Politics

Crib Sheet

A Quick-and-Easy Guide to Portland’s New City Councilors

The skinny on the city’s new leadership.

02/24/2025 By Nathan Williams

Vibe Check

Portland’s Seasonally Affected, Politically Depressed Mood

Photographer Jordan Gale attempts to capture the city’s wilted spirit as inauguration looms and seasonal depression lingers.

01/17/2025 By Matthew Trueherz Photography by Jordan Gale

LGBTQ+

Correcting the Transgender History of Westward Expansion

An exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society places trans identity at the heart of the American mythos.

11/26/2024 By Matthew Trueherz

Ballot Bonanza

Portland’s Upcoming Election, by the Numbers

Historical turnouts, close calls, and all those new ranked choices.

09/04/2024 By Margaret Seiler

Politics

Lawmakers Consider Bill to Protect Oregon’s Outdoor Industry from Lawsuits

Senate Bill 754 would put Oregon in line with its neighbors by bolstering businesses’ ability to enforce liability waivers, but opponents say it will make it harder for people to claim a business was negligent.

02/17/2023 By Sam Stites

Justice System

Mike Schmidt Doesn’t Want to Be the Next Chesa Boudin

But after a rocky first half to his tenure, the Multnomah County DA has a lot of ground to make up.

12/08/2022 By Julia Silverman Photography by Thomas Teal

Essay

After Dobbs, a Mother Imagines What Would Have Happened without a Choice

‘Speaking more openly about abortion and later abortion, including with our children, is probably the most important thing we can do to ensure Oregon continues to protect this basic human right.’

11/08/2022 By Hanna Neuschwander Illustrations by Marina Muun

Election 2022

Many Oregonians Still Have Their Ballot Sitting on the Kitchen Table

A new postmark rule allows voters to mail their ballot up until Election Day. Maybe it's the Damian Lillard effect?

11/07/2022 By Sam Stites

Election 2022

Portland’s City Charter Reform Measure Gets a Celebrity Endorsement from Jennifer Lawrence

The Oscar-winning megastar has worked for years on pro-democracy causes.

10/28/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Civic Duty

Oregon’s Voter Registration Deadline Is Tuesday, October 18

And it’s easy to do online. Don’t miss out on all the Election Day fun!

10/17/2022 By Margaret Seiler

City Hall

Is Sam Adams Portland’s Shadow Mayor?

The former mayor is back at city hall, and calling an awful lot of shots.

07/29/2022 By Julia Silverman

Health

Oregon’s Menstrual Dignity Act Hits the Right-Wing Outrage Machine

Advocates for the bill say its critics have completely missed the point—it’s about equity.

05/10/2022 By Shannon Daehnke

Politics

It's a Non-Affiliated Voter's World Now—and They Can't Vote in It

The number of voters who aren't affiliated with a political party continue to swell in Oregon. But when it comes to the May 17 primary, they are out of luck.

04/13/2022 By Julia Silverman