Samantha Swindler
@editorswindler.bsky.social
Reporter for The Oregonian and Here is Oregon, covering arts, interesting people, silly things & weird stuff.
A U.S. citizen suffered a concussion, a torn rotator cuff and bruised ribs after immigration officers stopped her on a Salem street, broke her car window, pulled her out and then left abruptly after discovering her passport in her purse, advocates said.
U.S. citizen was running errands. After ICE stop, she ended up at the hospital instead
The Oregon woman was on her way to pay rent and to buy a cake for her grandson’s birthday when federal agents started following her.
www.oregonlive.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:24 AM
A U.S. citizen suffered a concussion, a torn rotator cuff and bruised ribs after immigration officers stopped her on a Salem street, broke her car window, pulled her out and then left abruptly after discovering her passport in her purse, advocates said.
Here's the concept for the new Lloyd Center. We also now know the main mall will shut down at some point this year, and yes, the whole thing is slated for demolition, including the ice rink:
‘Save Lloyd’ pushes back as owners move forward with teardown of mall and its ice rink
The master plan dedicates about 23% of the Lloyd Center redevelopment for courtyards, plazas and green space, including a 2.3‑acre urban park.
www.oregonlive.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Here's the concept for the new Lloyd Center. We also now know the main mall will shut down at some point this year, and yes, the whole thing is slated for demolition, including the ice rink:
Reposted by Samantha Swindler
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
February 1, 2026 at 12:50 AM
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
It is bonkers that they have 79% of the signatures needed to put this on the ballot, and they have until July to get there.
Oregon animal rights initiative aims to ban hunting, fishing, slaughtering of livestock
The measure would criminalize any activity that injures or kills animals.
www.oregonlive.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:51 PM
It is bonkers that they have 79% of the signatures needed to put this on the ballot, and they have until July to get there.
This is how you launder a bribe publicly:
Amazon paid $40 million to acquire the documentary, and is spending $35 million more to promote it.
'Melania' is Amazon's airbrushed and astronomically pricey portrait of the First Lady
Amazon paid $40 million to acquire the documentary, and is spending $35 million more to promote it.
n.pr
January 31, 2026 at 6:18 PM
This is how you launder a bribe publicly:
In Forest Grove schools: "As a community, I suspect we will be feeling it for a generation. I don't think this is going to end soon. I think we're in it for the long haul, and the long term effects of what staff and students are feeling, we won't know the full effect of that for many years."
Superintendent links federal immigration enforcement to student withdrawals, warns of staff reductions
In a mid-year update to the Forest Grove School Board, Superintendent Suzanne West said the district faced layoffs and that federal immigration enforcement is believed to be driving a spike in student...
www.newsinthegrove.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:51 PM
In Forest Grove schools: "As a community, I suspect we will be feeling it for a generation. I don't think this is going to end soon. I think we're in it for the long haul, and the long term effects of what staff and students are feeling, we won't know the full effect of that for many years."
If you'd like a brief intermission from the tragedies, take a minute to read about some lovely carpet.
Oregon’s second-most famous carpets will be back in the spotlight next month
The Oregon State Capitol’s carpets have inspired a popular line of carpet-themed merchandise.
www.oregonlive.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:08 PM
If you'd like a brief intermission from the tragedies, take a minute to read about some lovely carpet.
It’s happening for me.
January 23, 2026 at 4:33 AM
It’s happening for me.
Reposted by Samantha Swindler
The grimness of US history should encourage us. Yes, people used to send lynching postcards. And other people saw that, worked towards building a more just society anyway, and succeeded beyond anyone's wildest imagination. There's more work to be done. What's our excuse for choosing despair instead?
I understand and appreciate the fact that for some it is genuinely uncomfortable and distracting to think about how grim US history is. yes, that is strategically relevant, and no, I wouldn't put "did you know people used to send lynching photos to each other as postcards?" on a recruitment flyer
January 22, 2026 at 7:18 PM
The grimness of US history should encourage us. Yes, people used to send lynching postcards. And other people saw that, worked towards building a more just society anyway, and succeeded beyond anyone's wildest imagination. There's more work to be done. What's our excuse for choosing despair instead?
If you're into hyperfixation, have you tried ... journalism? I just spent an hour looking up photos of carpets from U.S. state capitols. For work.
January 21, 2026 at 10:57 PM
If you're into hyperfixation, have you tried ... journalism? I just spent an hour looking up photos of carpets from U.S. state capitols. For work.
There are too many inside jokes on Bluesky tonight for me to possibly explain to anyone not on this app.
January 21, 2026 at 6:07 AM
There are too many inside jokes on Bluesky tonight for me to possibly explain to anyone not on this app.
I get that snakes are not a *popular* animal but I'm still surprised by the number of people who heard about this and said "absolutely not!" Come on folks, snakes are cool!
Snake yoga is officially a thing in Portland and it’s selling out fast
HISSS reptile shop hosts monthly snake yoga where pythons and boas join participants. The instructor says snakes are surprisingly calming and help people confront their fears.
www.oregonlive.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:26 AM
I get that snakes are not a *popular* animal but I'm still surprised by the number of people who heard about this and said "absolutely not!" Come on folks, snakes are cool!
Grease. The state is likely named for grease. I love it.
How did Oregon get its name? These are the likely origins
Many theories have been floated about the origin of the name "Oregon," but one has emerged as the most likely.
www.registerguard.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Grease. The state is likely named for grease. I love it.
