Portland Mercury
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News. Culture. Trouble. Established 2000.
"Portland's Funniest Person" Ben Harkins shares 4 tips for holiday fun and saving some money this holiday season.
Teaser: Host a pot luck, and cook nothing. 🔥
More advice from Ben Harkins 👇
Teaser: Host a pot luck, and cook nothing. 🔥
More advice from Ben Harkins 👇
Tips for Holiday Fun (and Saving Money) with Ben Harkins
[What follows is one of the many merry articles in the Mercury's Winter Guide 2025. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you're feeling generous this holiday seas...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
"Portland's Funniest Person" Ben Harkins shares 4 tips for holiday fun and saving some money this holiday season.
Teaser: Host a pot luck, and cook nothing. 🔥
More advice from Ben Harkins 👇
Teaser: Host a pot luck, and cook nothing. 🔥
More advice from Ben Harkins 👇
You know it's the holiday season in Portland when the nose is lit on the White Stag sign.
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 AM
You know it's the holiday season in Portland when the nose is lit on the White Stag sign.
It’s time once again to put your brainy-brain to the test with this week’s edition of POP QUIZ PDX 💡
And this week we’ll be testing your knowledge on recent, local big events, including the always embarrassing clowns of ICE, and YOUR vote for the best Thanksgiving side dish ever!
And this week we’ll be testing your knowledge on recent, local big events, including the always embarrassing clowns of ICE, and YOUR vote for the best Thanksgiving side dish ever!
POP QUIZ PDX: Embarrassing ICE, Oregon on Film, and the Best Thanksgiving Side Dish EVAAAR!
LET'S GO, TRIVIA BABIES! It's time once again to put your brainy-brain to the test with this week's edition of POP QUIZ PDX—our weekly, local, sassy-ass trivia quiz. And this week we'll be testing you...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:48 PM
It’s time once again to put your brainy-brain to the test with this week’s edition of POP QUIZ PDX 💡
And this week we’ll be testing your knowledge on recent, local big events, including the always embarrassing clowns of ICE, and YOUR vote for the best Thanksgiving side dish ever!
And this week we’ll be testing your knowledge on recent, local big events, including the always embarrassing clowns of ICE, and YOUR vote for the best Thanksgiving side dish ever!
Starbucks baristas across Oregon remain on strike claiming the company has failed to negotiate fair terms as the coffee chain racks up labor violations.
✍️ Abe Asher
Full story 👇
✍️ Abe Asher
Full story 👇
Portland-Area Starbucks Baristas Remain on Strike Over Labor Contract, Wage Disputes
Workers at unionized Starbucks locations across the Portland area remain on strike this week and say they will not return to work until Starbucks resolves complaints about its labor practices and retu...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Starbucks baristas across Oregon remain on strike claiming the company has failed to negotiate fair terms as the coffee chain racks up labor violations.
✍️ Abe Asher
Full story 👇
✍️ Abe Asher
Full story 👇
Oregon and New York are part of a 22-state lawsuit challenging new USDA guidance that strips SNAP benefits from refugees, asylum seekers, and other lawful residents.
AG Dan Rayfield says thousands in Oregon could lose food assistance unless the court intervenes. 👇
AG Dan Rayfield says thousands in Oregon could lose food assistance unless the court intervenes. 👇
Oregon Sues Trump’s USDA Over Yanked SNAP Benefits for Refugees
Oregon and New York are leading a new lawsuit alongside 20 other states, arguing the Trump administration violated the law when it attempted to pull food assistance benefits from immigrants with lawfu...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Oregon and New York are part of a 22-state lawsuit challenging new USDA guidance that strips SNAP benefits from refugees, asylum seekers, and other lawful residents.
AG Dan Rayfield says thousands in Oregon could lose food assistance unless the court intervenes. 👇
AG Dan Rayfield says thousands in Oregon could lose food assistance unless the court intervenes. 👇
Wonder Ballroom just ended “The Moat” era — no more splitting crowds, no more weird barricades. Portland shows just got way more inclusive.
