📲 Facial recognition and quotas in immigration arrests

Questioning Immigration Arrests

Federal agents testified this week in Portland that they are using facial recognition software to make immigration arrests and are subject to quotas for the number of people they detain. “We’re dealing with a system that may very well have violated the law,” said U.S. District Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai during the hearings. The nonprofit Innovation Law Lab is suing over one woman’s detention and signaled that they’ll expand their effort into a class-action lawsuit. [Oregonian]

Kotek Confirms Reelection Bid

As expected, Gov. Tina Kotek plans to run for reelection next year. Her announcement yesterday sets the stage for a potential rematch with Chrstine Drazan, her previous Republican opponent, who is now a state senator. Drazan announced her 2026 gubernatorial bid back in October. [OPB]

Empty Affordable Apartments

The Portland area’s housing authority, Home Forward, has 995 empty affordable homes. That makes for an exceedingly high 14% vacancy rate. And it comes at a time when 7,500 people experiencing homelessness are living on the streets. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Zoobomb Pyle, known more formally as the People's Bike Library of Portland, was once a collection of bicycles used for weekly rides down the West Hills from the zoo. Cyclists took their bikes up the hill by MAX train and would, well, bomb down the hill. Now it’s classic Portland public art. The stack of bikes is at Southwest 13th Avenue and Harvey Milk Street, close to Burnside.

“The bikes that were locked up there were unlocked and used for each zoo bomb,” wrote reader Ben.

“One of the first things I biked by after moving to Portland that made me feel like I made the right choice,” wrote reader Eric C.

“It has, I believe, a first aid kit in the base of the statue,” wrote reader Leo Schaefer

A shoutout to those readers and also Greg P., Lynne C., Ronald H., Amy S, Sally W., and M., who identified the spot.

This week’s scavenger hunt is another, courtesy of photographer Mark E. McClure:

An umbrella seems appropriate for today. Where’s this one?

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:

• Multnomah Village’s Holiday Gala | Today | “Multnomah Village is hosting its Holiday Gala from 5 - 8 p.m., complete with a tree-lighting ceremony and special events throughout the neighborhood. Make sure to stop by [the gift shop] Peggy Sundays early for a local author book signing from 1 - 3 p.m., then stay for dinner and all the festivities. — Carrie F.
• Grace Memorial Episcopal Church | Northeast Weidler Street | “Grace Memorial Episcopal Church hosts weekly community dinners on Sundays starting at 5 p.m. These meals are free to all regardless of need, ability, or belief. Grace Memorial is also a wonderful place to hear organ music at the 10 a.m. service, or the contemplative 8 a.m. service.” — Andrew G.
• Fonograf Editions | “Support local non-profit Fonograf Editions during its first appearance in the Willamette Week Give Guide! Weird literature is good!” — Airin A.

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