🏥 The one local Democrat voting to end the shutdown

PPS Board Member Accuses City Council President of Throwing Around Her Influence

In a Facebook post earlier this year, Portland School Board Vice Chair Michelle DePass accused an unnamed public official of trying to “shame me into making a special decision for her daughter.” Willamette Week reports that it was Portland City Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney, and she wanted PPS to allow students with September birthdays a chance to enter kindergarten early. Pirtle-Guiney says there was a misunderstanding and that she was supporting the change for families she was hearing from. [Willamette Week]

Nike’s Downtown Store Reopens

Closed since 2023, Nike’s downtown store reopened yesterday after a massive remodeling. In another bit of good news for downtown, Columbia Sportswear will reopen its flagship store today. [Willamette Week]

US Rep Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez Voted for Reopening

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez (D., Wash.) was one of just six Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives to vote in favor of ending the government shutdown, which didn’t include a deal to address health care costs. “Nobody likes paying even more money to insurance companies — and the fight to stop runaway health insurance premiums won’t be won by holding hungry Americans hostage,” she said in a statement. No Oregon Democrats and no other Washington Democrats voted for it. [KGW]

Banning Algorithms in Rent-Setting

On the Friday news roundup, City Council is expected to vote later this month on a proposal from Councilor Angelita Morillo to bar landlords from using algorithms from real estate data firms to set residential rent. Advocates say it amounts to collusion between real estate investors, while critics say the ban would be one more reason that investors won’t want to to build housing in Portland. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

A Portland Institute for Contemporary Art building on North Williams Avenue — between North Hancock and San Rafael streets — is the canvas for this colorful design.

“The mural was done by Sharita Towne of Thelma Johnson Streat, who was a pioneering Black artist, dancer, and educator in Portland, gaining prominence in the 1940s for her work that combined dance and visual art,” wrote reader Michael B Stevenson Jr.

A shoutout to Michael for that answer — and the rest of the readers who correctly identified the location: Lisa R., Stephan Vertal, Rob Zed, Sletsy, Teacher Betsy, Colin Rowan, Hanna L., and Kelly.

This week’s scavenger hunt is from me:

Where have you seen these sculptures? Hint: They’re all part of a memorial.

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 on Fridays. 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 include favorite local spots and organizations picked by City Cast Portland Neighbors. It’s a member benefit, but it’s also a great way to get to know our city:

• Fresh Love Cafe | Roseway | It’s “my favorite spot for breakfast and lunch. Their breakfast sandwiches are incredible and they use Dos Hermanos bread. They change up their sandwiches to match what’s in season so I never get bored of their menu. They also have a small market in the cafe selling items like fresh produce, bread, salsa, hummus. Their coffee drinks are also delicious. The place is so cute and cozy and the owners live in the neighborhood.” — Sarah S.
• Rhinestone PDX | Southeast Clinton Street | “Permanent Rhinestone PDX opening soon on Clinton, the pop ups have been amazing!” — Tommy T.
• Portland: Neighbors Welcome | “I'd like to shout-out Portland: Neighbors Welcome, a non-profit that believes housing is a human right and which is dedicated to ensuring there is a home for current and future Portlanders of all ages, wages, and life stages. And they are looking for new members!” — Dave P.

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