
City Cast Portland
No convictions under Portland’s camping ban
January 22, 2026 · — Rachel Monahan
Good morning, Portland! This year’s James Beard semifinalists were announced yesterday. The local nominees for what’s sometimes called the Oscars of Food are:
- Le Pigeon for outstanding restaurant
- Coquine for outstanding wine and other beverages program
- Scotch Lodge for outstanding bar
- The Elbow Room (Vancouver, Wash.) for best new bar
- Heavenly Creatures’ Joel Gunderson for outstanding professional in beverage service; and
- Cafe Olli’s Taylor Manning and Siobhan Speirits; Måurice’s Kristen Murray; Gado Gado's Thomas Pisha-Duffly; Nodoguro's Ryan Roadhouse; and JORY Restaurant at The Allison Inn & Spa's Jack Strong (Newberg) for best chef in the Northwest & Pacific.

What's CITY Talking About
No Convictions Yet for Public Camping
In the first two months after Mayor Keith Wilson implemented the camping ban, no one has actually been convicted of violating it, which raises questions about its efficacy. But 20 people have been cited, and prosecutors say that it’s been a tool for pushing for people to use shelters; they’ve dropped charges in seven cases when people agreed to do so. [OPB]
Portland Public Schools Proposes $50M Cut
Increasing costs and declining enrollment mean that PPS is looking at a tough budget season. The district is proposing a cut of 288 positions — 180 at schools and 108 at the central office. [Willamette Week]

Summer Camping and Hiking
January is a great time to start planning for the summer hiking and camping season. Here’s how to prepare by setting goals for what you want to accomplish outdoors, figuring out what permits and campgrounds to reserve, and getting your winter body ready. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

The Real Portland That Inspired Fiction

Today’s quiz is based on some real-life places in our city that inspired artistic creations. How well do you know the Portland that inspired the fiction?
The first question links to a longer quiz. The answers appear after each question, so you can learn as you go.

Today on the Podcast

How To Plan Now for a Perfect Pacific Northwest Summer
Even though it’s January, now is the time to start planning for the glorious summer months ahead by securing permits and reservations for state and national parks. Norther Emily of Wild Solitude Guiding offers tips for preparing you for the season: how to set goals for what you want to accomplish outdoors, what permits and campgrounds to reserve, and how to get your winter body ready.

What To Do
Thursday, Jan. 22
- 🏀 Trailblazers vs. Miami Heat | Moda Center
- 📼 1990: The Year in Videos | PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater (Richmond)
- 🎙️ Open Mic | Ale & Cider House (West Linn)
- 🎭 Love, Shakespeare (through Jan. 24) | PSU Boiler Room Studio
- 🎬 Twilight | Clinton Street Theater (Hosford-Abernethy)
- 🤣 Comedian Curtis Cook | Helium Comedy Club
Friday, Jan. 23
- 🧧 Lunar New Year Customs, Celebrations, & Ceremonies | Lan Su Chinese Garden
- 🔬 Native American Community Science Night | OMSI
- 🛼 Neon Glow Skate Night | The Madhouse (Salem)
- 🎵 Lexis Shardé & Friends | Great Notion NW (Northwest industrial area)
🦷 Before you go: A podcaster on a mission to debunk wellness influencers moved to Portland a few years ago. Conspirituality co-founder Derek Beres tells Willamette Week, “People in wellness take anecdotes as proof of reality.” Beres says he loves Portland, but yes, he has fluoride toothpaste.
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