mercury ???? (@portlandmercury) October 29, 2024

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

• And because it's impossible to think about anything else, here's your roundup of ELECTION HEADLINES:

"Trump says he would 'protect' women, 'whether the women like it or not'"  • "Dems see signs for optimism in gender gap in early vote" • "At least a quarter million cancel Washington Post subscriptions after non-endorsement, report says" • "MAGA activists say the election is rigged, vow to overturn the results if Trump loses" • "Trump and Johnson hand Democrats an 11th-hour lifeline" • "Election officials are outmatched by Elon Musk’s misinformation machine" • "Trump transition official says RFK Jr. wants to force vaccines off the market" • "Harris’s momentum in California energizes House Democrats, rattles GOP"

President Biden and ... guess who ?! ????
First Lady Jill Biden dressed as a panda for a White House Halloween event @WUSA9 pic.twitter.com/NvFLgt1x4j

— Lorenzo Hall (@LorenzoHall) October 31, 2024

• The Los Angeles Dodgers are the newest World Series champions after defeating the New York Yankees 7-6 last night in a five game series. It was a stunning comeback for the Dodgers who were behind 5-0 in the third inning before the Yankees committed three errors and the Dodgers came roaring back in the fifth and eighth innings to seal the deal. 

• In a show of impotent masculinity, North Korea launched a test of their new long-range test missile that has the ability to reach the US mainland. The test launch was in obvious response to Washington's announcement that the North Korean dictatorship was sending troops to Ukraine to aid the Russians.

SNL is Brat https://t.co/EMld5xBEU6

— Pitchfork (@pitchfork) October 31, 2024

• A blast from the somewhat recent past (though it feels like a million years ago): The star of Tiger King, Joe Exotic, has announced he is engaged to a fellow inmate in a Texas prison, where he's serving a 21-year stretch for hiring a hitman to kill competitor Carole Baskin, as well as multiple counts of wildlife crimes. 

• And finally... if this actually happened at museums—I WOULD GO ALL THE TIME.

@anakins85 #thedramaisreal #grabsomepopcorn #thatsart ♬ original sound - All ???? No Shade!

See how well YOOOooooOOOOu score on this week's Halloooooweeeeeen-themed trivia quiz! (I am a ghost, if you didn't guess.) ???? by Wm. Steven Humphrey

HELLOOOOO, BRAINY HUMAN! It's time once again to put your brainy-brain to the test with this week's edition of POP QUIZ PDX—our weekly, local, sassy-ass trivia quiz. And in this edition, we're testing your knowledge on a variety of HALLOWEEN-related topics including creeeepy Trump statues, ghost cars (and stores!), and Portland's most HAUNTED locales! OoooOOOoooooh! (That is the sound ghosts make, I'm given to understand.) ????

But first, how did you do on our previous, special edition ranked choice quiz? Super good, and I'm confident you are ready to vote if you haven't already! And in case you're wondering, here's how Portlanders ranked who should be our next mayor. (At least we know who should run next time!)

OKAY, TIME FOR A NEW QUIZ! Take this week's quiz below, take our previous pop quizzes here, and come back next week for a brand spankin' new quiz! (Having a tough time answering this quiz? It's probably because you aren't getting Mercury newsletters! HINT! HINT!) Now crank up that cerebellum, because it's time to get BRAINY!

Create your own user feedback survey

Did you enjoy that? Take our past Pop Quizzes HERE!

Plus, Nils Frahm and More Event Updates for October 31 by EverOut Staff

It’s Halloween! Treat yourself to tickets to see Tyler, The Creator on his Chromakopia tour. Country pop princess Kelsea Ballerini has also announced a stop at Moda Center next spring. Plus, Berlin-based pianist, composer, and producer Nils Frahm will set up his elaborate vintage gear at the Schnitz. Read on for details on those and other newly announced events, plus some news you can use.

ON SALE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

MUSIC

Amyl and The Sniffers: Cartoon Darkness Tour
Crystal Ballroom (Mar 25, 2025)

Ashe: The Trilogy Tour
Revolution Hall (June 17, 2025)

Daily Bread – Flash Flood Tour
Wonder Ballroom (Mar 22, 2025)

Allee Willis was your favorite artists’ favorite artist decades before Chappell Roan. Allee Willis was a truly fascinating, wildly-creative artist who worked almost exclusively behind the scenes. She was your favorite artists’ favorite artist decades before Chappell Roan. Allee Willis: creative force behind the Friends TV Show Theme, Dangerous Woman to Soviet newspapers Allee Willis: Creative Force, Dangerous Woman, Queer Songwriter Behind Friends' Theme Further Proof That Friends Is Queer-Coded by Melissa Locker

Whether you watched the show or not, you can probably hum the theme song to Friends. Do you know who wrote it for the Rembrandts? And "September"—the Mercury's second favorite song—do you know who co-wrote that with Earth Wind and Fire's Maurice White?

Not to sound like a weird TV pitchman, but what if I told you they were written with the same person. Specifically,  Allee Willis—who was once dubbed “the most dangerous woman in the world” by Pravda, the the official newspaper of the prelapsarian Soviet Union.  

Willis is the star of a new documentary, The World According to Allee Willis, which celebrates its Oregon premiere at the QDoc Film Festival on November 16. The doc is worth your time to burnish your bar trivia skills, but also because Willis was a truly fascinating, wildly-creative artist who worked almost exclusively behind the scenes. She was your favorite artists’ favorite artist decades before Chappell Roan.

Willis had insisted on documenting her life, since 1978, long before reality TV was a thing, so there's plenty of her archival video found in the film. "I've always known that my final art piece would be someone putting together the trail I've left behind," she says in one clip. 

In 2019, Willis died at age 72, and director Alexis Manya Spraic became responsible for following that trail. Spraic intersperses the footage with a cavalcade of famous faces—Paul Reubens, Lily Tomlin, Cyndi Lauper, Pamela Adlon, Paul Feig, Sex and the City director Michael Patrick King, Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh, as well as—somewhat inexplicably—billionaire Mark Cuban. Their interviews confirm that Willis really was a Hollywood power player, even if you don’t know her name.

Raised in Detroit as Alta Willis, the artist admits that growing up in the shadow of Motown influenced her work. She also did a stint in New York where she wrote her one and only album, Childstar, which had “great reviews and zero sales.” Eventually Willis moved to California because “if she was going to starve to death, she was going to do it in the sun.” ["Not me!" -Portland creatives.]

Willis lived on welfare in that sun, until "Godmother of Soul" Patti LaBelle heard her music, and kickstarted Willis’ songwriting career. Then came Earth Wind & Fire and “September,” the track that made Willis a songwriting star.

"Allee said she was lucky to meet us. We were lucky to meet her, too,” the group's bassist Verdine White says in the film. “That was life-changing for all of us.”

Earth Wind & Fire followed the success of "September" by co-writing another hit “Boogie Wonderland” with Willis, helping her become the music industry’s go-to “rock doc” who could fix up a song and turn it into a hit. 

Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

In addition to being a wildly successful songwriter, Willis was also an art director and set designer, creating the backdrops for Debbie Harry music videos, among others. She continued to collaborate on songs, behind the scenes, and won both a Grammy and a Tony for her work on the musical The Color Purple.  The Friends theme was nominated for an Emmy, but didn't win.

While Willis was able to find professional success, that never quite translated into financial solvency. She also faced challenges in her private life—partially because she was queer at a time when it was extremely difficult to be open and out. She struggled with loneliness for much of her life, Lauper says during one of the film's interviews.

Willis did eventually find love, and then had to contend with the near-universal struggle of balancing work, creativity, and her personal life. When you’re looking at The World According to Allee Willis, it's a wild,  wonderful, and sometimes painful view, but well worth watching.

The World According to Allee Willis screens as part of QDoc Film Festival at Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, Sat Nov 16, 4:30 pm, $12, tickets here. Some streaming starting Nov 22. Visit alleewillisdoc.com for more.

by Suzette Smith

The Mercury provides its readers with interesting and useful news & culture reporting every single day. If you appreciate that, consider making a small monthly contribution to support our editorial team. If you read something you like, something you don't like but are glad to know about, and/or something you can't find anywhere else consider a one-time tip. It all goes in the same pot and it all goes to the editorial team. Thanks for your support!

Good Morning, Portland! When they told me a bat could be beautiful I didn't believe, but now I believe.

IN LOCAL NEWS:
• As October comes to a close, so too does the Bureau of Land Management’s annual Bat Beauty Contest, which asks where the "most stunning bat photographed on BLM public lands" can be found? It's Oregon, motherfuckers! For the third year running WE HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BAT. YES! Despite J. K. Rowling's tarnished-as-hell legacy, we can still celebrate this feisty male hoary bat, Hoary Potter. It's also worth noting that this is the second year a bat photographed by wildlife technician Emma Busk took top beauty honors. Busk wrote, "anyone who knows me knows that I’ve been wanting to photograph a hoary bat,"—a sentiment we can all echo.

BLM's most beautiful bat is from Oregon, and I love him. pic.twitter.com/T8qQgsz5kT

— Suzette Smith (@suzettesmith) November 1, 2024

• There's also terrible news, unfortunately. Yesterday evening, a shooting at Vancouver Mall, in Vancouver, WA, killed one person and injured two in the building's food court.  A witness who spoke to KOIN described "a harrowing scene, as the shopping center was full of kids trick-or-treating." So far, police have said they do not have a suspect in custody and the person may still be armed. They told KOIN they were reviewing surveillance footage, but have not yet released a description of the shooter.

• Oh my god, Clark County are you okay? KPTV reports that Clark County Elections Office is warning voters to beware of unofficial ballot boxes. Unofficial ballot boxes are not illegal in Washington! (This also appears to be true of Oregon!) Clark County Elections encouraged voters official ballot return locations.

• The Oregonian is returning to broadsheet size, they announced yesterday in a post that did not explain what that is for readers who didn't go to graphic design school / work in at newspaper with some old dude named Phil. Somewhat surprisingly, Willamette Week's Nigel Jaquiss stepped in to clarify. Tabloid is hotdog style fold; broadsheet is burger. Both WW and the Mercury are hotdogs. The New York Times is burger fold.

• NPR's Up First weirdly tried to do a report on Vice President Kamala Harris "highlighting Trump's own language and using it against him," as if that's somehow something of which to be critical? Gave me the vapors of the new Hasaan Hates Portland sketch from this week:

• In two week's the city's beloved queer documentary festival QDoc will host the Oregon debut of The World According to Allee Willis, which explores the complicated life of a queer "song doctor" who co-wrote not only Earth, Wind and Fire's "September," but the Friends TV show theme. Check out Melissa Locker's review of the film.; she says it's not to be missed!

• Did you take this week's local news quiz? 

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IN NATIONAL NEWS:
• Atlanta rap star Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, finally walked free last night, after pleading guilty to "six counts, including possession of drugs and firearms... leading a criminal street gang and conspiracy to violate the RICO act, the state’s racketeering law," the New York Times reports. As part of the plea, the judge sentenced Williams to a total sentence of 40 years, but commuted the five years of prison time to the two and a half years that Williams has already served. Williams will remain on probation for 15 years, and will "be required to stay away from metro Atlanta for the first 10 years of his probation." He is also required to take random drug tests, make anti-gang presentations for children's organizations four times a year, perform 100 hours of community service a year, and "refrain from promoting gangs or being around known gang members." The ongoing Young Slime Life (YSL) court proceedings—which caused NYT's Joe Coscarelli to ask "is YSL was a record label, street gang, or both?"—have stretched into what is now the longest trial in Georgia history. Despite three other plea deals this week, it appears the trial will continue with the two remaining co-defendants.

• Mark Zuckerberg dressed as Fran Lebowitz for Halloween, and that's just what happened.

Mark Zuckerberg dressed as John Wick for Halloween but I thought it was Fran Lebowitz pic.twitter.com/zdXaomOMPR

— Meech (@MediumSizeMeech) November 1, 2024

• You're going to see some stuff today about "explosive new audio" recordings where Donald Trump speaks candidly to the reviled Jeffrey Epstein about his White House Staff and his disdain for the position itself. It's only really on the Daily Beast, the podcast of journalist Michael Wolff, and a few other sites. I'd rather wait til a super solid source gets it—seems like maybe they're holding off because they're checking it?—but the story is out there. Don't sound like anything particularly new, but people are saying "October surprise" because they want attention.

• Also in weird news about guys we already thought were corrupt, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is apparently pledged to some secretive religious traditionalist organization. That tracks.

• Flashback to this masterpiece, which has been floating around the zeitgeist all week.

Portland All Souls River Procession, Family Dinner, and More Cheap & Easy Events Under $15 by EverOut Staff

We hope you're not too tired from Halloween partying because there's plenty of fun events to hit up this weekend, from The 4th Annual Portland All Souls River Procession to The People's Court's Camp Crystal Lake Halloween Party and from the Family Dinner benefit concert to a Diwali Festival. For more ideas, check out our guide to the top events of the week. P.S. Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday—don't forget to set your clocks back!

FRIDAY PARTIES & NIGHTLIFE

Camp Crystal Lake at TPC Halloween Party
For the uninitiated, Camp Crystal Lake is the name of the kids' camp attended by serial killer Jason Voorhees in the Friday the 13th film series. This Friday, it’s the theme for a night of Halloween revelry at recreational sports spot The People's Courts. I expect there’ll be a lot of hockey masks and camp counselors in the costume contest—as well as creeping around the 48,000-square-foot facility during the scavenger hunt, so prepare for jump scares. Bring your friends for an evening of themed drink specials, photo ops, and lighthearted competition: bocce, corn hole, and disc golf are included in your ticket, but it'll be an additional cost if you want to get some pickleball games in. SHANNON LUBETICH
(The People's Courts, Madison South, $12 regular admission/$25 for pickleball)

Cà Phê, Hand-Smashed Lime Tea, and Sour Pomegranate Doughnuts by EverOut Staff Welcome to November! Kick off the month with fresh lime tea from The Lime Stand, açaí bowls from the new gluten-free bakery Kirari West, and Vietnamese coffee from Friends Share Cà Phê. Plus, find out where to get passionfruit frozen custard and sour pomegranate doughnuts. For more ideas, check out our food and drink guide.

NEW OPENINGS & RETURNS

Friends Share Cà Phê
Bridgetown Bites reports that this Vietnamese cafe pop-up is set to launch inside the recently opened Friends Share community space in East Portland from 10 am-2 pm on Sunday, November 3. The menu will feature coffee, jasmine tea, hot chocolate sweetened with condensed milk, and bánh mì.
Centennial

Polling data suggests voters see opportunities to strengthen local environmental policies and change course on issues like oil by rail. by Taylor Griggs

Portland has long been known for a strong ethos of environmentalism among its population. But with the increasingly dire nature of the climate crisis, environmental issues are playing a central role in this year’s election. Amid changes to city government and heightened focus on the efficacy of Portland’s Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), residents and City Council candidates see an opportunity to shift gears on climate action. 

Survey data released earlier this week show Portland voters are especially concerned with how the future City Council will handle PCEF and the Zenith Energy oil terminal. Both topics have been controversial for current City Council members, most of whom are running to remain in City Hall. According to the survey results, Portland voters are more likely to support candidates who support strengthening PCEF and who oppose Zenith. 

The poll was conducted by progressive polling firm Data for Progress and Lead Locally, an organization that works to address climate change through local elections. It’s a point-in-time assessment of 579 likely Portland voters from October 4-9. Though this is a small fraction of Portland voters, the poll’s findings have been reflected in messaging from many City Council candidates throughout the campaign season. 

Take PCEF, a program approved by a 2018 ballot measure that collects a 1 percent tax on local big business sales and uses it to pay for local carbon-reduction projects, especially in historically disadvantaged communities. PCEF is overseen by Commissioner Carmen Rubio–a top candidate for mayor–in the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. 

Rubio directed major code changes at PCEF, transforming the program in alignment with the city’s climate goals, and has been commended for that work. But she’s been criticized for attempts to redirect PCEF money into struggling city programs. Fellow commissioner and mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez also proposed funding unrelated programs, specifically public safety initiatives in his portfolio, with PCEF dollars. 

According to the voter survey, about 65 percent of likely Portland voters feel positively about PCEF, and would be more likely to vote for candidates who support strengthening the program. The majority of Council candidates, too, have expressed favorable views about PCEF. Most candidates, when asked in an Oregonian/OPB questionnaire, said they do not support putting PCEF back on the ballot, and want to make sure the program’s funds are only used for carbon-reduction projects. 

District 1 candidate Jamie Dunphy said he believes PCEF should be protected, and not used as a “slush fund or a general purpose sales tax.” District 2’s Marnie Glickman said “we are fortunate to have PCEF because climate resilience costs are rising,” and the program “shouldn’t be raided to fund other needs.” Similar sentiments were echoed among many of their peers.

A minority of candidates said they wanted to expand the uses for PCEF money by putting the measure back on the ballot. District 4 candidate Eli Arnold, for example, said he supports asking Portlanders to vote on PCEF again, and wants to “preserve the original projected size of the program and move the excess to the general fund.” Other candidates, such as Noah Ernst in District 1 and Melodie Beirwagen in District 3, said they’re concerned the tax has a negative impact on businesses in Portland. District 2 candidate Chris Olson had a different reason for wanting to put PCEF back on the ballot: He said he wants to increase the tax to 2 percent, ensuring "greater investment in renewable energy, green jobs, and economic justice." 

On the other side of the coin, the survey results show only 22 percent of Portlanders polled said they feel positively about Zenith Energy’s oil-by-rail terminal in the Northwest Industrial Area. Just under half of respondents said they have unfavorable views, with 32 percent saying they didn’t know enough to say. 

In 2022, the Portland Bureau of Development Services (BDS)—then overseen by Commissioner Dan Ryan, who is running for a seat in District 2—approved a land use permit for Zenith’s operations in Portland. The city previously denied the oil transport company a Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS), threatening Zenith’s future in the city. But city officials gave in after a lengthy legal battle, and a promise that Zenith would switch to renewable fuels. 

Environmental advocates doubted Zenith’s promise to switch to renewables, and said such a move wouldn’t protect Portlanders in the case of an earthquake and subsequent oil spill. When Rubio took over BDS in 2023, Zenith critics were hopeful for change, but the city maintained Zenith’s land use permit. Earlier this year, the Portland Elections Office found the oil transport company violated local lobbying rules while trying to get the permit approved, spending excessive time and money trying to court city officials, particularly Ryan and Rubio. 

More than two dozen people running for City Council have indicated they want the city to have a different relationship with Zenith. In an October 10 letter to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), 27 candidates asked the agency to delay its decision making about Zenith’s Air Contaminant Discharge Permit. The candidates said given “the legitimate concerns of Portland organizations and community members,” they want the new City Council to have the opportunity to “review past city decisions, understand any potential enforcement liability, and weigh in during the public process.” 

