❄️ Why a Portland school stayed closed for a year

After Closing Last January, Markham Elementary Reopens

During last year’s ice storm, pipes burst at a Southwest elementary school. There was no easy fix, because there was both water damage and hazardous chemicals (including asbestos) to contend with. Yesterday, almost a year later, Markham finally reopened. [KGW]

Opposing Amazon’s Plans for Nuclear Power

There’s new, if expected opposition to Amazon’s plan to power its Northeast Oregon data centers by building small modular nuclear reactors in Southeast Washington. Some key environmental groups, economists, and tribes argue that the contamination and expense of past nuclear projects show the risks of proceeding. [OPB]

• Key fact: Measure 7, which passed in 1980, effectively banned nuclear power in Oregon. The law forbids new nuclear power plants until the federal government officially licenses a permanent disposal facility. [OPB]

Portland’s First City Council President

On the midweek roundup, it took nine rounds of voting for Portland’s new City Council to elect the city’s first council president. Here’s a dive into that marathon session. [City Cast Portland 🎧]