Portland Mercury
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News. Culture. Trouble. Established 2000.
Amid ongoing, contentious bargaining between Portland State University and its adjunct faculty union, a state board recently ruled PSU violated labor rules by denying adjuncts access to a benefit many rely on. The outcome was a victory for adjuncts, but many are still shaken by PSU's actions.
Amid Months of Contentious Bargaining, PSU Adjunct Union Wins Unfair Labor Practice Case
Portland State University’s adjunct faculty union recently won an unfair labor practice case against Portland State University (PSU) over the withholding of special benefit funds. The outcome was a vi...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Amid ongoing, contentious bargaining between Portland State University and its adjunct faculty union, a state board recently ruled PSU violated labor rules by denying adjuncts access to a benefit many rely on. The outcome was a victory for adjuncts, but many are still shaken by PSU's actions.
With a new adaption of Stephen King's 'The Running Man,' @sinacolad.bsky.social likes the idea of a righteously angry movie about the shitty state of 2025 but thinks it was squandered on a too-handsome Glen Powell.
Movie Review: Righteously Angry 'The Running Man' Concept Squandered on Too Handsome Glen Powell
Dom Sinacola
www.portlandmercury.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:16 PM
With a new adaption of Stephen King's 'The Running Man,' @sinacolad.bsky.social likes the idea of a righteously angry movie about the shitty state of 2025 but thinks it was squandered on a too-handsome Glen Powell.
Our resident photo essayist @corbinsmith.bsky.social popped by Portland's Retro Gaming Festival—but rather than focusing on the past, he met and profiled the next generation of video game makers.
Game Jammers: Creativity as Code
A busted Mario costume. An extremely old pinball machine—so simple you wonder how pinball ever took off. Fighting games… so many fighting games. Hundreds of old consoles, some of which were complete f...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Our resident photo essayist @corbinsmith.bsky.social popped by Portland's Retro Gaming Festival—but rather than focusing on the past, he met and profiled the next generation of video game makers.
• More state transportation bill shenanigans
• Trump Threatens Venezuela (It's not the oil, pinky swear.)
• Ghislaine Maxwell's TP
• It's Good Morning News!
• Trump Threatens Venezuela (It's not the oil, pinky swear.)
• Ghislaine Maxwell's TP
• It's Good Morning News!
Good Morning, News: State Transpo Referrendum, PSU Union Busting, Epstein Associate's Prison Toilet Paper
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 14, 2025 at 4:43 PM
• More state transportation bill shenanigans
• Trump Threatens Venezuela (It's not the oil, pinky swear.)
• Ghislaine Maxwell's TP
• It's Good Morning News!
• Trump Threatens Venezuela (It's not the oil, pinky swear.)
• Ghislaine Maxwell's TP
• It's Good Morning News!
Advocates are celebrating a small win that makes a big difference in their lawsuit against the city after an appeals court ruled in their favor Thursday. A state land use board that understands complicated land use law better than the city's preferred Multnomah County court will hear their case.
Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Environmental Advocates in Zenith Energy Lawsuit
Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Environmental Advocates in Zenith Energy Lawsuit. Environmental advocates celebrated the procedural win, saying the Land Use Board of Appeals has a better grasp on comp...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Advocates are celebrating a small win that makes a big difference in their lawsuit against the city after an appeals court ruled in their favor Thursday. A state land use board that understands complicated land use law better than the city's preferred Multnomah County court will hear their case.
Two former editors at The Nib, Shay Mirk and Eleri Harris, have created the only primer on ethical comics reporting.
Two Former Editors at The Nib Have Made the Only Primer On Ethical Comics Reporting
Suzette Smith
www.portlandmercury.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Two former editors at The Nib, Shay Mirk and Eleri Harris, have created the only primer on ethical comics reporting.
One of Portland's best small rooms is calling it quits later this month. Lollipop Shoppe has been a fixture music venue since opening its doors in 2022, hosting some of the most diverse programming in the city 🍭
Link below for closure details and how you can support the Shoppe's last run of shows.
Link below for closure details and how you can support the Shoppe's last run of shows.
