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Lillian Mongeau Hughes

@lmonghughes.bsky.social
1.1K followers 158 following 241 posts

Homelessness and mental health reporter at The Oregonian: www.oregonlive.com/topic/homelessne… Tips: lmhughes@oregonian.com & 971-484-3150 Words are my jam. Alum: Seattle Times, OPB, Hechinger Report, EdSource

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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Remind me how unfettered access to the internet and social media at young ages went for Gen Z again? Oh right, skyrocketing depression and anxiety. So, no worries about repeating that with the young'uns! WHAT COULD GO WRONG? www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
oregonlive.com
In Portland schools, an ‘optimistic’ new AI handbook proves polarizing
District leaders say the guidebook is a "first step" on setting expectations around AI use.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Do read: katu.com/news/local/s...
katu.com
Shelter guests accuse Urban Alchemy staff of drug use, distribution, sexual harassment
Portland’s ombudsman received 85 complaints against Urban Alchemy, with guests alleging misconduct including harassment, drug activity and unfair evictions.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
“I’ll try not to get mired in numbers,” Wilson said. “I think your hope, what you see, is real and what I see is real. So we have to go by that.” Spoiler: You could also go by the data, which tells a different story. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
Despite mayor’s assurances, more people than ever are homeless in Portland
Mayor Keith Wilson and others have said homelessness may be decreasing in Portland, despite Multnomah County data showing the opposite.
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Reposted by Lillian Mongeau Hughes
Kaliko Castille @wizkaliko.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
MUST read from @lmonghughes.bsky.social ahead of the Mayor's budget about to officially drop. The Mayor's office is disputing MultCo's official numbers without providing any evidence to back his claim. He promised to end unsheltered homelessness in #Portland but it has increased in his first year.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
At Mayor Wilson's State of the City address Friday, he again relied on anecdote -- not data -- to prove his response to homelessness is working. @lmonghughes.bsky.social digs into the numbers today:
oregonlive.com
Despite mayor’s assurances, more people than ever are homeless in Portland
Mayor Keith Wilson and others have said homelessness may be decreasing in Portland, despite Multnomah County data showing the opposite.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
In case anyone follows my coverage enough to wonder what I've been doing for the last month: www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
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Reposted by Lillian Mongeau Hughes
Karl Bode @karlbode.com · 24/03/2026
"A new study out of Cornell Universit found workers most excited and impressed by corporate speak may be the least equipped to make effective, practical business decisions, and it can leave companies with dysfunctional leaders."
theguardian.com
Workers who fall for ‘corporate bullshit’ may be worse at their jobs, study finds
New study finds that employees impressed by corporate speak may be least equipped to make effective decisions
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
"In contrast, Portland Public Schools pays most teachers for 187 days of work, 176 of which are instructional or student-contact days (including 18 hours...for conferences). The remaining 11 are for grading, planning and professional development." www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
oregonlive.com
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Heads up: www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
This is getting crazy. What are families supposed to do with four fewer school days and a whole extra week of summer (with no camps scheduled)? Oregon already has one of the shortest school years in the country. Losing four more days is not inconsequential. 😑 www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
oregonlive.com
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
My actual response to reading this because its the only part of the whole email that is at all surprising: What is a Kelly bag?
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
In case anyone out there is still following me for my education coverage cred, don't miss this @nickkristof.bsky.social column: "We liberals need to wake up to the reality that we are being outperformed on education, opportunity and racial equity..." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | These Three Red States Are the Best Hope in Schooling
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
True story @cnn.com We have one of these phones and my 8-year-old has begun arranging her own play dates and my dad and sister say they've had far better conversations with both kids than on FaceTime when they are distracted by all the special effects. Retro phones for the win.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Nice get from @cgiardinelli.bsky.social -- Portland's ombudsman temporarily paused evictions from the city's 14/7 shelters due to concerns about fairness. Evictions have since resumed. The ombudsman will continue to monitor. katu.com/news/local/o...
katu.com
Ombudsman probes tiny home evictions of major homeless services provider
After reviewing appeals, the Portland Ombudsman’s Office recommended pausing evictions at city-run alternative shelters over lack of documentation.
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Reposted by Lillian Mongeau Hughes
Sarahyperbole @necessarah.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
You can donate to them: www.bridgeproject.org/donate
bridgeproject.org
Bridge Project
Ending childhood poverty. One mother at a time.
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Reposted by Lillian Mongeau Hughes
Councilor Candace Avalos @counciloravalos.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Pregnant Portlanders: apply here!
bridgeproject.org
Bridge Project
Ending childhood poverty. One mother at a time.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
A direct cash program for people who are pregnant and earning less than $39,000 a year launched this month in Multnomah County and is still accepting applications. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
This new-to-Portland program hands pregnant women cash every month — and research says it works
The Bridge Project provides 36 monthly payments to new mothers. Data show the cash helps participants find stable housing and work
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
This is getting crazy. www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
oregonlive.com
Portland schools face 3rd straight year of budget cuts. What will that mean for students?
