⛽ Zenith gets its air quality permit

The Mayor Didn’t Give the Feds What They Wanted

On the Friday news roundup, the city has now let protesters back to the area near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building. Mayor Keith Wilson rejected the federal demands that police enforce a wider perimeter. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

• Related: 47 ideas from Willamette Week on what the troops could actually do to help the city.
• Related: U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said at a Cabinet meeting yesterday that she is looking for new property for the agency to buy in Portland. It’s not clear what it would be for. Mayor Keith Wilson and Noem did discuss the city taking over the ICE building if operations are moved before the end of the lease. [OPB]

Zenith Gets Its Air Quality Permit

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will allow Zenith Energy to continue to operate in Northwest Portland — awarding a required air quality permit while also setting new targets for reducing the emission of volatile organic compounds. It will also prohibit the storage or loading of crude oil at the terminal beginning October 2027. Environmentalists had fiercely opposed the permit, saying their calculations show the company won’t actually pull off the reductions. [Oregonian]

RIP to a Portland Lawmaker

Oregon Rep. Hòa Nguyễn, a staunch advocate for education and child care services, died Thursday at the age of 41. She was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and stopped attending legislative sessions in February, but returned when her vote was needed on the transportation bill. She was one of five Vietnamese American legislators elected in 2022 — a record number for the Oregon Legislature. [Oregonian]

A shoutout this week to readers Kaylah H., Michelle Mathews, and Ali R. who identified the spot at Northwest 21st Avenue and Johnson Street. It was formerly home to City Market. The art is so new it’s not yet done. “The mural is currently in progress!” wrote reader Kaylah H.

This week’s scavenger hunt comes from reader Amy F. And while this mural is complete, it was put up just this year:

Where have you seen this mural? Who is it? (I’ve seen mixed reviews of this artwork. What do you think?)

Please click here to send me the location — and, for unofficial bonus points, anything you know about it.

If you’re new to the newsletter, there’s a scavenger hunt (almost) every Friday. 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:

• Rose City Reads | "Rose City Reads is the east-side outpost of Friends of the Multnomah Co Library & they're having a $1 kids' book sale this Fri & Sat, 10/10 & 11, 11am-5pm! " — Mary W.
• Torus | They’re “a Portland nonprofit that teaches English to immigrants online and in person. They always want more volunteers!” — Daniel K.
• Lombard House | St. Johns | “Just had THE BEST time watching my beloved Philadelphia Eagles at Lombard House in St. Johns! Get there, fellow Eagles fans! Go Birds! 🦅” — Chris C.

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