Portland Police shot and killed a man downtown Thursday afternoon who they say was wielding a box cutter he used to assault two people. According to Portland Police Bureau reports, Central Precinct officers were dispatched to the 700 Block of Southwest Alder Street shortly after 4:30 pm on reports of a suspect “actively assaulting and […] The post Police Fatally Shoot Man Wielding Utility Blade Downtown appeared first on Portland Mercury.

There is magic echoing in the Portland wilderness. Through the city’s leaf-laden and lending-library-laced streets, over the bridge, and through the woods, lies the glow of Colin Meloy’s fantastical nature-filled fantasy novel-turned-Laika-animated-masterpiece: Wildwood. On the precipice of the film’s October 23 launch comes its musical accompaniment, the Wildwood Sessions. Out Friday, October 16, Wildwood Sessions […] The post Laika’s <i>Wildwood Sessions</i> Showcases Local Music Magic appeared first on Portland Mercury.

Portland’s biggest literary festival is, like previous years, not to be missed. Some of the most famous names on this year’s lineup include actor Ke Huy Quan of The Goonies and Everything Everywhere All at Once, who will be presenting his new memoir, and lead singer Colin Meloy of the Decemberists, who will talk about […] The post Portland Book Festival Is Now a Major Food Event, Too appeared first on Portland Mercury.

We’re here to help you make the most of your weekend by suggesting low-fuss events from the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta to a Vote Early – No Kings Rally and from Holman’s Dolly Day to Bread Fest. For more ideas, check out our top picks of the week. FRIDAY READINGS & TALKS Joey Clift […] The post The Best Bang for Your Buck Events in Portland This Weekend: Oct 16–18, 2026 appeared first on Portland Mercury.

October is a time for costumes, pumpkin spice, and recreational anxiety and terror. Haunted houses are a major place to find two—if not all three—of such seasonal mainstays. And this year Portland has three big attractions: One transforms a local landmark into a haunted fairground, another offers slick, high-end screams, and a third is a […] The post The <i>Mercury</i>’s 2026 Portland Haunted House Reviews appeared first on Portland Mercury.

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 can also subscribe and have our papers delivered! Good morning, Portland! It may be officially fall, as the leaves have started to drop from the trees and […] The post Good Morning, News: Children Killed in Bend Mass Shooting, Police Shoot Assault Suspect in Portland, US DOJ Sues City Over Mask Ban For Cops appeared first on Portland Mercury.

Ready for a fresh batch of tickets? Smooth soul singer Leon Bridges takes his vibrant record Happiness Anytime on the road next summer. Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo keep it real with the Giggly Squad podcast live tour, covering pop culture and sharing personal anecdotes. Plus, country rock legend Emmylou Harris has been tapped to […] The post Ticket Alert: Leon Bridges, Giggly Squad, and More Portland Events Going On Sale This Week appeared first on Portland Mercury.

CALLING ALL SMARTY-TROUSERS! It’s time to put that brainy-brain to the test with this edition of POP QUIZ PDX—our local, sassy-ass trivia quiz. And this week we’ll see how much YOU know about the BIGGEST BLUNDERS (political or otherwise) of the past week or so! (Don’t worry, I didn’t include your personal fuck-ups… because I am […] The post POP QUIZ PDX: The Week in BLUNDERS appeared first on Portland Mercury.

You Can See Everything is a reflection of its own making. Co-directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, it’s a nearly three-hour documentary about Elizabeth Holmes that struggles under the moral weight of being a three-hour documentary about Elizabeth Holmes. You Can See Everything is basically a chamber drama chronicling the making of You Can See […] The post <i>You Can See Everything</i> Gets Too Close appeared first on Portland Mercury.

Who’s ready to have some fun? Well, the Mercury is here to help with FREE TICKETS to see some of Portland’s best concerts and events; our way of saying thanks to our great readers and spread the word about some fantastic upcoming performances! (Psst… if you want to say thanks to the Mercury, please consider making a small monthly contribution to keep […] The post FREE TICKETS THURSDAY: Win Tix to Michael Lewis, Jake Xerxes Fussell, the Aces, and MORE! appeared first on Portland Mercury.

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 can also subscribe and have our papers delivered! Good Morning, Portland! It’s gonna be a skootch warmer today than yesterday, but other than that, we’re basically twinning […] The post Good Morning, News: Portland’s Burn Ban Is Over, Columbia Sportswear Celebrates Pullover Zips, and Falsely Representing Yourself as a Lawyer Is Illegal? Ack! appeared first on Portland Mercury.

It’s the haunting season once again, and let’s get real: Nobody does Halloween like Portland! We have the most creative costumes, the most ghoulish events, and—if you want to get really scared—another very important election coming up! But fear not… regardless of what the month has in store for you, the Mercury is here with […] The post The <i>Mercury</i> Halloweeeeeen Issue! appeared first on Portland Mercury.

