Primary Ballot Review: Circuit Judges

There are several different courts in Oregon that hear different types of cases. The circuit courts hear civil and criminal cases, as well as handle probate matters, adoptions, guardianships, and conservatorships in most counties. Circuit courts are operated by the Oregon Judicial Department and are divided into 27 districts, which mostly correspond to county borders.… Continue reading Primary Ballot Review: Circuit Judges

Digest: Wednesday, January 5

Union coalition moves towards strike against the City of Portland Over one thousand city employees represented by the District Council of Trade Unions may strike later this month, as contract negotiations with the City of Portland have stalled. DCTU is a coalition of six unions — AFSCME Local 189, IBEW Local 48, Machinists Local 1005, Operating… Continue reading Digest: Wednesday, January 5

Calendar: January 4 to January 11, 2022

Wednesday, January 5 9:30 a.m. — Portland City Council Meeting Portland City Council meetings are broadcast live on YouTube. The agenda for Wednesday’s meeting is online and includes a discussion on a settlement for a lawsuit against the city and Portland Police Bureau for injuring and harassing a protestor (as well as ramming his car… Continue reading Calendar: January 4 to January 11, 2022

Digest: Monday, January 3, 2022

Portland Public Schools return from winter break Students returned from winter break today, attending classes in person as local COVID-19 numbers predictably rise. Portland Public Schools sent out a message to parents and other community members yesterday (Sunday) at 4:30 p.m. reviewing the district’s plan to maintain in-person learning, focused on testing and vaccinations. Even… Continue reading Digest: Monday, January 3, 2022

Friday Digest: December 31, 2021

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

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