Reposted by Samantha Swindler
A storm tore open the roof of this massive Oregon landmark. Will anyone save it?
@editorswindler.bsky.social w/ @mark-w-graves.bsky.social photos
www.oregonlive.com/pacific-nort...
@editorswindler.bsky.social w/ @mark-w-graves.bsky.social photos
www.oregonlive.com/pacific-nort...
A storm tore open the roof of this massive Oregon landmark. Will anyone save it?
The Port of Tillamook Bay has offered to sell the historic blimp hangar for just $1 to anyone willing to preserve it, but repair estimates range up to $50 million.
www.oregonlive.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:28 PM
A storm tore open the roof of this massive Oregon landmark. Will anyone save it?
@editorswindler.bsky.social w/ @mark-w-graves.bsky.social photos
www.oregonlive.com/pacific-nort...
@editorswindler.bsky.social w/ @mark-w-graves.bsky.social photos
www.oregonlive.com/pacific-nort...
Mad? Stressed? Down about the state of the world? What you need is TICKETS TO A SKA SHOW.
Fishbone - In Your Face 40th Anniversary Tour
Please note, when selecting the Print at Home or Mobile Delivery method, you will not have access to view your tickets until 14 days prior to the performance. For over four decades, Fishbone has been an unstoppable force in music, well-known genre disrupters fusing punk, ska, funk, and soul into an explosive sound that is as socially conscious as it is musically innovative. Emerging from the Los Angeles punk scene, the band quickly carved out a reputation for their high-energy performances an...
www.etix.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Mad? Stressed? Down about the state of the world? What you need is TICKETS TO A SKA SHOW.
Seems like if I take the dog in for lab work and they can't collect urine so they ask me to do it at home, I should get a discount. 😑
January 16, 2026 at 12:53 AM
Seems like if I take the dog in for lab work and they can't collect urine so they ask me to do it at home, I should get a discount. 😑
A wild ride of a story:
He rode a horse to Portland ICE protests claiming to be Mexican. His family says his story isn’t true
And according to court records, his name is not Mateo Garcia.
www.oregonlive.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:48 PM
A wild ride of a story:
If any drone operators are going to be at Bing in the New Year in Milwaukie, I’d be very interested in any aerial photos of the event! I will even pay you for them! (But not, like, *a ton* because I’m a journalist and this is for charity.)
December 29, 2025 at 1:49 AM
If any drone operators are going to be at Bing in the New Year in Milwaukie, I’d be very interested in any aerial photos of the event! I will even pay you for them! (But not, like, *a ton* because I’m a journalist and this is for charity.)
Rewatching "Stranger Things" and we're at the season where they're protesting the mall because it's hurting Main Street. Today, Portland folks are protesting to save the mall that was killed by (lots of things but mainly) online shopping.
Man, times have changed. savelloyd.com
Man, times have changed. savelloyd.com
Save Lloyd Center Mall
www.savelloyd.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Rewatching "Stranger Things" and we're at the season where they're protesting the mall because it's hurting Main Street. Today, Portland folks are protesting to save the mall that was killed by (lots of things but mainly) online shopping.
Man, times have changed. savelloyd.com
Man, times have changed. savelloyd.com
Over four hours on Tuesday night — through a combination of lap dances, live music, comic skits and auctions — Portland’s strippers and burlesque performers raised more than $60,000 for patients at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
Portland’s most heartwarming strip show has raised nearly a quarter million dollars for hospitalized kids
The 15th annual Tatas for Toys event raised a record $60,000 for Doernbecher Children's Hospital.
www.oregonlive.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Over four hours on Tuesday night — through a combination of lap dances, live music, comic skits and auctions — Portland’s strippers and burlesque performers raised more than $60,000 for patients at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
Successful lighting test today for the big Bing cherry! Don’t miss the cherry drop on New Years Eve in downtown Milwaukie, birthplace of the Bing cherry! Binginthenewyear.com 🍒
December 16, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Successful lighting test today for the big Bing cherry! Don’t miss the cherry drop on New Years Eve in downtown Milwaukie, birthplace of the Bing cherry! Binginthenewyear.com 🍒
Reposted by Samantha Swindler
it's actually kinda funny in a way to get to the finish line of curing cancer and having the government go eh you know what. never mind
A tiny trial in New York has shown that personalized mRNA vaccines can provoke massive, lasting immune responses against pancreatic cancer, even as sweeping federal cuts now threaten the fragile labs required to produce them.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/a-breakthr...
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/a-breakthr...
December 13, 2025 at 2:50 AM
it's actually kinda funny in a way to get to the finish line of curing cancer and having the government go eh you know what. never mind
Love this city. 🫡
How exotic dancers became some of the biggest donors of toys to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
Tatas for Toys has evolved from a small charity show to a major fundraiser that collected $38,000 last year.
www.oregonlive.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Love this city. 🫡
Don’t miss OREGON’S ONLY GIANT CHERRY DROP, happening 6-9pm on New Year’s Eve in beautiful downtown Milwaukie! 🍒
Here's a poster I did for Milwaukie's upcoming New Year's celebration. The Bing cherry was first cultivated here & we have a lot of geese. I sketched this out last year &, although the arts committee didn't ultimately go with it then, it was popular enough that it was requested for this year's event
December 6, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Don’t miss OREGON’S ONLY GIANT CHERRY DROP, happening 6-9pm on New Year’s Eve in beautiful downtown Milwaukie! 🍒