✍️ Ryan Prado
✍️ Ryan Prado
When Wonder Ballroom Says All Ages, They Mean All Ages
Ryan J. Prado
www.portlandmercury.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Wonder Ballroom just ended “The Moat” era — no more splitting crowds, no more weird barricades. Portland shows just got way more inclusive.
✍️ Ryan Prado
✍️ Ryan Prado
Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor is a brutal reminder that racism doesn’t always kick down the door—sometimes it just calls 911.
Our latest Black Byline connects the dots between Florida, Oregon, and the systems that insist they’re keeping us safe.
✍️ @donovanscribes.bsky.social
Our latest Black Byline connects the dots between Florida, Oregon, and the systems that insist they’re keeping us safe.
✍️ @donovanscribes.bsky.social
THE BLACK BYLINE: Netflix’s Perfect Neighbor Proves That Not All Hate Wears Hoods
“Some things you can't escape Death, taxes, and a racist society that make Every nigga feel like a candidate For a Trayvon kinda fate Even when your crib sit on a lake Even when your plaques hang on a...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor is a brutal reminder that racism doesn’t always kick down the door—sometimes it just calls 911.
Our latest Black Byline connects the dots between Florida, Oregon, and the systems that insist they’re keeping us safe.
✍️ @donovanscribes.bsky.social
Our latest Black Byline connects the dots between Florida, Oregon, and the systems that insist they’re keeping us safe.
✍️ @donovanscribes.bsky.social
Oregon leaders are putting the DOJ on notice over federal force, Newport’s bracing for a potential ICE detention center, and tiger trafficking is on the rise worldwide.
All the Good Morning, News 👇
All the Good Morning, News 👇
Good Morning, News: Oregon AG Vows to Investigate Excessive Force, New Hefty National Park Fees For Foreign Travelers, and How to Decolonize Your Thanksgiving
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...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Oregon leaders are putting the DOJ on notice over federal force, Newport’s bracing for a potential ICE detention center, and tiger trafficking is on the rise worldwide.
All the Good Morning, News 👇
All the Good Morning, News 👇
Oregon's Attorney General and Portland area DAs just told the feds they'll prosecute excessive force by federal agents in the state—citing evidence from the trial that shut down Trump's National Guard plan for Portland.
Oregon to Feds: Rein in Your Officers or We'll Prosecute
Prosecutors in Oregon are warning the US justice department to rein in federal agents who’ve repeatedly used excessive force on protesters, immigrants and even local police. A joint letter from Oregon...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Oregon's Attorney General and Portland area DAs just told the feds they'll prosecute excessive force by federal agents in the state—citing evidence from the trial that shut down Trump's National Guard plan for Portland.
The new Ursula K. Le Guin exhibition at Oregon Contemporary is a sprawling love note to Portland's most far-out visionary.
The exhibition compiles her hand-drawn maps, and features a reproduction of her NW Thurman writing room... plus doodles of cats!!
The exhibition compiles her hand-drawn maps, and features a reproduction of her NW Thurman writing room... plus doodles of cats!!
Oregon Contemporary’s Le Guin Exhibition: Earthsea Maps, Cat Drawings, and a Full-Scale Reproduction of Her Writing Room
A Larger Reality: Ursula K. Le Guin isn’t a typical exhibition. Ursula Kroeber Le Guin wasn’t a typical artist. Curated by her son, Theo Downes-Le Guin, the new show installed at Oregon Contemporary i...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:47 AM
The new Ursula K. Le Guin exhibition at Oregon Contemporary is a sprawling love note to Portland's most far-out visionary.
The exhibition compiles her hand-drawn maps, and features a reproduction of her NW Thurman writing room... plus doodles of cats!!
The exhibition compiles her hand-drawn maps, and features a reproduction of her NW Thurman writing room... plus doodles of cats!!
This week, Mercury Music Picks brings you jive turkeys the best hardcore, R&B, synth, and more. It might be a "holiday" weekend, but there's still live music to be had!
Mercury Music Picks: Going to Bootcamp, a Benefit for Synth Library Portland, and Portland Music News
Nolan Parker
www.portlandmercury.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
This week, Mercury Music Picks brings you jive turkeys the best hardcore, R&B, synth, and more. It might be a "holiday" weekend, but there's still live music to be had!