Most of the candidates who signed the letter to the DEQ are from District 4, where Zenith’s facilities are located. Six of the candidates who signed hail from District 2, which would also be heavily impacted in the case of an oil spill in the Willamette River. The St. Johns neighborhood is directly across the river from Portland’s Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub, which houses the Zenith terminal. 

Candidates who signed the letter include Mitch Green, Chad Lykins, Eli Arnold, and Olivia Clark (District 4), Brian Conley, Tiffany Koyama Lane, and Angelita Morillo (District 3), Jonathan Tasini, Nat West, and Marnie Glickman (District 2), and Doug Clove and Peggy Sue Owens (District 1). 

“Portlanders do not want or deserve to have their safety put at risk by trains carrying dangerous liquid fuels, whether it is oil or so-called ‘renewable fuels,’” the letter reads. “Portland residents should be protected by their government and that’s what we hope to do on city council.” 

Portland environmental advocates say they want stronger climate leadership from the new City Council. In a press release about the polling results, Oregon Sierra Club Director Damon Motz-Storey said it’s evident that “Portlanders widely support environmental justice.” 

“Portlanders are tired of fossil fuels and the dangers they present to our communities, our climate, and the natural world, so we see right through the efforts to greenwash the Zenith crude oil terminal,” Motz-Storey said. “Climate leadership in Portland requires a commitment to environmental justice and taking on our biggest polluters.” 

by Anonymous

Just checking in here, currently riding home from work via TriMet. I'm bored so I thought I'd write an IA post. On the seat next to me lay an empty soda can, an opened Lunchables package and last, but not least, a banana peel. Something tells me it wasn't a fifth grader who went rogue and left this here after finishing their lunch. I'm not triggered (at least not as much as I used to be.) Although I do like TriMet overall, this is common place on our public transportation system. And it's pretty sad quite frankly.

Sabrina Carpenter, Cyndi Lauper, and More by EverOut Staff

November is here, which means a deluge of holidays are coming your way, from Election Day to Veterans Day to Thanksgiving. Plus, it's Native American Heritage Month and the first round of festive winter events are coming down the pike. Of course, there's also the usual array of concerts, festivals, food & drink events, and tons more. As we do every month, we've compiled the biggest events you need to know about in every genre, from Sabrina Carpenter to Cyndi Lauper and from World Vegan Month to PLUS PLUS: PAM CUT's New Annual Festival.

FILM

PLUS PLUS: PAM CUT's New Annual Festival
I have to hand it to PAM CUT. Although virtually everyone clowned on their name change (they were formerly known as Northwest Film Center), the organization's revamp of a decrepit, one-time adult movie theater has been thrilling to see. Tomorrow Theater offers a consistent slate of screenings supplemented with artsy programming, and their new annual multimedia festival, PLUS PLUS, will offer more where that came from. Throughout November, drop by for parties, art happenings, and community events—I'm stoked for talks with Ani DiFranco and Titus Kaphar, special screenings, and collaborations with local art-makers Carla Rossi, Violet Hex, DJ Anjali, and woo-woo. LINDSAY COSTELLO
Tomorrow Theater, Richmond (Nov 1–Dec 1)

by Wm. Steven Humphrey

GOOD 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.)

• Lawsuits Allege Deceit and Greenwashing by Oregon’s Largest Gas Utility

Advocates hope two lawsuits filed this month against gas utility NW Natural lead to change. The lawsuits say NW Natural has lied to customers and shared greenwashing propaganda, including spreading misinformation about a state climate policy.

Taylor Griggs

• POP QUIZ PDX!

It's the spooooky HALLOWEEN edition of your fave weekly trivia quiz! This week: creepy Trump statues, ghost cars, and Portland's most HAUNTED locales! OoooOOOoooooh! (That's our imitation of a ghost, btw. ????) See how well YOU score!

Sergeeva / Getty Images

• The Mercury's November 2024 VOTER CHEAT SHEET!

Filling out your ballot this weekend? GOOD! Need help? Voila, here's your 100% accurate Mercury Endorsement Cheat Sheet to help you fill out your ballot lickety-split!

• How Portland Became a Roller Derby Mecca

Twenty years ago, Portland's first modern roller derby league emerged. It's now the largest derby league in the world. Now, the four-time global champion Rose City Rollers will compete for another title win this weekend at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Recess the Photographer

• Could the James Beard Public Market Rise From the Corpse of Corporate Failure?

Long envisioned as Portland's version of Seattle's Pike Place, the James Bear Public Market would also provide an answer to downtown’s dearth of fresh produce.

Courtesy of the James Beard Public Market

• What to Expect From Portland’s New Government

Good news: Portland is getting a (much needed) new form of city government in January. But what exactly is changing for our elected officials? And, perhaps more importantly, how will all of this impact you?

Pete Gamlin

• THE TRASH REPORT

If you're looking for the trashiest gossip from this election season, then you've found the right garbage can. ???? ????

Jeff Swenson / Getty Images

• TICKET ALERT

Get those tickets now for the shows you don't want to miss, including Tyler, The Creator, country pop princess Kelsea Ballerini, and Berlin-based pianist, composer, and producer Nils Frahm!

Tyler, The Creator

• Infinite Life: A Play About Pain That Hurts So Good

Third Rail Repertory kicks off its 2024-25 season with a work by contemporary theater star Annie Baker. Never before have six actors worked their respective chaise lounges with such verve.

John Rudoff

• Don't Miss the Mercury's ELECTION NIGHT WATCH PARTY!

Looking for fun on election night? Join your friends at Mississippi Studios for the Mercury's official election night watch party—hosted by the hilarious Alex Falcone and Shain Brenden! (And what? IT'S FREE!)

WOW, THAT IS A LOT OF GOOD READIN'. I hope you didn't have any other plans this weekend! Dig in, and remember: Producing all this hard work costs moolah—so please consider contributing to the Mercury to keep it all coming! Thanks!

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 is no us. Thanks for your support!

GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! ????

Hmmm... let's check the calendar to see if anything interesting is happening this week, and... OH WOW, THE ELECTION IS TOMORROW. If you haven't filled out your ballot yet, allow us to help! Check out the Mercury's Election Issue (in more than 500 spots around town) which comes complete with all our endorsements AND our handy-dandy voter cheat sheet! And despite what some people might say, voting is actually a lot easier than you might think. Now let's think a little about today's NEWS.

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Let's start with the disappointing Oregonian headline of the day:

Oh, hello... unless I overslept again and missed it, THE ELECTION HASN'T HAPPENED YET, AND THEREFORE HAS NOT BEEN "UPENDED" BY ANYTHING. Despite the inference behind this very poorly worded headline, ranked-choice voting is actually super easy, and having a "sprawling" candidate field simply means that we finally have a far more diverse group of people (not just moneyed white dudes bought and paid for by local business interests) running for office. THAT IS A VERY GOOD THING. So allow me to rewrite this headline: "Ranked-choice voting, healthy and diverse candidate field is great for Portland City Council races and democracy in general." Oh, and you are WELCOME.

Filling out your ballot this weekend? GOOD! Need help? Voila, here's your 100% accurate Mercury Endorsement Cheat Sheet to help you fill out your ballot lickety-split!https://t.co/kKi0W0Yfmd

— Portland Mercury ???? (@portlandmercury) November 2, 2024

• As we know, Portland's attempts to construct and carry out good environmental policies has been hampered by our current city council (who, again, was bought and paid for by local business interests ????). However, that could very well change with a more progressive, people-oriented council, and a significant number of current candidates are promising to change this narrative if they are elected to office on Tuesday. Find out more with this interesting report from our Taylor Griggs.

• A suspect has been arrested in the Halloween shooting at a Vancouver mall which left one person dead and two injured. Vancouver resident Travis L. Ward was taken into custody by police and members of the city's SWAT team after receiving tips from Facebook users. The shooting was allegedly a targeted attack, and the suspect—who was reportedly dressed in black and wearing a clown mask—is scheduled to appear in court today.

When Skye Baskin died, it was initially portrayed as a failure of the Oregon State Hospital. New records reviewed by OPB indicate serious failures in the Douglas County Jail preceded his death.

Jail health care remains terrible in Oregon. https://t.co/Jwm2Z1Ziik

— Ryan Haas (@ryanjhaas) November 4, 2024

• One of Oregon's conservation greats, Bob Sallinger, has died suddenly at the age of 57. Known for leading such longtime environmental groups as Willamette Riverkeeper and Bird Conservation Oregon (BCO), Sallinger was a beloved figure who, according to the board of BCO, "was a pioneer in highlighting the importance of preserving and restoring wildlife habitat in urban areas, and a key player in efforts to conserve iconic Oregon landscapes, including the Elliott Forest, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and the Klamath Basin." He will be missed.

Looking for fun on election night? Join your friends at Mississippi Studios for the Mercury's official election night watch party—hosted by the hilarious Alex Falcone and Shain Brenden! (And what? IT'S FREE!)https://t.co/OXyBltoyPr

— Portland Mercury ???? (@portlandmercury) November 3, 2024

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

• Since that's all anyone can think about at the moment, here's your ELECTION EVE HEADLINE ROUNDUP: "Harris and Trump head to key battleground states for final campaign sprint." "GOP primed to back Trump if he contests election." (And he will.) "North Carolina sees turnout record with more than 4.2M ballots cast at early in-person voting sites." "Trump doesn't rule out banning vaccines if he becomes president." "Pollster Behind Shock Iowa Poll Hits Back at Trump’s Attacks." "Trump says he doesn’t mind someone shooting at journalists at rally." "Ad showing women hiding their vote from their husbands sparks conservative anger." (Hee-hee-hee!)

Univision poll: Latino voters

Harris 64%
Trump 30%

69% said the Puerto Rico garbage remark was "more racist than humorous."

Oct. 29-Nov. 3, MOE +/-5%

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 4, 2024

This is NORTH CAROLINA the morning before the election. Donald Trump is on stage in 90 mins time at this 7,600 seater stadium and there are NO huge crowds outside and people are still walking in. I have never seen this at a Trump rally in a red state. pic.twitter.com/AXYFP3n7m0

— Phil Lavelle ????????/???? (@phillavelle) November 4, 2024

• The tech union for the New York Times—which helps handle such critical things as, say... oh, I don't know... election coverage—is going on strike today after management (who have reportedly known about this strike deadline for months) failed to come to an agreement with workers.

• A cyclone in the Caribbean is showing signs of developing into (yet another) hurricane this week as storm prepares to cross over Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico.

I do believe that, despite this, she will win https://t.co/cOU7ZeWAKa

— Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) November 3, 2024

• RIP to one of the music industry's most prolific giants, Quincy Jones (who produced the best-selling album of all time, Michael Jackson's Thriller, as well as countless other memorable songs and movie scores) who has died at the age of 91.

• And finally... you and this goat paper towel dispenser share something in common a day before the election:

@henajahan_ #goat ♬ original sound - HenAJaHan_

Sabrina Carpenter, David Sedaris, and More by EverOut Staff

There's plenty of first-rate events to check out this week, from The Official Portland Mercury Election Watch Party to Sabrina Carpenter's Short N’ Sweet Tour and from Kumoricon to An Evening With David Sedaris, but first, make sure to VOTE! And for a look at the month ahead, check out our November events guide.

MONDAY LIVE MUSIC

Dehd
Chicago-based indie-rock trio Dehd, who Pitchfork has dubbed "as much a rock band as they are a viable alternative to Red Bull," is coming to town to support their new album, Poetry. The album sounds like the sonic interpretation of the summer season with warm guitar riffs and bouncing percussion that evokes running down a beach to catch the ice cream truck. Don't miss an opening set from Brooklyn-based art-punk band Gustaf. AUDREY VANN
(Wonder Ballroom, Eliot)

Worried? Try putting your head deep into this garbage gossip can for a few minutes. by Elinor Jones

Hello, and welcome back to the Trash Report! Like many people with mental illness, my home is a reflection of what is happening with the ol' brain—when depression is in the driver's seat, my house gets messy; when anxiety is calling the shots, the palace is pristine. And friends, being ONE DAY away from yet ANOTHER "most crucial presidential election of our time," I am literally out of things to organize! There is no more dust. I'm ironing? Your girl is not okay. I love this column for an excuse to look at something besides another very frightening poll, so let's get to the trash!

Make it Stop

As this election plummets to its final resting place, Kamala Harris has collected endorsements from such luminaries as Cardi B, Bad Bunny, Eminem, Jennifer Lopez, Harrison Ford, and most of the Avengers.

I do believe that, despite this, she will win https://t.co/cOU7ZeWAKa

— Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) November 3, 2024

The most recent celebrity to come out for Trump was none other than the the famously antisemitic Mel Gibson, who shared his support only after Trump's Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden, which goes to prove just how much of a Nazi rally that definitely was.  

Feud Reports

On a recent episode of his podcast, Ted Danson apologized to Kelsey Grammer for carrying a grudge since they worked together on Cheers. Grammer graciously accepted the apology. But I am not graciously receiving this "gossip." What happened?! What was the argument about? Why do this on a podcast without giving us the tea? This is the same kind of bullshit "this is not who we are" 2016-era dignity that no longer is the vibe. We're petty now! Tell us who was mean! Danson went on to say "I feel like I missed out on the last 30 years of Kelsey Grammer." What celebrity planet was Ted Danson living on because I feel like the rest of us have seen far too much Kelsey Grammer in the past 30 years. Streaming services were basically invented to avoid reruns of Frasier. 

In much more interesting feuds, Martha Stewart alluded to one between her and fellow kitchen and lifestyle guru Ina Garten. Garten had claimed in her recent memoir that the women drifted apart after one of them moved to Connecticut. Stewart agrees that the rift had to do with a move, but it was Stewart moving into a federal prison. I would imagine it could feel complicated to be a public figure being friends with a felon, but I can guarantee that if one of my friends went to jail for a non-violent crime I wouldn't stop talking to them! I'd probably talk way too much to them, in fact. I just have so many questions. If Martha Stewart and I had been friends who fell out and she later reflected on it, she would be like "Elinor was there for me when I was in jail, but she was too there for me, and wouldn't leave me alone, and I was sick of talking about prison toilet wine, so that's when our feud started."

Targeted Anecdotes

The long-awaited sequel to The Gladiator is coming out soon and I could not have less interest in going to see it! That is, until Pedro Pascal revealed that he and Paul Mescal kissed in one take of a fight scene, and that might be the take they used in the movie, and I guess I'm going to go see Gladiator 2 now. Have the Wicked PR folks considered floating a rumor that Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande kiss instead of hawking a green and pink version of every product on God's green earth? (And is there a pink earth? There probably will be soon!) 

At this point is there a category of merchandise that doesn’t have a Wicked tie-in? I’m half expecting my gynecologist to ask whether I want a pink or green speculum.

— Anika Chapin (@AnikaChapin) October 31, 2024

Love is Dead

Channing Tatum and Zoe Kravitz have allegedly called off their engagement after three years together, and just days after Tatum finally ended his years-long divorce saga with ex Jenna Dewan. This makes me think that Zoe Kravitz for sure never thought that Tatum's divorce would ever be finalized when she said yes to that ring. Tatum has been spotted around New York City smoking cigarettes, but holding them in a way that makes me think he hasn't smoked before; starting smoking at 44 is hilarious, but also very hot and chic!

In other rebound choices, Gisele Bunchen revealed that she is pregnant with her third child, which will be her first since getting divorced from Tom Brady, and the first with her boyfriend, who is also her longtime Jiu-Jitsu instructor. Tom Brady is reacting to it like any normal 30-year-old woman and posting Fleetwood Mac lyrics to his Instagram which is the most I've ever liked him. 

On Loss in the Modern Era

Helen Mirren recently waxed poetically about tragic losses of beloved icons, specifically Kurt Cobain, and specifically that Kurt Cobain's early demise in the 90s meant that he never got to experience the magic that is a GPS system. Iconic music producer Quincy Jones passed away just yesterday. He would have seen GPS. Does Helen Mirren not think this is as sad of a loss, because at least he died with the immense satisfaction of having watched a little dot that represented his car being driven towards a destination, thus making it a full and worthwhile life? Helen Mirren has yet to comment. 

Trash Pandas In the News

A Sam's Club in Maryland had to shut down last week due to a racoon breaking into their bakery. A statement from the store read "after attempts to locate the raccoon were unsuccessful, Sam's Club representatives were advised best practices to properly capture the animal." Which means that during the initial attempts to capture the animal, they had no idea what the best practices were, and it must have been so funny. Imagine that raccoon's surprise to learn that there is a way to eat croissants, pre-trash? Going back to garbage pastries after that has got to be a bummer. Anyway, as the kids say, "in da clerb we all fam," but the clerb is a Sam's Club. Sam's Clerb, as it were.

Okay, I just realized there's a bookshelf in my office that I haven't yet reorganized and if I don't do that right now it will make it so college-educated women in Michigan won't turn out in numbers, which makes a lot of sense when you think about it. I hope you get through the next few days okay. If you process stress by being around people, the Mercury is going to hold an election night party hosted by the more extroverted of us. Meanwhile, we indoor kids will be live-blogging as the night goes on, so check back here if that's something you can handle. Thank you for reading and for voting and for being cherished members of the dumpster pile. 

Nervously,

by Anonymous

Thinking about the martial art group I almost dedicated my life to. The secret trump group they invited me to around 2018. The guy I trained with playing devil’s advocate about the George Floyd situation. He owns a school now and a moderately successful YouTube channel. Even got promoted as in rank. My teacher might not have been an overt bigot, but his friends were. I almost brought my kids into this group. I more focused on my own rank and acting like I was some kind of hero in an action movie. I didn’t fully see it when I started, but the signs were there. I was young and I thought I was building a career. I am ashamed that I put so much time and effort into being part of this group. Almost twenty years. At my peak, I was probably just a bully. Just an idiot with an ego. Like they taught me. Through this fist art, one gains nothing but regret.

by Mercury Promotions

Look, nobody wants to be alone on election night—so why not spend it with the Mercury, two of our fave stand-up comics, and all your friends?

The Merc, along with our pals at Mississippi Studios are hosting an election night watch party TONIGHT, Tuesday, November 5, with special guest hosts, comedians Alex Falcone and Shain Brenden! Both are former winners of the Portland's Funniest Person contest as well as the Mercury's Geniuses of Comedy, and as the results roll in on the big screen, Falcone and Brenden will be entertaining everyone with hilarious comedy, spicy political takes, and welcoming some very special surprise guests as well!

