Where to swim in the Willamette

$500k to Address Portland’s Train Crossings

Union Pacific trains are 30% longer than in 2018, exacerbating delays at train crossings across Portland. But a dose of good news: the city now has a half-million-dollar federal grant to study fixes on the Central Eastside. There’s no money yet for potential projects. [Portland Mercury]

Former Oregon Secretary of State Under Federal Investigation

Federal officials have opened an investigation into former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan; a federal grand jury will convene later this month. Fagan resigned over her contract with a cannabis company whose owners were political donors. Gov. Tina Kotek had previously asked the state’s Ethics Commission and Department of Justice to investigate the issues. [Oregonian]

• Related: Willamette Week’s Sophie Peel discussed her reporting on the Fagan scandal with the City Cast Portland podcast. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Staffing Troubles to Addressing Homelessness

Low pay rates dictated as part of Multnomah County’s contracts to provide homeless services has resulted in nonprofits failing to hire and retain staff. Multnomah County has spent less than half of the money available from the Metro homeless services measures in the first three quarters of this fiscal year, and Metro, county and city staff are working to spend more than $40 million before July 1, in part by fixing pay rates. [OPB]

From gentle folk songs to hard-hitting punk anthems, you all came through when I asked for your picks for the best Portland song. Now you can listen to them all in one place. A shout out to City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza for compiling the playlist. Here’s her take:

Team Dresch’s "Fagetarian and Dyke"

“This is the band that made me aware Portland even existed. Through them, I learned that this city not only had a wonderful queer punk music scene, but it also had a lot of lesbians (lol). I listened to them A LOT in High School, and every morning when I waited for the Metrolink to take me to school, I would daydream of freight hopping on the cargo trains that chugged on by using the same tracks because someone told me they were going up north to Portland.”

Quasi’s “Ghost Dreaming”

“Another quintessential Portland band I grew up listening to in LA before I moved up here. My band Explode Into Colors did our final tour with them, and it felt like a full-circle moment for me. I don't think I ever told them how big of a deal it was for me. I think I was too busy breaking up with my band.”

New Bloods’ "The Secret Life"

“This band convinced me to move to Portland after graduating college in Olympia, Wash. Our bands would play together, and I would set up shows for them in Washington, and they would do the same for me here in Portland. They introduced me to the Dekum Manor, a now torn-down punk house/venue, where I met all the sweethearts that became my new music community. I feel like this was our specific era in the Portland music scene.”

“And, of course, anything by Dead Moon, because Dead Moon.”

Got a favorite Portland song we’ve missed? Email me.

Bonus track:

This week on podcast, Claudia interviewed writer Casey Parks about the songs that have defined her time in Portland.

Rose Festival Fleet Week | Wednesday - Sunday | Various

The Rose City has been a port of call for U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Ships. Now you get tour them! [Free, Downtown]

Hidden Portland Ride | Wednesday | 6 p.m.

A Pedalpalooza ride through inner eastside Portland to find “Hidden Treasures.” (Join the Facebook group Hidden Portland for the Curious for virtual hidden treasures.) [Free, starts in Buckman]

Seal | Saturday | 8 p.m.

The British R&B superstar touches down in Portland. [$69.25+, Downtown]

Where to Find an Inspired Portland Brunch

Portland loves brunch so much, it has its own “Portlandia” skit. Our brunch scene was once mighty and line-worthy, but then the pandemic hit and many of our favorite spots closed. But Oregonian food writer and (self-proclaimed king of brunch) Michael Russell says a brunching renaissance is afoot. He’s sharing some of his new (and old) favorite spots in town to inspire us all to get back out there.