Nearly 30 people were forcibly removed from the Thousand Acres recreation area last month, after living unhoused on the public land for years.
Now, they face instability as they try to survive on the streets in the same system that drove them to seek refuge in the wilderness.
Now, they face instability as they try to survive on the streets in the same system that drove them to seek refuge in the wilderness.
Oregon's Dismantling of Longstanding Houseless Encampment Highlights Broader Problems
From relative stability in an established community, to being repeatedly swept on the streets of Multnomah County, unhoused residents formerly living in the Sandy River Delta highlight a breakdown in ...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Nearly 30 people were forcibly removed from the Thousand Acres recreation area last month, after living unhoused on the public land for years.
Now, they face instability as they try to survive on the streets in the same system that drove them to seek refuge in the wilderness.
Now, they face instability as they try to survive on the streets in the same system that drove them to seek refuge in the wilderness.
7+ stories to start the day in Portland:
Phil Knight throws money at Oregon republicans.
The Trail Blazers won.
High schoolers in Oregon stage an anti-ICE walkout
Trump's DOT says it has the solution for Holiday Travel woes.
All the Good Morning, News 👇
Phil Knight throws money at Oregon republicans.
The Trail Blazers won.
High schoolers in Oregon stage an anti-ICE walkout
Trump's DOT says it has the solution for Holiday Travel woes.
All the Good Morning, News 👇
Good Morning, News: Phil Knight Throws Money at Oregon Republicans, McMinnville High Schoolers Stage Anti-ICE Walkout, and Trump’s DOT Suggests Systemic Air Travel Woes Can Be Cured if YOU Show a Litt...
If you appreciate the Mercury's interesting and useful news & culture reporting, consider making a small monthly contribution to support our editorial team. Your donation is tax-deductible. You ca...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:14 PM
7+ stories to start the day in Portland:
Phil Knight throws money at Oregon republicans.
The Trail Blazers won.
High schoolers in Oregon stage an anti-ICE walkout
Trump's DOT says it has the solution for Holiday Travel woes.
All the Good Morning, News 👇
Phil Knight throws money at Oregon republicans.
The Trail Blazers won.
High schoolers in Oregon stage an anti-ICE walkout
Trump's DOT says it has the solution for Holiday Travel woes.
All the Good Morning, News 👇
At a Tomorrow Theater screening, Guillermo del Toro discussed the rise of AI, the future of stop-motion animation, and what character he identifies with in 'Frankenstein.'
Guillermo del Toro at Tomorrow Theater: At a Special Carte Blanche Screening the Director Discussed the Rise of AI, the Future of Stop-Motion Animation
Guillermo del Toro sincerely concluded: I discovered I was a 14-year-old girl in Victorian times.
www.portlandmercury.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:31 PM
At a Tomorrow Theater screening, Guillermo del Toro discussed the rise of AI, the future of stop-motion animation, and what character he identifies with in 'Frankenstein.'
The holidays tend to stir up big feelings, but you can channel your annoyance, anger, and/or blissed-out time-off vibes this week with plenty of EVENTS! Among them: a film screening to benefit Gaza, a new Indigenous cookbook, and a benefit concert for the Synth Library.
The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: Your Top Events for November 24-30
It's Thanksgiving week, which translates differently for everyone: Some will be stoked for the time off work, others dreading the family dynamics, and a whole lot of us angry about the holiday's conne...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The holidays tend to stir up big feelings, but you can channel your annoyance, anger, and/or blissed-out time-off vibes this week with plenty of EVENTS! Among them: a film screening to benefit Gaza, a new Indigenous cookbook, and a benefit concert for the Synth Library.
Line up, trash pandas! Your garbage can of gossip awaits in the latest hilarious edition of THE TRASH REPORT from @elinorjoneser.bsky.social. This week: Billie Eilish destroys Elon Musk, Zohran Mamdani charms the orange skin off Trump, and some palate-cleansing Beverly Hills 90210 news.