Best of all, our election night party is FREE—so grab your friends and show up for a night of (hopefully) celebration for our first woman president and lots of laughs.

The Official Portland Mercury Election Watch Party—hosted by Alex Falcone and Shain Brenden

Tuesday, November 5, 6:30 pm

Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi

FREE (21+ only)

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 and happy election day, Portland! Obviously, drop off that ballot if you haven't yet. If you need a replacement, the county elections office can help you. If you're not sure who to vote for, here's our handy dandy election guide, which even includes a cheat sheet for you to refer to when filling out your ballot. If you’re monitoring results, let us keep you company on our live election night blog, and if you need to commiserate with others, or share a joke and a drink to ease the stress, join us in person at Mississippi Studios tonight for our free election night party!

In Local News: 

• Speaking of the election, voter turnout so far in Multnomah County is a little low. The number of ballots returned by Monday hovered below 46 percent. In the last presidential election, more than 73 percent of Multnomah County ballots were returned the day before the election. Some have speculated that Portland’s new ranked choice voting system and the sheer number of City Council candidates is slowing voters down, or dissuading them from filling out their ballot. BUT, people were a lot less busy in 2020, and if RCV is the culprit, why is Clackamas County–which isn’t using ranked voting– also seeing just 50 percent turnout by Monday? Similarly, Washington County’s elections office reports only 47 percent of ballots were returned by Monday. Maybe voters procrastinated, or maybe they’re just waiting to drop off their ballots in broad daylight, when there’s less likelihood of a ballot box getting blown up by some nut job. 

Turnout in Multnomah County as of November 4, 1 days before the election.

Current: 46% of accepted ballots (50% with returned ballots)
2020: 73%
2004-2020 average: 65%
2004-2016 average: 63% pic.twitter.com/xVyPxKjebo

— John Horvick (@horvick) November 5, 2024

 

• In other local election news, a few buildings downtown have boarded up their windows in preparation for potential election night protests. Portland police have been hyping up the potential for election-related violence for months now, creating a bit of hysteria that’s got some major companies spooked. At least one online flier inviting anarchist protest has circulated, but it’s unrelated to any particular candidate or party and more directed at general disdain for the state of the country.

Both local and national law enforcement teams are on standby in Portland ahead of Election Day, but many businesses are taking matters into their own hands… boarding up their windows and doors. @fox12oregon pic.twitter.com/0kmbAWAIvb

— Mckenzie Richmond (@kenziestuvland) November 4, 2024

• Portland City Council seems primed to overturn the city’s agreement with Multnomah County on managing homelessness. As we reported a few weeks ago, City Commissioners Rene Gonzalez, Mingus Mapps and Dan Ryan have all signaled support for dissolving the intergovernmental agreement that lays out which functions each government agency handles, in an effort to collaborate and tag-team the region’s most critical issue. The three stooges allege Multnomah County hasn’t kept up its end of the bargain, and they’ve got professional shit stirrer and County Commissioner Sharon Meieran egging them on. This week, Portland City Council will vote on whether to end the agreement. Jessica Vega Pederson, chair of the county’s Board of Commissioners, has called out the plan to kill the agreement as short-sighted, misinformed, chickenshit, and harmful to unhoused Portlanders who need a bevy of resources and services.

Regional executive leaders are united supporting a collaborative approach to addressing homelessness, and pushing back on this political stunt that includes no plan.

“The three commissioners did not provide any alternative plan”https://t.co/KFIkThGrNo

— Jessica Vega Pederson (@jvegapederson) October 18, 2024

• Here’s a bright spot: Portland’s own Rose City Rollers took home a fifth world championship title over the weekend. The league’s all-star roller derby team, Wheels of Justice, overtook St. Louis’ Arch Rival Roller Derby in the final game of a three-day tournament at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Due to the international repercussions of the pandemic, this year’s Women’s Flat Track Derby Association Global Championships were the first since 2019. Keep your eyes peeled for more of our coverage. Rose City Rollers all-star team Wheels of Justice celebrates after a championship 
  win Sunday, Nov. 3.  courtney vaughn Gov. Tina Kotek (center) rallies the crowd Saturday, Nov. 2 at the 2024 Women's Flat
  Track Derby Association Global Championships. To the left, Kim "Rocket Mean" Stegeman (left) holds the championship Hydra trophy.   courtney vaughn

In National/World News:

• Attorneys for Elon Musk basically admitted that Musk’s election lottery scheme was more of a plot to boost the Republican party. When faced with charges of running an illegal election lottery, where he promised to pick a daily winner at random for a $1 million prize in an effort to get people registered to vote, attorneys said Musk never intended to use a lottery system to choose a winner. He instead planned to vet and select the right person to essentially be a cheerleader for Trump and the Republican party. Huh. Money can buy rocket ships and high-dollar attorneys, but it can’t buy intellect.

@lizzza

I’ll be with B

♬ original sound - Liza Koshy

• Quincy Jones, the musician and producer behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller who also worked with Frank Sinatra and was awarded 27 Grammys during his lifetime, died at 91. Jones died at home with family in Los Angeles. He was set to receive an honorary Academy Award later this month.

RIP to Quincy Jones. Do yourselves a solid and watch the documentary “Quincy” by his daughter, Rashida Jones. https://t.co/6nIE8VzPoz https://t.co/lOzgNCmFyZ

— GullahMuseumSC (@GullahSc) November 4, 2024

• Your black plastic spatula is slowly poisoning you. Recent reporting in The Atlantic reveals that many black plastic kitchen utensils are likely being made from recycled electronic waste, and leaching toxic chemicals into your food. The discovery was noted by a biochemist in 2018, who asserted that the high amount of flame retardants in black plastic products like spatulas signals the items were probably manufactured with recycled electronic parts used in computers and TVs. Because plastic is prone to leaching chemicals when it’s heated, researchers theorize it’s likely that black plastic cookware is releasing harmful compounds into cooking oil and hot foods. Might also be time to rethink all the plastic carryout containers used to store and reheat hot foods. ☣️????

• One last bit of election-related news, promise! ICYMI: Donald Trump pretended to blow a microphone during a campaign stop last week. Trump was pissed about the mic malfunctioning and his instinct was to mime a raunchy, suggestive movement with his hand and mouth. Keep this man away from children (and the White House). Hawk tuah!

@sbsnews_au

Donald Trump motions over an empty microphone stand after battling technical issues at a campaign rally.

♬ original sound - SBS News

Get your advice lickety-split with the latest edition of Savage Love quickies! by Dan Savage 1. This debate is raging again, Dan, and we need you to issue a ruling: Do straight women belong in gay bars? Some (straight women, gay bars), not all (straight women, gay bars). 2. Why do men keep ghosting me after sex? I’m a 25-year-old woman. No clue. You could’ve had a string of bad luck — and fucked a dozen (or more) shitty guys in a row — or it could be something you’re doing wrong. Even if you don’t think you’re doing anything wrong, once you’ve noticed a pattern of behavior and/or results that makes you unhappy, it’s a good idea to make some changes. Try meeting different kinds of guys in different kinds of ways, try slowing your roll/hole, etc., and take time along the way to engage in constructive introspection and make further changes/course corrections, as needed. 3. How do I stop people from falling in…

[ Read more ]

All the parties, all the results, and all the election night DRAMAZ! by The Mercury Election Strike Force

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Good evening, fellow fingernail chewers! It's ELECTION NIGHT in America and here in Portland, and as always the Mercury Election Strike Force is on the job and ready to give you the information you crave! Stick with us this evening as we report the local/national results you want, while also visiting various candidate parties around town to get a vibe and snack check. That said, here's an important thing to remember: Ballots that are mailed and postmarked by 8 pm tonight will still need to be counted, and it may take days for the final results to be tallied in certain races. However, we should have a pretty good idea where most races stand after the first ballot drop at 8 pm, and many races could be decided as soon as tomorrow. Yours truly (Wm. Steven Humphrey) will be joined by fan favorite Elinor Jones to provide election results and (often sassy-ass) analysis, while Mercurians Courtney Vaughn, Taylor Griggs, Suzette Smith, and freelance photog Sean Bascom will be traversing the town, interviewing candidates while also reviewing and scarfing down various party snacks. In short: IT. WILL. BE. FUN. AND. OCCASIONALLY. NERVE. WRACKING. Scroll down to read our latest dispatches, and LET'S MAKE SOME DEMOCRACY, PORTLAND!]

UPDATE 10:45 PM

We're wrapping this edition of the election live blog for tonight, but be sure to tune in tomorrow morning for Good Morning, News, where we'll give you the latest updates on all the local and state races. All that said....

At this moment in time, Kamala Harris’ path to victory is getting increasingly narrow. So if we wake up in the morning and the worst has happened, it’s important to remember that we in Portland are incredibly lucky and privileged to live here and to be surrounded by people who care about the welfare of others. It will be up to us to knock the dust off our butts, get back up on our feet, and start protecting those who will be persecuted by a possible Trump administration. And there are a lot: Folks in the LGBTQ+ community, undocumented immigrants, women and their bodily autonomy, and that’s just to name a few.

We can look into the darkness and choose to hide there, or we can do like we did in 2016 and rise up. You can bet that’s what we here at the Mercury will be doing. We consider it a privilege to be able to stand up for the voiceless and fight against the rising tide of hatred. We’ve been doing it for the past 24 years, and there is absolutely no way we’re going to stop now.

But we will need your help, because now there are millions of people across the country who will need your assistance as well. We can do it together, because we’ve done it before and we know what it takes. Cry, scream, yell, and grieve—and then get a good night’s sleep. Because tomorrow, we’re going to need that roaring fire that burns inside each of us to continue protecting those who need it most. We believe in you. You are strong enough to face the road ahead, and we’ll be right there beside you. I'll see you tomorrow.—WSH

UPDATE 10:35 PM

Evening wrap-up: We won’t see additional results for the Portland city races this evening, but we do know that Megan Moyer was elected as the new Multnomah County commissioner for District 1 and Shannon Singleton will represent District 2 on the County Board of Commissioners. Singleton bested former Portland mayor Sam Adams, while Moyer beat Vadim Mozyrsky for her seat.

At the city level, trucking company owner Keith Wilson took a strong lead in the Portland mayor’s race. Tuesday night’s preliminary results show Wilson leads with 63 percent, after 19 rounds of elimination. Current City Commissioner Carmen Rubio is a distant second, picking up 37 percent in the 19th round of tabulation. Tuesday’s early results show Rene Gonzalez, a city commissioner running for mayor, did not advance to the 19th round.

In City Council District 1, Candace Avalos, Loretta Smith and Jamie Dunphy are leading after 17 rounds of tabulation.

In District 2, current City Commissioner Dan Ryan, along with candidates Sameer Kanal and Elana Pirtle-Guiney each picked up 25 percent after 23 rounds of elimination, putting them all in the lead.

District 3 also saw Tiffany Koyama Lane, Angelita Morillo and Steve Novick each pick up 25 percent of the votes after 32 rounds.

Similarly, in District 4, Olivia Clark, Mitch Green, and Eric Zimmerman each pulled ahead with 25 percent of votes counted by 8 pm.

Multnomah County is scheduled to release another update on Portland’s ranked choice voting races at 6 pm Wednesday.—CV

UPDATE 10:07 PM

As more votes roll in for the county races, Shannon Singleton has increased her lead above Sam Adams for the District 2 MultCo County Commissioner seat, sitting at a roughly nine point advantage. Meghan Moyer in District 1 is almost 20 points above Vadim Mozyrsky, and the Oregonian has called the race for her. We won’t be getting more city results tonight, so you’ll have to hold tight on that until tomorrow.

Meanwhile in the state races: Tobias Read, Elizabeth Steiner, and Dan Rayfield are also maintaining their leads for their respective state offices. Read has expanded his and is now beating his Republican opponent by about 12 percent.—TG

UPDATE 10 PM

Back to national stuff: I seriously debated whether or not to participate in this live blog tonight because I knew it would be so stressful, but I also knew I’d be looking at a device anyway, so why not contribute to the noise? And I guess I’m kind of a journalist, but I’m mostly a person and a mom and I’m extremely worried and sad and having a hard time looking at these numbers. As of right now, 633,944 people who live in the same state as me are fine with fascism and women losing bodily autonomy and working people getting their necks stomped on. That’s not fun for any of us.

The House of Representatives is looking to flip blue, though. This is good, in case Harris ekes out a win and Trump tries to steal it. Anyone ready to tuck in for the long haul? Because that might just be what happens. (I am not ready.)—EJ

UPDATE 9:45 PM

As of 9:30 pm, the Oregon Secretary of State page is reporting 48% turnout of all registered voters. Granted, Oregon has an exceptionally high voter registration thanks to our awesome motor voter program, but 48%?! In this economy?!? That number might still change. I hope it does.

And nationally, they’ve called Georgia for Trump. The rest of the battleground states are still too close. This sucks, and I hate it. 

Alcoholic beverages consumed: Four-ish

Cigarettes smoked: One (I quit in 2015. Dumb move.)—EJ

UPDATE 9:32 PM

One of Oregon's biggest races this year is the contest between incumbent Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer and her Democratic challenger, Janelle Bynum, in the state's 5th District. We knew this race would be tight, and that still looks to be true, though Bynum has a 2 percent lead over Chavez-DeRemer at the moment. But with only about 60 percent of the votes counted at this point, there's a lot that's still up in the air, and we may not know the results of this race immediately. With the Republicans just nabbing a majority in the U.S. Senate, it's more important than ever for Democrats to take over as many House seats as possible, so national eyes will be on Oregon to see if Bynum can maintain her lead.—TG

UPDATE 9:30 PM

Results are coming in hot on state races! Republican Steve Bentz is handily carrying Oregon’s 2nd District, while Democrats Suzanne Bonamici, Maxine Dexter, Val Hoyle, Janelle Bynum, and Andrea Salinas are leading in Districts 1, 3, 4 5, and 6, respectively.—EJ

UPDATE 9:28 PM

As far as state races go, here's a quick update. About half of all Oregon ballots have been counted so far—so there's the possibility of change here. Democrat Tobias Read has a pretty nice advantage for Secretary of State, ahead of Republican candidate Dennis Linthicum by about 10 percent. Democrat Elizabeth Steiner has a roughly five point advantage to Republican Brian Boquist for the state treasurer seat, with Mary King (from the Working Families Party), who's sitting at almost six percent of the vote, likely taking some Democratic voters. Dan Rayfield, the Democrat vying for the Oregon AG position, has a roughly six point lead over his Republican opponent, Will Lathrop.—TG

UPDATE 9:25 PM

Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson made an appearance at the Portland For All/Working Families shindig. District 3 candidate Chris Flanary is also here. Flanary says even if they don't win, they're not going anywhere. District 3 seats will be up for election again in two years. A sentiment conveyed earlier by a speaker here seems to be the new prevailing mood: "No matter what happens, all we have is each other."

People are now leaving in droves. By far the coolest feature of this election party has been a color changing panther statue.—CV

Color changing panther statue for mayor. COURTNEY VAUGHN

UPDATE 9:15 PM

Democratic Party of Oregon is holding a big soiree in the basement of the Hilton Hotel. The main affair is happening in a large ballroom that—as seems to be tradition—has very little signal, so of course the hallway is a madhouse of glad handing.

A couple TVs are broadcasting CNN’s presidential coverage—LOOKS BAD—and there are folks watching these in concerned semi-circles.

Inside the ballroom itself, a variety of Democratic politicians are celebrating state wins, like Tobias Read and Maxine Dexter.

Snacks-wise what I’m seeing at this time a few robust veggie platters and charcuterie platters that the chefs of Reddit would respect. There’s a full bar—several full bars—but they’re constrained by drink tickets, not open for the loosening of anyone who made it through the not-insignificant security.

Senator Jeff Merkley takes the stage and is still hopeful that Kamala Harris will win. He’s hopeful Democrats can win big tonight, then get to work on reforming the systems that are set up to benefit the powerful.

He introduces Sen. Ron Wyden, pumping his fists behind him onstage, and we briefly wonder—not for the first time—if someone will ever make a buddy comedy about the two of them.

Wyden delivers remarks that feature the phrase “full court press” repeatedly. Protecting the rights of women—full court press! Civil liberties for all, including LGBTQ+ people—full court press! Getting the people at the top to pay their fair share—full court press! And a full court press to “protect our democracy from those plotting in plain sight to end it.”—SS

Dems at the Hilton. SUZETTE SMITH

UPDATE 9:10 PM

Meanwhile at mayoral candidate Carmen Rubio's party at the Sports Bra, it's a packed house with the crowd elbow to elbow across the room. Rubio is chatting and moving through the room from family to friends to campaign team. Mixed vibes all over. People cheering for Democrat wins in Oregon and Washington, while other barely holding back tears as they watch Trump maintain his lead. Local election energy is high though.

State Rep Bob Nosse introduces Rubio for a speech. She congratulates everyone for engaging with local politics, thanks her family and team, and ends by saying, "We deserve leadership that looks like us, that takes Portland forward for all of us. Let's hang in there for Portland."—SB

Mayoral candidate Carmen Rubio. Sean bascom Rubio thanks her many supporters. SEAN BASCOM

UPDATE: 9 PM

Just arrived at the Mercury’s election party at Mississippi Studios. I wouldn’t say the mood is somber, necessarily, but it’s also not exactly celebratory. Many people’s eyes are on screens—their phones and the big one playing MSNBC loudly for all the hear. With so many races and states that are too close to call, will we remain in a state of limbo all night? Only time will tell.—TG

Let the nail-biting commence. taylor griggs taylor griggs

UPDATE 8:55 PM

At the District 1 candidate party at CORE food carts on 82nd Ave, candidate Steph Routh has been buzzing around the party of about 50-75 people. "I'm just glad people are here!" says Routh.

Sean Bascom

City Council candidates Candace Avalos, Timur Ender, David Linn, Joe Allen, Metro Councilor Duncan Hwang, and their teams all chatting and in good spirits. Former city commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty arrived with former Oregon BOLI commissioner Dan Gardner in support of Avalos.

Winner of the "Cutest Picture EVER" award. Sean bascom

A documentary film crew—focused on the 2024 elections—was covering the event as well, as community organizers Donovan Scribes and Zoe Pilafas chatted with Routh, Avalos, Hardesty, and others. Pilafas says, "East county matters the most to us. It's the strongest place Portland can focus on equity. It's where you should be if you give a shit."

