News & City Life

Fill 'er Up

Can Oregonians Safely Pump Gas? Station Owners Say No

The law allowing drivers to pump their own gas awaits Governor Tina Kotek's signature, leaving her to grapple with existential questions, like whether all driving Oregonians can safely work a gas pump.

07/06/2023 By Sam Stites

Downtown

What Problems? Downtown Stores Tell a New Tale of Summer Fun

Portland businesses would like your foot traffic and kind words. Two event series, West End Wednesdays and Explore Ankeny, hope to lure in customers and promote Downtown shops on Wednesdays and weekends.

06/28/2023 By Dalila Brent

Partisan Divide

Who Won the Walkout in the Oregon Legislature?

Republicans in the Oregon Senate missed 43 days in a protest of several bills, on topics including abortion access, gender-affirming care, and gun control.

06/20/2023 By Sam Stites

Buzz Off

Why Are Mosquitoes Swarming Portland? For Starters, the County Didn’t Spray.

Mosquito populations are up fivefold this summer—and Multnomah County is giving out free mosquito fish to help limit their spread.

06/14/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Wildlife

Unusual Cougar Sightings Add Nerves to Summer Hikes

Oregon wildlife officials issue a warning, reminding us that Oregon is cougar and bear country.

06/14/2023 By Sam Stites

Fires

Make S'mores Now, Before Burn Ban Begins a Month Early—but There’s a Loophole

Multnomah County is initiating a burn ban this week. Here's how to safely enjoy those s'mores anyway.

06/14/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Pride

Pride Parades and Events 2023: Portland Upgrades to 2 Months of Celebrations

The big parade moves to July, but June is still packed with Pride events, from the Portland Gay Men's Chorus Disney Show to the Queer Wine Fest.

06/08/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Essay

The Deschutes River Became My Therapist and Healer

"The pain I fought, the darkness I navigated, and the loneliness I endured as a navy veteran fighting PTSD would leave my body the closer I got to the river to fly-fish."

06/08/2023 By Chad Brown

Wildfire

New York Experiences Wildfire Smoke, Can’t Handle It

Portlanders are puzzled by the responses to East Coast poor air quality, which is their annual reality.

06/07/2023 By Sam Stites

Movers & Shakers

Perfect Party: Summer 2023

From the first Goonie to win an Oscar (no, not Corey Feldman) to the Portland-snubbing Taylor Swift (the nerve!), here’s who’s invited to our table.

06/05/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Editor’s Note

From the Editor: What’s Your Favorite Part of Oregon Summer?

All hail suds and sundaes. And the free water show.

06/02/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Environment

Who Killed Jordan Cove?

How an unlikely band of activists vanquished an energy megaproject in Southern Oregon.

05/31/2023 By Ramona DeNies

Going Yard

Portland Baseball by the Numbers: Hops, Pickles, and More

The stats on the new Hillsboro stadium, the wackiest Pickles promos, and the MLB dream that will never die.

05/24/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Houses with History

Where Governors Go Shopping: The Oregon Historical Society Vault

Mahonia Hall’s new residents don’t go to a regular furniture store.

05/23/2023 By Byron Beck

La Grande to the Filipinas

Another Oregon Connection at the Women’s World Cup 2023

The Thorns aren’t the only links to home to keep track of this summer.

05/19/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Adult Contemporary

Portland Has a Branding Problem: John Mellencamp’s Portland Video Not Portland

A video for the rocker’s terrible song about the homelessness crisis in Portland shows South Central LA, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.

05/17/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Q&A

Ripping the City with Chris Yen

The owner of vintage teamwear shop Laundry dishes on his favorite summer eats, go-to Oregon road trip, and Portland’s best-kept secret.

05/09/2023 By Dalila Brent Illustrations by Betty Turbo

Business

The Queen of Influencers Lives Not in Hollywood but in West Linn

A manager to reality TV stars and social media influencers, Lindsay Nead of Parker Management is a homegrown talent in her own right.

05/02/2023 By Rachel Saslow Photography by Christopher Dibble

Education

Portland Private Schools, by the Numbers 2022–2023

Use our handy guide to zero in on what you’re looking for, from faith-based education to language immersion and more.

05/02/2023 By Portland Monthly Staff

Portland in the Movies

A Nike Historian Weighs In on What Air Got Right—and Wrong

“People have told me a million times, ‘Scott, it’s not a documentary.’”

04/28/2023 By Margaret Seiler