This is one of the many articles in the Mercury’s 2026 Halloween Issue. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you’re feeling generous and want to keep these types of articles coming, support us here.—eds. For many of us, Halloween season is the candy-coated prize at […] The post Halloween Costume Ideas for the Undecided appeared first on Portland Mercury.

This is one of the many articles in the Mercury’s 2026 Halloween Issue. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you’re feeling generous and want to keep these types of articles coming, support us here.—eds. In 2024, two years after voters approved sweeping changes to how […] The post Money Talks. It Also Lies. appeared first on Portland Mercury.

This is one of the many articles in the Mercury’s 2026 Halloween Issue. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you’re feeling generous and want to keep these types of articles coming, support us here.—eds. Portland goes hard on Halloween. In fact, All Hallows’ might be […] The post Match Your Halloween Costume to the Bar appeared first on Portland Mercury.

This is one of the many articles in the Mercury’s 2026 Halloween Issue. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you’re feeling generous and want to keep these types of articles coming, support us here.—eds. Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that I first heard of […] The post Spreading the Good Word of Chisme appeared first on Portland Mercury.

This is one of the many articles in the Mercury’s 2026 Halloween Issue. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you’re feeling generous and want to keep these types of articles coming, support us here.—eds. Eleven years is a long time between albums. Pacific Northwest shoegazers […] The post On <i>Linda’s Head</i>, Helen Returns to the Ocean appeared first on Portland Mercury.

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 contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! Good morning, Portland! This month has got us checking the weather app […] The post Good Morning, News: Former Gang Leader Sentenced in 2Pac’s Murder, Human Remains Found Downtown, and Wake Up Babe, the Mercury’s Endorsements Just Dropped! appeared first on Portland Mercury.

It’s election time again! And what follows are the Mercury‘s 2026 November election endorsements, our guide to ranked choice voting, and a handy-dandy voting cheat sheet if you’re in a hurry to fill out that ballot. (Reminder: When given the ranked choice option, do NOT rank candidates you don’t want to see in office!) Click […] The post The <i>Mercury</i>’s 2026 November Election Endorsements! appeared first on Portland Mercury.

[Read all of our 2026 election endorsements here.—eds] Portland City Council District 3 encompasses most of inner Southeast Portland from the east side of the Willamette River up to I-84 to the north, as well as a swath of Northeast and outer Southeast to I-205. District 3 is one of two districts in which councilors […] The post <i>Mercury</i> Endorsements: Vote Morillo, Koyama Lane, Novick in District 3 appeared first on Portland Mercury.

[Read all of our 2026 election endorsements here.—eds] City Council District 4 encompasses most of Northwest and Southwest Portland, as well as a swath of Southeast from Macadam Avenue to Campesinos Boulevard—recently renamed from Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. District 4 is one of two Council districts in which those elected in 2024 are serving two-year […] The post <i>Mercury</i> Endorsements: Vote Green, Evenstar in District 4 appeared first on Portland Mercury.

[Read all of our 2026 election endorsements here.—eds] This measure seeks to implement a participatory budgeting program in Portland, giving residents the chance to decide how to spend a certain amount of the city’s annual budget through an engaged, democratic process. Proponents say it’s a proven way to improve people’s faith in local government, something […] The post <i>Mercury</i> Endorsements: No on Measure 26-267 – Community Budgeting For All appeared first on Portland Mercury.

[Read all of our 2026 election endorsements here.—eds] Multnomah County Chair Three candidates—each with experience serving on the County Board of Commissioners—are running for the top leadership position. Sharon Meieran previously served as a commissioner for two terms. Julia Brim-Edwards and Shannon Singleton are currently on the board. Multnomah County’s current chair, Jessica Vega Pederson, […] The post <i>Mercury</i> Endorsements: Vote Singleton for Multnomah County Chair, Ong Norris, Williams, and Cruz for D2 Commissioner appeared first on Portland Mercury.

[Read all of our 2026 election endorsements here.—eds] We declined to endorse Kotek during the May primaries because we have had many qualms with her leadership over the past four years. Since Kotek wasn’t facing a competitive primary challenger, we opted to make those qualms known. In short, we feel Kotek has been overly cozy […] The post <i>Mercury</i> Endorsements: Vote Kotek For Governor appeared first on Portland Mercury.

[Read all of our 2026 election endorsements here.—eds] In 2024, Portlanders saw ranked choice voting on their ballot for the first time. This year, it’s going countywide. Voters in Multnomah County will have the option to rank multiple candidates in order of preference, after passing a measure in 2022 that changed how we vote. Naturally, […] The post Let’s Learn About… Ranked Choice Voting appeared first on Portland Mercury.

