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.)
• Mayor’s Office Warned of Adviser Sam Adams’ Concerning Behavior in 2021
The majority of the employee complaints alleging Sam Adams' unprofessional behavior were recorded in 2021, but the complaints didn’t appear to threaten his position in the mayor’s office until December 2022.
• POP QUIZ PDX
Let's go, smarty butt! 🤓 See if you can correctly answer this week's questions about local exploding whales, mysterious disappearing beer fests, and... what ARE we going to do with your dead body? 💀
• Success of Measure 110 Remains in Question, According to State Audit
More than two years after Oregon voters passed Measure 110, state officials have not properly recorded data to measure the success of the drug decriminalization program, a state audit found.
• THE TRASH REPORT
Let's go, trash pandas! 🦝 It's another week's worth of hot goss with THE TRASH REPORT. In this edition: Drunk celebs at the Globes, Republicans gas themselves, and Jennifer Coolidge spoiler alerts!
• HEAR IN PORTLAND
There’s a little something for everyone in this week's column: Music columnist Jenni Moore dreams of Karma Rivera / DJ Lapaushi live collabs, highlights Jenny Don’t and the Spurs' tour kick off, and recommends a vibey, local Pitchfork poke.
• Debate Over Police Presence in Portland Schools Heats Up as Leaders Discuss Gun Violence
Portland Public Schools leaders say the return of School Resource Officers is on the table amid a rise in gun violence near schools—even though the program raises serious questions.
• PETE’s The Americans Looks at Idealized America vs. the Real America
Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble's "The Americans" looks to Robert Frank's black-and-white photography series of the same name, with the same mission in mind—to untangle the real America.
• Portland EcoFilm Festival Reckons with Climate Crisis
The 10th anniversary Portland EcoFilm Festival has kicked off at the Hollywood Theatre. Like the previous two years, the films will be presented across months—rather than a single week. Here's our January picks!
• SAVAGE LOVE
In this week's column: How many times have you asked yourself this: "Am I being used as a pawn in my lover's sex games with his primary partner?" 🤔
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!
