🏦 Just call it Big Pink now

Big Pink Loses Its Namesake

On the Friday news roundup, Portland’s largest skyscraper is losing the tenant that the building is officially named for. U.S. Bank has announced the decision to leave U.S. Bancorp Tower, which is more commonly known in Portland vernacular as Big Pink. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Wildfire Season Still Going

Oregon has had one of its worst wildfire seasons, and it’s still happening. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag warning of fire risk yesterday because of the heat and winds. It remains in effect today. [KOIN]

Oregon Continues Losing Logging Jobs

Oregon lost 500 logging jobs last year, which might not sound like a lot, but in rural counties where they are among the best-paid jobs, that has a disproportionate impact. The state has 40% fewer forestry jobs than it had in 2001. [Oregonian 🔒]

Oregon’s Congressional Race Is Tied

U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the first-term Republican incumbent, and Democratic challenger Janelle Bynum, a state representative, are statistically tied: 43% picked Bynum and 42% picked Chavez-DeRemer, within the margin of Arizona-based Noble Predictive Insights’ poll. [Oregonian 🔒]

The Skidmore Fountain in Old Town’s Ankeny Plaza is officially Portland’s oldest public art. "Police horses used to 'water up' there," wrote reader Kathy Robinson, identifying the spot. Reader Beth Sethi commented: “It's a pretty area I hope finds a new and fresh use as Portland continues its comeback.”

The scavenger hunt also sparked some memories:

“Skidmore Fountain. I've loved this fountain since I was a child coming to Saturday Markets at SW 1st / Ankeny. Saw it make an appearance in a film I love — ‘What The Bleep!? Do We Know?’” — Mark Wood

“I remember years and years of Portland’s Elvis performing there along with all types of other performers.” — Rachael

Rounding out the first 10 readers to identify the spot were: Jen Oliver-Rigsby, Tracy Ross, Brian Finlayson, Claudia Walker, Rick Turoczy, and Shannon Page.

On to next week’s scavenger hunt:

As always, please email me the location and anything you know about the spot.