Candidate Timur Ender remains upbeat: "We ran a great campaign, hustled hard, and the rest is up to the voters."—SEAN BASCOM

UPDATE 8:50 PM

Oregon is voting on a handful of state measure as well, and I’m surprised to see that voters have rejected Measure 117, which would have made ranked choice voting an option statewide. I personally enjoyed ranking my choices when I filled out my ballot, even though the sheer amount of bubbles was initially very overwhelming. People could have gotten used to the bubbles. Babies don’t like bubble baths at first, but they come around. Alas, Oregon voters will never know the bubble lyfe. Voters also rejected Measure 118, which would have granted a universal basic income of $1,600 to every Oregonian, an idea which sounds kinda fun but like... why? However, Measure 115 did pass, which means lawmakers can now impeach other lawmakers. Yay! I love an impeachment. So chic. Very West Wing-esque.—EJ

UPDATE 8:30 PM

There are two Multnomah County Commissioner seats up for grabs, and here are the latest preliminary numbers: For the District 1 seat, Meghan Moyer has a substantial lead (57% so far) over perennial candidate Vadim Mozyrsky (at 42%)—but who knows? Maybe for Vadim, the 37th time running for office will be the charm.

Meanwhile in the District 2 race, Shannon Singleton holds a hilarious lead (53%) over former mayor Sam Adams, who I'm surprised was likable enough to garner 46%. Yes, I'm a bitch, deal with it.—WSH

It appears Portland is on the verge of electing its third consecutive guy who looks like Charlie Hales as its next mayor. (Charlie Hales began the streak in 2012). https://t.co/eM79arkSmH

— Señor Eder Campuzano ???????? (@edercampuzano) November 6, 2024

UPDATE 8:26 PM

In District 4, early results show Olivia Clark in the lead, followed by close races among Mitch Green, Eric Zimmerman, and Eli Arnold. Back on scene at the Portland For All/Working Families Party gathering, candidates have disappeared, at least for now. Supporters and campaign volunteers are loading up to-go boxes of food. Some are nervously hovered around a TV showing presidential race results.—CV

UPDATE 8:23 PM

Meanwhile in national news: I got a little gloomy in my last post, but now that polls have closed on the west coast, those blue and red maps are looking a lot less terrifying. Oregon is called for Harris, as is California. Phew. In other races, Democrat Sarah McBride is projected to win an open seat in Delaware to become the first trans person in Congress, and Democrat Andy Kim won the New Jersey senate seat vacated by the slick-palmed Bob Menendez, which makes Kim the first Korean-American in the Senate. Here in Oregon, Janelle Bynum is leading incumbent Republican Lori Chavez-DeReremer by a paltry 2%, but that race is nowhere near called yet. It’s a real mixed bag tonight, folks.

My cat Sprinkles seems to have picked up on my anxiety and is sitting in his emotional support slipper. —EJ

"I'm staying right here until inauguration day." elinor jones 

UPDATE 8:20 PM

Early results are rolling in. In District 1, Candace Avalos is gaining notable momentum as the top vote getter. In District 3, Tiffany Koyama Lane, Angelita Morillo and Steve Novick appear to be leading. Raucous applause and cheering rang out at The Get Down when the early results for District 3 were announced.—CV

UPDATE 8:15 PM

Eric Zimmerman (D4) and Sam Adams (MultCo D2) arew looking over preliminary results at T.C. O’Leary’s on Alberta. No definitive mood shift as the results roll in. People struggling to read the ranked choice results.

Taylor Griggs

I would also like to note that there’s a six-piece Irish band playing at T.C. O’Leary’s, seemingly unaffiliated with the campaigns hosting parties here. Hearing them play has been helpful to my nervous system, but makes it hard for the campaigns to follow results on TV. The Adams and Zimmerman campaigns have moved into another room in the bar to watch the TVs. 

Taylor Griggs

Seems like I should’ve stayed at the Wilson campaign party! Early results show him with a major lead. Unclear how things will shift, but I bet the mood is even better over there now than it was a half hour ago. —TG

UPDATE 8:10 PM

Okay, the first results of the evening are in, and as a reminder, THESE ARE VERY PRELIMINARY, so chill out y’all! Let’s start with the mayoral race. So far mayoral candidate KEITH WILSON has a commanding lead (63%) over the rest of the pack with CARMEN RUBIO coming in second with 37%. Rene Gonzalez is not even on the board. 

And here are the preliminary 8 pm results for the City Council races (reminder that each district is electing three people):

DISTRICT 1: Candace Avalos is currently tied at 25% with Loretta Smith, and Jamie Dunphy pulling up the rear in third with 21%.

DISTRICT 2: It’s currently a three-way tie in District 2 between current commissioner Dan Ryan, Elana Pirtle-Guiney, and Sameer Kanal.

DISTRICT 3: Another three-way tie in D3 between Angelita Morillo, Tiffany Koyama Lane, and Steve Novick. 

DISTRICT 4: Olivia Clark, Mitch Green, and Eric Zimmerman have 25% each in their battle to represent the West Hills, downtown, and Sellwood.

Stand by for state results next!—WSH

UPDATE 7:53 PM

I keep feeling all sorts of hope for this country, but Texas was AWFULLY QUICK to determine that Ted Cruz won his reelection to the US Senate. Florida handily approved a statewide ban on abortion after six weeks (which, as a reminder, is not six weeks of being aware of a pregnancy, but six weeks after the first day of a person’s last period, which is often before they even know they are pregnant, and is functionally a total ban on abortion). And Iowa, which gave all of us libs a jolt of unexpected happiness when pollster Ann Selzer said it suddenly leaned Harris, has gone to Trump. Polls are still open on the West Coast, but I am prematurely not okay. Perhaps another vodka tonic will fix things? I’m gonna try. —ELINOR JONES

UPDATE 7:50 PM

There are plenty of election night parties this evening, and while it's equally exciting and nerve wracking, it's important to remember that the local City Council and mayoral race results tonight will be VERY preliminary. Stay patient! A large group is partying at The Get Down, where Portland For All and Oregon Working Families Party are co-hosting an event for several progressive candidates. It's a lively scene. District 3 City Council candidate Angelita Morillo is mingling. Khanh Pham is making her way around the room. District 2 candidate Michelle DePass is also here. A few speakers from each org are talking about the importance of what Portland is doing to transform the city's local government. The bar is open and the excitement is palpable.—COURTNEY VAUGHN

Getting down at The Get Down. COURTNEY VAUGHN

UPDATE 7:45 PM

Hey everybody! Your old pal Steve Humphrey here, holding down mission control in the Mercury’s election night live blog. THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR TONIGHT: Ranked choice voting is taking center stage in this year’s election, particularly in the races for City Council, mayor, and city auditor. (Simone Rede was the only person running for auditor this time around, so I guess she’s RANKED #1!! ????) Thanks to a rather lackluster lineup of mayoral candidates (I’m sorry, but it’s true), I bet it was difficult for people to rank more than three—but at least we all know who we shouldn’t have ranked, right? Stay tuned for the first ballot results drop of the night, coming up in under 15 minutes.—WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY

UPDATE: 7:40 PM

The party for mayoral candidate Liv Østhus, AKA Viva Las Vegas, is at Bunk Bar in Southeast Industrial. We’re here just as it’s opening, but both Østhus and her campaign manager try to give me snacks and drinks. The cocktails are pretty enticing, but we have much left to do.The Mercury described Østhus as a political newcomer that nevertheless ran a serious campaign. We ask her if this run signals her intention to join politics permanently—regardless of tonight’s results. She describes the campaign as another step in her arts career and practice, which has felt like a series of vocations, as much as she moved between different facets of her life—stripping, musicianship, writing, and even being a mother. “I felt called to it,” Østhus says, of local politics. “People are craving new types of leaders, visionary ones. Look at this campaign, run with entirely volunteer support until a few weeks ago. I ran against three sitting commissioners! Ultimately, it’s harder to resist a calling than to follow it.” At this point, a crew of supporters from Mary’s—the downtown strip club where Østhus works—arrives, and the room’s energy skyrockets. We part ways with Østhus, and she tries to feed us once more before we leave.—SUZETTE SMITH

Liv Østhus says "cheers" to the democratic process. Suzette smith

UPDATE: 7:30 PM

Mayoral candidate Keith Wilson is having his election party upstairs at Old Town Brewing. Wilson has run a very competitive campaign against some big names and the crowd here has a lot of energy. He told me part of the fun is that we don’t know what we’ll find out tonight. “We’re just here to celebrate. We ran a great campaign with a lot of great people,” Wilson said. —TAYLOR GRIGGS

Rustic, log cabin vibes at Keith Wilson’s party. taylor griggs

UPDATE: 7:20 PM

A couple dozen people are currently at Old Town Brewing on NE MLK for District 2 city council candidate Nat West’s party. People are eating pizza and drinking beer, as to be expected at this establishment. Overheard West make a crack to former Mercury/current OPB reporter Alex Zielinski about the infamous “bowls of popcorn” from Knute Buehler’s election party when he ran for governor. We’ve got a Mercury liveblog reader, folks! West’s energy is upbeat. “I did what I wanted to do,” he says. “I got at least two first-place votes.” (He pointed to himself and his wife.) Everyone is seemingly avoiding paying too much attention to the multiple TV screens in the building, broadcasting presidential race results. —TAYLOR GRIGGS

Taylor Griggs

UPDATE: 7:15 PM

Hey, everybody! I’m Elinor Jones. Usually they keep me over in the humor area, away from real news, so my inclusion in tonight’s lineup of writers really underscores the YIKES! of it all. Some results for the Presidential election are already up, and it looks scary, because the red states seem to count the fastest; it will be a while before we have good information on that front, and if you ask if that will stop me from refreshing every news site every minute, the answer is no! 

I’ll mostly be keeping eyes on the results coming out of Oregon’s 5th Congressional District (which encompasses the area directly to the southeast of Portland, including parts of Clackamas, Multnomah, Linn, and Marion counties) where Democrat Janelle Bynum is hoping to unseat Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Chavez-DeRemer is a mega MAGA Republican. Bynum is a sitting state Representative, having beat this very same Chavez-DeRemer twice for that seat. 

I was first introduced to Bynum when she was a guest on my favorite podcast Lovett or Leave It and she was delightful AND hilarious—a winning combo if you ask me! If you need 14 minutes of entertainment to kill time before the big results start pouring in, here's a video I highly recommend.—ELINOR JONES

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 is no us. Thanks for your support!

GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND. 

As we wake to face a repeat of authoritarian rule, I wanted to share something I wrote last night during our election live blog:

We can look into the darkness and choose to hide there, or we can do like we did in 2016 and rise up. You can bet that’s what we here at the Mercury will be doing. We consider it a privilege to be able to stand up for the voiceless and fight against the rising tide of hatred. We’ve been doing it for the past 24 years, and there is absolutely no way we’re going to stop now.

But we will need your help, because now there are millions of people across the country who will need your assistance as well. We can do it together, because we’ve done it before and we know what it takes. Cry, scream, yell, and grieve—and then get a good night’s sleep. Because tomorrow, we’re going to need that roaring fire that burns inside each of us to continue protecting those who need it most. We believe in you. You are strong enough to face the road ahead, and we’ll be right there beside you. 

Now, let's look at the news.

IN LOCAL ELECTION NEWS:

• While we can expect more results to drop from Multnomah County elections, the current leader for mayor of Portland (and by a wide margin) is trucking company owner Keith Wilson. That said, Multnomah County officials say that up to 50 percent of the votes have yet to be counted, which could throw a lifeline of hope to second place candidate Carmen Rubio, and probably won't be any help at all to distant third place challenger Rene Gonzalez, har-har hardy-har-har. (While we may fear for the intelligence of half the country, at least the majority of Portland knew enough to "#Don't Rank Rene.")

Per prelim results Tues (subject to change):

Wilson got 36% of 1st-choice votes, nearly 2x that of Gonzalez or Rubio.

Our Oct poll (30% undecided) showed RG 23% of 1st-choice, Wilson 18%.

Many thought RG would get up to 35%.

Instead, he cratered.https://t.co/05C4hPAi6J https://t.co/kOJ4jLaBVO

— Shane Dixon Kavanaugh (@shanedkavanaugh) November 6, 2024

• In the race for a new—and hopefully greatly improved—Portland City Council, here are the current leaders (expect another ballot drop from the county at 6 pm tonight) in each district... as described with emojis:

DISTRICT 1 (East Portland): Candace Avalos ????, Loretta Smith ????, and Jamie Dunphy ????.

DISTRICT 2 (North Portland): Current City Commissioner Dan Ryan ????, along with candidates Sameer Kanal ????, and Elana Pirtle-Guiney ????.

DISTRICT 3 (Central and Southeast Portland): Angelita Morillo ????, Tiffany Koyama Lane ????, and Steve Novick ????.

DISTRICT 4 (West Portland/Downtown/Sellwood): Olivia Clark ????, Mitch Green ????, and Eric Zimmerman ????.

In short, our newest city council so far has a progressive majority, which will be especially helpful in facing the next four years of YOU KNOW WHO ????.

• Meanwhile there were two races of note for Multnomah County Commissioners: Megan Moyer was elected as commissioner for District 1 and Shannon Singleton will represent District 2 on the County Board of Commissioners. Moyer defeated Vadim "I'll run for any office that will have me... what do you mean they won't have me?" Mozyrsky, while Shannon Singleton (who is soundly beating Sam "Second most unlikable politician in town" Adams) will most likely represent District 2. Another big progressive win.

• And how did the state measures fare? As of this morning, Measure 115 (allowing the Oregon state legislature to impeach and remove awful elected politicians) is winning big, 63 percent to 37 percent. Measure 116 (giving an independent commission the power to set salaries for some state lawmakers) is most likely a "no," and is leading the "yes" vote count by 10 percent. Measure 117 (implementing ranked-choice voting for state and federal offices) is sadly a big "NO" after being defeated 60 to 40 percent. The nice, but misguided Measure 118 (establishing a minimum tax on certain corporations, with the proceeds going toward a $1600 tax rebate for all Oregonians) went down in flames 79 to 21 percent, and Measure 119 (making it easier for cannabis workers to unionize) is also a probable "YES," currently leading the "no thank you's" by ten percent.

• As expected, it was a good night for Democrats running for state office, with Tobias Read winning Oregon Secretary of State, Elizabeth Steiner taking the state treasurer position, and Dan Rayfield snapping up the Attorney General spot. And while Dems Maxine Dexter, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, and Suzanne Bonamici won their races for US Representative, the most closely watched federal contest in the state is still nail-bitingly close: Dem Janelle Bynum currently leads GOP darling Lori Chavez-DeRemer by two percentage points.

Stay tuned to the Mercury over the next few days, as more election results are solidifying! And don't forget to check out our Election Night Live Blog for all the blow-by-blows from last night's rollercoaster of events.

IN OTHER LOCAL NEWS THAT IS ALSO IMPORTANT:

• Well, this is some bullshit: In a blatant attempt at impotent, political grandstanding, Commissioner (and mayoral loser) Rene Gonzalez and fellow stooges Mingus Mapps and Dan Ryan are scheduled to vote tomorrow to sink the current homelessness agreement it has with Multnomah County—and even more inexplicably insane—they don't even have a backup plan to replace it. Oh, but wait... there's more: This ridiculous, thoughtless stunt will cost the city $40 million that we don't have. (The new city council cannot arrive soon enough.) Our Courtney Vaughn has the infuriating details. 

• In a very different way to spend election night, two people were arrested and their cars towed following a street racing takeover event in North Portland. (Apropos of nothing, I voted for Tokyo Drift as my fave Fast & Furious movie.)

IN NATIONAL ELECTION NEWS:

• Well fartz, here we go again: Convicted felon and twice impeached former president Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris (in case you didn't hear). And while the GOP also held on to the Senate (Jeeeeesus Ch-rist!), the House is still a toss-up and we won't hear for awhile about who won the presidential popular vote—though cash money says it'll be Kamala. And while I'm certain we'll all be hearing a lot of "blame game" antics today, try to resist pointing fingers at fellow Dems. The blame lies alone with those who refuse to educate themselves or be educated, and who let fear and racism rule their existence. Don't be one of them.

Donald Trump — the twice impeached former president, Jan. 6 coup leader, convicted felon, adjudicated sexual abuser, and man who mismanaged the 2020 economic implosion and coronavirus disaster that killed more than 1 million people in this country — has convinced American voters… pic.twitter.com/9cd0luvTFF

— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) November 6, 2024

• Abortion was also on the ballot last night, with pro-abortion activists winning in seven states (Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New York, and possibly Missouri), while three other states (Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota) kept their draconian bans in place.

• The best headline of the day so far: "Sarah McBride becomes the first out transgender person elected to Congress." ????????????????

• In less-than-optimal election headlines: "Texas Sen. Ted Cruz will win reelection and defeat Democrat Colin Allred, CNN projects." "The world's right-wing leaders celebrate Trump's win — but America's allies hint unease." "Trump legal team planning to move swiftly to get all criminal cases brought to a halt." And possibly the most obvious headline of the day: "Racism, sexism partly to blame for Harris defeat."

They want you to feel powerless and surrender and let them trample everything and you are not going to let them. You are not giving up, and neither am I. The fact that we cannot save everything does not mean we cannot save anything and everything we can save is worth saving.

— Rebecca Solnit/joy is a strategy (@RebeccaSolnit) November 6, 2024

• And finally... let's cleanse that timeline with some good news that—a new baby hippo is in town! (Cold comfort... but right now I'll take it.)

Moo Deng? Who deng? Introducing… Haggis ????????????????????????????

Otto and Gloria have welcomed an ADORABLE pygmy hippo calf! She is doing well, but we’ll be keeping the hippo house closed for the time being so that our expert keepers can keep a close eye on mum and baby at this sensitive time ???????? pic.twitter.com/ceGtARuzyR

— Edinburgh Zoo (@EdinburghZoo) November 4, 2024

With standout jammers and unmatched teamwork, Wheels of Justice dominates the track to claim Women's Flat Track Derby Association's highest honor. by Corbin Smith

On Sunday in beautiful Portland, Oregon, Rose City Rollers' Wheels Of Justice—an all-star squad of the best of the best skaters in Portland’s longtime roller derby league—clinched a 141-104 victory over St. Louis, Missouri’s Arch Rival All-Stars and won the sport's highest honor: the Hydra Trophy.

The teams played neck and neck in a tight first half, but Rose City came out in the second and dominated, due to slick skating from the team’s jammers—who jumped and stomped their way into a series of massive jams, putting the contest so far out of Arch Rival’s reach that a last minute Missouri team revival meant nothing.

This year’s event was the first Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) Global Championship since 2019. The Rollers’ executive director Kim Stegeman, AKA Rocket Mean, told the Mercury the pandemic was particularly hard on derby leagues, which made shoring up a competition field very difficult before now. “The last one we had was in Montreal in 2019, and then, you know, COVID hit," Stegeman said. "Rose City Rollers, we have 12 staff members, so we stayed alive during COVID. But a lot of leagues, who didn’t have staff or couldn't retain their venues—it took a lot of leagues a lot longer, a much greater struggle than Rose City had to come back.” 

