Your favorite Portland doughnuts

1 in 6 New Oregon Cars Is Zero-Emissions

One in 6 new vehicles registered in Oregon in February was electric or hybrid plug-in. That continues a surge in “zero-emission” vehicle sales in the state, but for now they still represent less than 2% of vehicles on the state’s roads so far. [Oregonian]

Hot Weather Today

We are on day 22 of no rain in Portland, which happens often, but usually later in the year, when summer has officially started. And we’re getting some unseasonably warm weather today with a high of 93 degrees. [KOIN]

Unsheltered Sex Offenders

It’s hard for registered sex offenders who’ve left prison to find housing. While public notice requirements make sense for communities, who want to know where sex offenders live, there’s an unintended consequence. In Multnomah County, 11% of registered sex offenders are experiencing homelessness; statewide, it’s 5%. [Oregonian]

Willamette River Status Update

After decades of renewal efforts, officials and nonprofits are working to make swimming in the Willamette River more appealing than ever — from dock replacements to weekly waterside DJ sets. “It's the world's laziest revolution; you can make a difference by just jumping in the water and demonstrating to people that it feels great," says Willie Levenson, who’s with the river advocacy group Human Access Project. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Last week’s photo, of the city’s most iconic sculpture, is Portlandia — whose name was repurposed for a certain TV show. The sculpture was inspired by the flag of the city, which features “Miss Commerce.” Portlandia has only been around since 1985. She was immediately beloved and given the nickname the “Copper Goddess.”

Thanks to everyone who responded — and a shout-out to the first 10 readers with the correct answers:

Oscar Rincones, Jesse Rader, Jodie Ostrovsky, Molly, Mark McCormick, Marie Cacao, Kathy Robinson, Dawn Dunlap, Jim Tung, and Jennifer Cassidy, who wrote: “I remember watching it arrive, back when we used to hang out at Pioneer Square — brings back memories of when Portland was going through a lot of changes. The new square, the statue, then came the first MAX line. Great time to be a teenager in downtown Portland.”

In honor of the heat, here’s another fountain for you. What’s it called? Where is it?

Rose Festival Treasure Hunt | Ongoing | Anytime

There’s a $1,000 prize for the first person to locate the treasure based on a series of clues. Clues are released daily until June 11. [Free, Across Multnomah, Clackamas, Clark, Washington, and Yamhill Counties]

• Side note: I got lost in learning Oregon history from the clues after going down that rabbit hole. Good luck!

Sea Otters: The Ghosts of the Oregon Coast | Tuesday | 7 - 9 p.m.

Part of the OMSI Science Pub series, this installment will reveal the absence of sea otters from the Oregon Coast, hunted out of existence before the 1900s, and reintroduction efforts. [$5, Central Eastside]

Portland Horror Film Festival | Wednesday - Sunday | Various Times

New short and feature films, from monster movies to masked killers. [$20+, Hollywood, Southeast Clinton]

The Willamette River Is Clean Now! (Well, Mostly)

Even after decades of work to make the Willamette River a safe place to swim, lots of Portlanders still refuse to go in it. So where does this toxic reputation stem from, and how safe is it ACTUALLY today? Today, we’re talking with Willie Levenson, the Ringleader of the river advocacy group Human Access Project, about the revitalization of the Willamette and his favorite spots on the river to swim this summer.