🏊 Why you may want to take a Portland swim test

Ox To Reopen

The award-winning Argentinian-influenced restaurant Ox is reopening today. A fire in March spread from the restaurant’s grill and led to the months-long closure. [KGW]

• Related: A few late-evening reservations are still available this week. [Resy]

Heatwave Proved Deadly

Since Friday, four people from the Portland area and another from southern Oregon have died from what appear to be heat-related causes. Officials have not released personal details other than all five were men. [OPB]

• Related: At least three people have drowned since the heatwave began in Oregon rivers as more people are seeking relief from the heat. [KATU]

DA-Elect Plans More Drug Possession Prosecutions

Nathan Vasquez, Multnomah County district attorney-elect, is saying he’ll prosecute after the first offense for drug possession, upending a deal between law enforcement and county officials that would have allowed unlimited deflections. The complication for Vasquez’s plan: The courts are already overwhelmed; even more serious drug-dealing cases are being dropped or postponed because there aren’t enough defense attorneys available. [OPB]

Swim Test for the Deep End

Portland public pools now require a swim test for anyone who wants to go in the deep end. The new policy went into effect last month and comes after a drowning last summer at the Montavilla pool. [Oregonian 🔒]

Is the Heatwave Over? Plus, One-Star Reviews of Local Music Venues

On the midweek roundup: Portland’s still facing a heatwave, with disparate impacts, and more extreme weather in the future. Plus, check out the one-star reviews of some beloved local music venues. City Cast Portland executive producer John Notarianni and producer Giulia Fiaoni discuss.