Portland Oregon

Homelessness, Homicides and Hospitality: One City’s Ongoing Reputation Problem

Portland, Oregon, once a popular travel destination for business travelers, foodies and nature lovers, is struggling to regain its tourism footing after months of social justice protests and record crime rates.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Electric Cargo Bikes Are Debuting in City Fleets

Under a pilot program, parks employees in Portland, Oregon will conduct trail maintenance using zero-emission bikes that were specifically designed for municipal employees.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Mayors Reelected in Two Cities that Saw Extensive Protests

The mayors of Portland, Oregon and Richmond, Virginia will both move on to another term. Meanwhile, new mayors will take office in Baltimore, Honolulu and Miami-Dade.

  • By Bill Lucia

Justice Department Dubs New York, Seattle, and Portland as ‘Anarchist Jurisdictions’

The three cities were flagged for “permitting anarchy, violence and destruction” as part of the Trump administration’s bid to cut funding to cities where recent protests over racial injustice and police brutality have occurred.

  • By Andrea Noble

City Ban on Business Use of Facial Recognition Tech Said to Be a First

Elected leaders in Portland, Oregon approved the measure this week.

  • By Bill Lucia

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Says Many Federal Officers Will Leave Portland

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | A couple states report surprisingly good tax receipts in July … Tennessee governor OKs resumption of high school football … Florida marks 5,000 Burmese pythons removed from Everglades.

  • By Laura Maggi and Emma Coleman

DOJ Inspector General to Review Federal Law Enforcement Response to Protests

The move comes as officers the Trump administration deployed to Portland, Oregon draw scrutiny.

  • By Bill Lucia

Local Pushback Over Federal Officers in Portland Grows As Trump Threatens Feds Could Deploy to Other Cities

Federal agents reportedly are expected to be sent to Chicago this week, despite objections from local leaders.

  • By Emma Coleman

Oregon AG Files Lawsuit Challenging Federal Detention of Portland Protesters

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | Illinois House speaker linked to federal investigation … Nevada legislature looks for budget cuts … Maine lobstermen say PPP not effective help.

  • By Laura Maggi

After Deadly Crash, Lawsuit Spotlights Problem of Parking Near Intersections

When cars are parked close to intersections, they can block drivers from seeing other traffic and pedestrians. A lawsuit seeks a court order to force Portland, Oregon to address the issue.

  • By Bill Lucia

Buses Will Become the Priority on This City’s Streets

A measure passed in Portland, Oregon will create bus-specific lanes, an effort supporters say will help the city meet its climate change action goals.

  • By Emma Coleman

Lawmaker Proposes Harsher Punishments for Rioters in Masks

An Oregon legislator seeks to increase the judicial penalties for rioters who conceal their faces, saying masks make it more difficult for police to adequately respond to out-of-control protests.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Featured eBooks
The State of Trust in Government
Cybersecurity in State and Local Government
Building Data Literacy in the State and Local Workforce

Here Come the Electrics. Could E-Bikes Be the Electric Revolution Cities Need?

Electric bikes are poised to take off, even outpacing electric car adoption. But, as with all efforts to promote alternatives to driving, city leaders would need to make infrastructure changes.

  • By Gregor Macdonald

What to Do with All This Broken Stuff? Cities Aim to Help People Fix It

Across the country, municipalities are helping residents repair mendable belongings, keep material out of landfills and save money.

  • By Andrea Noble

Low-Income Communities in This City are More at Risk for Disasters

As Portland, Oregon considers ways to mitigate environmental risks for poorer neighborhoods, a simple answer is arising: trees.

  • By Emma Coleman

How a Highway Widening In This City Could Lead to Congestion Pricing

Residents of the Oregon city known for its resistance to the car are rallying against a proposal to widen the interstate. Instead, some say the solution should be tolls.

  • By Gregor Macdonald

A New Call to Scrap Portland’s Unusual Form of Government

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Proposal would shutter Syracuse freeway … Palo Alto parking garage proposal scrutinized … and Massachusetts vaporizer tax.

  • By Michael Grass

Portlanders Don’t Hesitate to Call 911 About ‘Unwanted’ Persons

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | N.M. governor pulls National Guard troops from border … legal challenge to Idaho Medicaid expansion fails … and shortest commutes.

  • By Michael Grass

How the Humble Home Water Heater Could Play a Big Role in Energy Storage

A pilot study in the Pacific Northwest shows the promise of “the unexpected battery in your basement.”

  • By Gregor Macdonald

How States are Trying to Reduce Suicide Deaths

Nationwide, more than 47,000 Americans died by suicide last year, an increase of almost 5 percent over 2016.

  • By Christine Vestal

This 106-Year-Old Risk Makes the Case for a Subway in Portland

What will come first? A new river crossing Oregon's largest city needs or a massive earthquake?

  • By Michael Grass