⛏️ Lithium mining might come to Oregon

PPS Board Regrets Their Behavior

The Portland Public Schools’ board publicly argued with one another last week at a meeting to approve $61 million for an outside contractor to manage upcoming construction of school bond projects. This week, board members issued a formal statement of regret: “We agreed that parts of the meeting did not reflect the level of respect, clarity, or care that our community expects from its elected leaders,” board chair Eddie Wang said. “We acknowledge that public disagreement and healthy debate can coexist with respect. We also know that we fell short in tone, in empathy and in clarity.” [Oregonian]

Approval for First Step for Oregon Lithium Mining

The Trump administration has approved a plan to explore lithium mining on Bureau of Land Management property in southeastern Oregon. Even though it’s something the Biden administration also favored, the plan is facing opposition from an unlikely coalition of ranchers and wildlife advocates, who want to protect ranchland and the sage grouse. The United States is dependent on China for lithium — an essential component of electric car and other batteries. [OPB]

Medicaid Mental Health Care Cuts

The Oregon Health Plan has put in place a series of changes that cut the number of therapists available for Oregonians on Medicaid — and reduces the amount of money some therapists can receive for their work. It’s part of an effort to direct the available funding to the people with the most acute mental health needs, but it also means people have lost their therapist. [Willamette Week]

The Best New Graphic Novels

Katie Pryde, owner of the award-winning comic book shop Books with Pictures, has some suggestions for graphic novels to start reading — and the best ones to give as gifts. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

It’s cold and dark, but the holidays are coming. Here’s your weekly quiz with a December theme.

First question links to a longer quiz. (Answers appear after each question, so you can learn as you go.)