At community forums, parents and teachers pressed for specifics about the impacts of making $50 million in cuts for the upcoming school year.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
"'We’re underage,' she tells him (in a video recording of ICE apprehending a 16-year-old and her friend). 'We’re scared.'" www.oregonlive.com/nation/2026/...
oregonlive.com
In this school, 50% of students are too afraid of ICE to show up
'Our families feel hunted,' says the school district’s executive director.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
ICYMI - Even as the homeless count has ticked steadily upward for five years running, the three counties have collectively met, or are on track to meet this year, the initial 10-year performance goals set for them in the measure. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
Invisible wins: How $1.4 billion has transformed Portland area homeless services
One family’s story shows how the 2020 tax can work as promised, even as the overall homeless count continues climbing across the metro area.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Subscribed.
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Reposted by Lillian Mongeau Hughes
Ryan Haas @ryanjhaas.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
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Reposted by Lillian Mongeau Hughes
Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
What we know for now:
opb.org
Portland now says roughly $106M in housing funds went unspent
The city continues to struggle to address homelessness and affordable housing, but officials say significant pots of money went untapped.
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Reposted by Lillian Mongeau Hughes
Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. @repdexteror.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
I was just denied entry to the Dilley detention facility while my constituent, seven-year-old Diana, remains inside. What kind of sick, horrific conditions are children being forced to endure in there? I will be back tomorrow. Accountability can’t wait.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
TL;DR Cuts to the coutny's homesless services programs are coming. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
Multnomah County faces an $87 million drop in homeless services funding
Jobs could be cut, shelters could lose funding, and rent assistance could shrink as the county faces major homeless services budget reductions.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Reporter mom life: I just showed up at a public meeting and gamely greeted officials I know only to realize upon sitting down that I have jam in my hair.
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Alex Baumhardt @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
As a professional reporter, I don't usually re-post video from "the internet," but I know Mark a little. He paced me in a Portland Half Marathon the year the train went through the course. He also wrote for @runnersworld.bsky.social for years. He's legit. And this video is crazy.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Portland @mayorkwilson.bsky.social: "To those who continue to work for ICE: Resign. To those who control this (Portland ICE) facility: Leave. ... To those who continue to make these sickening decisions, go home, look in a mirror, and ask yourselves why you have gassed children."
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Oregon’s recorded 35% growth in homelessness since 2023 stands in stark contrast to the national trend reported by @nytimes.com, which compiled data from around the country rather than keep waiting for the feds to finish their annual report (usually out by now). www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
Homelessness is likely trending down nationally. Not in Oregon
Typically, the federal government documents national trends in homelessness. This year, a national newspaper did it instead.
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Reposted by Lillian Mongeau Hughes
Marnie Kaplan @marniekaplan.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Arnie Duncan once stated: “I think we value our children less than other countries do” in an article written by @lmonghughes.bsky.social It’s clear that the US simply cares less about children than other countries. And I will never find this acceptable.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
I first worked on this story while at @opb.org. We were not the only publication to pay attention though. Under a steady local media spotlight, public officials did finally acknowledge internal problems with how the case was handled and bring new criminal charges. www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Oregon doctor settles $1 billion sex abuse lawsuit filed by nearly 200 former patients
While David Farley settled his case, the suit against a Providence hospital is still set to proceed to trial.
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Reposted by Lillian Mongeau Hughes
Olga Nesterova @onestpress.onestnetwork.com · 25/01/2026
Minnesota National Guard members have arrived at a federal building and were directed to distribute donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate to anti-ICE protesters. Guard members were issued reflective vests so they would not be mistaken for federal agents.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
We’re doing a survey of people who have stayed in homeless shelters. No paywall. Please send to anyone you think has something to say! Or like/re-post to increase the likelihood the right people will see it. THANKS www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
What is it like to stay in a Portland-area homeless shelter? We want to hear from you
The Oregonian/OregonLive wants to hear directly from people who have used homeless services what works and what doesn't.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
This was not what I expected this headline to be when I first tuned into the recording of last night's meeting expecting a debate about how to spend housing $$. with @shanedkavanaugh.bsky.social www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
ICE protesters shut down Portland City Council, force meeting to go virtual
Portland police were called in to clear the building after protesters left chambers and began banging on council office doors.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Excellent follow up on Portland's camping ban enforcement efforts so far by @alexzee.bsky.social www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
No one has been convicted of violating Portland’s public camping ban, records show
People experiencing homelessness face citations for violating a public camping ban.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
You can't make this stuff up. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
Federal mental health and addiction funding for Oregonians fully restored, 24 hours after Trump cut it
The funding supports a wide variety of mental health and addiction initiatives, ranging from youth suicide prevention to drug and alcohol treatment programs.
