Lesley Hill, newly named head of Quebec’s increasingly embattled youth protection department (DPJ), pledged Thursday to be a “watchdog” for the children of province, adding that she is ready to do what it takes to get to the bottom of the apparent dysfunction plaguing the agency.

The post New head of Quebec youth protection pledges to be ‘watchdog’ for children was curated by information for practice.

The post The role and value of counsellors in the treatment journeys of people with tuberculosis and their families: Qualitative insights from the South Fly District of Papua New Guinea was curated by information for practice.

The post Healthy People 2030 Seeks Public Input on Proposed New Objectives (Due by Oct 31) was curated by information for practice.

Auer Hall, Simon Music Center
Thursday, December 5, 2024, 8 – 10pm

Repertoire
Mason Bates: The Rise of Exotic Computing (2013)
Corey Chang: What’s Next? (2024, premiere)*
Sean Shepherd: Simple Machines (2024)

*New Music Ensemble Commission

More info: events.iu.edu…

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!

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? 

          View this post on Instagram                      

A post shared by Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury)

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.

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

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_

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

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

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. 

• 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."

          View this post on Instagram                      

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 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:

          View this post on Instagram                      

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.

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

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...

[image or embed]

— 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.

[image or embed]

— 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

[image or embed]

— 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

[image or embed]

— 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

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.

• 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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NPR's A Martinez talks with Cary Baker, author of "Down on the Corner: Adventures in Busking and Street Music."

Trump makes unconventional picks for top administration positions, a jury awards $42 million to three Iraqi men imprisoned in Abu Ghraib and world leaders are meeting to fight climate change at COP29.

(June 8, 2012)

The recently published Trotter Review examines political gains made by African American politicians at the beginning of the 21st century. Also, specific essays on why Boston has not elected a black mayor while the city of Denver has done so twice, and how Deval Patrick has served the interests of black communities while not alienating the larger population.

Our panelists:
- Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News
- Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature and publishing, Emerson College
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Ravi Perry, political science professor
- Kenneth Cooper, editor, The Trotter Review

Brady didn’t get much sleep, but he’s all over dissecting the action that unfolded in Tuesday’s New Hampshire Republican Primary. A rundown of the three words that defined the day, a deeper look at the politics that ran the race, a glimpse into the future, and favorite reporter moments from the 2016 trail. Stay tuned for the Democratic edition wrap-up episode!

Brady still hasn't gotten any sleep, but he’s all over dissecting the action that unfolded in Tuesday’s New Hampshire Democratic Primary. A rundown of the three words that defined the day, a deeper look at the politics that ran the race, and favorite reporter moments from the 2016 trail. If you missed it, check out our Republican edition wrap-up episode!

For many kids, middle school is a fraught time. Friendships are forged and broken; bodies begin to change in sometimes uncomfortable ways. For Zenobia July, starting middle school is far more complicated than it is for most of her peers.

Freeman Colby was a young schoolteacher from New Hampshire who joined the Union Army during the American Civil War. For the first nine months, Colby kept detailed notes of his service and wrote to his family members. Marek Bennett of Henniker drew on these rich resources for his graphic novel, The Civil War Diary of Freeman Colby. In that volume, Bennett stuck close to Colby's exact language. Recently, he's published Volume II, in which he takes some liberties and draws on new sources for inspiration. NHPR's Peter Biello sat down with Marek Bennett to talk about Volume II.

This week marked the launch of the second annual edition of The People's Book, a collection of literary works and visual art created by New Hampshire writers and artists.

Novelist Alex Myers came out as transgender in the mid-90s, when society's understanding of what it means to be transgender was less clear than it is today.

One day, while hiking in the Georgia mountains, a couple finds the bones of a human body buried many years ago. The discovery prompts a search for answers: why was this person killed? Who did it? And how many more bodies are hidden in these hills?

The history of school desegregation in America has long been centered around the southern United States.

President Robert J. Zimmer and Northwestern president discuss safe spaces and discourse on campus

When the album was released he wrote: "Our perceptions of who we are as human beings, because of technology and machines, are falling apart. We're living at a breaking point, and a lot of the themes on the album are talking about these fault lines."

