A lawsuit against Oregon transgender athletes

Rising Unemployment

Intel, Nike, and now Portland General Electric have all recently announced local layoffs. PGE is laying off 53 full-time and 123 contract workers, contributing to a 4.8% unemployment rate in Oregon — higher than the 4.1% national rate. [KGW]

US Sen Merkley Will Run

Ending months of speculation, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley announced he’ll seek reelection next year, after all. Merkley, 68, easily won a third term in 2020, with 57% of the vote. [Oregonian 🔒 ]

Suing Over Transgender High School Athletes

On the Friday news roundup, three Oregon high school athletes are suing to bloack transgender athletes from participating in girls sports — and overturn any records set by the transgender athletes. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

The Nature’s Kaleidoscope mural, at 1350 NW Lovejoy, was unveiled two years ago to honor the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act.

Artist Jeremy Nichols’s mural includes a gray wolf, northern spotted owl, coho salmon, and western painted turtle among other Pacific Northwest species.

“Attached to a tragically underused rooftop space that used to be a sports bar and then a cocktail bar,” wrote reader Roy M. “Bring back a rooftop bar!”

“NW 13th & Lovejoy on a beautiful building that used to house many gems of the Pearl including a fun rooftop sports bar, but is now slated for demolition to build a high-rise (boooo),” wrote reader Sindi. “There's an awesome underground bar under this mural called Below by Botanist.”

“Basics Market was in this spot previously — as well as Perritos Tacos,” wrote reader Alison.

A shoutout to these readers as well as Brett S. and Boris Eugene Ralpeli for getting the right location.

This week’s scavenger hunt is from reader Stephan Vertal.

Where is this public art?

Please click here to send me the location — and anything you know about it.

If you’re new to the newsletter, there’s a scavenger hunt (almost) every Friday. Please send me the location if you know it — and for unofficial bonus points, anything you know about it. In next week’s newsletter, I’ll shout out the first 10 readers who respond correctly (and reveal the answer).

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

Each week, we’re hearing about favorite local spots and organizations from City Cast Portland Neighbors. It’s a member benefit, but it’s also a great way to get to know our city:

• Community Warehouse | King neighborhood, Tigard, and Gresham | “Community Warehouse is doing amazing work across Portland to turn around gently used furniture and household items to neighbors in need and helping provide comfort and dignity to those overcoming adversity.” — Mark McMahon
• Taqueria Las Palomas | Hazelwood | “Taqueria Las Palomas is a great place to get Mexican food. It’s also connected to a wonderful little market.” — Scott Haselwood
• Portland Section of the American Chemical Society | They’re “serving chemists in a difficult time for scientists in America.” — Jim Tung

Become a City Cast Portland Neighbor today to share your own shoutout in this newsletter and on the podcast!