🚗 It’s official: driving in Portland stinks

10th Worst City to Drive In

The Portland metro area placed 10th in a ranking of worst cities to drive in. We have the sixth-highest rate of car thefts and the 11th-highest gas prices. Also, we ranked second for the most rainy days. Forbes analyzed 47 cities and determined that Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., are the best for drivers — and Oakland the worst. [KOIN]

Stunning Disapproval for Local Leaders

Portland area voters are very displeased with their elected leaders. In a recent poll by the local firm DHM Research, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, who is not running for reelection, has a 24% approval rating, with a shockingly high 70% disapproval rating. Clackamas County Chair Tootie Smith, who is up for reelection, has the best of the bad numbers, with 31% approving and 39% disapproving. [Oregonian 🔒]

• Your turn: I’m curious: Do you still approve of Wheeler? Supporters, please email me what you’ve seen in his leadership. I’ll share responses in the newsletter.

A Disgraced Activist Hired by Therapy Center

A local LGBTQ+-focused psychotherapy practice continues to employ a disgraced activist to work on equity and human resources — even after half the clinic’s therapists quit amid revelations Raquel Saraswati lost her previous job for allegedly faking her ethnic identity. Saraswati had claimed to be of “Arab, South Asian and Latino descent” while working as the chief equity and inclusion officer for Philadelphia-based American Friends Service Committee, but her mother told the nonprofit news outlet The Intercept that Saraswati was “as white as the driven snow.” [Willamette Week]

A Change in Direction at Multnomah County?

The outcome of the May primary could lead to a significant change in direction at the Multnomah County Commission. Oregonian City Hall reporter Shane Dixon-Kavanaugh shares his cheat sheet on these under-the-radar contests. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Why You Should Really, Really Care About the Multnomah County Commissioners’ Election

Four of the five seats on the Multnomah County Commission are up for grabs during this month’s primary election. The outcome could lead to a significant shift in the priorities of county leaders, despite being under-the-radar for many voters. Oregonian City Hall reporter Shane Dixon Kavanaugh is sharing his cheat sheet on who’s running and where they stand on the issues. (Plus, he’ll explain their duties if you’re not 100% sure what the county commission even does.)