Related: How Portland Became a Roller Derby Mecca

As I am a basketball writer drifting into an arena with a camera and some barebones knowledge of the proceedings, this recap will steer clear of hard analysis. But I can tell you this: it was sports. Major sports. 

Rose City Rollers jammer Loren Mutch clears a pack to rack up points for her team,
Wheels of Justice, during the WFTDA Global Championships. Corbin smith Springroll, a jammer for the Wheels of Justice, braces for a hit from Arch Rival
blocker KWoo! during a championship roller derby game Sunday, Nov. 3. corbin smith

Roller derby sets itself apart from mainstream sports in a number of noticeable ways. For one, WFTDA doesn't regulate player athletic wear, beyond team jerseys and safety gear. Personality is a close companion to the athleticism, and skaters can wheel under a nom de plume—such as Oona Roll or OMG WTF. There's also a strong emphasis on participation and teamwork, in place of pursuing excellence and submission to authority.

“People see roller skating and think, ‘I could do that,’" Stegeman explained. “As opposed to, if you're in high school, you don’t look at the soccer team and think, “I could walk on.”

The game itself is a nifty contraption that makes for good viewing. Each team fields five skaters. Four act like football linebackers trying to simultaneously make space for their team's jammer, while also blocking the opposing team’s from racking up points. For our mileage, we told them apart by the stars on their helmets—jammers have one and blockers do not—but of course they're also playing differently. Like in football, these blocking schemes can be quite technical, even as they are also dependent on everyone’s ability to move side to side on roller skates. 

Wheels of Justice blockers Tenacity (front) and Tarantula (back) keep an Arch Rival jammer
contained during the championship game between Portland and St. Louis. corbin smith Fans cheer during the championship game between Portland's Rose City
Rollers and St. Louis, Missouri's Arch Rival Roller Derby. corbin smith

Sooner or later, a jammer breaks out. Whenever this happens—through a spin or a glide past a solid blocking construction, a straight up running leap on roller skates, or a high step that makes my ankles hurt by association—it's an act of genius athletic work. Then, the jammer busts down the track, and when it’s all perfect, they slip past everyone untouched, scoring four points before anyone has a second to think about it. It’s a thing of beauty.

Loren Mutch, one of the Wheels’ jammers, did a lot of this: slipping and sliding to victory on Sunday. At one point, I watched her break out of the pack, sprint through the stretch, confront the pack, avoid everyone, circle the track again, and slip past the defenders to net a whopping 23 points for Rose City.

Even after the team's win, Mutch deflected any attempts at compliment, saying: “I had a lot more penalties than I would have liked, and that was a bummer for me. But I feel like I drew so much courage from my teammates, and my teammates have my back, so it helped put a little fire under me.”

Asked how she learned to slip past a wall of people on roller skates, Mutch credits "a lot of practice." Her teammate, Mia Palau has a different take: “She has magic feet, and she’s a hard worker—seriously the hardest worker in the game.”

“And so is Mia,” Mutch adds. “Mia has one mode, and it’s a hundred percent.”

The two players credit months of practice for the win. Mutch highlights "the trust we have in each other.” Palau notes the team's extensive preparation, saying: "We really study our opponents, respect our opponents, so we always step on the track with our homework already done.”

While the WFTDA Global Championships concluded the all-star season of play, Portlanders can still catch plenty of derby in the Hangar at Oaks’ Amusement Park, 7805 Southeast Oaks Park Way, schedule and more info at rosecityrollers.com

by Anonymous

Hi. Last time this happened, we marched across the Broadway Bridge and it was this magical moment of solidarity and righteous protest. Then someone smashed windows and set dumpsters on fire. The rage is real, but all this accomplished was economic devastation for small businesses downtown (just cuz you smashed a Wells Fargo, doesn't mean the lunch shop next door didn't suffer). If you need to protest, what about a good old fashioned die-in? Physically destroying Portland hurts our neighbors, to the point it almost seems like MAGA plants are trying to discredit legit protesters. Please instead reach out to organizations that are working to help immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, women in need of health care, or whoever you love and will suffer under this administration. Let's thrive, Portland. Fuck the rest of the US, we're what we've got and we need to show up for each other.

A Portland City Council discussion that could've ended a collaborative agreement, without a backup plan in place, has been scrapped a day after the election. The move would've cost the city more than $40M. by Courtney Vaughn

Update: Nov. 6- This story has been updated to note that this week's Council discussion has been canceled.

A day after an election showing Portland City Commissioners Mingus Mapps and Rene Gonzalez losing their bids for mayor, a plan to revisit an intergovernmental agreement on homelessness between the city and Multnomah County has been canceled. 

An agenda item scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 7 to consider terminating the homeless services agreement was pulled from the agenda Wednesday afternoon, just 26 hours before it was slated to be considered by Council.

The proposal, which came from Commissioners Mapps, Gonzalez, and Dan Ryan, was a divisive move that could've upended the city's collaboration with the county on the most pressing issue impacting the region.

In a joint statement Wednesday, Gonzalez, Ryan and Mapps said pulling the plug on their plans "will allow space for the new City Council, Mayor, and County Commissioners to renegotiate the Homelessness Response Services Intergovernmental Agreement if they choose."

"The Commissioners remain steadfast in their conviction that the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and Metro can build a better system to address homeless services and pave a better path forward," the statement reads.

Three weeks ago, while presiding over a Council meeting in Mayor Ted Wheeler’s absence, Commissioner Gonzalez directed the city attorney to draft up a contract termination ordinance that would dissolve the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) dictating homelessness response and collaboration. He got a nod of support from Mapps and Ryan. 

The trio then introduced a proposal to formally end the contract between the governing agencies, citing “insufficient progress” to meet key milestones and deadlines. A contract termination proposal on Thursday’s agenda suggests the current arrangement lacks the right framework and governance structures to tackle the homelessness crisis “with the urgency, collaboration, and effectiveness required.”

Gonzalez, Ryan, and Mapps pitched the proposal as an orderly wind-down to make way for an improved agreement. But one day after an election showing Gonzalez and Mapps losing their bids for mayor, the proposal was abandoned.

The proposal drew swift backlash from the mayor and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. Following Portland’s Oct. 16 Council meeting, Vega Pederson issued a statement admonishing Gonzalez, Ryan, and Mapps. 

The majority of City Council says they don't want to work with the County to end homelessness.

Its clear these officials - candidates desperately vying for your vote this month - have their eyes on their own future and not our collective one.

Disappointing. pic.twitter.com/sZwkoQBiF2

— Jessica Vega Pederson (@jvegapederson) October 17, 2024

Last Friday, when the item officially appeared on a Council agenda, she spoke out again.

“The City Council deciding to end this agreement after just a few months is a short-sighted decision that will harm our community’s future,” Vega Pederson wrote November 1 in a lengthy explanatory statement released by the county. “We don’t need more talking–this community cannot afford it. That will not lead to better outcomes or fewer people on the street, and I do not believe it is a good use of taxpayer resources when we have a collaborative plan we are already putting into action. No single government can [solve] this issue alone. The County is taking action on homelessness every day and that work is best when we work in partnership.”

Vega Pederson previously called the move a “political stunt” by Gonzalez, Ryan, and Mapps just before the election. If the Council voted to end the contract, it wouldn't take effect for 90 days, when a new City Council is in place. 

Margaux Weeke, communications director for Commissioner Ryan, says the commissioner isn't opposed to working with the county under a modified arrangement, but it needs to be substantially different.

“Dan Ryan knows the players. He knows the game," Weeke says. "And he wants to expand the amount of seats at the table and pave a better path forward for homeless services."

The current IGA, which was just renewed in July, essentially lays out a division of labor, funding, and responsibilities between the city and the county with regard to homeless services and shelters. It also identifies goals and milestones for reducing the number of unsheltered people in the county. 

Vega Pederson said the county now spends all of its homeless services funds, and more, while providing clear data and public dashboards. She also noted the homelessness response plan lays out 120 action items, each assigned to a responsible party.

The county has issued data on spending and progress summaries.

If city estimates are accurate, ending the agreement would place a significant financial burden on the city as it heads into a tight fiscal year. Portland and Multnomah County currently share financial responsibility for the region’s homelessness response. 

The city would no longer have to send $32 million in general fund money to Multnomah County, but it would take on more than $40 million in costs to permanently manage the Safe Rest Villages and Temporary Alternative Shelter Sites. 

The roughly $40 million expense doesn’t include costs for wraparound services that the county currently provides at the shelter sites. The city doesn’t know how much it would cost to provide those services, and there is no alternative plan in place for maintaining services and shelter beds if the contract goes away.

Welcome Home Coalition, a nonprofit focused on affordable housing and universal access to housing, warned the termination proposal was dangerous.

“They are presenting this action without a clearly articulated new plan of how the city will serve people experiencing homelessness,” an email sent from the coalition reads. “Backing out of the Intergovernmental Agreement without an understanding of how this would impact service provision will have rippling consequences that will no doubt result in more harm to those in the most need of services.”

In a joint letter released last week, the three commissioners explained their decision to introduce the agenda item, saying the city needs to see a different way of managing services.

“As Portland City Commissioners with years of experience with the Joint Office of Homeless Services, we are resolute that we can no longer afford to maintain the status quo,” the joint letter states. “We are also united in our repeated calls for accountability, efficiency, and improved governance to enhance our homeless services. …And despite our repeated requests for clear and useful data, operational alignment for short-term shelters, and a shared vision for the homeless services system, we have faced significant challenges in implementing these necessary changes.”

Ending the IGA would further deteriorate an already strained relationship between the city and county. Mayor Wheeler previously said the working relationship between both governments had improved over the past year, but recent IGA renewals have been met with reluctance from Mapps, Ryan, and Gonzalez.

Portland’s City Council races are still being tallied, but preliminary results have held firm since Tuesday night. by Taylor Griggs

Multnomah County has released its second round of preliminary results for the Portland mayor and City Council races, adding roughly 47,000 more citywide votes to the election night count. The results are essentially the same as Tuesday’s report, with all leading candidates maintaining their standing from the county’s election night tally. 

Still, the county hasn’t counted all the ballots it’s received—and more ballots are still in the mail—so it’s possible that a larger shift could occur in city races. According to a Multnomah County press release, the county’s Elections Division received a single-day-record number of ballots on Election Day, with voters submitting 132,436 ballots on Tuesday alone. The county has received a total of about 420,000 ballots so far, and is projecting overall turnout will reach 75 percent once it receives all ballots. 

Mayor’s race

Right now, Keith Wilson is sitting at a comfortable lead in the mayoral race, having received about 62 percent of the vote after Wednesday’s final round of elimination in the ranked choice voting (RCV) tally. He maintained a roughly 24 percent lead over Carmen Rubio, who is currently coming in second place in the mayor’s race. According to voting data, Wilson nabbed the number one spot on 35 percent of ballots counted so far. Rubio and Rene Gonzelez were ranked number one by 21 and 19 percent of voters, respectively. 

The latest results were enough for the Oregonian to call the mayor’s race for Wilson, writing there is “no plausible path for Rubio to overcome [Wilson’s] dominating lead.” 

Following the county releasing its second round of preliminary results, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler congratulated Wilson on social media, calling him the city’s “mayor-elect.” 

“Portland’s future is bright and I am committed to supporting you as you transition into your role leading this incredible organization,” Wheeler wrote. “Can’t wait to roll up our sleeves together with the newly elected city council.”

District 1

District 1’s leading candidates are Candace Avalos, Loretta Smith, and Jamie Dunphy. District 1, which includes all of East Portland, has historically seen lower voter turnout than the city at large. So far, about 29,100 votes have been counted in District 1—substantially lower than the number of votes tallied in other districts, despite roughly equal population. 

District 2

In District 2, which includes North and most of Northeast Portland, about 53,700 votes have been counted so far. The leading candidates in this district are current Portland Commissioner Dan Ryan, Elana Pirtle-Guiney, and Sameer Kanal. If their positions hold, Ryan will be the only person currently on Portland City Council to have a spot in City Hall come 2025, despite three of his colleagues running for mayor. 

District 3

Leading District 3—where the county has tallied about 60,200 votes so far—are former Portland Commissioner Steve Novick, Tiffany Koyama Lane, and Angelita Morillo. Novick’s spot on the future City Council is all but certain, considering he reached the 25 percent threshold on the first round of RCV eliminations. Koyama Lane and Morillo also appear to solidly positioned to represent the district that encompasses most of Southeast Portland west of Interstate 205. The candidate currently coming in fourth place, Kezia Wanner, only nabbed 13 percent of the total vote by the last round of eliminations. 

District 4

Olivia Clark, Mitch Green, and Eric Zimmerman are ahead in District 4, which includes Portland’s entire west side, including downtown, plus neighborhoods in inner Southeast Portland including Sellwood. About 56,600 votes have been counted in District 4 so far. Like Novick, Clark secured more than 25 percent of the vote in the first RCV round, all but securing a Council seat. 

The next RCV results are expected by 6 pm Thursday. By then, about 80 percent of the vote should be counted, spelling out an even more certain picture of what the future City Council will look like. 

Multnomah County Board of Commissioners

Meanwhile, Meghan Moyer and Shannon Singleton have won their seats in the races for seats on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. In District 1, Moyer beat her opponent Vadim Mozyrsky, by nearly 20 points. Singleton has been elected to a spot in the county’s District 2, beating former Portland Mayor Sam Adams by more than 10 percent.

by Taylor Griggs

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 is no us. Thanks for your support! 

Good morning, Portland. I need to keep it real with you—I'm not doing too hot on an emotional level. I know I'm not alone in that feeling. But it's going to be 60 degrees and sunny out today (ahead of cold and rain for days to come) so I recommend going outside, taking a walk, trying to breathe. Now, am I going to do that? HELL NO! Just as your elementary school teachers lived in the school, I live in the computer and I cannot get out, even when it would serve me and others to do so. Okay, fine—I will try to take a short walk today. But you have to, too. I'm going to stop talking to myself now because I know what you came here for was the NEWS, not little platitudes about self-care. But, I mean, we should take care of ourselves. 

IN LOCAL NEWS: 

• THE SECOND ROUND OF CITY COUNCIL RESULTS ARE IN...and nothing has changed. Well, okay, the candidates who were leading on election night are still in good positions to win, though Multnomah County has more than 100,000 ballots left to count (and more are likely en route to the Elections Office).

Right now, it's looking like there's going to be a pretty solid progressive majority on City Council, with candidates Tiffany Koyama Lane and Mitch Green (both endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America) in good positions to win a seat. Other notable progressive candidates in the top three of their districts include Candace Avalos (D1), Sameer Kanal (D2), and Angelita Morillo (D3). This evening's drop should bring a bit more certainty, but there's good reason for optimism.

Business poured a ton of money into these races and money was unable to compete with community, a strong ground game, and the literal power of love and friendship (yes I’m talking about me and Tiffany ????)

— Angelita for PDX (@pnwpolicyangel) November 7, 2024

BUT! I buried the lede here, because we do know one thing: Keith Wilson is going to be Portland's next mayor. Current Mayor Ted Wheeler posted his congratulations on social media, and mayoral candidate Rene Gonzalez said he conceded the race. We ranked Wilson second on our list of endorsements, and his win is a pretty resounding disapproval of our current City Council members, three of whom ran mayoral campaigns of their own. Also...our city sure has a type. 

Keith Wilson and Portland's other recent mayors. 

• Commissioners Rene Gonzelez, Mingus Mapps, and Dan Ryan have dropped their controversial, expensive plan to terminate the city's homeless services agreement with Multnomah County. Why? Well, as much as I'd like to think common sense prevailed, it seems more likely that Gonzalez and Mapps are just not in the mood for political stunts following their poor showing in Tuesday's mayoral election. The trio pulled the agenda item to consider terminating the joint homeless response agreement a little more than 24 hours before it was set to be considered by Council today.

And folks, this is a win! Terminating the Homelessness Response Services Intergovernmental Agreement between the city of Portland and Multnomah County would've cost about $40 million in cold hard cash and even more in wasted energy and political capital. Plus, with the intergovernmental agreement dissolution off the table, it's official: Gonzalez really did not do ANYTHING during his short time in Portland City Hall. (And I feel confident saying he will not be productive in his lame duck period.) No matter what happens with the new City Council, it's only uphill from here.  

Last night was a repudiation of this kind of politics. Good to pull it as 2/3 of its sponsors will not even be on the next council. I'm calling on council to also pull the Clean and Safe ESD vote from next week's agenda. Let the next council take that up. https://t.co/I0e6DXbDCB

— Mitch Green for Portland City Council, District 4 (@mitch4portland) November 6, 2024

• If you're looking for some non-election related news, our Corbin Smith has you covered with a wonderful recap and stunning photos from the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) Global Championship this past weekend, where Portland's roller derby squad won the day. Smith says the roller derby championship was "sports. Major sports." So READ ALL ABOUT IT RIGHT HERE. 

• There's really not much local news available right now that's not related to the election (which is fair and good and obviously important but I figure you guys might want to read about something else for a second of your day). But there is this: Intel is bringing back free coffee and tea for employees. This was an employee benefit it slashed during budget cuts last summer, but in an attempt to improve employee morale, it's back. The chipmaker is currently doing layoffs at its Oregon facility and has cut other, more important employee benefits that will likely not return, but I guess a cost-benefit analysis showed saving money on coffee wasn't worth the fight. If Mike Rogoway at the Oregonian deems it important, who am I to disagree? (That wasn't sarcasm, Rogoway's a great reporter.) 

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS: 

• The country is reacting to the news of a second Trump presidency, and there are obviously some different takes. I took note of a few notable perspectives during the rare moments when I was able to make the outrageously difficult effort to lift my head from my pillow yesterday. Senator Bernie Sanders (of "Bernie would've won" fame) probably said it best, IMO.

Sanders wrote in a statement yesterday that "It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them. While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change." He also acknowledged the futility of asking the "big money interests and well-paid consultants who control the Democratic Party" to "learn any real lessons from this disastrous campaign."

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A post shared by Bernie Sanders (@berniesanders)

"Will they understand the pain and political alienation that tens of millions of Americans are experiencing? Do they have any ideas as to how we can take on the increasingly powerful Oligarchy which has so much economic and political power? Probably not," Sanders wrote. 

DAMN. That's harsh but real. I hope others will join Bernie in calling on the Democratic Party to meet the moment instead of handing their ass to the increasingly fascistic Republicans. I do believe the election results also need to fall on the MAGA fools who have sold their soul to the devil in exchange for the promise of cheaper gas, but we aren't going to win by further alienating the working class. The Democrats better start bringing something to the table, or it'll be even more Joever than it is right now. 

