Why City Council just opted to spend more money

Doctors on Strike

Among the workers out on strike against Providence are 70 doctors who formed a labor union in 2023. Low morale and cost-cutting have driven an increasing number of doctors across the country to unionize. [Oregonian 🔒]

Crackdown on Lawless Drivers

The Portland Police Bureau is enforcing more driving violations. One piece of evidence: On Wednesday, they made 12 stops on the Central Eastside and downtown by targeting cars with no license plates. They made two arrests, towed five cars, and recovered two stolen cars. [Bike Portland]

$4.6M More for Portland City Hall Staff and Budgets

On the Friday news roundup, even as it faces a budget shortfall, Portland City Council voted for a $4.6 million increase in its budget. City Council members will now have two dedicated staff members; the mayor’s office will have eight. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

• By comparison: Under the previous form of government, the four city commissioners each had roughly seven staff members and the mayor had 17. [OPB]

Last week’s scavenger hunt was for the church with a distinctive tower — St. James Lutheran Church, on Southwest Park Avenue at Jefferson Street.

A shoutout to the first 10 readers to respond to this one: Melissa Reading, Liam Richards, Teresa Tan, Amy K, Ben, Damon Jones, Jody Anderson, Bennie Cooper-Abra, Maisa Mulgado, and Ulrike Devoto.

Today’s treasure hunt comes from senior producer Giulia Fiaoni.

Where is this mural of cutesy monsters? Please email me the location — and, if you want, anything you know about it.

📸 Want to submit a photo? Send me a snapshot of somewhere in the Portland metro area, and we’ll consider it for an upcoming Where Is It? segment!