City Cast Portland
The best hikes to see forest fire recovery 🥾
July 11, 2023
Good morning, Portland! Take care in commuting on the bridges this week. There are a bunch of closures!
What's CITY Talking About?
First Challenge to Daytime Campaign Ban
Lawyers for 24 unhoused people have put the city on notice that they intend to sue over the daytime camping ban. OPB reports that the lawyers argue “it’s unreasonable for the city to not offer any information on where people can legally camp during the day.” [OPB]
Oregon Pushes Back on Fagan Subpoena
The feds’ subpoena of Oregon agency records related to former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan is very broad, suggesting investigators don’t yet have a clear idea of what they would charge her with. State officials are asking that they narrow the subpoena because of the excessive work required to fulfill it. [Willamette Week]
Oregon Is Old
Oregon has the oldest population of any state in the West (if you don’t count Hawaii). Our median age has climbed to 40.3, two months older than in 2021. There is still a relatively large population in their 30s and 40s. But people who moved here in the 1970s and 1990s are staying as they age. And we have relatively few kids. The large population of older folks could mean a decline in tax revenue. [Oregonian]
- Related: Millennial and Gen Z Portland go head-to-head. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
Fire Dangers Loom
A new report says all of Northwest Oregon and much of Central Oregon are at above-normal fire danger for all of July and August. Zach Urness, of the Statesman Journal, discusses what to expect. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
Sponsored Content
Brunch Is Better on a Boat
Portland is known for its love of brunch — elevate your brunch with a cruise on the Portland Spirit! You’ll enjoy a 2-hour cruise, live piano music, and a full brunch buffet. Plus, mimosas are included with your ticket! (21+ only.) Offered on Sundays year-round and twice weekly in July and August.
Where Is It?
A lot of you know the delights of the Mount Tabor stairs that connect the two defunct reservoirs. They’re a steep climb that makes for good exercise, whatever your pace.
A shout out to the first 10 readers to reply with the correct answers: Laurel Jones, Leah Dawkins, David S., Miranda Johnson, Susan Bladen, Brian Kinion, Greg Lang, DeAnn King, Dana Busch, Eric Crowl, and Ginny Kauffman. Thanks to readers who recommended other stairways around the area!
Today another scavenger hunt for water:
Where are these spouts of water? Know the answer? Email me.
What To Do
🐋 The Family That Preys Together: An Introduction to Killer Whales Around the World | Tuesday | 7 - 9 p.m.
An OMSI science pub explores a great ocean predator, who can kill the largest marine animals but also is highly intelligent and social. [$5, Central Eastside]
🎥 ‘Visitor of a Museum’ | Wednesday | 7 p.m.
This dark sci-fi film is set in the climate apocalypse after the ice caps have melted. One man keeps a sense of faith as he seeks a museum. [$8, Southeast Clinton Street]
🧘 Wellness Wednesdays with Pause Meditation | Wednesday | 12:30 - 1 p.m.
Join for a guided meditation at lunchtime. [Free, Downtown]
Today on City Cast
How Bad Will Oregon’s Wildfire Season Be?
After a hot, dry end to spring, Oregon has a long wildfire season ahead: a new report says all of Northwest Oregon and much of Central Oregon are at above-normal fire danger for all of July and August. Zach Urness, of the Statesman Journal, has been keeping a close eye on this summer’s fire season. He’s here to tell us what to expect.
There's a million different ways that you can start a fire. It doesn't necessarily have to be doing something super dumb, like chucking a firework into Eagle Creek.
O’Bryant Square in downtown Portland will no longer bear the name of the city’s first mayor. Its new name? Darcelle XV Plaza, in honor of the city’s late, great drag queen.
— Rachel Monahan
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