City Cast Portland
Portland’s big health care shakeup
August 18, 2023
¡Buenos días, Portland! If you have a dehumidifier in your house, check the model. It could be one of the 1.5 million that were just recalled for starting fires.
What's CITY Talking About?
⚖️ A First for Oregon Supreme Court
Portland-based attorney Aruna Masih, who has spent years fighting for workplace rights, will be the first Punjabi Indian American and South Asian to serve the state’s highest court. She will fill the vacancy for Justice Adrienne Nelson, who was nominated to Oregon’s federal court in February. Gov. Tina Kotek praised Masih as a champion of civil rights that will strengthen the court. [Oregonian]
⚖️ Local Health Care Market Shakeup
Oregon Health & Science University announced Wednesday that it is merging with the struggling hospital chain Legacy Health. Legacy reportedly lost a whopping $172 million during its 2023 fiscal year, placing it in a precarious financial situation — it controversially tried to close its Legacy Mt. Hood birthing center earlier this year. Regulators will first need to approve the merger before it is final. [Oregonian]
👨💻 Portland’s Top Safety Official Was Working Remotely
Mike Myers was hired to direct the city’s Community Safety Division in 2021 but has reportedly spent much of his time in his role living and working remotely from a gated community in Henderson, Nevada. A spokesperson for the division said Myers’ remote work has not affected his role, but local activists disagree, questioning if someone can oversee such important safety matters from nearly 800 miles away. [OPB]
- 🎧 Related: We spoke to Mike Myers about his vision for improving Portland’s troubled emergency response system. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
💼 Oregon’s Employment Streak
The state’s unemployment rate went down for the sixth consecutive month. The Oregon Employment Department reported a 3.4% unemployment rate in July, slightly lower than the national average in the same month. The healthcare industry saw the largest job growth, while jobs in the finance and transportation sectors declined. [Portland Business Journal]
What To Do
🎨 Basic Acrylic Art Techniques | Friday | 6 p.m.
Beginner and intermediate artists are invited to practice their skills at the Vancouver Art Space. [Vancouver; $75+]
💄 Drag Party | Friday | 8 p.m.
The third annual party brings performances, music, and a marketplace. Proceeds benefit the Transgender Law Center. [Buckman; $20]
😆 Martini Tonight Comedy Show | Friday | 9:30 p.m.
A very Portland late-night variety show featuring laughs, fits, and ludicrous entertainment. [Hoshford-Abernathy; $10]
🎞️ ‘Pee Wee’s Big Adventure’ on 35mm | Saturday and Sunday | Various Times
The Hollywood Theater is paying homage to the late Paul Reubens with special screenings on 35mm film. [Hollywood; $8+]
🛒 Adult Soapbox Derby | Saturday | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where ingenuity and speed intersect. Watch 42 creatively handmade vehicles race down the hill. [Mt. Tabor; Free to Attend, Donations Suggested]
🐩 Pets on the Patio | Saturday | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Enjoy lunch on the patio at Bob’s Red Mill, featuring a pet costume contest and parade. [Milwaukie; Free]
🤘 Northwest Hardcore Fest | Saturday | Noon - 10 p.m.
Watch 28 of the best hardcore bands from the Pacific Northwest and California. There will be food, merch, and art for sale. [Powellhurst-Gilbert; $40]
🛍️ Jade International Night Market | Saturday | 1 - 9 p.m.
Shop from local artists and makers in the Jade District. This annual event highlights the diversity and transition of the area. [South Tabor; Free]
🥳 Multicultural Kids Festival | Sunday | 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Celebrate the diversity of Portland’s youth with music, activities, food, and more. [Ventura Park; Free]
🔊 ‘Mount Immigration’ Concert | Sunday | 1 p.m.
SoundsTruck NW brings its mobile stage to the peak of Mount Tabor for a migration-themed concert. [Mount Tabor; Free]
⚽ World Cup Final Watch Party | Sunday | Midnight
Forget your sleep schedule and watch Spain and England face off for all the marbles. The game begins at 3 a.m. [Hawthorne; $10]
Today on City Cast
No Arts Money, PGE’s Outage Tips, and County Fails Shelter Plans (Again)
Today we’re talking about Multnomah County’s inability to follow through on plans to tackle homelessness, how state lawmakers forgot to pay their art bills, and what to do about PGE’s dire warnings of what’s to come.
We are literally funneling tens of millions of dollars into Multnomah County’s coffers every year and they just seem to bumble every single step.
And that’s a wrap on a very hot week. Enjoy your weekend and remember to stay off the Willamette River.
— Adrian González
Edited by John Notarianni and copy edited by Giulia Fiaoni
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