Warming shelters closed yesterday despite continuing cold weather Multnomah County announced yesterday that severe weather shelters were closing within hours even as snow remained on the ground in many parts of Portland. The decision was made in coordination with the City of Portland through the Joint Office on Homeless Services. While the decision follows the… Continue reading Friday Digest: December 31, 2021
Month: December 2021
Wednesday Digest: December 29, 2021
Metro Council District 6 applications close next week Metro Councilor Bob Stacey resigned from the Metro Council in October due to health reasons. When a councilor resigns, the Metro Council has ninety days to fill the seat — so they have until January 13, 2022 to appoint a successor from District 6. The successor’s term… Continue reading Wednesday Digest: December 29, 2021
Monday Digest: December 27, 2021
We may get a ruling on Kristof’s eligibility for governor soon Gubernatorial candidate Nicholas Kristof finally formally registered as a candidate for the 2022 Democratic primary. That means the Elections Division of the Oregon Secretary of State’s office gets to review his paperwork to determine whether Kristof actually qualifies as a candidate for governor. Lydia… Continue reading Monday Digest: December 27, 2021
Friday Digest: December 24, 2021
Local governments scramble to meet severe winter weather needs The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the Greater Portland Metro Area and the I-5 Corridor through Monday morning. In response, the city of Portland, Multnomah County, the state of Oregon, and other local governments have announced states of emergency extending until… Continue reading Friday Digest: December 24, 2021
Wednesday Digest: December 22, 2021
Oregon health officials are projecting that an omicron variant surge of COVID-19 could easily overwhelm hospitals in the state beyond even what we say during the delta surge early this year. They’re currently expecting a peak in February with a rapid rise after holiday travel.
Monday Digest: December 20, 2012
Meli Lewis, a journalist with Reveal, published a look at homelessness in Portland that highlighted some key issues with Dan Ryan’s push for Safe Rest Villages. The reporting, which includes a 55-minute audio episode, focuses on the Lents Park area. Please note that there are discussions of suicide, police violence, and drug use. Lewis spent… Continue reading Monday Digest: December 20, 2012
Friday Digest: December 17, 2021
Betsy Johnson announced her resignation from the Oregon Senate, effective December 15, in order to focus on her campaign for governor. Johnson was elected as a Democrat to represent Senate District 16, including parts Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Washington and Multnomah Counties, through the end of 2022. Johnson is running as an independent candidate for governor,… Continue reading Friday Digest: December 17, 2021
The State of Portland News (Part Two)
I’ve done a lot of research into Portland’s local news ecosystem, as well as the national trends that have shaped it, as part of creating this site. Given the substantial impact of local reporting on local elections, I’ve put together this overview on some of the different facets of Portland’s media. I’ve divided this article… Continue reading The State of Portland News (Part Two)
Wednesday Digest: December 15, 2021
Quick reminder! Today, Wednesday, Dec. 15, is the last day to enroll or change health insurance plans for 2022 through the public exchange. Oregon residents can purchase health insurance through HealthCare.gov. The Oregon state legislature spent a lot of money during Monday’s special session: $100 million to replenish the state’s rent assistance program $100 million… Continue reading Wednesday Digest: December 15, 2021
Election Mixtape: December 13, 2021
Governor Kate Brown called a special session of the Oregon legislature with the goal of preventing a coming wave of evictions which started this morning. In order to conduct any business, two-thirds of both the Oregon House of Representatives and the Oregon Senate must be present. There’s some concern, however, that Republicans may refuse to… Continue reading Election Mixtape: December 13, 2021