Julia is a former news editor for Portland Monthly. 

Politics

Things Are Getting Interesting in These Two Local Congressional Races

In these parts, the presidential race is no nailbiter. But keep an eye on DeFazio vs. Skarlatos and Herrera-Beutler vs. Long.

10/22/2020 By Julia Silverman

Politics

The Busiest Man in Oregon Right Now Is Also One of the Country’s Foremost Early Voting Experts

The past seven months have been a blur. But forecasting what’s to come keeps professor Paul Gronke up at night.

10/16/2020 By Julia Silverman

Health

Oregonians Are Wearing Their Masks, a New Survey Shows

But they're a lot less certain about whether they want to get a coronavirus vaccine

10/08/2020 By Julia Silverman

Oregon, Whose Oregon?

Oregon’s 1920s-Era State Song Is Nakedly Racist

After nearly a century, is this the year “Oregon, My Oregon” will finally get a rewrite?

10/05/2020 By Gabriel Granillo and Julia Silverman

Local Libations

Here Are the Wines and Wine Shops Keeping Us Saturated in These Trying Times

Raise a glass to the bottle shops, tasting rooms, and corner stores, with everything from hot new discoveries to “easy drinkers that can ease our reality.”

10/03/2020 By Margaret Seiler, Julia Silverman, and Conner Reed

Politics

The November Ballot Is Shorter Than Usual. Here's What's on It.

Portlanders will be asked to weigh in on drug decriminalization, universal preschool, campaign finance reform, and more.

10/01/2020 By Julia Silverman

Politics

Coronavirus Killed the Ballot Measure in Oregon

In November, Oregonians will vote on just four statewide measures, the lowest number in 60+ years.

10/01/2020 By Julia Silverman

Politics

Here Are the Races We’re Clocking This Election Season

Wheeler vs. Iannarone, Mapps vs. Eudaly, Merkley vs. Perkins, and more.

10/01/2020 By Julia Silverman

Education

After Pushback, a Retreat from Standardized Testing in Schools

Portland Public Schools changes its mind on testing requirements during virtual school—at least for now.

09/28/2020 By Julia Silverman

Health

Don’t Get Complacent: Coronavirus Cases Are on the Rise in Oregon

The state reported its highest-ever daily case count on September 25.

09/25/2020 By Julia Silverman

What Now?

After the Smoke, C’est Toi

Open the windows, go for a walk, pick some produce—but read our guide first.

09/19/2020 By Julia Silverman

Trump v. Oregon

Oregon Lawyers Have Spent Almost Four Years Suing the Trump Administration

Here’s what they have to show for it.

09/19/2020 By Julia Silverman

The Great Escape

As COVID Wears On, Some City Residents Are Heading for the Hills

"People want to grow their own garden and have chickens—live a little more of the farm-style life and be more self-sustainable, in case something happens wit...

09/16/2020 By Julia Silverman

The Birds

Not All Is Lost: The Vaux’s Swifts Are Still Roosting In Portland

You can't go see them, thanks to COVID and our foul air. But it helps to know that they are there.

09/15/2020 By Julia Silverman

Hellscape 2020

So Your Area Has to Evacuate?

We talked with an insurance agent about what to bring—and what to leave behind.

09/10/2020 By Julia Silverman

Vax On, Vax Off

What If a Vaccine Comes to Oregon and No One Gets It?

In a state where vaccine skeptics abound, there’s no guarantee enough people will take a coronavirus vaccine, even if one is available.

09/09/2020 By Julia Silverman

Disaster

Here’s How to Help the Victims of Oregon’s Wildfires

Thousands around the state are under evacuation orders as multiple fires rage, fanned by high winds.

09/09/2020 By Julia Silverman

Travel

Oregon's Labor Day Weekend Forecast: Sunny, With a Chance of COVID?

Pondering whether to hit the road this holiday? We've got thoughts.

09/04/2020 By Julia Silverman

News

Portland Sees One Ted Wheeler. The World Sees Another.

Tangling with Trump brings Wheeler a wave of favorable national press.

08/31/2020 By Julia Silverman