News & City Life

DIY

Yes, Portlanders Are Growing Tiny Forests Next to Their Homes

Goodbye, plant beds and street view. Hello, woodlands.

03/06/2024 By Heather Arndt Anderson Illustrations by klaus kremmerz

Musical Chairs

Why Does One Coffee Shop Open Right Next to One That Just Closed?

Stumptown, Barista, and Coava locations might have recently closed, but the people will have their caffeine.

03/05/2024 By Jordan Michelman Photography by Michael Novak

Ruff Life

Why Did Canine Respiratory Illness Surge in Oregon? It Might Be the Dogs

“Anatomically disastrous” dogs are more prone to respiratory symptoms.

03/04/2024 By Zoe Sayler

The Game of Portland

Hey, Can You Make It from Now through Spring Break?

Hawai'i—or maybe just your couch—is calling.

03/01/2024 Illustrations by Hawk Krall By Portland Monthly Staff

Oil Crisis

How Many Oregonians Does It Take to Fill a Tank?

The city’s thousands of gas station attendants are still puzzled by the new pump law, but not as puzzled as customers.

02/26/2024 By Matthew Trueherz Illustrations by Ryan Garcia

Utilities

Underground Power Lines Work. Why Doesn’t Portland Have Them?

Workers and business owners lost millions in last month’s storms.

02/23/2024 By Andi Prewitt

Not That Quake

Can a Video Game Prepare Us for the Big One?

Learning basic emergency preparedness one terrifying level at a time.

02/19/2024 By Kea Krause

Windfalls

Oregon Holds $1 Billion in Unpaid Checks. Is Some Yours? 

One in seven Americans have unclaimed funds. A new program has the Oregon State Treasury mailing out $10 million to its rightful owners this month.

02/14/2024 By Zoe Sayler

Heists

Tin House Owner Says (Cough) $34 Million Stolen by Chauffeurs

Win McCormack’s employees allegedly used his money to buy a private jet and a home in Sunriver.

02/13/2024 By Zoe Sayler

The Long Game

Inside the Company That Owns Bamboo Sushi, Sizzle Pie, and Ava Gene’s

In the darkest days of the pandemic, the company Sortis Holdings emerged behind beloved brands like Bamboo Sushi, Sizzle Pie, and Ava Gene’s, and then nearly imploded.

02/08/2024 By Matthew Trueherz Illustrations by Giacomo Gambineri

SMOKE OUT

Wine Taste Like Cigars? New Coatings May Save Grapes from Smoke

Scientists sprang into action after wildfire smoke tainted many 2020 harvests.

02/07/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

Rebranding

What’s the Audubon Society of Portland’s New Name?

The group joins conservationist organizations around the country in cutting ties with their slave-owning namesake.

02/06/2024 By Zoe Sayler

AFTER THE STORM

Portland’s Tree Damage, through the Eyes of an Arborist

“It’s carnage out there,” says an exhausted Jacob Holmstead.

02/02/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

Forecasting

Will February Get Another Storm?

Probably not like last year’s epic blizzard, but you’re getting warmer.

01/31/2024 By Zoe Sayler

Q&A

Ripping the City with Amir Morgan

The owner of Barnes and Morgan, a tea and fashion house, talks about the future of Chinatown and his take on Portland style.

01/29/2024 By Dalila Brent Illustrations by Betty Turbo

Soccer

The Portland Thorns 2024 Schedule Is Finally Here

Dunn decamped, Bixby has a baby on the way, and Menges migrated south, but Kling, Sinc, Weaver, Sauerbrunn, Smith, Moultrie, and the rest will kick off March 16.

01/25/2024 By Margaret Seiler

BUSINESS

Portland’s Only REI Store Closes for Good on February 1

But suburban shoppers, you’re in luck.

01/23/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

Land Grab

Oregon's Biggest Landowner Sparks Controversy

The second-largest foreign landowner in the US, a Chinese billionaire, owns 198,000 acres in Oregon.

01/22/2024 By Zoe Sayler

Saving the World

This Is Oregon Scientists' Plan to Save the World

The radical proposal of Oregon State University researchers aims to avoid climate change via greater biodiversity and more forestlands—and a no-growth economy.

01/20/2024 By Zoe Sayler

Progress Report

What Does $400 Million Buy at Portland Libraries? Here's A Look.

The first of 19 renovated libraries in Multnomah County debuted this month.

01/18/2024 By Matthew Trueherz