The five biggest questions about a massive military build-up.

If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’s news reporting, arts and culture coverage, event calendar, and the bevy of events we host throughout the year. The work we do helps our city shine, but we can’t do it without your support. 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...

Behold! Holiday Drink Week is BACK, BAYBEE! That’s right: the Portland Mercury’s Holiday Drink Week returns for another glorious marathon of festive booze magic! Happening right NOW through December 7, the city’s best bartenders are shaking, stirring, and summoning up brand new, holiday-themed cocktails— and they’re only $10 each! We’ve once again teamed up with some of Portland’s finest bars and restaurants—plus our spirited pals at Jim Beam and Travel Portland—to deliver a week-long sleigh...

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services' (DCBS) Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) will be hosting a public hearing on prescription drug prices on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 1:30 p.

I saw you today for just a bit. You were talking like you're really feeling down and the shit weather is getting to you, but joking your way through like you do. We exchanged silly fake smiles like we're not feeling empty inside. I wanted to just give you a hug. The truth is you are a wonderful person but you let the pressures of the world harden you. I can see the sweet, vulnerable...

Prosecutors in Oregon are warning the US justice department to rein in federal agents who’ve repeatedly used excessive force on protesters, immigrants and even local police. A joint letter from Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and district attorneys from Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington Counties, demands the US Department of Justice “immediately halt unlawful and reckless actions by federal officers operating in Oregon.” The letter said that in addition to federal laws, officers are ex...

Real talk

LET'S GO, TRIVIA BABIES! 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. And this week we'll be testing your knowledge on recent, local big events, including the always embarrassing clowns of ICE, award-winning Oregon movies, and YOUR vote for the best Thanksgiving side dish ever! (And as usual, it's not what you think! 🤔) But first! How did you...

Workers at unionized Starbucks locations across the Portland area remain on strike this week and say they will not return to work until Starbucks resolves complaints about its labor practices and returns to the bargaining table. Roughly 2,000 workers at 95 unionized Starbucks locations across the country have been on strike since mid-November. Seven of those stores are in the Portland area, with workers at two stores in Eugene on strike as well. The strike...

“Some things you can't escape Death, taxes, and a racist society that make Every nigga feel like a candidate For a Trayvon kinda fate Even when your crib sit on a lake Even when your plaques hang on a wall Even when the President jam your tape” —J. Cole, “Neighbors,” 2016 NO HOODS A new Netflix documentary, The Perfect Neighbor, has introduced millions of viewers to Marion County, Florida, detailing the slow drip of death...

Oregon and New York are leading a new lawsuit alongside 20 other states, arguing the Trump administration violated the law when it attempted to pull food assistance benefits from immigrants with lawful resident status in the United States. A complaint filed in the US District Court of Oregon in Eugene on November 26 said US Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidance issued October 31 was unlawful because it failed to recognize legal exceptions that allow lawful...