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.)
• Despite Being Safe From Deep Budget Cuts, Fire Bureau Puts Mental Health Services on Chopping Block
Portland Street Response isn't the culprit of ballooning overtime and retirement costs that are straining the city's fire bureau budget, but PF&R leaders want to slash nearly a third of the mental health response team's budget to make up for a funding gap.
This week's trivia includes: Expired license plates, the best (Oregon) boss in the world, and what terrifies Gonzalez more than someone brushing up against him? 😱 See how well YOU score!
• At Long Last, Portland's Bike Ridership Is on the Mend. What Now?
Good news: Bike ridership in Portland rose by almost 5 percent in 2023 compared to the year prior. But there's still a lot of work to do if we want to return to the city's cycling glory days.
• The Mercury's 2024 Portland Jazz Festival Picks
Highlighting veteran music muscle, Portland’s own excellent scene, and a couple newer acts taking jazz into a promising future, here are the Mercury's picks for the 2024 Portland Jazz Festival.
Let's go, Trash Pandas! It's time for the week's smelliest gossip, including: Cantankerous rants about the Super Bowl, Taylor Swift, Biden, and only nice things about Beyoncé.
Looking for the best restaurants and bars around town (to let your lover know that IT'S OVER)? Andrea Damewood has the ultimate list of perfect Portland break-up spots!
Critics say Rubio's proposal to prop up Portland Street Response with $3 million in clean energy funds may benefit Rubio's political career, but it's not in the best interest of either city initiative.
So much good Portland-relevant music competing for our brainspace this week: Kingsley headlines Black History Month event the Blacker the Berry, The Decemberists unpack their new track, and who is the celebrity hairstylist in Mal London's new video?
• North Portland Jazz Club the 1905 Announces Reopening Plans
Three months after the venue’s closure, it appears that celebrated jazz club the 1905 may soon reopen under new management.
She's kinky and poly; he's vanilla and monogamous. Can this relationship be saved? Dan Savage issues a ruling!
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!
