📣 ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT TO REACH OUR GOAL 📣 Keep this vendor community, and our city, strong. Help us get to $288,000 by 9/30! Make your gift today! streetroots[dot]org/donate #portland #pdx #portlandnonprofit #pdxnonprofit #portlandnews #streetroots

I wrote for @theguardian.com this week (also in print in this week’s @streetroots.bsky.social) on Portland’s investigation into permit violations at the local ICE facility. It’s one tool for a long process that could ultimately provide some accountability, with eviction unlikely, but in the toolbox.

We're now over HALFWAY to our goal to raise $288,000 in critical supportive funding for Street Roots by September 30th, and we have just ONE WEEK left to secure the remaining $130,743.50 needed to avoid making significant cuts. Visit streetroots.org/donate to take action.

Even with a Democratic supermajority and a record number of bills to work with, lawmakers didn’t pass more laws than usual in the 2025 legislative session.

Emergency fundraiser update! We officially passed the $100k mark! Over 850 individuals have helped raise $101, 319 for Street Roots, and we're over on third of the way to raising $288,000 by our Sept. 30 deadline. Take action today to protect Street Roots by going to streetroots.org/donate!

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Oregon Democrats struggle to pass priority bills, what to do if you see ICE agents in your community, a vendor profile and more. Find a vendor in your neighborhood: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Immigration advocates say if you see ICE targeting someone, knowing what to do in the moment is critical to protecting immigrants. It’s hard to know what to look for, but this guide can help you better understand how to be an effective bystander in Oregon, and your legal right to do so.

Street Roots' board member, Jay, just met a vendor in Austria and grabbed copy of Augustin, Vienna's street newspaper! Street Roots is a leader in the global street paper movement, and we need your help to raise $288,000 by September 30 to ensure our impact doesn't waver. streetroots.org/donate

A new overnight shelter is set to open in Northwest Portland this fall. Bethanie’s Room plans to serve 75 women and nonbinary people every night. The privately funded shelter is named after a longtime guest of Blanchet House who was killed in a hit-and-run in 2024.

In the Grants Pass v. Johnson case last year, the US Supreme Court ruled it was constitutional to punish people for being homeless. But an Oregon law requires cities to maintain basic standards regulating homelessness, and the law appears to be working as intended — even in Grants Pass.

Last week, a housed resident attacked multiple homeless neighbors in Northwest Portland, leading to a five-hour standoff with police crisis negotiators. It wasn’t an isolated incident. Oregon leads the nation in violent attacks against the homeless, a National Coalition for the Homeless report says.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: a new women's shelter, anti-homeless violence, a vendor profile, poetry and more. Find a vendor in your neighborhood: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Street Roots needs urgent support to raise $288,000 by September 30 to stabilize our cash flow and avoid cutting any services that our vendors and community rely on. Please visit our donation page where you can find more info and make a gift. streetroots.org/donate

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: TriMet in need of state funding to avoid major cuts, Oregon Pro Wrestling School's philosophy on connecting with an audience, and more. Find a vendor in your neighborhood: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

🗞 On the cover of this week's issue is a story about the experiences and history of Filipino migrants in Oregon, and the networks that work to support them.

Mayor Wilson and Gov. Tina Kotek each responded Aug. 19 to letters US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent last week, demanding the city and state comply with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

The Kidz Outside Festival returns to St. John's. The free, family-focused event, featuring live music, food, children’s activities, and a back-to-school supply giveaway, takes place on Aug. 23. The festival's organizers reflect on the event's growth over the last four years and what comes next.

The city of Portland was included in a list of sanctuary jurisdictions that received letters from the U.S. DOJ this week, threatening federal action if it doesn’t cooperate with immigration enforcement.

Hunger is on the rise in Oregon. During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers proposed multiple bills aimed at creating more equitable access to food across the state. None passed. Many in need turn to local nonprofits to fill the gap.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Hunger rising among Oregonians due to federal actions, a K-8 school plans to move due to federal agents' frequent use of tear gas and more. Find a vendor in your neighborhood: www.streetroots.org/vendors#locate

The Cottonwood School, which sits adjacent to the federal immigration enforcement facility in South Portland, is moving, citing negative health and safety impacts of federal officers’ response to protests.

Local, state and federal laws govern how Portland police can legally respond to protests. PPB has operated outside those boundaries numerous times, but legal experts say understanding the laws makes accountability possible.

Metro Housing Bond funds are drying up. With 87% of the bond funds now allocated, advocates worry about the future of publicly funded affordable housing in the Portland area.

City Councilor Dan Ryan faced criticism last week for hiring a local podcaster who repeatedly made anti-Trans and anti-DEI comments online. In response to Street Roots' questions about the hiring, Ryan's office said it ended the employment arrangement.

Join us this Saturday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for our Summer Craft Fair! Come by to browse, chat, and support vendors as they showcase and sell their art, jewelry, poetry and much more. 📍 281 W Burnside St Here's a sneak peek of Randy and Daniel's poetry zines!

