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YOUR SUNDAY READING LIST: Cop Investigators on Strike, Portland’s Got a New Top Funny Guy, and Your Picks for TBA 2025!

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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 the first to know by signing up for Mercury newsletters! All the latest stories shipped directly to your email’s in-box… and then… YOUR HEAD.)


• Workers in Portland’s Independent Police Investigation Unit Authorize a Strike

Portland’s new, civilian-led police oversight system has been a long-awaited change. The new structure will replace the Independent Police Review unit, but IPR staff say it could leave them jobless. They recently authorized a strike amid a labor dispute with the city over guaranteed job placement.

Courtney Vaughn

• POP QUIZ PDX

In this week’s trivia quiz: back yard objects of MYSTERY, shit-talkin’ Trumpers strike again, and which local political figure may also be a crime-fighting superhero? 🤔 (See how well YOU score!)

xavigm / Getty Images

Despite State Transportation Funding Crisis, Construction Begins on I-5 Rose Quarter Project

The Oregon Department of Transportation broke ground on the first phase of the I-5 Rose Quarter project this week. But the groundbreaking came and went without fanfare, as the state deals with a major transportation crisis that has led to scrutiny on the state transportation department.⁠

ODOT

At the 2025 Time-Based Art Festival, West Coast Is Best Coast

After losing federal grant funding, TBA 2025 pushes forward with queer opera, Native storytelling, and radical soundscapes.

Flick Harrison

Hear In Portland

Former Mercury Music Editor Jenni Moore is back with her fortnightly column Hear In Portland! It’s got everything this week: Music industry struggles, an iconic Portland EP release, and one of the biggest names in hip-hop. 🎵

Majik9

THE TRASH REPORT

The consistently hilarious TRASH REPORT returns with a vengeance, including the hottest gossip involving celebrity crushes, spoiled rotten rich people, and those annoying crybaby fascists!

John Phillips / Getty Images

• Eight Writers We’re Excited to See at the 2025 Portland Book Festival

Literary Arts announced its list of more than 80 poets, authors, and comics artists you’ll want to catch at this year’s Portland Book Festival. Who’s on your list?

Photo credit, left to right: Miranda Barnes, Phil Thompson, James Adolphus, and Corey Hendrickson.

Album Review: The OO-Ray’s Marginals Is a Sonic Vigil

On the new Beacon Sound release Marginals, Portland experimental cellist Ted Laderas crafts sonic elegies as The OO-Ray. 

Brian Young

Jordan Casner Wins 2025 Portland’s Funniest Person Contest

Helium Comedy Club’s final round wrapped up months of competition; Virginia Jones and Brent Lowery rounded out the winners.

Suzette Smith

• Album Review: Norway’s Mortiis Live at Enchanted Forest and Star Theater

Even though we’re a music city, we don’t often get a “Recorded Live in Portland” album. Especially not when it comes to Norwegian dungeon synth overlords ⚔️. Check out our album review for Mortiis’ new Live at Enchanted Forest & Live at Star Theater.

Peter Beste

SAVAGE LOVE: Long Time!

He likes to be tied up—she wants him to murder that kink in its sleep. Can this relationship be saved?

Joe Newton

WOW, THAT IS A LOT OF GOOD READIN’. I hope you didn’t have any other plans this weekend! Dig in, and remember: Producing all this hard work costs moolah—so please consider contributing to the Mercury to keep it all coming! Thanks!

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Wm. Steven Humphrey

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