• Among the MANY deep concerns I have about Trump's reelection, the climate crisis ranks at the top. Trump is a known climate denier and has stated his desire to boost oil production, get rid of subsidies for electric cars, and overall do a bunch of damage to any small amount of progress we've been able to make on the climate crisis in the last four years. So I'm freaking out, because this issue isn't exactly something we have time to fuck around on. 

Something that made me feel a bit better: Clean energy analysts and activists say though a second Trump administration will make it harder to transition to renewable and clean energy, it won't make it impossible. The market has already embraced clean energy for its financial benefits and the economic devastation that climate change is and will continue to cause. And that's not changing. (Obviously, the free market is not going to solve the climate crisis, but that reality would remain the same under any capitalist president.) 

Also, there are a lot of climate activists and scientists and lawyers who are a lot smarter than I am and already planning their resistance to Trump's inevitably horrible policies. If you, too, are deeply worried about climate action under Trump, consider supporting or joining an environmental organization or law group. Also, ride your bike more. Even if it won't solve the climate crisis on its own, it'll make you feel a little better. 

          View this post on Instagram                      

A post shared by NRDC (@nrdc_org)

Now, topic change needed for my sanity. Sorry.

• A federal labor judge ruled Amazon workers in Alabama should get a third chance to vote on unionizing. The first time warehouse workers at a facility in Bessemer voted about unionizing in 2021, they voted no, but labor officials ruled that Amazon influenced the vote and the result shouldn't be expected. Workers voted again in 2022, but the election was too close to call and has remained in limbo. Now, a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) judge has ordered a third election. But Amazon, AKA Union Busters R US, will surely contest the decision and continue to stomp union activity wherever it can. And under a Trump NLBR...ugh. The doom is creeping in. Sorry. Just here to report the news. 

• There's a major wildfire in Southern California, just northwest of Los Angeles, prompting evacuation orders for more than 10,000 people. Powerful winds are fanning the flames and the fire has already destroyed dozens of homes and blanketed neighborhoods in smoke. Hoping for more favorable fire-fighting conditions soon.

• Finally, there's this. Happy Thursday. TTYL.

Many people will continue struggling to come to terms with the election results, but there’s still a lot you can do:

1) Be irritable at work
2) Withdraw from people who love you/need you
3) Make an impulsive and self destructive major life decision

— Noah Garfinkel (@NoahGarfinkel) November 6, 2024

by Wm. Steven Humphrey

Who's ready to have some fun? Well, the Mercury is here to help with FREE TICKETS to see some of Portland's best concerts and events—our way of saying thanks to our great readers and spread the word about some fantastic upcoming performances! (Psst... if you want to say thanks to the Mercury, please consider making a small monthly contribution to keep us alive and kickin'!) And oh boy, do we have some fun events coming at ya this week! CHECK IT OUT!

• Enter to WIN FREE TICKETS to see Reverend Horton Heat on February 27 at Crystal Ballroom!

Seeing REVEREND HORTON HEAT live is a transformative experience. Flames come off the guitars. Heat singes your skin. There’s nothing like the primal tribal rock & roll transfiguration of a Reverend Horton Heat show. Get your tickets now, or enter to win here!

Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, Thurs Feb 27, 8 pm, $35-$50, all ages

• Enter to WIN FREE TICKETS to see Des Demonas on November 17 at Polaris Hall!

A favorite of Henry Rollins and Iggy Pop, Washington, DC’s DES DEMONAS blend post punk, funk, blues, psych rock, Afro beat, and more into their own unique sound — listen LIVE when they share new tunes from their highly-anticipated sophomore LP, APOCALYPTIC BOOM! BOOM! Get your tickets now or enter to win a free pair!

Polaris Hall, 635 N Killingsworth Ct, Sun Nov 17, 8 pm, $15, 21+

• Enter to WIN FREE TICKETS to see Karina Rykman on November 15 at Mississippi Studios!

She’s opened for Khruangbin, performed on America’s Got Talent, soundchecked with Phish at MSG, and much more — catch dynamic jam rock bassist Karina Rykman LIVE when she returns to Portland! Get your tickets now or enter to win a free pair!

Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, Fri Nov 15, 9 pm, $20, 21+

• Enter to WIN FREE TICKETS to see Mason Jennings on November 16 at Mississippi Studios!

Hawai’i-born, Minneapolis-based folksinger Mason Jennings returns to Mississippi Studios with tunes from his latest record, Holy Dive, and beyond! Get your tickets now or enter to win a free pair!

Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, Sat Nov 16, 8 pm, $30, 21+

• Enter to WIN FREE TICKETS to see The Bygones on November 17 at Aladdin Theater!

Luminous indie folk duo The Bygones share nostalgic songwriting from their debut, self-titled release! Get your tickets now or enter to win a free pair!

Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, Sun Nov 17, 8 pm, $25, all ages

• Enter to WIN FREE TICKETS to see Sam Grisman Project on November 16 at Aladdin Theater!

A longtime Dawg Trio member with his father David Grisman, Bay Area bass player Sam Grisman upholds the legacy of Dawg music with his new musical project. Don’t miss their return to Portland! Get your tickets now or enter to win a free pair!

Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, Sat Nov 16, 8 pm, $32.50, all ages

GOOD LUCK! Winners will be notified on Monday. Check back next week for more FREE TIX from the Mercury!

Plus, More Event Updates for November 7 by EverOut Staff

English pop-rock legend Sting has added a second Bend date on 3.0, his ongoing tour during which he’s playing in a trio. Post-hardcore band Chiodos is coming to Portland next year to celebrate 20 years of their debut album All’s Well That Ends Well. Plus, Billboard-charting hard rock outfit Catch Your Breath has dropped dates for their Broken Souls tour. Read on for details on those and other newly announced events, plus some news you can use.

ON SALE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

MUSIC

Catch Your Breath - The Broken Souls Tour
Hawthorne Theatre (Feb 7, 2025)

Chiodos: 20 Years of All’s Well That Ends Well
Roseland Theater (Mar 29, 2025)

Railroad Earth
Revolution Hall (Jan 26, 2025)

by Suzette Smith

The Mercury provides its readers with interesting and useful news & culture reporting every single day. If you appreciate that, consider making a small monthly contribution to support our editorial team. If you read something you like, something you don't like but are glad to know about, and/or something you can't find anywhere else consider a one-time tip. It all goes in the same pot and it all goes to the editorial team. Thanks for your support!

Good Morning, Portland! We're still "turning and turning in the widening gyre" over here, and we may be for quite some time.

IN LOCAL NEWS:
• Last night's round of election results arrived without any notable changes in the Portland City Council races. News editor Courtney Vaughn writes: "With Keith Wilson securing the mayor’s seat the day prior, results in City Council districts largely held firm."

• While the national election results have been [understatement incoming] pretty distressing, local races are lined with silver. The Columbian reports Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has maintained her lead over far-right, perennial challenger Joe Kent. The Oregonian has a good breakdown of the race and history of Gluesenkamp Perez's hard-fought win.

• PCC Automotive Service Technology Program instructor Jay Kuykendall has been named this year's Educator of the Year by the North American Council of Automotive Teachers, Portland Tribune reports. "Kuykendall oversees the auto shop lab and teaches engine performance classes, along with elective courses like Subaru U, electrified vehicles and light-duty diesel."

• Beloved local coffee chain Jim and Patty's Coffee announced earlier this week that it will close its remaining two locations, in Beaverton and in Portland, on November 11. "Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your support..." owner Patty Roberts wrote. "Now I will need to find a job. If anyone has any ideas for an old lady who has been off the job market for over 40 years, let me know!" ???? For more backstory, check out this Mercury piece about the struggling coffee shops from October.

• There was once a time in Portland when one could easily—well, depending on connection issues—rent a cheery little blue and white hybrid car to drive. The little smart cars were great for unforgiving rain showers and surprisingly solid in the snow. Car2Go merged with Reachnow in 2018, then tanked in 2019. In 2021, Free2Move announced it would drop a "fleet of 200 Jeep Renegades" for Portland consumers to rent, but the cumbersome cars departed once more in 2023. This week MSN reposted that story from 2023, so some people have been letting us know about it. Sorry about MSN, and this all happened last year. Still fun to revisit this tweet:

so let me get this straight

car2go joins sharenow, while reachnow becomes reachnow pic.twitter.com/gJi7R6YZ8e

— Cabel Sasser (@cabel) March 4, 2019

• Politicians are politicians, but I find Sen. Jeff Merkley's vibe calming:

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A post shared by Senator Jeff Merkley (@senjeffmerkley)

• Every week, the Mercury gives out free tickets to local shows and this week we've got sweet tix for Reverend Horton Heat, Des Demonas, Karina Rykman and moooore—check'm out and win with our Free Ticket Thursday giveaway!

IN NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
• I can't immediately find who said this, but I think it's a valid concern: As we watch the transition back to a Trump administration presidency, the cabinet appointments are probably going to feel like being repeatedly punched in the face. President-elect Donald Trump named Florida strategist Susie Wiles as his White House chief of staff on Thursday. Wiles has run his political operation for nearly four years, making her one of the few people to survive at his side for any length of time. What's Wiles deal? Nepo baby. Ronald Reagan campaign staffer. Wiles has been credited with putting Rick Scott in Florida's governor’s office. Associated Press has a nice, long profile on her this morning. Is she going to tear the tampon machine out of the White House bathroom again? We're watching.

• A Biden administration initiative known as “Keeping Families Together” was struck down by a Texas-based US District judge yesterday; Judge J. Campbell Barker argued that the Biden administration had overstepped its authority with its attempt to lessen barriers to citizenship for undocumented immigrants married to US citizens.

• Soccer fans did violence again, but this time it might be motivated by cultural and political friction. NPR reports that "leading political figures in the Netherlands have condemned the violence that followed a match between a Dutch team Ajax and Tel Aviv's Maccabi. According to NPR, "Dutch police said 62 people have been arrested following several clashes." Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema described local men seeking out Israeli fans on scooters. Dutch police chief Peter Holla said fans of Tel Aviv Maccabi had "set a Palestinian flag on fire in the city and attacked a taxi." Dutch authorities have banned demonstrations through the weekend.

• Happy Martian New Year... soon! In Scientific American Phil Plait writes: "Why would anyone pick November 12 as New Year’s Day for Mars? And why does our official reckoning of Martian time set the eons-old Red Planet only in its 38th year? The answer involves a combination of natural cycles and the human need to impose order via somewhat arbitrary timekeeping—pretty much like on Earth."

• And now we part—wishing a fine weekend to my naysayers and hatchet men in the fight against violence.

Frybread Fest, Gobble Up, and More Cheap & Easy Events Under $15 by EverOut Staff

Well Portland, it's been a hard week and there are difficult days yet ahead. Take care of yourselves and each other this weekend. If you're looking for something to do to take your mind off things, we're recommending events from Frybread Fest to John's Marketplace 25th Anniversary Celebration and from Gobble Up to Northwest Animal Companions' Cat Adoption Fair. For more ideas, check out our guide to the top events of the week.

FRIDAY COMEDY

Small Fruits - Queer Comedy
I am a strong believer in a cute little night out, and this, dear reader, fits the bill. Hosted by "dynamic duo" No Sex and the City, whose lackluster love lives must give them a lot of time to practice their improv skills, Small Fruits invites attendees who are "navigating perpetual singlehood or basking in newfound love." It promises to be fun, gay, and "leave you smitten," which seems ideal. Plus, Small Fruits features a roster of local, "delightfully humble queer improvisers." Humility isn't a trait I typically look for in comedians, but sure, why not? LINDSAY COSTELLO
(Kickstand Comedy, Ladd's Addition, $10-$15)

Ahead of the hardcore band's sold out show at Revolution Hall, Johnny Whitney and Jordan Blilie tell us what the group's intense, abstract song lyrics really mean. by Suzette Smith

Like any fan of Seattle hardcore band the Blood Brothers, I have found myself at a show, pressed up against a wall of people, shouting the wrong lyrics to their songs. For instance, on their hit "USA NAILS" there's a hook where you think you're singing a cheer-style "one, one, and two!" but the lyrics are actually: "These pigs locked me up to see what color I'd rot into!"

The energetic screamo group was active from 1997-2007, during which time they released five critically-acclaimed albums, completed several European tours, and even played a set on Jimmy Kimmel Live, overcoming the reservations of the show's freaked-out producers. Perhaps the best indicator of their success is the fact that their US reunion tour—which hits Portland on November 12—is completely sold out.

Ever ones to cut the bullshit, Blood Brothers don't have a new record; they're playing the fucking hits. Still, the tour is timed with Epitaph's anniversary reissue of one of their biggest albums Crimes (2004) on vinyl.

When we sat down to talk to Johnny Whitney, who fronts the band with fellow singer/screamer/guttural whisperer Jordan Blilie, he noted that plenty of lyrics websites list incorrect verses for Blood Brothers songs. "It's hilarious how wrong some of them are," Whitney said. "The lyrics on Spotify are not even close to what I'm actually saying. Just buy the fucking CD, and look it up. Come on, people."

We spoke with Whitney and Blilie separately, over sprawling phone calls that we have organized into this piece. For clarity, we're listing their responses together, as we seek to get into the nitty gritty of this group's  danceable, screaming-nightmare material.

Blood Brothers in San Francisco, on the first night of their reunion tour. They were incredible. Photo by Suzette Smith Jordan Blilie (left) and Morgan Henderson (right) Suzette Smith

Foremost, Whitney and Blilie both began by gushing about the other three members of their band: frenetic drummer Mark Gajadhar, vigorous guitarist Cody Votolato, and ultra-versatile bassist Morgan Henderson, who is currently best known as a member of Fleet Foxes.

Related: Multi-instrumentalist/Ultramarathoner Morgan Henderson Is Busier Than You

"I cannot fucking believe that I got to work with these guys," Whitney says. "I just took all those things for granted at the time. Everybody was, and still is, coming from totally different places [musically], but there was always something really special about all of us together that was there from the moment that we started."

PORTLAND MERCURY: Johnny, I've always gotten the impression that you're the major force behind the lyrics.

JOHNNY WHITNEY: I came up with the majority of the lyrics, but it certainly was collaborative between Jordan and I. I would freewrite as much as I could, to have material to draw from, and going back to those notebooks kept things as free and fresh and not contrived as possible. The drawback of that approach is the lyrics are very abstract and hard to parse direct meaning from, but that's also kind of the point. I found myself writing about the absence of answers, or the absence of concrete truths that you can hold onto.

A lot of times, my process would center around coming up with a cool idea: a song name or some common refrain that we would want to work into a song, like "Burn Piano Island, Burn." Something that has a hook or conveys an image or feeling. Then we would reverse engineer the lyrics from that.

JORDAN BLILIE: I would absolutely say that I felt like Johnny was the driver, and for good reason. He's really good. When you see someone who is in a flow state, you do your best to accentuate and collaborate, to help mold and shape and add your pieces. It was always stuff that I was really excited to dig into. It was just that rich and that vibrant. The challenge for me was what can I add to it, you know? It always pushed me to try and come up with the most creatively-inspired stuff that I could.

You two have such an engaging stage style. People would call it sassy, but that has always felt like a description from people who have never been to a play and can't recognize theater. Do either of you have a background in theater arts?

WHITNEY: I wanted to be a child actor—I actually auditioned for that movie Blank Check (1994). Actually, a year after Jordan and I met, we were both in a Jr. High production of Alice in Wonderland. He was the Mad Hatter, and I was the Mock Turtle.

BLILIE: Why would you say that? [Laughs]

Jordan Blilie (left) and Johnny Whitney (right) Suzette Smith Jordan Blilie screams on the tour's first night in San Francisco. Suzette Smith

"USA NAILS" was such a hit, and it involved a phone number everyone could scream. How did that come to be?

WHITNEY: The name and the "1-900-USA-NAILS" comes from the chain nail salon, but we reverse-engineered it into a song about somebody using their one phone call from the county jail to call a phone sex line. It's the idea of loneliness, disaffection, and parasocial relationships with things that exist solely for their own profit or gain.

And yet it's also danceable. There are these moments live where you have an audience of people shaking their asses and shouting "to see what color I'd rot into!" Did you start with that idea and work backwards, or just jam it into that moment of the song?

WHITNEY: At that time, the band would all sit together in a room and have a kind of song tribunal about how each part should go. Then, at some point, we'd have a semi -finished version and [Jordan and I] would just try to fit lyrics to the songs. Especially on Burn, Piano Island, Burn. Some of those songs needed an editor so bad, right? I wouldn't change a thing about it, but looking back, there are parts where it sounds like everybody's playing a different song at the same time, but it kind of works, right? And for the lyrics, sometimes we just had to make it work.

That wasn't the first time Jordan whispered his lyrics in a guttural tone, but it's one of the more emblematic, right? How did that start?

BLILIE: By necessity—I don't have much of a range, you know? I have this weird baritone. Very early on we were drawing from crust punk, where you just have two voices screaming. And we didn't put a whole lot of thought into even what the other person was doing. But then, as we continued to develop, the stuff became more complex, and there was more room for different sorts of shadings of what we could do vocally. So it was just finding out: What is it I can do other than scream at the top of my lungs?

WHITNEY: Jordan's part at the end just works right? He was very inspired by Jarvis Cocker.

BLILIE: Yeah, you can trace that right back to Pulp. If you listen to any Pulp song, there's gonna be some whispery storytelling, with the compression cranked up so you can kind of hear every lick of the lips.

<a href="https://thebloodbrothersofficial.bandcamp.com/album/burn-piano-island-burn">Burn, Piano Island, Burn by The Blood Brothers</a>

BLILIE: Some of my favorite moments of writing with Johnny are the ones that we would where we would crack each other up.

Can you give an example?

BLILIE: Every lyric of "Guitarmy." We really got a kick out of the idea of opening our major label debut with the words, "do you remember us?" Because of the audacity, the absurdity of it.

So you guys all started this band when you were in your teens.

BLILIE: Yeah, we started when we were like, 15-16.

Are there any lyrics that have not aged well, in your opinion?

BLILIE: I'm sure they're the ones that we're not playing. [Laughs.] This question reminds me of something one of my professors said. It was my first class at UCLA, Queer Lit from Walt Whitman to Stonewall. In class discussions my fellow classmates would critique writing from the 1800s for not satisfying certain criteria, and our professor would say: You cannot look at the text backwards. You have to look at it forwards. You can't apply current day criteria to something that was written when that criteria didn't even exist. You have to engage with it in the context of when it was written. I don't think anything we wrote is in a canon warranting that level of examination, but it's useful nonetheless. It's a way for me to remind myself that I was 20, and I had the tools of a 20-year-old. It helps me to not beat myself up too much about it.

