Will Portland teachers strike?

Further Slowdown on Rapid Housing

Between June and the first week of October, Multnomah County found housing for only 18 people from a large encampment in Old Town. Originally, county chair Jessica Vega Pederson announced ambitious plans to house 300 people by the end of May, but later downsized the effort to just 100 people — and fell short again. [Oregonian 🔒]

‘Epidemic’ of Traffic Fatalities

The Oregon Health Authority is now formally tracking the increase in traffic fatalities. Oregon is not alone in experiencing the disturbing trend, but the state’s fatality rate from traffic crashes grew by more than 50% in the last 12 years. In 2022 there were 14 traffic deaths per 100,000 Oregonians. OHA is also tracking hospitalizations and injuries, which have held steady. [KOIN / Oregonian]

Halloween Opening for Ritz-Carlton

After a delayed opening, the new Portland Ritz-Carlton hotel is holding a formal ribbon cutting and accepting reservations for Oct. 31. The 35-story, $600 million development has 132 condos and 251 hotel rooms. A highly anticipated food hall won’t open till spring. [KGW]

• Related: Portland has some big feels about the arrival of the Ritz. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Portland Teachers Strike?

What do we know about the contract negotiations between Portland Public Schools and the teachers union? Will there be a strike? It’s the roundup of this week’s news. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

🧡 Orange Wine Fest | Friday - Sunday | Various

Taste nine orange wines, including some local picks. [$25+, Kerns]

• Related: Is natural wine just a fad? [City Cast Portland 🎧]

🎂 Tom Petty's Birthday Bash | Friday | 8 p.m.

There’ll be karaoke and live performances for the sixth annual celebration of the star’s birthday. [Free, Downtown]

• Related: The do’s and don’ts of Portland karaoke. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

🎪 Fright Night: A Halloween Circus | Ongoing | Various

An evening watching horror movies turns even more horror-filled, in this R-rated tale staged by circus performers. [$49.50+, Downtown]

⚾ Sports Card and Collectibles Show | Saturday | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Check out some memorabilia while supporting Parkrose High School’s baseball and softball teams. [$5, Parkrose]

🌅 Portland Open Studios | Saturday - Sunday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Artists from all over the city are opening up their workspaces to the public. There are 100 artists participating, including the painter Erin LaCerra. [Free, Various]

🐀 Portland Oddities & Curiosities | Saturday - Sunday | 10 a.m.

There will be vendors, dealers, and artists from all over the country showcasing all things weird. Take a taxidermy class to learn how to mount a rabbit or a rat. [$14+, Lloyd District]

🧟 Thrill the World Portland: Rehearsal | Saturday - Sunday | 3 - 5 p.m.

Practice with the other zombies to perform “Thriller” for the 17th annual global dance. [Free, Irving Park]

🎪 Troupe Vertigo's Cirque Noir with the Oregon Symphony | Saturday - Sunday | Various

Watch the aerial acrobatics of the dance troupe as the symphony performs. [$34+, Downtown]

☮️ George Harrison Celebration | Saturday | 8 p.m.

It’s 52 years since the Concert For Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden. It’s the third annual celebration of a lesser Beatle. [$47.86, Buckman]

🎃 West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta | Sunday | 12 p.m.

Watch the spectacle of giant fall gourds raced as if they were boats! [Free, Tualatin]

Runners Nix Nike, Historic PPS Strike, and Medicaid to Ease Homelessness

Portland Public Schools teachers may strike. Nike loses prominence with everyday runners. And Oregon’s new Medicaid voucher program helps pay for housing. City Cast Portland podcast host Claudia Meza and lead producer John Notarianni — as well as Portland Mercury news reporter Taylor Griggs — discuss the week’s news.