Courtney Vaughn
@courtneyvaughn.bsky.social
Portland Mercury news editor. 🗞️ Got a tip? cvaughn @ portlandmercury.com
Portland Police arrested a suspect who they say started the fire that spread to the home of City Councilor Candace Avalos. PPB says a man was trying to use an electrical outlet in a shed, then started a fire to stay warm when the outlet didn't work.
November 4, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Portland Police arrested a suspect who they say started the fire that spread to the home of City Councilor Candace Avalos. PPB says a man was trying to use an electrical outlet in a shed, then started a fire to stay warm when the outlet didn't work.
Judges, upon reading US DOJ claims of violence and assaults on fed officers by protesters, while simultaneously watching videos of dancing, inflatable frogs.
October 29, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Judges, upon reading US DOJ claims of violence and assaults on fed officers by protesters, while simultaneously watching videos of dancing, inflatable frogs.
Rain hasn't deterred people gathered at ICE. Sidewalks are full and so are the costumes.
October 19, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Rain hasn't deterred people gathered at ICE. Sidewalks are full and so are the costumes.
The perimeter of the ICE building is surrounded with people chanting
October 19, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The perimeter of the ICE building is surrounded with people chanting
Crowd size at the ICE facility in S. Portland is growing. Many people came here from today's No Kings March. About 12-20 federal officers are planted on the roof, surveiling the scene. DHS agents fired off teargas at least twice this afternoon/evening. Things just feel like a chaotic parade now.
October 19, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Crowd size at the ICE facility in S. Portland is growing. Many people came here from today's No Kings March. About 12-20 federal officers are planted on the roof, surveiling the scene. DHS agents fired off teargas at least twice this afternoon/evening. Things just feel like a chaotic parade now.
It's giving ... Talladega Nights
October 8, 2025 at 5:45 AM
It's giving ... Talladega Nights
It's a whole block party vibe over here.
October 8, 2025 at 4:44 AM
It's a whole block party vibe over here.
Streets are still closed off in front of the Portland ICE facility at 8:30pm. Protesters have gathered on a side street. Dance party in progress.
October 8, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Streets are still closed off in front of the Portland ICE facility at 8:30pm. Protesters have gathered on a side street. Dance party in progress.
Just spoke to a family who had an immigration appointment at the ICE facility and were turned away; told to call and reschedule. A volunteer I spoke to is distributing pamphlets w/legal resources. Says dozens of ppl were cleared from the bldg earlier, as streets were being cleared for Noem's visit.
October 7, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Just spoke to a family who had an immigration appointment at the ICE facility and were turned away; told to call and reschedule. A volunteer I spoke to is distributing pamphlets w/legal resources. Says dozens of ppl were cleared from the bldg earlier, as streets were being cleared for Noem's visit.
Waiting for more info, but Portland Police Bureau has S Bancroft St blocked off, presumably in anticipation of Kristi Noem's visit to the ICE facility.
October 7, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Waiting for more info, but Portland Police Bureau has S Bancroft St blocked off, presumably in anticipation of Kristi Noem's visit to the ICE facility.
Veterans & supporters gathered at Portland City Hall, urging active-duty service members to disobey any orders to deploy to American cities. "You do not need to follow unlawful orders...you have an obligation to defect from a military that is no longer functioning in the interests of its people."
October 5, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Veterans & supporters gathered at Portland City Hall, urging active-duty service members to disobey any orders to deploy to American cities. "You do not need to follow unlawful orders...you have an obligation to defect from a military that is no longer functioning in the interests of its people."
Looks like we have a judge swap in Oregon's case against Trump & DHS over deployment of OR National Guard. Fed attorneys argued US District Judge Michael Simon should recuse himself bc his wife is Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, who lambasted the deployment. US District Judge Karin Immergut will now preside.
October 2, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Looks like we have a judge swap in Oregon's case against Trump & DHS over deployment of OR National Guard. Fed attorneys argued US District Judge Michael Simon should recuse himself bc his wife is Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, who lambasted the deployment. US District Judge Karin Immergut will now preside.
In light of larger protest crowds at Portland's ICE facility and the anticipated arrival of National Guard troops, Portland Police Chief Bob Day says local police will continue to monitor the area. Earlier this year, City Council directed PPB to limit the use of overtime hrs on policing protests.
September 29, 2025 at 9:37 PM
In light of larger protest crowds at Portland's ICE facility and the anticipated arrival of National Guard troops, Portland Police Chief Bob Day says local police will continue to monitor the area. Earlier this year, City Council directed PPB to limit the use of overtime hrs on policing protests.
Earlier tonight, city & state leaders warned about an increased number of federal agents dispatched around Portland. They cautioned residents not to "take the bait." About 2 dozen protesters are posted up outside the ICE facility in Portland. So far, things are quiet; no clashes.
September 27, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Earlier tonight, city & state leaders warned about an increased number of federal agents dispatched around Portland. They cautioned residents not to "take the bait." About 2 dozen protesters are posted up outside the ICE facility in Portland. So far, things are quiet; no clashes.
Portland coffee shop gives away free asbestos.
September 9, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Portland coffee shop gives away free asbestos.
So many ppl showed up at a Community & Public Safety Committee briefing on police/ICE/Portland sanctuary city code that they had to open up more than 2 overflow areas to accommodate everyone. This is the atrium inside PDX City Hall (council chambers are full.)
June 24, 2025 at 11:14 PM
So many ppl showed up at a Community & Public Safety Committee briefing on police/ICE/Portland sanctuary city code that they had to open up more than 2 overflow areas to accommodate everyone. This is the atrium inside PDX City Hall (council chambers are full.)
The year is 2025...
Why change harmful stigmas and sexist social norms when you can just change your face?!
Why change harmful stigmas and sexist social norms when you can just change your face?!
April 27, 2025 at 8:43 PM
The year is 2025...
Why change harmful stigmas and sexist social norms when you can just change your face?!
Why change harmful stigmas and sexist social norms when you can just change your face?!
"Sorry for the delayed reply, my inbox is overflowing."
February 5, 2025 at 6:18 PM
"Sorry for the delayed reply, my inbox is overflowing."
Inbox: The city of Portland is using opioid settlement $$ to add 50 addiction recovery beds at Bybee Lakes Hope Center as part of a 17-month pilot project.
February 3, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Inbox: The city of Portland is using opioid settlement $$ to add 50 addiction recovery beds at Bybee Lakes Hope Center as part of a 17-month pilot project.
Inbox: initiative petition filed to try to repeal Oregon's vote by mail. Petitioners want a 2026 ballot measure. They need 1,000 signatures (and a ballot measure title review) to get there. Edtl, a Republican who ran for state office 2x, is an outspoken opponent of mail voting.
December 5, 2024 at 1:43 AM
Inbox: initiative petition filed to try to repeal Oregon's vote by mail. Petitioners want a 2026 ballot measure. They need 1,000 signatures (and a ballot measure title review) to get there. Edtl, a Republican who ran for state office 2x, is an outspoken opponent of mail voting.