The idea for the ensemble grew out of the Minnesota Orchestra's visit to Cuba in 2015.

The singer-songwriter's latest album, "Black Cowboys," chronicles the role played by African-Americans in settling the West after the Civil War. The album has been nominated for a Grammy.

He'll be playing a record release show Friday night at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Thursday afternoon she'll be playing in the intimate Clown Lounge under the Turf Club. Then Friday night she'll be at the Palace Theatre in downtown St. Paul.

Prosecutors in Chicago have charged R&B singer R. Kelly with 11 new sex-related counts, including some that carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

The Minnesota Opera takes the expression "start 'em young" just about as far as it can this weekend with its latest production, "Nooma." It's "an opera for babies," but don't call it that.

Dr. John, the New Orleans singer and piano player who blended black and white musical styles with a hoodoo-infused stage persona and gravelly bayou drawl, died Thursday, his family said. He was 77.

Researchers say teaching seals to copy melodies might help inform speech therapy for humans.

Abe Kugielsky shot footage of Hasidic people trying to cross the street in Williamsburg during the 2024 New York City Marathon.

Here are the stories, topics, and guests you'll hear today on MPR News.

NewsCut was born from an idea that started with a hurricane. We knew he'd be great -- as long as no one called him a blogger.

Collins came in every day and made stuff that people wanted – really wanted – to read. That’s the best compliment anyone could ever get as a writer and reporter. He delivered the goods to the audience online and on the air.

Running out of things to say (along with health issues) was one of the reasons I gave when I informed people last year that I would retire on my 65th birthday. Today is my 65th birthday. And this is the 17,071st, and last, NewsCut post.

By the time the cold weather months hit us, three of New Hampshire’s eight species of bats have already migrated to warmer places in the South and Mid-Atlantic regions. The bat that DO overwinter in New Hampshire have relocated out of their preferred summer roosts in trees (and Dave's chimney), and into winter hibernacula like caves, mine shafts, and abandoned military bunkers where the microclimate is just right. These cozy shelters provide stable temperatures, higher humidity, and protection from predators. But they also provide the perfect climate for Psedogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes White-nose Syndrome in bats. According to Sandi Houghton, a wildlife biologist for New Hampshire Fish and Game / Non-game and Endangered Wildlife Division, as many as 99% of New Hampshire’s little brown bats were wiped out because of this fungus-- found in the very places bats take winter refuge. In fact most of what’s left of the little brown bat population in New Hampshire may be

Republican Kelly Ayotte's victory in New Hampshire will bring the total number of women holding governor’s offices to 13 — surpassing the previous high of 12 set in 2023.

Donald Trump is naming longtime adviser Stephen Miller, an immigration hard-liner, to be the deputy chief of policy in his new administration. The announcement was first reported by CNN on Monday.

Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and unsuccessfully ran for the Senate in Minnesota in 2012.

We discuss Thursday's Senate vote on the two-year state budget, including the new language for the so-called "divisive concepts" bill, tax cuts, and new policies related to abortion. We also explore an array of bills facing the House and talk about the effects of the pandemic on charitable giving in New Hampshire.

The Exchange presents a special broadcast of Writers on a New England Stage with Kevin Kwan. Host Peter Biello talks with the author of the bestselling Crazy Rich Asians about his new book Sex and Vanity.

We explore how data errors might have inflated New Hampshire's progress on distributing the COVID-19 vaccine. We also get an update on the latest environmental news in the Granite State and hear from NHPR's CEO about the decision to cease production of The Exchange at the end of the month. And we chat with long-time Berlin Sun editor Barbara Tetreault about her upcoming retirement.

Robert Frost famously said “good fences make good neighbors” and if you’re out for a walk in the woods in New Hampshire, you will likely find a stone wall. We talk with Kevin Gardner, a master stone builder and author of several books on the subject, about the on-going appeal of stone walls and how to build them. He explains the philosophy behind the craft of placing stone and examines the mythology of the stone wall and its place in the New England imagination.