👀 Portland officials vowing to keep ICE facility

Top Chavez-DeRemer Aides Out as Federal Inquiry Widens

The internal investigation into U.S. Labor Secretary and former Oregon congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer has resulted in her two top aides being forced out Monday night. Investigators have reported that several witnesses have accused the aides, Jihun Han and Rebecca Wright, of steering department grants and favoring political operatives. [New York Times]

• Among various accusations, Chavez-DeRember has also been accused of misusing department resources. Recent allegations include throwing a party on her birthday, branded as a swearing-in ceremony, and threatening retaliation against staff who leaked information about the party. [Oregonian]

Latino Metro Councilor Asked to Speak English … While Speaking English

While speaking during a video work session last week, Metro Councilor Juan Carlos González was asked by Councilor Mary Nolan to “say that in English,” saying she didn’t understand him. González paused and said, “Let me try to repeat that in English, which is the language I was speaking.” To add to the cringe, Nolan apologized during Thursday's video work session and began speaking … in Spanish. (IMO, as a Spanish speaker, it was a pretty terrible delivery of a surely Google-translated Spanish, too.) [Oregonian]

Slashing ODOT’s Funding Could Affect Transportation Services

Oregon lawmakers announced a plan to address ODOT’s $289 million shortfall through next year by leaving over 100 positions vacant and redirecting allocated funds, including $108 million for construction projects. But if this proposed budget plan passes, it could result in reduced transportation services and delays in projects like DMV operations and safety improvements. [Oregonian]

Ice Facility Stays Open, Plus More on PacificCorp and Data Centers

Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking about the city official vowing to keep Portland's ICE facility open, PacifiCorp's liability in a class action lawsuit over the 2020 wildfires topping $1 billion, new scrutiny over tax breaks for data centers, and so much more. [City Cast Portland 🎧]