A Portland map of sidewalk joy

New Fire Hazard Maps

After a record wildfire season last year, Oregon released a new wildfire hazard map this week. In all, roughly 1.9 million tax lots (or 6% of the state’s lots) are now included as low, moderate, or high-hazard areas. [Associated Press]

$1.8 Billion for Last Round of PPS High Schools

Since 2012, voters have approved over $4 billion in bonds to renovate all but three of Portland Public Schools’ high schools. To fix up Ida B. Wells, Jefferson, and Cleveland, the board voted to ask voters this May for $1.8 billion — which would be the largest school bond in state history. [Oregonian 🔒]

Portland Landlord Company Sued

A federal antitrust lawsuit against a Texas-based property management software company now includes half a dozen property management companies, who are alleged to have illegally coordinated with one another on what to charge for rent nationwide. Among those being sued is Greystar, which manages 19,000 units in the Portland metro area. [KGW]

A Portland Map of Sidewalk Joy

Portland’s streets are full of homemade stations like mini-libraries, keychain exchanges, and poetry pottery vending machines. This community-driven network of sidewalk joy showcases the city’s creativity and whimsy. Rachael Harms Mahlandt, co-founder of the Sidewalk Joy Map, is here to guide us to these hidden gems. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

To start off the new year, this week’s mailbag segment features some inspiring New Year’s resolutions, from your fellow readers:

“I’m going to focus on Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling this year.” — Debbie

“My 2025 resolution is to cut out screens while eating! Eating is enjoyable, so might as well enjoy it.” — Taran Nadler

“I am eliminating anyone or anything that doesn’t bring me joy and/or is an emotional or energy vampire. Nothing but good for me.” — Cindy S.

“I started this in 2024, actually, and am planning on continuing it into this year. Instead of a resolution, per se, at the beginning of each month I pick 1-2 new habits that I would like to develop and then spend that month working on establishing them. They're usually small things, like flossing my teeth (no, I wasn't a flosser before I made that a habit in November) or writing down something everyday that I'm grateful for. Little things to improve my life, things that aren't daunting or overwhelming.” — Amy S.

“Stop using Amazon! $1 out of every $2 spent on the internet is spent on Amazon. I don’t want to fund Bezos anymore. He could end poverty and/or homelessness, and every day he wakes up and chooses not to.

“Stop eating meat. I’m seeing way too many cute videos on Instagram of cows and pigs acting like pets 😭 And too many documentaries about how gross the meat industry is.“ — Callie S.

As always, I’m delighted to hear your views on the newsletter or suggestions for anything we should be covering about Portland. I welcome emails anytime.