New records reveal a top labor executive quietly pushed a Portland councilor to sue the city and let the mayor pick the next council president—raising fresh questions about power and transparency at City Hall.
Last month, Multnomah County Commissioner Shannon Singleton became the first major contender to declare her candidacy for the county chair position being vacated by Jessica Vega Pederson.
Ok, here's some good(ish) news...Leach Botanical Garden, the beloved outer Southeast Portland park, will remain open at least a few more months.
Yesterday, PSU President Ann Cudd released her proposal for ending the financial crisis that has plagued the university for years at this point. Cudd announced that PSU is pursuing retrenchment, a formal downsizing process, which could result in major cuts to 19 departments at the university.
A two-alarm (meaning, pretty bad) fire broke out at the flagship Elephants Delicatessen in northwest Portland early this morning. Reports indicate Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a fire at the restaurant on NW 22nd Ave and West Burnside around 1 am.
Mako Matcha Mill opened in mid-February at 414 SW 13th Avenue in the former Cacao space. Owners Edison Zeng and Emily Dewey source their tea directly from farmers, and because they're not relying on middlemen, they can offer most drinks for around $4, a much lower price point than other cafes.
There’s a new open world game you can play with your friends. It’s called Big Walk, and it was made by the people behind Untitled Goose Game. It’s not out yet but you can actually play it in Portland—ONLY. Read Suzette Smith’s full review for more.
City council will consider three new proposals to fill Portland's pothole crisis, the season opener for the Portland Fire basketball team may be delayed due to contract negotiations, and the US is (almost certainly) responsible for the bombing of an all-girls school in southern Iran.
Maggie Gyllenhaal's new film, The Bride!, is a gory, glorious mess — and it's worth seeing it in IMAX.
"The whole world is on fire for a lady criminal,” as one character puts it “and it’s turning them on.”
Hosted by the always hilarious ADAM PASI and NARIKO OTT, with super special guest MATT BRAUNGER!
The biggest night of Portland comedy is returning to Revolution Hall on Friday, March 27!
Featuring top-notch stand-up and performance from: Virginia Jones, Geoff Tate, Mx. Dahlia Belle, Julian Gray, Kate Murphy, Jewels Field, and the delightful Peachy Springs!
Tickets 🧵
"It's raining Mercury articles... hallelujah!"
Catch up on all the great Mercury stories you may have missed this week with our SUNDAY READING LIST! 🗞️
Scenes from the 10th annual Lunar New Year Parade in Portland.
The Portland Design Commission unanimously accepted the Revised Primary Master Plan for the Lloyd Center Mall, pushing the massive project one small step forward.
This month, indie screens zero in on film-literature crossovers that hit, actually. On the docket in Portland are Karel Zeman’s inventive Jules Verne-inspired animation, La Llorona’s folkloric roots, and Agnès Varda’s approach to cinécriture.
- Kristi Noem is OUT as head of Homeland Security
-The Portland Design Commission accepted the Lloyd Center Master Plan
-Oregon Legislature looks to slash Safe Routes to School
All the Good Morning, News ⬇️
If you haven’t heard about Bruce Campbell’s latest film, it’s likely because he’s been distributing it himself. The Evil Dead star wrote, directed, and stars in Ernie & Emma, a thoughtful, heartwarming story about a man on a quest through grief who finds more than a few laughs along the way. 1/2
Lo-fi R&B singer Joji will support his recently released album, Piss in the Wind, on tour. English virtual band Gorillaz winds down the North American leg of their Mountain Tour in Portland. Plus, modern-day cowboy Charley Crockett plays a show on the Edgefield lawn this summer.
New data shows the number of high-income households paying the tax increased in 2024 after a dip the two years prior, challenging the notion that the tax is driving wealthy Portlanders out of town.
Since Multnomah County began collecting its Preschool for All tax in 2021, much has been made about the effect the program may be having on county income demographics.
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 spreading the word about some fantastic upcoming performances!
The US Senate rejected a bill that could have tempered President Donald Trump's power, demanding congressional approval before any further attacks on other countries are carried out.
PLUS, the future of Lloyd Center Mall, a truck launches through a home in Tigard, and exploring Sandwich Week in PDX
This might be the last year for Lloyd Center Mall. There’s a plan for what’s next, but a community that’s grown in the mall isn’t happy with it or the process of deciding the building’s future. The city’s Design Commission is expected to deliver a decision March 5 on elements within the plan.
Is Portland an international music hub these days? The Mercury thinks so! This week's Mercury Music Picks features Montreal Madman Bloodshot Bill and artists from all over the globe pulling up for Portland Jazz Festival. This on top of 2026's best named local album release at Spare Room? Jesus-H!
It's another edition of Savage Love "Quickies" in which Dan answers a multitude of sexual quandaries lickety-split. Including: Questionable circumcisions, X-rated Instagram, and (oh, hello) meet your brand new AI boyfriend!
-Neither the US military nor Israel’s military can explain why a girls’ school in Iran was hit with missiles last Saturday
-Portion of PCEF could be used to hire more cops
-Kristi Noem gets grilled by the Senate Judiciary Comittee
-New Korean salt bread bakery debuts in PDX
More Good Morning, News ⬇️
Companies building data centers in Oregon already have a pretty good deal—and new economic development legislation pushed by Gov. Tina Kotek was poised to make that deal even better before an intervention of a legislative subcommittee this week.
But the future of the effort to tap PCEF for police hiring remains unclear, as time runs out for petitioners to collect signatures for the initiative so it can be on November's ballot. People on both sides of the issue celebrated the judge's decision.