The Mercury does not endorse in uncontested races. Reminder: While you’re allowed to rank up to six candidates in certain races, it is not required. In fact, the Mercury advises you to avoid ranking candidates you don’t want to see in office. Read all of our endorsements in their entirety here. City Council District 3 […] The post The <i>Mercury</i>‘s 2026 November Endorsement Cheat Sheet! appeared first on Portland Mercury.

I would love to get your opinion here, as someone who’s married and poly and advises on all sorts of married relationships: Is the institution of marriage a scam? Context: I’ve been with my partner for nine years. We’re both queer in gender and sexuality, but we pass as cishet. I’m the femme one. We […] The post SAVAGE LOVE: Divorce Proceeding appeared first on Portland Mercury.

If you’ve walked down Belmont Street lately, you might have wondered what was going on inside the big pink house. Madeline Kenney and her partner, Chris Perry, have been quietly renovating the space, preparing it to be a Spanish-style cafe/bar. Kenney always loved the cafe culture in Europe, but something about Barcelona in particular got […] The post Patufet Brings Spanish Cafe Culture to Southeast appeared first on Portland Mercury.

The wonder of surrealist art, in any medium, is how disorienting it can initially be. Like setting off on a boat ride or, I imagine, accepting zero gravity after leaving the Earth’s atmosphere, it can take a good few moments to adjust one’s body and mind to this new reality. The works of British playwright […] The post Shaking the Tree Unnerves Audiences With a Survey of Violence appeared first on Portland Mercury.

Julia Brim-Edwards Professional and political background: Julia Brim-Edwards is a current Multnomah County commissioner who’s served on the board since 2023. She’s also served on the Portland Public Schools Board of Trustees twice. She previously worked for Nike as a global affairs executive. Brim-Edwards grew up in Southeast Portland and later attended Oregon State University. […] The post Meet the Candidates Vying to Be Multnomah County’s Next Board Chair appeared first on Portland Mercury.

On a side street just off Thurman, a colorful food truck makes you feel like you’re eating at a neighborhood street food stand in Mexico City. A Comer, whose name is a Spanish idiom meaning “let’s eat,” has been at this location right by Lower Macleay Park for two years, after starting out as a […] The post Food Truck A Comer Brings Mexico City Eats to Northwest Portland appeared first on Portland Mercury.

Care to get a little Halloweeny this week? We’ve got options, starting with a psychotronic film mash-up at Hollywood Theatre and continuing through Sunday with a horror-fueled drive-in, candy and wine pairings, and a weekend show of handcrafted miniature exhibits with titles like “Calico Critter Murder Mystery.” Plus, the Portland Zine Symposium returns to flex […] The post The <i>Mercury</i>’s Do This, Do That: Your Top Events for Oct 12-18 appeared first on Portland Mercury.

Portland dog owners, brace yourselves: the Doggolympics are coming to town for the first time on Saturday, October 17 at Willamette Park. The event, which has so far enjoyed three years in Bend and one in Eugene, is organized by Bryan Du Toit, the founder of Hungry Hound, a food cart for dogs in Bend. […] The post Oh, Paw-lease: The Doggolympics Might Be the Cutest Thing You Do This Year appeared first on Portland Mercury.

If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution to the Mercury, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! First and foremost, happy Indigenous Peoples Day (and may Columbus Day rot in hell). Expect mostly sunny skies this […] The post Good Morning, News: Ryan’s Magical Cell Phone, Feds Search Home of Rep. Ilhan Omar, and ICE Gasses Salem Protesters appeared first on Portland Mercury.

A former demolition dumping ground on Northeast 82nd Avenue is undergoing a major transformation into a nature preserve and solar farm. In 2024, the Bird Alliance purchased a 12.5-acre piece of the lot, located just across the street from McDaniel High School. The site sits just west of the tree-dense Rocky Butte Natural Area, but […] The post Former East Portland Landfill Site to House Solar Farm, Nature Sanctuary appeared first on Portland Mercury.

[Got an anonymous confession or rant you just have to share with the world? Submit it to I, Anonymous HERE!—eds] I saw your face and wanted to hug you. Maybe it was just today. I know the darkness and general state of the world is a lot to take and then just being alive on top […] The post Let’s Sing Songs and Love Life appeared first on Portland Mercury.

[Got an anonymous confession or rant you just have to share with the world? Submit it to I, Anonymous HERE!—eds] I am an art student at Portland State University, pursuing my BFA. It is such a privilege to be an art student at a school down the street from our beautiful Portland Art Museum. Unfortunately, the […] The post Art Student Seeking Museum appeared first on Portland Mercury.

