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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND!?
When I awoke this morning, I flung my drapes aside and screamed out the window, "SILENCE THYSELF, DAMNABLE SUN!" And I guess it listened, because temperatures are dropping today to a somewhat more reasonable 89 degrees, and falling to an even more comfortable 82 by this weekend. (And who says a huge, glowing ball of hot gas and plasma, located at the center of our solar system, can't be reasoned with?) And speaking of things that cannot be reasoned with, here is THE NEWS.
IN LOCAL NEWS:
• And the federal government-sponsored kidnappings of Oregon immigrants continued on Tuesday after ICE agents snapped up a parent who had just dropped their young child off at a Beaverton preschool. In the before-times, schools, churches, hospitals, and courthouses were considered off-limits for immigration arrests, though under Trump all bets are off—despite the trauma it inflicts on the victims and their children. According to an ICE spokesperson, the Iranian victim was in the country illegally, but the immigrant's lawyer disputed that shaky claim, saying he's actually a father and chiropractor who married a US citizen, and had completed his green card application. At least 11 other Iranian nationals were arrested over the weekend as part of “President Trump’s mandate to secure the homeland.” The spokesperson also added that the child was "unharmed during the arrest"—because seeing your father snatched up by the American gestapo isn't harmful at all, is it?
— Jeremiah Hayden (@jeremiahhayden.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 6:07 PMPortland City Council off to a wild start and brief recess after protestors disrupt, calling on council to revoke the permit at the local ICE facility.
• Another major Portland transportation project has bitten the dust, following the passage of Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" which yanked millions in federal funds (AKA our tax dollars) from the city. The original plan was to upgrade around 20 blocks in what was once the historically Black neighborhood of lower Albina, adding "new sidewalks and street lighting, improved pedestrian crossings, protected bike lanes and additional tree canopy." The same plan will most likely torpedo the long-planned Rose Quarter freeway expansion project as well, which besides adding lanes to I-5, would've also capped the freeway and reconnected the neighborhoods on both sides of the interstate.
• By a vote of 11-0 yesterday, Portland City Council voted to send a 75 percent increase in the city's park levy to voters this fall. The measure would increase residents' property taxes for five years in order to maintain the most basic programs and upkeep for the city's parks—though the amount is considered to be a drop in the bucket. While some councilors thought the tax rate should've been set higher, others were gun-shy due to the constant (and LOUD) complaints from those who constantly put their own selfish desires before the rest of the city. (We all know who I'm talking about. ?)
For years powerful interests shaped City Hall with little media spotlight. But now that progressives are pushing change, there’s intense focus on every move.
Maybe disruption draws attention ??♀️ but let’s not pretend the old status quo wasn’t a power bloc too. The difference is who they fought for.
— Candace Avalos (@candaceavalos.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 9:50 AM
• Will the new owners of the Trail Blazers keep the team in Portland? Well, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told reporters that he hopes they do... (and here comes the "but") BUT! The city will most likely need a brand, spankin' new arena in order to keep the Blazers here at home. The Moda Center is currently the oldest arena in the NBA that has gone without a renovation—which apparently isn't a great selling point for billionaires who like their toys to be shiny and new.
"I’m worried I’m going to run into my dad in a kink space."
— Portland Mercury (@portlandmercury.com) July 15, 2025 at 1:06 PMDan Savage takes on this age-old problem in this week's SAVAGE LOVE!
IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS:
• Even some Republicans are crying foul over the Senate's vote this morning to claw back $9 billion in congressionally approved funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting such as NPR and PBS. Bowing to the crybaby demands of their dear leader Trump, the Senate agreed to pull back the money—even though it takes legislative power away from congress and puts it squarely into the hands of an autocrat in training. While NPR and PBS (both national organizations) are expected to survive the cuts—since only a small percentage of their funding comes from the federal government—local stations are expecting a steep reduction in programming, perhaps as soon as this fall, while others who were already struggling will almost certainly be forced to shut down. The proposal will now go to the Trump-controlled House who may be voting on it as soon as today.
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 7:32 AMApproval of Trump’s aggressive approach to immigration has dropped to its lowest level since his return to the White House.
• In much better news, TRUMP IS LOSING HIS GODDAMN MIND over (his possible inclusion in) the Epstein files, which he's now hilariously claiming are "a hoax." Unfortunately for him, members of Trump's own party are now joining calls from his MAGAt base to release the files, leading King Fool to disavow the very supporters who put him in the White House. This led him to cry/whine yesterday that "I don't want their support anymore!" ? Omigod, this is so delicious, I can't stop eating it.
— Raw Story (@rawstory.com) July 17, 2025 at 5:10 AMPresident Donald Trump stepped into an easily avoidable but highly damaging trap with his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to new posts.
• In the most infuriating headline of the day: "Justice Department says former officer convicted in Breonna Taylor raid should get one day in jail."
• RIP to the great Connie Francis—the singer who dominated the charts in the '50s and '60s with such hits as "Who's Sorry Now," and "Where the Boys Are," as well as becoming a recent TikTok sensation. She has died at the age of 87.
• And finally... are you considered "high maintenance"? Then have I got the perfume for YOU.
@themalieshow dank ye Charles ✨
♬ original sound - Malie