Portland Says Goodbye to Its Sweetie, Lollipop Shoppe
On November 2, via an Instagram post, the much loved Central Eastside staple, Lollipop Shoppe announced that they plan on closing their doors around Thanksgiving this year (November 27) due to financi...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:37 PM
One of Portland's best small rooms is calling it quits later this month. Lollipop Shoppe has been a fixture music venue since opening its doors in 2022, hosting some of the most diverse programming in the city 🍭
Link below for closure details and how you can support the Shoppe's last run of shows.
Link below for closure details and how you can support the Shoppe's last run of shows.
Governor Tina Kotek signed a new state transportation funding package into law on Monday. Later that day, two state legislators and an anti-tax advocate filed a petition with the state in hopes of sending a referendum on the bill’s tax increases to Oregon voters.
Transportation Funding Bill Opponents Launch Last-Ditch Effort to Halt Tax Increases
Governor Tina Kotek signed a new state transportation funding package into law on Monday, more than a month after the Oregon Legislature passed the bill during a dramatic, extended special session. La...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Governor Tina Kotek signed a new state transportation funding package into law on Monday. Later that day, two state legislators and an anti-tax advocate filed a petition with the state in hopes of sending a referendum on the bill’s tax increases to Oregon voters.
Calling all smarty pants! 🩳 It's time for another super fun POP QUIZ PDX. In this week's local trivia quiz: '80s-style aerobics, Trump's continuing humiliation at the hands of Portland, and everyone's fave subject... DRUGS! 🥳 See how well YOU score!
POP QUIZ PDX: Sex, Drugs, and Jazzercise! 💅
WHAT UP, SMARTY BUTT? 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 your k...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Calling all smarty pants! 🩳 It's time for another super fun POP QUIZ PDX. In this week's local trivia quiz: '80s-style aerobics, Trump's continuing humiliation at the hands of Portland, and everyone's fave subject... DRUGS! 🥳 See how well YOU score!
Yesterday city officials considered removing funding from a homeless sweeps program, and things got tense. Mayor Wilson rallied ahead of the vote, sparking fear in service providers that their funding could be cut. Providers say they need more notice next time if policy-makers want strong coalition.
Portland Budget Tweak Causes Heated Discussion on Homelessness
City Council found themselves in a tense standoff with Mayor Keith Wilson and angry Portland residents over a councilor’s failed plan to reallocate a portion of city dollars that have been used to swe...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Yesterday city officials considered removing funding from a homeless sweeps program, and things got tense. Mayor Wilson rallied ahead of the vote, sparking fear in service providers that their funding could be cut. Providers say they need more notice next time if policy-makers want strong coalition.
• The US government reopens
• Portland City Council gets spicy (testimony not teargas)
• RIP the penny (it's still money tho)
• It's Good Morning News!
• Portland City Council gets spicy (testimony not teargas)
• RIP the penny (it's still money tho)
• It's Good Morning News!
Good Morning, News: Another Spicy Meatball Portland City Council Meeting, the US Government Reopens, and Pennies Finally Discontinued But Still Money
Suzette Smith
www.portlandmercury.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:04 PM
• The US government reopens
• Portland City Council gets spicy (testimony not teargas)
• RIP the penny (it's still money tho)
• It's Good Morning News!
• Portland City Council gets spicy (testimony not teargas)
• RIP the penny (it's still money tho)
• It's Good Morning News!
Homeless sweeps are on trial today at City Council, happy exploding whale day (to those who celebrate), and Epstein emails reveal that Trump definitely "knew about the girls." It's GOOD MORNING, NEWS! 👋🗞️
Good Morning, News: Homeless Sweeps on Trial at City Council, Happy Exploding Whale Day, and Epstein Emails Allege Trump "Knew About the Girls"
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 12, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Homeless sweeps are on trial today at City Council, happy exploding whale day (to those who celebrate), and Epstein emails reveal that Trump definitely "knew about the girls." It's GOOD MORNING, NEWS! 👋🗞️
Belfast post-punks Chalk are on tour in the US for the first time ever, and stopped at Holocene over the weekend. We sent Mercury writer Carl Sundberg to check out the Northern Ireland band getting all the buzz over in Europe.