[Got an anonymous confession or rant you just have to share with the world? Submit it to I, Anonymous HERE!—eds] You: Human Powered 2 WheelsGray & White Striped Shit Marshall Park Neighborhood Sunday October 4 ~ 11:30 Me: Hybrid Powered 4 WheelsAbout to pull out of my driveway I quite nearly pulled right out in front of you as you […] The post Lights Please appeared first on Portland Mercury.

[Got an anonymous confession or rant you just have to share with the world? Submit it to I, Anonymous HERE!—eds] When I share what I’m doing it is because I genuinely enjoy it or am proud of the work. I’m not flexing on you or looking for praise. I am just excited to be here doing […] The post What You Say Matters appeared first on Portland Mercury.

[Got an anonymous confession or rant you just have to share with the world? Submit it to I, Anonymous HERE!—eds] Hey J! I was unknowingly experiencing a miscarriage the evening of the day I found out we were expecting (Oct. 1st.). Sent you a private message that let you know I had fallen asleep crying….that I […] The post The Tarot Sun Card appeared first on Portland Mercury.

A Multnomah County judge on Friday granted a preliminary injunction requiring Portland City Councilor Dan Ryan to preserve evidence on his personal phone and other devices until an ongoing public records lawsuit is resolved. During a court hearing, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge David F. Rees called the public records case, which was filed by […] The post Portland Councilor Dan Ryan Must Preserve All Phone Records, Court Says appeared first on Portland Mercury.

Who says Halloween treats can only be consumed on October 31? Halloween is still over three weeks away, but there are already plenty of places in town to indulge in edible and chuggable holiday delights—some even within an extra-scary setting, if you dare. The Seasonal Specials Cheese & Crack: The Eye Scream Sundae Dubbed one […] The post The Scariest Halloween Eats and Drinks in Portland appeared first on Portland Mercury.

My mother always told me that cello is the instrument that most closely resembles the human voice. I don’t know this for certain, but it does seem to make sense when listening to local cellist Alexis Mahler’s debut release, Body of Water (out Friday, October 9), in which her dulcet vocals sit in duet with […] The post The Sinking, Floating, Swimming of Alexis Mahler in Debut Album <i>Body of Water</i> appeared first on Portland Mercury.

Video footage released Thursday shows the moments leading up to the fatal shooting of a man and a police K9 in Southeast Portland on September 24. Portland Police Bureau (PPB) released body-worn camera footage from two officers, showing portions of a multi-agency pursuit that led to Eddie Brandon Todd Campbell, 39, running through the parking […] The post Police Fired 13 Rounds at Armed Man, Hitting K9 During Fatal Encounter appeared first on Portland Mercury.

These cuffs on my hands, from the jump was a plan / I’m giving y’all a clue, there’s some clucks in they klan.—Vinnie Dewayne, “Page 37” RACISM = BAD No single American organization is so synonymous with fear as the Ku Klux Klan. A recent article by the Portland Mercury puts the spotlight on the […] The post THE BLACK BYLINE: The KKK and Why Charlie Kirk was Afraid of Being Called “Racist” appeared first on Portland Mercury.

It looks like we’ll be getting some rain this weekend, so duck inside for cheap and easy events from an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration to screenings of the Portland-set film In Spite Of Ourselves and from the Bitchcraft Fair to the Portland Doll & Bear Show. For more ideas, check out our top picks of the […] The post The Best Bang for Your Buck Events in Portland This Weekend: Oct 9–11, 2026 appeared first on Portland Mercury.

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 can also subscribe and have our papers delivered! Good morning, Portland! Looks like a li’l chance of rain today and tomorrow for all the fall lovers in the chat. Sun back […] The post Good Morning, News: Election Polling Updates, PPB Releases Shooting Video, and Pete Hegseth Wants to Live Stream Torture appeared first on Portland Mercury.

If Jane Austen once referred to Pride and Prejudice as “her own darling child,” playwright Kate Hamill is the aunt who taught that child how to be funny. This is not your worn out ’95 VHS of Colin Firth in a wet shirt. No, Hamill’s adaptation is a new animal, so rife with wit and […] The post <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>: Now With More Wit and Innuendo appeared first on Portland Mercury.

Who’s ready to have some fun? Well, the Mercury is here to help with FREE TICKETS to see some of Portland’s best concerts and events; our way of saying thanks to our great readers and spread the word about some fantastic upcoming performances! (Psst… if you want to say thanks to the Mercury, please consider making a small monthly contribution to keep […] The post FREE TICKETS THURSDAY: Win Tix to Kumoricon, George Clanton, The Brothers Comatose, and MORE! appeared first on Portland Mercury.

GREETINGS, PORTLAND VOTER! 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. HOWEVER! In this very special edition, instead of asking brain-scratchin’ trivia questions, we’re going to practice RANKED CHOICE VOTING, which you’ll be doing in real life when the […] The post POP QUIZ PDX: Let’s Play Ranked Choice Voting! appeared first on Portland Mercury.