💸 Will an Oregon case disrupt Trump's tariffs?

Independent Defense Attorneys Doubt Case Against Billups

Defense attorneys say the case against Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups looks weak so far: Billups faces charges for allegedly helping to lure people to illegal and rigged poker games — a piece of a much larger case. But the games brought in just $50,000 (a small sum for a federal charge). Prosecutors will also need to show that Billups knew the games were a fraud and also continued to participate in the larger scheme — because the games took place more than five years ago and are beyond the statute of limitations. [Willamette Week]

$6M Bike Settlement Talks Go Sideways

City Council typically rubber-stamps settlements of city lawsuits, but the new council is currently opposing a $6 million settlement with BikeLoud PDX. The advocacy group sued over the city’s failure to dedicate the legally required 1% of major transportation projects to bike infrastructure. The settlement wouldn’t require Portland to rip up previous projects. The alternative is a trial with a potentially more costly outcome. [Portland Mercury]

Oregon Secretary of State Pushing Election Integrity

Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read is calling for the resignation of a federal official overseeing elections for spreading misinformation. U.S. Election Assistance Commissioner Christy McCormick claimed that left-wing elected officials oppose election security and “need illegal citizens to increase their votes.” Read called it “un-American to spread lies that sow fear and paranoia.” [KOIN]

Oregon’s Most Notorious Cults

Oregon has a reputation in popular culture for its long and weird history with cults. Many groups have come to our state and set up new eyebrow-raising belief systems. Kick Ass Oregon History podcast host Doug Kenck-Crispin explains the impact of a few of our state’s most notorious cults — and even one group that exists today. [City Cast Portland 🎧]