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Reposted by Lillian Mongeau Hughes
The Oregonian @oregonian.com · 09/01/2026
Local authorities have so far shed little insight into the shooting by a federal agency. The FBI is leading the investigation.
oregonlive.com
What we know so far about the Border Patrol shooting in Portland as of Friday
Local authorities have so far shed little insight into the shooting by a federal agency. The FBI is leading the investigation.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Expect a follow-up on how stay limit policies typically play out, according to the research. I actually don't know yet, which is my favorite place to start reporting from. Tips, research recs welcome. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
Portland to evict nearly 100 shelter residents who are ‘unwilling to engage’
A new stay-limit policy at some city-funded shelters means residents can be asked to leave after 120 days. There are some exemptions to the policy.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Great interview with @councilormorillo.bsky.social in @wweek.com today. Thanks for the read @sophiegreen.bsky.social. www.wweek.com/news/2026/01...
wweek.com
This Might Be Councilor Angelita Morillo’s Moment
A driving force in Portland’s progressive caucus lays out her vision for 2026.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
ICYMI: Worth it for this and other wild quotes: “Her temperament and values in terms of general fairness is about as close to the middle of that madness that one person could possibly get as far as outcomes Portlanders want.” via @shanedkavanaugh.bsky.social www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
She has ‘the worst job in Oregon politics.’ But she wants to keep it
It's been no picnic for Elana Pirtle-Guiney as she's tried to lead Portland's first City Council under a new form of government.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Aaron Tappley, Antonio Garcia, Brandon Coleman, Carol Horner. Dave Paul Collins, Debbie Johnson, Johnny Boyd, Martin Naugle. Three Brians, two Richards and someone who went by Ocean. The list of people who died while homeless in Portland is 102 names long...so far. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
‘Everybody is somebody to someone’: Portland memorial honors 102 people who died while homeless in 2025
The annual memorial has one key feature lacking from Multnomah County’s official report on deaths among homeless residents: Names.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
This is not good news. But it is less bad than last year. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
372 homeless people died in Multnomah County last year. Here’s what to know
People living outside die, on average, 30 years shy of the current American life expectancy at birth.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
“By design, we’re working with folks who have fallen through all of the cracks. If there was an easy solution it would have been tried already.” Sgt. Josh Silverman, Portland police www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
How one Portland police unit helps mentally ill people bridge ‘two nearly broken systems’
“We’re working with folks who have fallen through all of the cracks," said a sergeant. "If there was an easy solution it would have been tried already.”
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
ICYMI - Here's how the mayor is doing on homelessness: www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
Portland mayor set an ‘unrealistic goal’ for shelter beds – and is poised to hit it. Will it end unsheltered homelessness?
Nearly 7,500 people are living outside or in their vehicle in Multnomah County, the vast majority of them in Portland.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
ICYMI: Portland is arresting people who are violating the city's camping ban AND have a warrant. www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
Portland police arrest 40, send 39 to shelters, in 1st week since city resumed enforcement of camping ban
Beginning Nov. 1, Portland police began more strictly enforcing the city’s camping ban at the direction of Mayor Keith Wilson.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
This is one of the top five questions I am asked about homelessness in Portland. (Spoiler alert: They are mostly form here.) Grateful to academic survey work by Portland State University and Welcome Home Coalition to help me provide an answer: www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
Where are people who are homeless in Portland originally from? New data offers insights
The answer to the question about where people are from is not as simple as it sounds.
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Reposted by Lillian Mongeau Hughes
ProPublica @propublica.org · 30/10/2025
Journalism tip: If someone says drop the story, that’s a sign to keep reporting. Back reporters who won’t flinch. Support our independent journalism ➜ propub.li/43MugoG
Article excerpt: When ProPublica emailed questions to Newby’s daughter, the North Carolina Republican Party’s communications director, Matt Mercer, responded, writing that ProPublica was waging a “jihad” against “NC Republicans,” which would “not be met with dignifying any comments whatsoever.” 

“I’m sure you’re aware of our connections with the Trump Administration and I’m sure they would be interested in this matter,” Mercer said in his email. “I would strongly suggest dropping this story.”
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Well worth a read for anyone who loves Portland, warts and all. Here's a gift link - happy Friday! via @jrlsilverman.bsky.social www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
oregonlive.com
In a Portland under presidential provocation, civic pride makes a comeback
With national headlines celebrating the city's exportable brand of 'tactical whimsy,' Portland is shaking off its post-pandemic doldrums.
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Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lmonghughes.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Portland announced 280 more "recovery-oriented" overnight-only beds today. And also this: www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
911 calls triple after overnight only shelter opens in North Portland; neighbors despair
The vast majority – 90% – of the additional calls came from somebody at the shelter itself.
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