Link below for buzz breakdown. Spoiler alert: They live up to the hype.
Link below for buzz breakdown. Spoiler alert: They live up to the hype.
Concert Review: The Northern Ireland Post-Punk Duo, Chalk Mesmerized a Packed Holocene on their US Debut Tour.
Following a massive headlining sold-out tour across the UK and Europe—including debut festival slots at Glastonbury and Bilbao BBK—Belfast electro post-punk duo, Chalk, made their US debut over the we...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Belfast post-punks Chalk are on tour in the US for the first time ever, and stopped at Holocene over the weekend. We sent Mercury writer Carl Sundberg to check out the Northern Ireland band getting all the buzz over in Europe.
Link below for buzz breakdown. Spoiler alert: They live up to the hype.
Link below for buzz breakdown. Spoiler alert: They live up to the hype.
Portland's absurdist anti-ICE protests continued on Sunday, when roughly 20 people met outside Portland’s ICE facility for an aerobics class. Decked out in neon leotards, participants did grapevines to ‘80s new wave tunes in front of the boarded-up building, as federal agents lurked on the roof.
Sweating Out the Fascism With Anti-ICE Aerobics
On Sunday, November 9, roughly 20 people met outside Portland’s Immigrations and Customs Enforcement facility for an aerobics workout class. Decked out in neon leotards, the participants did grapevine...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Portland's absurdist anti-ICE protests continued on Sunday, when roughly 20 people met outside Portland’s ICE facility for an aerobics class. Decked out in neon leotards, participants did grapevines to ‘80s new wave tunes in front of the boarded-up building, as federal agents lurked on the roof.
Mercury Music Picks took a breather for a couple weeks, but we back! Now with new and improved Scottish bagpipes, queer industrial tech, lush ambient, and the Canadian indie-folk of Julie Doiron.
Link below for all of the above, act now for bonus Portland music news content!
Link below for all of the above, act now for bonus Portland music news content!
Mercury Music Picks: Droned Out Scottish Bagpipes, Queer Rave, and Portland Music News
Well, has it finally happened? Are we in the season where concerts and events are slowing down, allowing us to chill and take some time to ourselves? Yes and no! There is still so much happening aroun...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Mercury Music Picks took a breather for a couple weeks, but we back! Now with new and improved Scottish bagpipes, queer industrial tech, lush ambient, and the Canadian indie-folk of Julie Doiron.
Link below for all of the above, act now for bonus Portland music news content!
Link below for all of the above, act now for bonus Portland music news content!
Straight guy wonders: "What's it like to have a larger penis? And do you think a dude will let me hold it while he pees?" 🤔
Just another day of interesting, sexy questions in this week's SAVAGE LOVE!
Just another day of interesting, sexy questions in this week's SAVAGE LOVE!
SAVAGE LOVE: Snakes and Bladders
I’m a straight male who is not well endowed — I’m at the edge of the scale used to describe average penis size — and I watch porn both alone and with my wife. I suddenly find myself becoming more and ...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Straight guy wonders: "What's it like to have a larger penis? And do you think a dude will let me hold it while he pees?" 🤔
Just another day of interesting, sexy questions in this week's SAVAGE LOVE!
Just another day of interesting, sexy questions in this week's SAVAGE LOVE!
Updates on Extremely Tight Seattle Mayoral Race, Senate Democrats Give In to Republicans (and Will Get Nothing in Return), and What Happened to the Director of PSU’s Women’s Resource Center? It's GOOD MORNING, NEWS.
Good Morning, News: Updates on Extremely Tight Seattle Mayoral Race, Senate Democrats Give In to Republicans (and Will Get Nothing in Return), and What Happened to the Director of PSU’s Women’s Resour...
The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly c...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Updates on Extremely Tight Seattle Mayoral Race, Senate Democrats Give In to Republicans (and Will Get Nothing in Return), and What Happened to the Director of PSU’s Women’s Resource Center? It's GOOD MORNING, NEWS.
PSU's Women's Resource Center is meant to be a space of empowerment, but the abrupt firing of its director last spring, and recent staffing changes in other departments, have led to what some say is a "toxic culture shift" within the university.
