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.)
Commissioner Rene Gonzalez has repeatedly called for the city to limit or even prohibit critical public comments about the police during council meetings. Experts say there’s no legal ground for this type of censorship.
Hey brainy pants! 🩳 It’s time to play the latest hilarious edition of POP QUIZ PDX! This week’s trivia includes: HOT weather, dueling new music venues, and which terrrrible band would you wipe off the face of the earth FOREVER? See how well YOU score! 🧠
• Would a Lloyd Center Music Venue Answer Live Nation’s Portland Incursion?
Local promoter Monqui has teamed up with AEG to build a concert venue designed to compete with reviled music monopolist Live Nation (that’s currently being sued by the DOJ) and their proposed venue less than two miles away.
• How a Super PAC Upended Portland’s 3rd Congressional District Race
Less than six weeks before the May primary election, polling data showed Susheela Jayapal had an impressive lead in the race for Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District, before a pro-Israel super PAC spent big money to help Maxine Dexter defeat her.
• After Years of Stigma and Advocacy, a Willamette River Renaissance
A century ago, Portlanders’ summer social lives revolved around swimming in the Willamette River. Today, after years of encouragement (and reassurance) from advocates, more people are once again flocking to the river in droves.
• It’s the Mercury‘s NACHO WEEK!
Alert! 🚨 The Mercury‘s delicious NACHO WEEK ends TODAY (Sunday, July 14), so go get those creative nacho plates from your fave Portland restaurants pronto… and they’re only $8 each! EAT. THEM. UP. 😋
Here comes this week’s can of hot, garbage-y gossip! In this episode: Republican revenge, Zac Efron’s ever-changing face, and Hollywood’s diarrhea epidemic! 🤢
• Where to Find Juices and Smoothies in Portland
When heat waves hit and turning on the oven becomes out of the question, sometimes the only things that sound palatable are frosty, hydrating juices and smoothies. We’ve got your back—we’ve rounded up several places to find fruity concoctions around town, from Carioca Bowls to Tita’s Juice Bar.
• Death Toll Climbs as Oregon Counties Investigate Potential Links to Heat-Related Illness
Across Oregon, county medical examiners are investigating the deaths of several people who may have died due to heat-related illness during a five-day heat wave.
• Don’t Miss the Devilish Fun of “Two Evils with Arlo & Kate!” (Special Guest: Peachy Springs!)
Don’t miss the next hilarious edition of the most EEEEEVIL game show in town, “TWO EVILS” with Arlo Weierhauser & Kate Murphy! It’s the audience vs. special guest drag artist PEACHY SPRINGS in a laugh-filled battle of good vs. evil! GET THOSE TIX NOW!
A married man in an open relationship needs advice on how to ask for what (and who) he wants on dating apps. Dan Savage rides to the rescue!
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!