THE TRASH REPORT: "No Thank You" to Many Garbage Men, "Yes Thank You" to the Trash Pandas
Hello, and welcome back to the Trash Report! Happy Thanksgiving week! Let me start this column with something I'm thankful for, which is that today's children's aren't fed a lot of horseshit about Pil...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Line up, trash pandas! Your garbage can of gossip awaits in the latest hilarious edition of THE TRASH REPORT from @elinorjoneser.bsky.social. This week: Billie Eilish destroys Elon Musk, Zohran Mamdani charms the orange skin off Trump, and some palate-cleansing Beverly Hills 90210 news.
Former Blazers coach Chauncey Billups pleads "not guilty" in court, the feds steal Newport's rescue helicopter, and local chicken joins the ACLU in suing Trump. It's GOOD MORNING, NEWS! 👋🗞️
Good Morning, News: Billups Pleads "Not Guilty," Feds Steal Newport's Rescue Helicopter, and Portland Chicken Sues Trump
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...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Former Blazers coach Chauncey Billups pleads "not guilty" in court, the feds steal Newport's rescue helicopter, and local chicken joins the ACLU in suing Trump. It's GOOD MORNING, NEWS! 👋🗞️
"I will continue plotting to murder every human in this house... as soon as I finish reading these Mercury stories.”
Catch up on all the great Mercury articles you may have missed this week with our SUNDAY READING LIST! ☕🗞️
Catch up on all the great Mercury articles you may have missed this week with our SUNDAY READING LIST! ☕🗞️
YOUR SUNDAY READING LIST: Portland's Swimming in Hypocrites, Blazers Get Annoying (On Purpose), and Winter Has Landed! 🛬🥶
GOOD MORNING, SUNDAY! It's the perfect time to catch up on some of the great reporting and stories the Mercury churned out this week! (PRO TIP: If you despise being "the last to know," then be one of ...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:45 PM
"I will continue plotting to murder every human in this house... as soon as I finish reading these Mercury stories.”
Catch up on all the great Mercury articles you may have missed this week with our SUNDAY READING LIST! ☕🗞️
Catch up on all the great Mercury articles you may have missed this week with our SUNDAY READING LIST! ☕🗞️
We're here to report that seasonal affective disorder is REAL—so are you ready? @courtenayhameister.bsky.social rides to the rescue with this sweet, funny—and most of all—informative primer on how to deal with the SADZ. (Appropriately, it's part of our Winter Guide on the streets now!)
How to Survive the Big SAD This Winter
[What follows is one of the many merry articles in the Mercury's Winter Guide 2025. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you're feeling generous this holiday seas...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:51 PM
We're here to report that seasonal affective disorder is REAL—so are you ready? @courtenayhameister.bsky.social rides to the rescue with this sweet, funny—and most of all—informative primer on how to deal with the SADZ. (Appropriately, it's part of our Winter Guide on the streets now!)
"Yeah, no I'm fine, why?"
🥲 Bikers Ain't Slipping With These Hot Tips
🤔 Portland Housing Expert Splits
🤪 Trump Wants Dem Veterans... Dead? (Cool. Cool, Cool, Cool.)
Good morning, news!
🥲 Bikers Ain't Slipping With These Hot Tips
🤔 Portland Housing Expert Splits
🤪 Trump Wants Dem Veterans... Dead? (Cool. Cool, Cool, Cool.)
Good morning, news!
Good Morning News: Bikers Ain't Slipping With These Hot Tips, Portland Housing Expert Splits, and Trump Wants Dem Veterans... Dead? (Cool. Cool, Cool, Cool.)
If you appreciate the Mercury's interesting and useful news & culture reporting, consider making a small monthly contribution to support our editorial team. Your donation is tax-deductible. You ca...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
"Yeah, no I'm fine, why?"
🥲 Bikers Ain't Slipping With These Hot Tips
🤔 Portland Housing Expert Splits
🤪 Trump Wants Dem Veterans... Dead? (Cool. Cool, Cool, Cool.)
Good morning, news!
🥲 Bikers Ain't Slipping With These Hot Tips
🤔 Portland Housing Expert Splits
🤪 Trump Wants Dem Veterans... Dead? (Cool. Cool, Cool, Cool.)
Good morning, news!