PSU Fired Women’s Resource Center Director With No Explanation
On a regular work day in late April, Nic Francisco-Kaho’onei, the former director of Portland State University's (PSU) Women’s Resource Center (WRC), was called in for a meeting with their supervisor....
www.portlandmercury.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:56 PM
PSU's Women's Resource Center is meant to be a space of empowerment, but the abrupt firing of its director last spring, and recent staffing changes in other departments, have led to what some say is a "toxic culture shift" within the university.
No excuse to stay inside this week—your event options include Nick Kroll and Samantha Bee's shows, plus Sigur Rós and a documentary about an exploding whale. Read on at Do This, Do That!
The Mercury’s Do This, Do That: Your Top Events for November 10-16
When leaves fall onto the sidewalk in autumn, their tannins leach into the concrete and leave perfect little brown leaf prints all over the ground. So, we hereby declare this "perfect little brown lea...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:28 PM
No excuse to stay inside this week—your event options include Nick Kroll and Samantha Bee's shows, plus Sigur Rós and a documentary about an exploding whale. Read on at Do This, Do That!
Let's go, trash pandas! 🦝 It's time for another hilarious edition of THE TRASH REPORT by @elinorjoneser.bsky.social. This week: Good political news (finally), Meghan Markle (just being herself), and a Miss Piggy movie produced by Jennifer Lawrence (yesssss)!
THE TRASH REPORT: New Relationships, Old Politicians, and Me (Currently trapped in an airport in god-knows-where)
Hi, and welcome to the Trash Report! I'm Elinor Jones. This is going to be a lot of commentary on a LOT of nonsense, and thanks to Ralph Nader, I can tell you to buckle up, and you'll be able to (albe...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Let's go, trash pandas! 🦝 It's time for another hilarious edition of THE TRASH REPORT by @elinorjoneser.bsky.social. This week: Good political news (finally), Meghan Markle (just being herself), and a Miss Piggy movie produced by Jennifer Lawrence (yesssss)!
Judge issues permanent ban on Trump troop deployments in Portland, Mayor Wilson is big madz at City Council, and Trump pardons traitorous butthole Rudy Giuliani. It's GOOD MORNING, NEWS! 👋🗞️
Good Morning, News: Judge Bans Portland Troop Deployments, Mayor Wilson is Mad at City Council, and Trump Pardons Butthole Giuliani
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 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Judge issues permanent ban on Trump troop deployments in Portland, Mayor Wilson is big madz at City Council, and Trump pardons traitorous butthole Rudy Giuliani. It's GOOD MORNING, NEWS! 👋🗞️
"These Mercury stories are so good... they should be criminal!"
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: Mystery Fires, Rent Continues to Be Too Damn High, and Portland Parks 4EVAH!
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 9, 2025 at 3:27 PM
"These Mercury stories are so good... they should be criminal!"
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! 🗞️☕
A federal judge has permanently barred the Trump Administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland, following a long back-and-forth battle. Oregon leaders are celebrating the decision, but DOJ lawyers are already discussing an appeal.
Federal Judge Rules Against Trump, Barring Him from Deploying National Guard to Oregon
US District Judge Karin Immergut ruled Friday, November 7, that the Trump administration is permanently barred from deploying the National Guard to Oregon. The decision was a long-awaited ruling in a ...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:14 AM
A federal judge has permanently barred the Trump Administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland, following a long back-and-forth battle. Oregon leaders are celebrating the decision, but DOJ lawyers are already discussing an appeal.
Repertory film screenings trend surreal and nonlinear this month, with cinemas showing The Double Life of Véronique, The Color of Pomegranates, Memoria, and other films that ask for your focus and faith. Read why they're worth it on Second Run.
Where to Watch Folkloric Films and Arthouse Classics This Month
Unlike some months, the repertory movie screenings of November lack a natural theme. But our indie cinemas have still formed a united front, choosing films that ask their audiences to hang tight with ...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Repertory film screenings trend surreal and nonlinear this month, with cinemas showing The Double Life of Véronique, The Color of Pomegranates, Memoria, and other films that ask for your focus and faith. Read why they're worth it on Second Run.
Reposted by Portland Mercury
