Why Oregon wildfire experts are worried

Republican Walkout Ultimatum

Republican state senators’ walkout has lasted three weeks. Republican leadership now says they’re willing to return on June 25, the final official day of the legislative session, and only to avert a government shutdown. But they still won’t vote on several bills, such as one that would raise the age for gun purchases from 18 to 21 and allow local governments to ban guns on public property. [Oregon Capital Chronicle]

Schmidt Draws a Challenger

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt, who was elected as a reformer, will face a reelection challenge next year from one of his deputies: Nathan Vasquez, 46, who is a senior deputy district attorney. Vasquez says Schmidt hasn’t done enough to address gun violence and drug addiction, favoring policy and politics over crime victims. [Oregonian]

Historic No Vote Against Tenant Lawyers

The capital gains tax to fund tenants’ eviction lawyers received the lowest percentage of support of any measure put before voters in Multnomah County in the last 30 years (just 19.47% voted yes). The other low performers include two previous attempts to change the Portland form of government, which eventually passed last year. [Willamette Week]

The Sports Bra’s Recruiting Effort

Jenny Nguyen, who opened the country’s only sports bar dedicated to women’s sports, is doing her part to recruit the next professional sports team to Portland. She talks to the City Cast Portland podcast about opening a bar and promoting our city’s love of women’s sports to the WNBA. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

‘Cats’ | Thursday | 7 p.m.

A screening of the film based on the Broadway musical will support the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon. [$15, Southeast Clinton Street]

Amtrac | Thursday | 9 p.m.

The Kentucky-born artist and DJ plays cutting-edge alternative electronic music. [$17, Buckman]

Absence: Terence Blanchard | Friday | 8 p.m.

The celebrated New Orleans jazz trumpet player will take the stage to perform with the Portland Opera Orchestra. [$35+, Downtown]

Will This Tiny Bar Convince the WNBA to Move to Portland?

Portland takes its women’s sports very seriously, so it’s surprising we still don’t have a WNBA team of our own – we definitely have the fanbase to support one. At least, that’s what Jenny Nguyen thinks. A year ago, she opened The Sports Bra, a bar dedicated to women's sports. Today, host Claudia Meza talks with Jenny about her business’s role in bringing college and professional Women’s basketball to our city.