City Cast Portland
Why the feds are investigating PSU
February 5, 2025 · — Rachel Monahan
Good morning, Portland! ❄️ It may snow this morning. Before you head out, you might want to check the conditions on roads and for TriMet (as well as for school closures or delays).
What's CITY Talking About?
Investigation of Antisemitism at PSU
In response to a President Trump executive order that alleged an “unrelenting barrage of discrimination” against Jewish students, the U.S. Department of Education is investigating antisemitism at several universities, including at Portland State. PSU was in the headlines last year when students calling for a ceasefire in Gaza occupied the library for multiple days. [Willamette Week]
- If you’re curious: Four other universities are also under investigation: Columbia University, Northwestern University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. [Willamette Week]
Mall Business Shut Down With Arrest
A skincare kiosk and spa in the Vancouver Mall has closed after a TV news investigation. The owner of BH28 Skincare Consultants was also arrested for trying to convince a 75-year-old woman to pay $50,000 as part of becoming a company spokesmodel. [KOIN]
This feels like the first major test of what this new City Council can do and it does look like 'Mm, nah — status quo wins.'
Zenith Energy Permit Approved
On the City Cast Portland podcast news roundup: Despite opposition from environmentalists and some city councilors, the city moved forward with approving new permits for Zenith Energy. Why? [City Cast Portland 🎧]
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What To Do
Wednesday, Feb. 5
- 🎗️ ‘Taken From Their Families’ (exhibit on Japanese American incarceration) | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | $8 | Japanese American Museum of Oregon (Old Town)
- 🏮 Celebrate the Year of the Snake (dragon and lantern viewing event) | 5:30 - 7 p.m. or 7 - 9 p.m. (various times through Feb. 16) | $43 | Lan Su Chinese Garden (Old Town)
- 🎵 Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few | 7:30 p.m. | $34.50+ | The Old Church (Downtown)
- 🎥 ‘The Tale of the Princess Kaguya’ (Studio Ghibli Film Festival) | 8 p.m. | $9 | OMSI
Thursday, Feb. 6
- 🖼️ Free First Thursdays | 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. | Free Admission | Portland Art Museum
- 🎨 First Thursday at PNCA + North Park Blocks | 5 - 8 p.m. | Free | Pearl District
- 🌲 Fundamentals of Conifers | 6 p.m. | $30 | Online (Zoom)
- 🎭 ‘FRIDA, un retablo’ (preview night: Spanish with English subtitles) | 7:30 p.m. (various times through Feb. 22) | $32.35 | Milagro Theatre (Buckman)
Friday, Feb. 7
- 💡 Portland Winter Light Festival (opening night) | After Dark | Free | Various Locations
- 🎨 ‘Witches of the West’ | 1 - 6 p.m. (through Feb. 22) | Free | Chefas Projects (Central Eastside)
- 🎉 Tết Ât Tý (Lunar New Year with the Vietnamese Community of Oregon) | 5:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Free | McDaniel High School
- 🎨 First Friday Art Walk | 6 - 9 p.m. | Free | Various Locations
- 🎭 ‘Hairspray’ | 7:30 p.m. (various times through Feb. 9) | $53.79+ | Winningstad Theatre
- 📚🎵 Stuart Murdoch: ‘Nobody's Empire’ (book tour) | 7:30 p.m. | $38.11 | Polaris Hall (Humboldt neighborhood)
- 🎵 Wunderhorse | 9 p.m. | $26.05 | Mississippi Studios
🐘 The Oregon Zoo welcomed a roughly 200-pound baby over the weekend. Isn’t she cute?
Free · Daily