🗞️ In the new issue of Street Roots: Oregon lawmakers conclude session with impacts on housing and homelessness, the future of Metro Housing Bond funds and more. Buy the paper from a vendor in your neighborhood today!

📣 Street Roots is HIRING! Are you interested in leading an organization with a mission to combat homelessness and poverty through advocacy and independent journalism? Street Roots is hiring for its next executive director. Apply and read the full position description here:

ICE detained Moisés Sotelo, a beloved wine country leader, on June 12. After Sotelo's arrest, ICE accused him of having a DUI conviction, but local prosecutors said there's no record of any previous charges against him.

🗞️ In the new issue of Street Roots: Beloved wine country leader in ICE detention, social housing in Portland and more. Buy the paper from a vendor in your neighborhood today!

🗞️ In the new issue of Street Roots: Remembering Dan Handelman, bills concerning health outcomes for pregnant people, History of Black Drag event and more. Buy the paper from a vendor in your neighborhood today!

ICE recently closed its Portland building to the public, multiple sources told Street Roots Monday. The closure may seem like a win for ICE opponents, but immigrant rights advocates say closing the building wreaks havoc for those seeking critical legal aid. ✍️: @jeremiahhayden.bsky.social

Have you caught a glimpse of Street Roots' Pride issue? Grab a copy from your local vendor before it's too late.

ICYMI: Hear more about the reporting by K. Rambo on @opb.org's Think Out Loud.

The Street Roots newsroom won eight awards from the @spjoregon.bsky.social Region 10 contest. Thank you to our readers, supporters and vendors for supporting the organization's mission to continue this vital work. Read more about the stories in a letter from the editor:

Despite a $1.3 billion investment that Portland said would improve the safety of homeless people, deaths in Multnomah County have quadrupled — from 113 in 2019 to more than 450 in 2023. With @streetroots.bsky.social‬

🗞️ In the new issue of Street Roots: Skyrocketing deaths of homeless Portlanders, Juneteenth celebrations, Oregon labor and more. Buy the paper from a vendor in your neighborhood today!

NEW: Despite a $1.3 billion investment that Portland said would improve the safety of homeless people, deaths in Multnomah County have quadrupled — from 113 in 2019 to more than 450 in 2023. With @streetroots.bsky.social‬

🗞️ In the new issue of Street Roots: Photos from a rally outside a Tacoma detention center, proposed housing legislation, Pride events calendar and more. Buy the paper from a vendor in your neighborhood today!

ICE agents in Portland told 22-year-old Jorge Luis Reinaldo he needed to sign papers. When he arrived, they detained him, despite previously scheduled legal proceedings. Community members fight for his release after months of detention. ✍️: @jeremiahhayden.bsky.social

🗞️ In the new issue of Street Roots: Fighting for the release of local Venezuelan asylum seeker, Oregon's fight against black market cannabis, vendor poetry and more. Buy the paper from a vendor in your neighborhood today!

Summer is fast approaching. As climate change worsens, extreme weather events are less predictable and more frequent than ever. The 2023 death of a homeless Portlander reveals opportunities for overwhelmed emergency systems to improve and to protect the most vulnerable.

Oregonians use thousands of single-use beverage containers every day. Recycling them is a low-barrier job for Portlanders known as ‘canners.’ The People’s Depot aims to change the narrative on canners’ work.

🗞️ In the new issue of Street Roots: Changing the narrative around recycling as a low-barrier job, Friends of Trees celebrates 1 million trees planted, May Day rally and more. Buy the paper from a vendor in your neighborhood today!

This is a sign to grab a copy of this week's issue. Volume 2 of the Spring Anthology is on sale now, and you can buy a copy from your local Street Roots vendor. The cover illustration is inspired by the iconic Portland Outdoor store's neon sign, but with a little Street Roots twist.

Landlords, lobbyists and real estate developers at odds with Portland’s new City Council amid a proposed ordinance banning algorithmic price fixing. Local renters support the ordinance, which is likely to rein in bloated rents. ✍️: @jeremiahhayden.bsky.social

Freshman lawmaker introduces bill inspired by newspaper coverage of his son’s presence at the Jan. 6 insurrection. House Bill 3564 would expand the window of time people have to accuse a print, digital or broadcast news outlet of defamation and demand a correction or retraction from 20 days to 60.

The Legislative session continues. Read updates here: www.streetroots.org/news/2025/03...

Grants Pass required to improve accessibility at its existing homeless camping sites following a preliminary injunction. Judge rules the city's ordinances may be objectively unreasonable. ✍️: @jeremiahhayden.bsky.social

Trying to keep up with the Capitol? Read updates from the 2025 legislative session on our website and follow our Bill tracker here: www.streetroots.org/news/2025/02...

Environmental advocates are reeling after City Council voted 11-1 to demand Mayor Wilson investigate Zenith's potential violations of its franchise—a step toward accountability advocates have long asked for. Despite attempts to pull Street Roots' reporting from the resolution, the reporting remains.