WHITNEY: There's a story behind this. When we were doing the song "Camouflage, Camouflage" on Young Machetes, Jordan and I were going back and forth on the lyrics. He was like, "Yeah, I'm great with all this." But he put a line through one verse, where I say: "All the girls in Montreal are smashing skateboards in the street." And I was just like: Fuck you, dude. I'm gonna keep this in. But he was right, because it sounds stupid, and it's like, really horny and makes me want to light my skin on fire. So I'm changing it to something else, probably something different every night.

Johnny Whitney (left) holds a crowd member's hand for support. Suzette Smith The crowd supports Johnny Whitney while he sings. Suzette Smith 

I wonder about imagery in Blood Brothers' songs that seems to be responding to beauty standards at the time. Like, in "Ambulance, Ambulance" you've got this blistering segue to the chorus: "What is love? / What is scam? / What is sun? / What is tan?"

WHITNEY: That's a double meaning. Because it's like tan—like suntan—but also tan is a blah color, right? It's like the color of a dentist's office wall. If you think of the idea of love being something that could feel on-fire, passionate, the color of a dentist's office wall is the opposite. Although, tanning does come into play in a lot of our lyrics. I've noticed as well.

Or on "Beautiful Horses" the lyrics are "gallop into your romance novels / dance atop heavy pectorals."

BLILIE: I think we were seeing an increasingly vapid culture, and we were trying to dig into that—dig into: What does it do to someone when they're bombarded by these sorts of images and messages? There was a lot of that in that writing; I can't say specifically with "Beautiful Horses," but I think "Trash Flavored Trash," would probably fit under that umbrella.

<a href="https://thebloodbrothersofficial.bandcamp.com/album/crimes-bonus-track-version">Crimes (Bonus Track Version) by The Blood Brothers</a>

In "Rats and Rats and Rats for Candy" there's an ongoing narrative of rats living inside a woman. It's like a play. There are characters. And the rats eventually chew out of her and try to find a new body to live in. I wondered if that was also about beauty standards or body dysmorphia?

WHITNEY: That song, it's about that, but it's also about manipulation, right? Not to get too personal, but I grew up with somebody who weaponized being sick—faked being sick—for their entire life in order to manipulate people and extract something they needed out of them. The character in that song is kind of a victim, but like a siren at the same time. They're trying to lure somebody in.

Is that person the rats, or are they Candy?

WHITNEY: The rats are in Candy. I mean, it's both.

What about "The Shame?" Your group resonates so much with "everything is gonna be just awful / when we're around" that you're putting it on t-shirts 20 years later. What does it mean?

WHITNEY: The whole premise of that song is having to sell yourself—how to commoditize yourself. It's about how you function in a capitalist society. You sink or swim by your ability to market yourself, make yourself desirable—whether it be in relationships, job market, blah blah blah. I've always been repulsed by that and was especially at the time we wrote it, which was in Venice Beach, while we were recording Burn, Piano Island, Burn. It was the longest time I'd ever been in LA, and that's the epicenter of being a self-salesman. That line encapsulates the feeling of being sold something. And you're in a position where, in order to survive, you have to be your own salesman.

Salesmen show up in other songs, like "The Salesman, Denver Max." That's another one that almost feels like a short story.

WHITNEY: I initially cribbed the idea for that song's lyrics from the Joyce Carol Oates short story, "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?" It follows a narrative of a very dangerous, predatory man in the process of stalking and kidnapping somebody. “Denver Max” was a huge, uncomfortable gamble for me, because I wrote the entire song on my acoustic guitar, recorded it to a 4-track, and then played it for the guys—totally expecting them to hate it. It was really daunting to try to contribute as a songwriter; Cody, Morgan, and Mark are such talented musicians. I think they may have hated it; I don't really remember how we ended up recording it. It was nobody's favorite thing, but we just tracked it, and it sounded great and worked.

Have you read anything by playwright Caryl Churchill?

WHITNEY: Never heard of her.

"Live at the Apocalypse Cabaret" has a lyric in it that reminds me of her play Far Away, which has a scene of milliners making hats for people to wear at a public execution, so I always felt a symmetry there, because of the lyrics "the cross-eyed map of the afterlife is knitting tiny neck ties." 

WHITNEY: I'm going to be super honest, the songs that I'm the most familiar with the lyrics of, at this very moment, are songs that were going to be playing, because I've been rehearsing them. But I do remember, with that song, we were trying to be funny without being silly. Like, a cross-eyed map is a map that makes no sense, where you don't know where you're going. Knitting tiny neckties are noose ties. It's like dressing yourself up for death, right? It's trying to dress up something that's really heinous and horrible and incomprehensible, and also trying to navigate that, through a map that makes no sense.

At this moment you have cracked my understanding of a play you haven't even read. But I digress, I've read that "Celebrator" was a direct response to Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue."

BLILIE: That pumped up patriotism felt gross when taken in context with the images and much of the information that we were seeing come out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Is that why there are so many mentions of amputated limbs on Crimes?

BLILIE: The bulk of Crimes was trying to engage with war so that's where you get a lot of that grizzly imagery.

Related: The Blood Brothers Set Expectations Ablaze at Last Night’s Surprise Black Lodge Show

Well, personally, it's so nice that you're touring right now. Blood Brothers are great for when you need to scream, but you can't. You can scream along to the Blood Brothers in your head, or out loud at a show.

BLILIE: I'm glad that we could be of service, in that regard. It's hard for me not to go into a really bleak mindset when I look at our current political landscape. I find myself equal parts enraged and terrified. And there are times when I have to just close all news down. I guess it is a good time to get up and scream.

The Blood Brothers play Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, Tues Nov 12, 8 pm, SOLD OUT, all ages.

Pasta, Dumplings, and More by EverOut Staff For obvious reasons, I suspect we could all use some soul-warming nourishment to bolster our spirits right about now. We've compiled this list of fortifying options, including noodle soups, pizza, dumplings, pasta, soul food, and more, so you can get your comfort food fix. For more ideas, check out our food and drink guide. PIZZA

Apizza Scholls
Serious Eats founder Ed Levine once dubbed this "Neo-Neapolitan" pizza destination "one of the top five pizzerias in America."
Sunnyside

Crumbl Cookies, Hawaiian Plate Lunches, and Two New Spots for Book Lovers by EverOut Staff Avid readers are in luck, as two bookish new businesses hit the local food and drink scene. Plus, the social media sensation Crumbl Cookies makes its debut in Eliot today, and Bugatti's Ristorante in West Linn bids farewell. For more ideas, check out our guide to comfort food in Portland and our food and drink guide.

NEW OPENINGS & RETURNS

Bold Coffee and Books
Couple Tim and Ali Shaw hosted the grand opening of this coffee shop/bookstore with a focus on diverse authors in October. Ali has two decades of experience in the book industry, while Tim has spent 22 years in counseling and social work. Their menu includes coffee, tea, and specialty drinks like the "Honeybunch" (espresso, steamed oat milk, condensed milk, honey, and a sprinkle of cinnamon), as well as items like breakfast burritos and bagels.
Goose Hollow

Portland will have the most racially diverse City Council the city has ever seen, with a progressive majority. by Courtney Vaughn

A fourth round of preliminary election results was released Friday, showing little to no changes in presumptive winners. That means Portlanders now have a clear idea of what the city's future leadership will be, come January.

Portland City Council is likely to have a progressive majority and for the first time, and a roughly 40 percent BIPOC Council.

Portland Mayor-elect Keith Wilson is slated to receive onboarding and training at City Hall starting next month, before the new City Council and mayor are sworn in in January.

City Council races

In District 1, Candace Avalos, who previously ran for a seat on Portland City Council and served on Portland's Charter Commission, is leading handily and is a presumptive winner. She will most likely serve alongside former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith and Jamie Dunphy, whose career has been spent helping to shape public policy while formerly working for US Sen. Jeff Merkley and the late Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish. Dunphy has recently led the charge to stop a Live Nation music venue from being developed in Southeast Portland. While Dunphy is leading for third place, he currently sits at just 23 percent, which is less than the 25 percent threshold for election. County officials say that can happen when ballots become "exhausted." Dunphy will likely still win election.

In District 2, Elana Pirtle-Guiney, Sameer Kanal, and current City Commissioner Dan Ryan are all but guaranteed Council seats. The latest results show Ryan and Pirtle-Guiney were neck-and-neck in first-round counts, with just 73 votes separating the two. Pirtle-Guiney is a labor organizer and member of former Gov. Kate Brown's executive team. She also led the charge for Oregon Measure 114, which sought to limit gun magazine capacity and add a required permit for gun ownership. The measure passed but is currently held up in a court battle. Kanal served as the project manager for Portland's Police Accountability Commission and also serves on the city's Parks & Recreation Board.

District 3 saw Steve Novick, a former city commissioner, pull off a first-round win, guaranteeing his return to City Hall. He will be joined by elementary school teacher Tiffany Koyama Lane and nonprofit policy advocate Angelita Morillo, who were nearly tied with 19 percent of the overall vote in round one counts. Both Koyama Lane and Morillo ran on a progressive agenda, with Koyama Lane picking up an endorsement from Portland's Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Candidates in District 3 will be up for election again in two years.

In District 4, Olivia Clark, a communications professional who previously worked in Gov. John Kitzhaber's office, secured a first-round win Thursday. She'll be one of three city councilors representing the district that includes Southwest Portland, including downtown, and small portions of Southeast Portland like Sellwood. Along with Clark, energy economist Mitch Green is a presumptive winner. Green emerged as easily the most progressive front-runner candidate in District 4, securing an endorsement from the Portland DSA. The third-place winner is appears to be political insider Eric Zimmerman, though first-round results show him with less than a percentage point lead over Eli Arnold and the race is still close.  Both candidates secured 11 percent of the overall vote in round one counts. Zimmerman previously worked in Mayor Ted Wheeler's office and currently works for Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim Edwards. Arnold is a Portland police officer. District 4 seats will be up for election again in two years.

Congressional race

In a closely watched federal race for Oregon's 5th Congressional District, Democrat Janelle Bynum secured a win over Republican incumbent Lori Chavez DeRemer, flipping the US House seat from red to blue. Other winners include incumbent Suzanne Bonamici in the 1st District and Maxine Dexter in the 3rd Congressional District.

By Friday, the vast majority of ballots were received and counted, though the Multnomah County Elections Office says it still has about 45,000 ballots to count. Overall voter turnout in Multnomah County is now hovering around 71 percent.

Results won’t be finalized until Dec. 2.

by Wm. Steven Humphrey

GOOD 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.)

• Keith Wilson is Portland’s Next Mayor

Wilson will be Portland's next mayor. Did your fave city council candidates make the cut? Check out our reporting and find out! We've got the latest updates.

Taylor Griggs

• It's the Mercury's 2024 General Election Night Live Blog!

Relive election night (in an entertaining fashion) with the Mercury's election live blog, featuring up-to-the-minute results and stern critiques of the candidate parties and snack tables. 

Michelle Mruk

• How Portland’s Rose City Rollers Became Roller Derby Champions Again

Last Sunday, the Rose City Rollers' all-star team Wheels of Justice won derby's highest honor at the Women's Flat Track Derby Association Global Championship. Corbin Smith recounts: It was sports. Major sports.

Corbin Smith

• City Commissioners Abandon Plans to Terminate Joint Homeless Response Agreement With Multnomah County

A day after an election showing City Commissioners Rene Gonzalez and Mingus Mapps losing their bid for mayor, a proposal to end Portland's homeless services agreement with Multnomah County was suddenly pulled from this week's City Council agenda.

Courtney Vaughn

• Ticket Alert

Sting adds a second Bend date to his tour, post-hardcore band Chiodos is coming to Portland next year, and hard rock outfit Catch Your Breath has dropped dates for their Broken Souls tour. Get those tix quick with help from TICKET ALERT.

Courtesy of the artist

• THE TRASH REPORT!

This week: The Avengers love Kamala, Nazis love Trump, and Ted Danson is back in love with Kelsey Grammer. (So much love!)

Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

• Film Review: Allee Willis: Creative Force, 'Dangerous Woman,' Songwriter Behind Friends Theme

A new documentary, The World According to Allee Willis, reveals your favorite artists’ favorite artist.

Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

• Free Ticket Time!

Like free stuff? Then enter to WIN FREE TICKETS to see Reverend Horton Heat, Des Demonas, Mason Jennings, and MORE! 

• The Best Things To Do in Portland This Month

As we do every month, we've compiled the biggest events you need to know about in every genre, from Sabrina Carpenter to Cyndi Lauper and from World Vegan Month to PLUS PLUS: PAM CUT's New Annual Festival. It's our top picks for November!

Courtesy Lilla

• SAVAGE LOVE

Straight women in gay bars, post-sex ghosting, and return of the sexy fling—all this and much, much more in this edition of SAVAGE LOVE quickies!

Joe Newton

WOW, THAT IS A LOT OF GOOD READIN'. I hope you didn't have any other plans this weekend! Dig in, and remember: Producing all this hard work costs moolah—so please consider contributing to the Mercury to keep it all coming! Thanks!

by Anonymous

If there was a thing that took human form, that spoke in a garbled mimicry of human speech, that masked it's strange pallor and foul odor, that was human-like, but devoid of human love and compassion, that made the desperate and weak it's minions, that was a black hole for attention of any sort, that destroyed everything it came near and turned neighbor against neighbor and family against family... What would its name be?

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 is no us. Thanks for your support!

GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! ????

Who's had a busy weekend of actively IGNORING all the spectacularly bad takes following last week's election? Wow, these so-called Democrats are the only people I know who, instead of blaming the actual people involved, love kicking each other in the scrabble bag when they're disappointed. Even worse, a few of these bad actors are saying we should have capitulated to the white supremacists and the hateful half of the country that voted for Trump... as if that would have somehow changed the outcome? LOL! Make a note, friends... despite the fact that a sizable part of the nation is in thrall of a convicted felon/cult leader, we should NEVER water down our ethics or sense of justice to appease people who want the rest of us (and especially marginalized communities) to stop existing. If you absolutely must blame someone, try focusing your ire on those who refuse to properly educate themselves and have lost their moral compass. Our pathway is UP—the rest of 'em can either keep up or get the fuck out of the way. 

And that's your Monday Morning Mini-Rant™—now, let's look at some NEWS!

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Local election update! Now that only a very few votes (4,000 as of Saturday) are left to be counted, I think it's safe to say "OH, HELLO THERE!" to our newest incoming mayor, Keith Wilson, and our new city council, which is as follows: District 1: Candace Avalos, Loretta Smith, and (probably) Jamie Dunphy (waiting for the final count to clarify that one); District 2: Elana Pirtle-Guiney, Sameer Kanal, and current City Commissioner Dan Ryan ????; District 3: Steve Novick, Tiffany Koyama Lane, and Angelita Morillo; and District 4: Olivia Clark, Mitch Green, and most likely Eric Zimmerman... or possibly cop Eli Arnold (neither are great). In any case, that right there is a majority progressive council, with a few Portland Business Alliance puppets thrown in—which in theory should make the ever-conniving big business/realtor community happy, but rest assured they'll be pulling some anti-democratic shenanigans before you know it. Keep an eye on 'em! ????

Portland: Our new mayor Keith Wilson shows encouraging signs on transportation, above all his obsession with observation and data. Good profile by Jonathan Maus at Bike Portland.

bikeportland.org/2024/11/07/p...

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— Jarrett Walker (@humantransit.bsky.social) November 10, 2024 at 12:56 PM

• In other good election news, in the hotly contested (and way too close) Oregon's 5th Congressional District race, Democrat Janelle Bynum scored a win over Republican incumbent Lori Chavez DeRemer, flipping the US House seat from red to blue! While there is currently a narrow path to victory for House Democrats, it's still very tight—so at this moment, every Democrat win counts. (And in case you missed it, in Washington state, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is the presumptive winner in the 3rd Congressional District, beating out dipshit MAGA candidate Joe Kent.)

• In the first baller move of his administration, mayor-elect Keith Wilson allegedly pressured current city commissioners Rene Gonzalez, Mingus Mapps, and Dan Ryan into dropping their theatrical stunt to end Portland's homelessness services agreement with Multnomah County. As our Courtney Vaughn reported, the three crybaby candidates were threatening to end the deal with the county, even though it would cost the city $40 million to do so. But according to Ryan—who is now furiously backpedaling on his bonehead decision—Wilson called the trio, and "made it clear that he would like us to take that off the table.... So out of respect for the new mayor, it just was good manners." HAAAAAAAAA! Right. Or maybe it was that Gonzalez and Mapps' run for mayor just blew up in their faces, and Ryan was left alone in the wilderness holding this particular bag of shit. In any case, an absolutely embarrassing way to end their obstructive, but mostly useless term—and I am here for it! ????

• The Portland Trail Blazers suffered an absolutely crushing defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies last night... 134-89? OUCH. Terrible shooting, poor defense, and a harsh 23 turnovers reportedly had the normally stoic coach Chauncey Billups reportedly issuing this post-game message to the players: “Anybody that sleeps well tonight, you’re a loser. It’s just that simple." Once again, with feeling: OUCH.

• Today in death: Pioneering climate scientist Warren Washington—who grew up in Portland—has died at the age of 88. Washington is credited with developing early models of global warming. Also, longtime Blazer radio announcer Brian "Wheels" Wheeler has died after an extensive illness; he was 62.

Ahead of the Blood Brothers' sold out show at Revolution Hall next week, we spoke with the band's two frontmen about the group's intense, abstract song lyrics. ⁠ We did not expect: Their shared theater history. The influence of Pulp's Jarvis Cocker.

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— Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury.bsky.social) November 8, 2024 at 12:26 PM

IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:

• Despite exciting Democratic wins in Oregon and Washington, Republicans are getting closer to keeping control of the House, which after capturing the senate would mean that many of Trump's evil schemes could become a reality. Currently the GOP is four congresspeople away from securing the necessary 218 seats; the Dems are at 203. ????

• Trump has chosen former ICE director Tom Homan to serve as his “border czar,” as the incoming president ramps up his plan to launch "the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history" (without presenting a plan on how it can be done or the billions it will cost us now and in the future). The recently elected convicted felon has also picked longtime loyalist/minion Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York to become the next US ambassador to the United Nations. Stefanik is a staunch supporter of Israel and their genocide, and has pushed for ending relief to war-torn Palestinians. The only potential good news here: Taking Stefanik out of her current job could lead Republicans into losing the House.

