Julia is a former news editor for Portland Monthly.

Coronavirus

Omicron Hasn't Peaked in Oregon Yet, at Least Not According to Our Poop

Wastewater sampling has effectively identified a decline in Oregon's Omircon cases a few days before more official channels, but the results can lag.

01/19/2022 By Julia Silverman

News You Can Use

5 Stories to Watch this Week, January 17–23

Friction between the Timbers front office and the fan base, school closures aplenty, and yet more unrest for the Portland Police Bureau

01/18/2022 By Julia Silverman

Technology

Want to Find At-Home COVID Tests with Just One Click?

Portland-based Software Developer Scott Krager built 8tests.com to help with the search for at-home COVID tests—and in 24 hours, the site has taken off.

01/13/2022 By Julia Silverman

Education

What's Next for Schools during the Omicron Surge?

For starters, more Portland-area schools are likely to move into temporary distance learning.

01/11/2022 By Julia Silverman

Education

Two of Portland's Biggest High Schools Will Move to Remote Learning

The switch at Cleveland and McDaniel High Schools comes after a big jump in planned staff absences

01/06/2022 By Julia Silverman

Politics

A Clash over Residency Upends the Oregon Governor's Race

Plus more politics news from a high-drama day

01/06/2022 By Julia Silverman

Health

Wondering Whether Your Period Will Change after Your COVID Vaccine?

A new OHSU study has some reassuring answers.

01/06/2022 By Julia Silverman

Real Estate

Once De Rigueur, For-Sale Signs May Be on Their Way Out

More information is online in our competitive real estate market, and obviously vacant homes can be a tempting target for break-ins.

01/06/2022 With Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

Omicron Is Changing a Lot—But Not the Way Oregon Collects Hospital Data

Despite the omicron variant's transmissibility, the state says it has no plans to break out the number of patients who show up at hospitals with COVID-19 versus for treatment from the virus.

01/05/2022 By Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

Forecast: Omicron Could Peak in Oregon by Late January

But how many people will be hospitalized, and how the system will handle that influx, is a moving target

12/31/2021 By Julia Silverman

Winter Sports

Everything You Need to Know about Oregon Sno-Parks

History, permits, and where to go during peak snow season on Mount Hood and beyond

12/30/2021 By Julia Silverman and Gabriel Granillo

Travel

Inside Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort's Winter Glow Up

After 2020’s heartbreaking fires, the resort sees a rebirth.

12/29/2021 By Julia Silverman

News You Can Use

5 Stories That Defined Oregon in 2021

Rising temps, a juicy governor’s race, a persistent pandemic, and more

12/29/2021 By Julia Silverman

Film

The 50 Essential Oregon Films

From ‘The Goonies’ to ‘Twilight’ and (way) beyond, these are the movies that define the Beaver State.

12/23/2021 Edited by Conner Reed By Conner Reed, Margaret Seiler, Cami Hughes, Karly Quadros, Gabriel Granillo, Fiona McCann, Katherine Hamilton, Julia Silverman, Jacob P., and Rich Reece

Weather

Here Comes The Snow (And Way Colder Temperatures, Too)

Winter weather is in the forecast for Portland. Here's what to know before it sets in.

12/22/2021 By Julia Silverman and Dalila Brent

Politics

Decision Time: What to Know about Oregon's 2022 Elections

Get ready for a new congressional district, no incumbent for governor, Portland city charter reform, and some generational turnover.

12/22/2021 By Julia Silverman Illustrations by Martin Gee

Shopping

Cigars to Light Bulbs, We Love These Portland Retail Classics

Some of the shops we’ve come to rely on, whether they’ve been around a decade or a century

12/20/2021 By Fiona McCann, Margaret Seiler, and Julia Silverman

News You Can Use

5 Oregon Stories to Watch This Week, December 20–26

Omicron cometh, get your booster shot, and a compromise on school schedules

12/20/2021 By Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

Omicron Has Arrived. Here's How Oregon's Responding.

Gov. Kate Brown on Friday outlined a big campaign to persuade residents to get booster shots to combat the fast-moving variant.

12/17/2021 By Julia Silverman

Cafes & Chocolate

Portland's 7 Belly-Warmingest Hot Chocolates

From classic milk chocolate to peppermint to snickerdoodle, here are the best hot chocolates to get you through the winter.

12/17/2021 By Katherine Chew Hamilton, Dalila Brent, Fiona McCann, Gabriel Granillo, Cami Hughes, Julia Silverman, and Karen Brooks