Noticed how the same people who once declared "Portland is DEAD" are suddenly jumping on the "Portland is BACK, bay-bee" bandwagon? Mercury editor Wm. Steven Humphrey has, and spends a smooth 800 words *giving them hell.*
(It's part of our annual "Winter Guide" in print and on the streets NOW.)
(It's part of our annual "Winter Guide" in print and on the streets NOW.)
Wm. Steven Humphrey's Adventures in Newspapering
[What follows is one of the many merry articles in the Mercury's Winter Guide 2025. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you're feeling generous this holiday seas...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Noticed how the same people who once declared "Portland is DEAD" are suddenly jumping on the "Portland is BACK, bay-bee" bandwagon? Mercury editor Wm. Steven Humphrey has, and spends a smooth 800 words *giving them hell.*
(It's part of our annual "Winter Guide" in print and on the streets NOW.)
(It's part of our annual "Winter Guide" in print and on the streets NOW.)
Get ready for the cheeriest time of year... it's the Mercury's HOLIDAY DRINK WEEK, featuring the holly-est and jolliest cocktails of the season stirred up by the best barkeeps in town! And it all starts December 1! 🎄🍸
Cheer Up, Portland! The Mercury's HOLIDAY DRINK WEEK Is Almost Here!
Behold! Holiday Drink Week is BACK, BAYBEE! That’s right: the Portland Mercury’s Holiday Drink Week returns for another glorious marathon of festive booze magic! From December 1 through December 7, th...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Get ready for the cheeriest time of year... it's the Mercury's HOLIDAY DRINK WEEK, featuring the holly-est and jolliest cocktails of the season stirred up by the best barkeeps in town! And it all starts December 1! 🎄🍸
Wednesday's City Council meeting saw multiple disruptions and expulsions as councilors passed an algorithmic rental price-fixing ban and considered a proposal meant to deter landlords from opening detention centers. Prior to the meeting, three different groups held demonstrations outside City Hall.
Proposed Detention Center Fee Yields Hostile City Council Meeting
Portland City Hall faced three competing demonstrations on Wednesday as the City Council considered a rental pricing ordinance and a change to city code that could slow the Trump administration’s loca...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Wednesday's City Council meeting saw multiple disruptions and expulsions as councilors passed an algorithmic rental price-fixing ban and considered a proposal meant to deter landlords from opening detention centers. Prior to the meeting, three different groups held demonstrations outside City Hall.
Calling all "free stuff" lovers! Enter to WIN FREE TICKETS to see Tony Furtado, Wicked Craft Bazaar, Tezeta Band, and more in this week's edition of the Mercury's FREE TICKETS THURSDAY! 🤑
FREE TICKETS THURSDAY: Enter to Win Free Tix to Tony Furtado, Wicked Craft Bazaar, Tezeta Band, and MORE!
Who's ready to have some fun? Well, the Mercury is here to help with FREE TICKETS to see some of Portland's best concerts and events—our way of saying thanks to our great readers and spread the word a...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Calling all "free stuff" lovers! Enter to WIN FREE TICKETS to see Tony Furtado, Wicked Craft Bazaar, Tezeta Band, and more in this week's edition of the Mercury's FREE TICKETS THURSDAY! 🤑
•Portland City Council bans AI rent price fixing
•PBOT blames slippery bike lanes on early leaf fall
•And finally, over 200 words on my critical vendetta against twee indie band Pomplamoose
It's Good Morning, News!!
•PBOT blames slippery bike lanes on early leaf fall
•And finally, over 200 words on my critical vendetta against twee indie band Pomplamoose
It's Good Morning, News!!
Good Morning, News: Portland City Council Bans AI Rent Fixing, PBOT Blames Early Leaf Fall, and Fuck You, Pomplamoose
200 words on why I hate the obscure indie band from the co-founder of Patreon!
www.portlandmercury.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:25 PM
•Portland City Council bans AI rent price fixing
•PBOT blames slippery bike lanes on early leaf fall
•And finally, over 200 words on my critical vendetta against twee indie band Pomplamoose
It's Good Morning, News!!
•PBOT blames slippery bike lanes on early leaf fall
•And finally, over 200 words on my critical vendetta against twee indie band Pomplamoose
It's Good Morning, News!!