🏀 WNBA is back in Portland

🏀 U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden on the WNBA’s Return to Portland

On the Friday news roundup, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden joins us to celebrate the announcement of a Portland WNBA team! Plus, updates on three high-ranking city officials who are all in hot water. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

👀 Kotek Aims to Expand Hillsboro’s Urban Growth Boundary

Gov. Tina Kotek intends to use a temporary and controversial executive power to side-step land use laws and bring 1,700 acres in Hillsboro within the region’s growth boundary to develop a semiconductor facility. Critics of the governor’s proposal say that there is already untapped land within the boundary. [OPB]

🚲 Portland Naked Bike Ride Is Back

Expect to see skin and wheels on Saturday, Sept. 21 along Southwest Naito Parkway. After nonprofit Umbrella announced they were pausing the Portland World Naked Bike Ride this year, more than 20 local groups organized this weekend’s independent body-positivity event with a (similar) new name: World Naked Bike Ride Portland. [Willamette Week]

💸 City Says Live Nation Partners Can Purchase Eastside Lot

Prosper Portland’s board of commissioners voted to sell a plot at the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge to Live Nation Entertainment’s development partners. The entertainment company plans to build a $50 million music venue there, which has drawn criticism because of Live Nation’s history of anti-competitive practices. [Willamette Week]

The pink Laurelhurst house with the extensive collection of lawn ornaments is an unofficial Portland landmark. Reader Miriana wrote in with a couple observations about the iconic lawn, which is on Northeast Glisan and Floral Streets:

“Even though the collection looks hodge podge, there is a method to the madness; each grouping has a theme. The angels are grouped together, the birds, gnomes, etc. Granted, you have to look and study, but there is an organization to it,” she wrote, adding:

“The house was repainted (within the last 5 years). We saw the scaffolding and masking going on. we thought they would find a new color and trim. NOPE. They painted the same colors. I'm glad they are here. This house gives my walks an interest to look forward to.”

A shoutout to the first 10 readers who knew the spot: Makena Harris, Tracy Ross, Cameron in Montavilla, Dana Busch, Nikki, Ellen Lentz Waldstein, Ruby Salyers, Brian Finlayson, Mark McClure, and Miriana.

Here’s this week’s scavenger hunt:

Where is this colorful display? What do you know about the spot? Please email me the location.