✈️ How an airport expert ranks PDX

AI Political Ads Test Oregon’s New Law

There’s a test case for Oregon’s relatively new law requiring the disclosure of AI use in political ads. Jonathan Lockwood, who ran unsuccessfully to become the 5th Congressional District’s Republican nominee this spring, used AI for some hyperbolic online ads — without disclosure. The question of whether he’ll face a fine of up to $10,000 turns on the fact Oregon’s 2024 law requires disclosure only when it’s “a depiction that a reasonable person would believe is of a real individual in appearance, speech or conduct but that did not actually occur.” [OPB]

• The ads: One of Lockwood’s AI-generated videos showed Gov. Tina Kotek, eyes glowing red, and Democratic congresswoman Janelle Bynum, with claws for hands, chasing three blond children. [Facebook]
• Another showed Bynum, in a McDonald’s-style uniform (she owns some franchises), handing a drag queen the keys to a girl’s locker room with the words: “Don’t let me down.” [Facebook]

City Council Approved Lloyd Center Redevelopment

City Council voted unanimously to reject a last-minute appeal to save the Lloyd Center mall, clearing the way for its redevelopment. But supporters of the ice rink heard one promising idea during the debate: Councilor Jamie Dunphy floated the idea of opening the Veterans Memorial Coliseum ice rink used by the Winterhawks for families and lessons. [Oregonian]

Dealing With 700 Homes Nobody’s Buying

Some 700 homes that a Portland Housing Bureau program had designated for middle-income buyers are sitting unsold, because there appear to be no buyers who are interested and qualify. City Council is now weighing a proposal that would allow anyone to purchase the homes, though it would keep in place the requirement to keep the sale price at the same affordable level of no more than $455,000. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

The scavenger hunt skipped a week with last Friday’s holiday, so this location was from two weeks ago — and was an image of the Columbia Slough.

“A slightly unknown area that is beautiful and diverse and a great place for a Sunday morning dog walk/run/romp,” wrote reader Julie.

“The Columbia Slough has been cleaned up and is much nicer than it used to be. The bike path is great to access Kelly Point Park,” wrote reader Brian Finlayson.

“Every time I drive by I silently mouth ‘slew’ because for the longest time I thought it rhymed with ‘cough,’” wrote reader Devon Essick — in my favorite response of the week.

“Some parts are pretty and others are not!” added reader Carolyn Ullman.

A shoutout to all of them — and the first 10 readers who correctly identified the location: Eric Wheeler, Esteban, Aaron, Julie, Mark M., Brian Finlayson, Devon Essick, Kristina B., Sally Claggett, and Mark Hill.

This week’s scavenger hunt comes from reader Michelle W.:

Do you know where this mural is? Hint: I featured another cheerful image from this location with another image a while back.

Please click here to submit the location — and, for unofficial bonus points, anything you know about it.

If you’re new to the newsletter, there’s a scavenger hunt every Friday. In next week’s newsletter, I’ll reveal the answer and shout out the first 10 readers who respond correctly.

📸 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!