This is not great

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— Molly Jong-Fast (@mollyjongfast.bsky.social) November 11, 2024 at 7:49 AM

• In escaped monkey news: Twenty-four out of 43 monkeys who escaped a South Carolina research lab last week have been recovered—and staff has eyes on another "sizable" group. Locals are being advised to avoid touching the monkeys, and instead call 911. (Take it from someone who briefly lived there, South Carolina hates it when you touch your monkey.)

Your body, my choice

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— Berit Glanz (@beritmiriam.bsky.social) November 11, 2024 at 2:23 AM

• Toymaker Mattel has apologized for accidentally including a porn website address on packaging for dolls from the upcoming movie Wicked. The company is advising parents to either throw away the packaging or obscure the web address before kids accidentally stumble on to any "Two Witches, One Cup" videos. (On a scale of one-to-ten, how mad are you at me right now? I'm at, like, a seven.)

• And finally... a visual representation of what will happen to the economy five minutes after Trump takes office:

@vehiculeracing -caniparkhere? #boat ♬ original sound  - VÉHICULE

by Elinor Jones

What's happening Trash Pandas? Welcome back to the Trash Report. I am Elinor Jones and I am not doing well! Lucky for us, things have been shitty often enough and recently enough that we can disassociate and do our silly little activities. How fortunate we are to live in times that challenge us! JK! I hate it!!

Elections Trash

Well my friends, I guess we didn't coconut hard enough, because Donald Trump is headed back to the White House. A lot of people will have a lot of thoughtful breakdowns in the coming weeks and months about what went wrong, but it seems pretty obvious to me that we live in a country that hates women—Black women especially—and they like Trump. It sucks, but usually the simplest explanation is the correct one. Ad buys in Pennsylvania or door knocking in Michigan wouldn't have changed the fact that people hate women and like Trump, and even if they didn't totally love Trump, they were at least more comfortable with him in power than with a woman. Democrats spent a billion dollars to try to educate voters on why Trump is bad, but it didn't work; people know he's bad, they just don't care, or they like that part about him. They like how Trump talks more than they like the way Democrats talk, especially Democrats who are women. This handwringing about like "oh, if only people understood the real issues" and like: no. We're past that. Issues don't matter. Not only do people not care, but it also makes Democrats even less likable when we're trying to scold them over to our side. During one of my spirals I realized how weird it is that there isn't even a phrase like "owning the libs" for chuds? Like, us bullying them into silence or an embarrassing hissy fit isn't even on the damn table. Why is that? What are we doing? In hindsight the best messaging of the entire campaign was when everybody laughed at J.D. Vance for fucking a couch; if we could have had more like that in play instead of Liz fucking Cheney reminding us that Kamala Harris is pro-military and celebrities who will never worry about money insisting that Biden's economy is good, actually, we probably could have could probably have gotten some people (who voted only off vibes) to like ours better, although probably not enough to convince people not to hate women. As you can tell, I am very, very angry! Most of it is directed at Joe Biden. He should have run in 2016, he should not have run in 2020, he shouldn't have attempted a reelection campaign this year, and then he should have dropped out faster when the writing was on the wall after the debate in June. End rant. (For now. There's still a lot of juice in this tank, and it's gonna be a loooong four years.)

Portland: Inspirational!

Trump promised RFK Jr a role overseeing health in his new administration, and the first order of business floated is removing fluoride from our nation's drinking water. This captured headlines for its absurdity. "Why in the world would we not take such an easy and impactful action to help everybody, but especially poor children, have healthier teeth? What anti-science freakshows would take issue with fluoride in the water?" "Wow, yeah, totally," said the city of Portland as we pulled our shirt collars up around our faces and sought an immediate exit from the conversation. Being part of a Venn diagram where one circle is RFK Jr. and the other circle is Portland and the middle part is "fluoride = bad" is not a good look for us.

In other news, fans allege that someone attending a recent Sabrina Carpenter concert squatted and peed in the middle of the pit before the show started. Knowing that Carpenter had just played in Portland, when I saw the headline about someone being gross at a show, I immediately assumed that it happened here. I was wrong—it was San Francisco—but that is the kind of national news I'd like our city to make and not "RFK Jr approves of Portland's municipal health initiatives." Let's go back to "Portland Sucks." Nationally, it's an easier place for us to be.

Wicked Merch

The thing that might divide my family this Thanksgiving is not politics—we are all aligned there, thank God—but whether we should first see Moana 2 or Wicked. We are leaning Moana 2, mostly because this Disney sequel is shockingly not the one unleashing inescapable product tie-ins everywhere I look. Speaking of which, the folks at Mattel did so by putting a link to a porn site on the packaging for some Glinda and Elphaba dolls and had to apologize and issue a recall. LOL. I can imagine the exhausted and overworked marketing associate who's trying to stave off sleep by occasionally watching some adult content and deliriously copy-pasting the wrong link. Look, you mass produce 10,000 different green and pink items, you're bound to screw up something.  

In other Wicked news, director Jon Chu missed the LA premiere because his wife went into labor and gave birth to a baby girl. The baby is the couple's fifth; a full three of those five children were born during the development and filming of Wicked. His wife may have told him she was proud of him, but her body was clearly saying "no sir, we are not doing that anymore." And she feels like five kids is plenty, but knows that Wicked 2 is only a year away and is debating whether a sixth baby could keep that press buzz out of their family life.

AOTY When?

Grammy nominations came out last week, and women came out on top. Imagine if Kamala Harris won the White House during the same week that Beyoncé became the most nominated artist in Grammy history? We could have been so happy, and so annoying. Etsy would have gotten absolutely filthy with throw pillow bearing feminist catchphrases. This column would have been damn near unreadable, even more so than usual. The gods took a look at us American women as our souls threatened to leave our bodies with how badly we (at least most of us) needed a win, and said "they simply cannot have both things" and went with Grammys instead of the presidency, which isn't the direction I would have gone, but I am not a god. Yet.

Fugitive Animals

A passenger got video of a raccoon falling out of the ceiling at La Guardia airport in New York City. La Guardia had just been named America's Best Airport, taking the coveted spot that PDX usually holds, and you know what? I agree. We simply need more raccoons. Trash Pandas: assemble.

Meanwhile down in South Carolina, 43 monkeys escaped a research facility and are currently on the loose. Authorities are advising residents to lock their windows, and I would definitely have a hard time doing that. I think they would like me. It's like how at Yellowstone they have to put up all the signs advising people not to approach bears. While I understand the reason for the signs, I also believe that I am a person who a bear would allow to pet it. I think monkeys would feel the same way. Any other indoor kids read Summer of the Monkeys? It's a book about a circus train that derailed and a bunch of monkeys got loose and they finally trusted one young man to return them to captivity. I think I could be that young man. Call me, South Carolina. 

I'm gonna be honest, Trash Pandas: I could keep writing this column all night. I didn't want to start working on it, but as I've been writing, and reflecting, and trying to put words to all the big things I feel, I have to admit that Doing Something does feel better than doing nothing, even though doing nothing is so tempting. We may not have fluoridated water, and we may not be pissing on the floors at arena concerts (yet), but we have each other, and I'm very grateful for that.

Togetherly,

Amy Sedaris, QDoc Film Festival, and More by EverOut Staff

Stay busy with some of the many top-notch events happening this week, from Amy Sedaris to the QDoc Film Festival and from BrewLights at the Oregon Zoo to opening weekend of the Portland Winter Ice Rink. And check out our November events guide to see what the rest of the month has in store.

MONDAY READINGS & TALKS

Amy Sedaris
Referring to someone as "whimsical" feels vaguely off-putting, but I'm not sure there's a better word to describe Amy Sedaris—the host of the Emmy-nominated series At Home with Amy Sedaris was just as comfortable making raisin necklaces and popsicle stick buddies as she was gutting a fish. Although the series was canceled after three seasons, I look back on it fondly as a reflection of my early pandemic days, when making sense of the world meant baking a sourdough bread loaf shaped like a mermaid (true story). Find out what Sedaris is cooking up next at this live talk, moderated by "professional nervous person" Courtenay Hameister. LINDSAY COSTELLO
(Revolution Hall, Buckman)

See her Tuesday in Portland at Jack London Revue. by Dave Segal

Recording for Flying Lotus's Brainfeeder label, Salami Rose Joe Louis (Lindsay Olsen) has blazed a distinctive trail in that fertile sector of California's underground where electronic music and jazz converge. On early releases by this multi-instrumentalist and producer—such as 2019's Zdenka 2080—Olsen sings in a hushed, dulcet manner over sparse, melodious electronic music that wears its jazz inflections gracefully. Faint echoes of '90s and '00s introspective, minimalist IDM (intelligent dance music, if you don't know) acts such as Múm insinuate themselves, too. It's ultimately dream pop, but not in the cloying way manifested by the genre's try-hards.

With 2023's Akousmatikous and this year's collab with Flanafi, Sarah, SRJL's rhythms get jazzier and the instrumentation fuller, with help from Soccer96 and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, among others. The songs are more kinetic while the vocals retain their breathy, Julee Cruise-like sweetness. The music's levitational feel and smooth propulsion belie lyrics about catastrophic ecological degradation and the dangers of propaganda/disinformation. Enchanting listeners through understatement and mutedly sparkling tones, Olsen offers the most pleasant dystopian sci-fi soundtracks extant. At Jack London Revue she'll be joined by guitarist Flanafi, bassist Tone Whitfield, and drummer Luke Titus—most of whom played on the exceptional new Salami Live at 2131 North Kacey Street EP.

<a href="https://salamirosejoelouismusic.bandcamp.com/album/salami-live-at-2131-north-kacey-street">Salami Live at 2131 North Kacey Street by Salami Rose Joe Louis featuring Flanafi, Tone Whitfield, Nazir Ebo</a>

Soul'd Out Presents Salami Rose Joe Louis at Jack London Revue, 529 SW 4th, Tues Nov 13, 8 pm, tables for 4-6 persons available from $140-$210, tickets here, 21+ w/ Omari Jazz

The Portland-area hot sauce company celebrated 20 years of flavorful, spicy sauciness with a new snack. by Suzette Smith

Beloved local hot sauce makers Secret Aardvark celebrated 20 years of spiciness, in both seasoning and spirit, on Saturday at the Landmark Saloon, where—between sets by two of her favorite local groups, Silver Lake 66 and Ashleigh Flynn and the Riveters—Aardvark owner Stacy Moritz introduced a new product to the crowd, Aardvarks Nuts: Habanero Hazelnuts.

"Who doesn't like a hot nut?" she asked the crowd, wryly. 

Hazelnuts are the state nut of Oregon, but as it happens, Moritz told the Mercury she didn't enjoy them until her team made them hot. And that desire—to make the filbert something she likes—is the reasoning she gave for the snack experiment to be born.

To our taste buds, the Aardvarks Nuts are more flavor-forward than they are eye-watering hot, but the spice does sneak up, thanks to the folie à deux between the nut's oil and Aardvark's secret spices. It's a nice, unique mix that transforms the sweetness we'd generally expect from a hazelnut with the carrot and chili pepper profiles we love in Aardvark's original Habanero Hot Sauce.

Aardvark Nuts stay true to the company's local focus, starting out as Laurel Tree hazelnuts, which are grown in the Willamette Valley.

"We took the bougiest nut we could find, and made them Aardvark habanero spicy," Moritz said. "It's fun, it's hard, it's sweaty, it's hot." Much of that sentiment can also be found on the nut packaging, which stays true to Moritz's well-documented, saucy humor.

In a 2013 Mercury profile Moritz mused, "My dream is one day to have a guy in an Aardvark costume running down Hollywood Boulevard with his dick hanging out." Moritz remembered the profile and said that particular dream hasn't ever been realized, but if they were to do it now, she'd have to be the one wearing the costume.

Related: Secret Aardvark Could Become a National Sensation. (So Maybe You Should Stop Stealing It?)

Saturday's nut drop was a celebratory sneak peak. The company is still working to make the packaged snacks available for purchase, but they will be, at the very least, on the Secret Aardvark site by the new year. A representative from the company said they were just waiting on final approval of the product's non-GMO certification.

In the meanwhile, Aardvark fans can keep their eyes peeled for other upcoming sauces the company has in the works: Moritz said we could expect a serrano ranch sauce and a spicy mayo "that will actually be spicy."

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! Take a deep breath. Hold for six seconds. Exhale. 

We might be treated to some fleeting morning sunshine, but for the most part, expect more rain with a high of 54 degrees and a low of 50. 

Let's catch up on what's happening in our city and around the world.

In Local News: 

• Important fox update! The young arctic white fox spotted in Portland a few weeks ago is now in the care of the Bird Alliance of Oregon. Last Friday, the Bird Alliance posted an update, noting the fox was likely illegally kept in captivity in Oregon. And while the fox sniffed out and found several mice hidden for her around her enclosure, it’s unlikely she’d survive in the wilderness. The organization reports the fox is in good health and they’re looking for a permanent home for her with a wildlife agency.

          View this post on Instagram                      

A post shared by Bird Alliance of Oregon (@birdallianceoforegon)

• The body of a missing hiker was found in Mt. Hood National Forest last Friday. Police say 33-year-old James Robert MacDonald was found by search and rescue crews after his family reported he didn’t return from a hike Wednesday, Nov. 6. KATU reports MacDonald had four children, including 1-year-old twins, and was finishing a radiology residency at OHSU.

This is the second major search conducted for a missing hiker in Mt. Hood National Forest in less than two weeks. Last Tuesday, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office found a missing mushroom hunter in densely forested terrain as he exited the Eagle Creek Trail. He was found “cold and wet” but otherwise in good health.

• Dozens of Portlanders and local organizations have signed on to a letter urging the Portland City Council to postpone a vote on a contract that would funnel more money into the Portland Metro Chamber. This Wednesday, City Council is likely to approve the expansion of one of the city’s Enhanced Service Districts, Downtown Clean & Safe. The expansion also accompanies a $58 million contract renewal for Clean & Safe. Enhanced Service Districts are special districts where property owners pay a tax to fund extra security services and cleanups around the district. If it were any other organization or even any other ESD, few would bat an eye at the contract renewal, but Downtown Clean & Safe is essentially operated by the Portland Metro Chamber (formerly the Portland Business Alliance). The city funnels millions of district tax dollars into this no-bid contract, to give ESD ratepayers–most of which are downtown businesses–an added layer of private security, as well as trash and graffiti removal. While plenty of folks are supportive of the extra services, quite a few Portlanders, including condo owners in the district, say the contract arrangement is barely ethical, and serves primarily to funnel taxpayer money into the Metro Chamber, which is one of the most powerful lobbying groups in the city. There are few, if any, checks and balances on the contract. Aside from ethical concerns, condo owners in the Downtown Clean & Safe ESD say they are being charged for services they already pay for through their Homeowners Associations and city taxes. 

          View this post on Instagram                      

A post shared by Tom Toro (@tbtoro)

• Oregon has repeatedly failed to protect or keep data about the kids in its foster care system who wind up being sex trafficked. If you have an Oregonian subscription, this heartbreaking story is worth a read. The series shines a light on a disjointed foster care system in Oregon that failed to protect more than two dozen foster care children from being sold for sex or "anything of value," including one woman, who's now 21 but ran away with men multiple times and was forced to perform sex acts when she was 16. Multiple teens in foster care are at risk of being sold into prostitution, but for years, the state has been slow to respond and/or failed to identify those at risk, despite federal requirements to keep data on the high-risk teens in state custody.

• It’s World Vegan Month, and Veganizer is partnering with local restaurants to offer fun menu items with a portion of the proceeds from those items going toward local nonprofits. Pssst…going vegan is a great excuse to skip Thanksgiving dinner with any family members you don’t like, or those you’re just not ready to stomach after the election.

• And if you need other things to distract yourself or just need a reason to get out of the house, check the Everout weekly rundown for the best in dining, live music, film, and miscellaneous outings. Looking for a show tonight? Consider watching Salami Rose Joe Louis deliver an experimental fusion of electro-jazz rock (if that's not a thing, it is now) at the Jack London Revue.

In National/World News:

• Yesterday was Veterans Day, and perhaps the most notable event of the day was the posthumous military rank awarded to Civil War-era activist and abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Tubman escaped slavery and went on to help rescue an estimated 70 other people from slavery via the Underground Railroad. Aside from her activism and liberation of others, she's also regarded as the first woman to lead an armed combat regimen for the Union during the Civil War. In 1863, Tubman led 150 African American Union soldiers in a raid that ultimately rescued an estimated 700 slaves. For her efforts, Tubman was named a one-star brigadier general in the Maryland National Guard.

•In a move that feels like the Trump agenda is already setting in, the Intercept lays out a bill scheduled to be voted on next week with bipartisan support that would essentially allow the government to revoke tax exemption from any nonprofit organizations it deems to have a connection to terrorism or support terrorism. HR 9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, would give the US Treasury secretary the power to notify any organization that its tax-exempt status will be revoked. The nonprofit will have 90 days to appeal. The ACLU is sounding the alarm, noting a bill of that magnitude would only serve to chill free speech and other activities of orgs that don’t align with Trump’s political allies or agenda. The fact that this bill was introduced is a likely indicator that members of Congress and US government officials already have a few nonprofits in mind. 

I want to be absolutely clear. Having reviewed the text of the law, it is, quite possibly, the most unconstitutional bill I have ever encountered during my time as a legal professional. It makes the Patriot Act look like an appropriations bill. It’s the modern equivalent of the Sedition Act of 1798.

— ????️‍⚧️ June Licinio ✡️ (@jwlicinio.bsky.social) November 11, 2024 at 2:15 PM

• With just over three months left in President Biden's term, chatter among Democratic senators suggests US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor should step down so Biden can make a SCOTUS appointment before he leaves office. Sotomayor, 70, hasn't indicated her intention to retire from the court, but with a current Democratic majority in the Senate, some say the time is now for her to step aside and allow for another justice to be appointed by a Democrat president. At least one senator is pushing back on that suggestion. On a recent episode of Meet the Press, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont told NBC's Kristen Welker he doesn't think it's a good idea. Dems are trying to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2020, when Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg ignored calls for her to step down, then died while still serving. Trump was president, and replaced Ginsberg—often revered as a feminist icon—with conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

@postpuunkonline

 

• US transportation safety officials are investigating whether certain models of Hondas and Acuras are prone to engine failure. The AP reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into rod bearing failures that can cause the engines on several makes and models to fail. Honda last year issued a recall to fix the engine problem, but the NHTSA says nearly 175 complaints from vehicle owners who experienced the same engine failure issues, but whose vehicles weren’t included in Honda’s 2023 recall. The issue covers the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX (2016-2020 model years); the Honda Odyssey and Acura TLX (2018 through 2020), and the Honda Ridgeline (2017-2019).

@livviathepig

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