A year after Oregon prison officials pledged to overhaul health services, an inspection by a national accrediting group found that Coffee Creek Correctional Facility still isn’t meeting standards.

Portland mayor Keith Wilson’s top priority in his homelessness response: increasing the number of congregate overnight-only shelters. Now, a Multnomah County report shows the local focus on new shelters may be eroding existing shelters’ ability to transition homeless Portlanders into housing.

Oregon lawmakers adjourn their even-year short session this Sunday. Despite Democratic supermajorities in both the House and Senate, disagreements within party lines plagued the legislative session.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Why Portland shelters can be a dead end for those seeking housing, disagreement among Democrats in the Oregon Legislature, Oregon's skyrocketing eviction rates and more. Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Known as the "honorary mayor of Northeast Portland," Paul Knauls Sr.'s reputation precedes him. He shared with Street Roots how his storied past intertwines with city history — and what he sees on the horizon.

💻️ ✨️ Have you heard? Street Roots has a brand new website, powered by Newspack. We’ve got a new look, but the same high-quality journalism www.streetroots.org/arts-and-ent...

City and county shelters underserve homeless Portlanders of color, a Multnomah County report shows. Responses from Mayor Keith Wilson’s office voiced concern, but took issue with some of the county’s data points.

Known as the "honorary mayor of Northeast Portland," Paul Knauls Sr.'s reputation precedes him. He shared with Street Roots how his storied past intertwines with city history — and what he sees on the horizon.

💻️ ✨️ Have you heard? Street Roots has a brand new website, powered by Newspack. We’ve got a new look, but the same high-quality journalism www.streetroots.org/arts-and-ent...

City and county shelters underserve homeless Portlanders of color, a Multnomah County report shows. Responses from Mayor Keith Wilson’s office voiced concern, but took issue with some of the county’s data points.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Portland's Paul Knauls Sr. at 95, remembering Jesse Jackson and Avel Louise Gordly, racism in Portland's shelters, prison health services fall short and more. Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Every issue of @streetroots.bsky.social is excellent, but I am particularly excited about this next issue. Pick one up from your local vendor this Wednesday and check it out!

Keeping up with the Capitol? Read reporter Tom Henderson's latest on what's at stake for Oregonians this legislative session.

An Oregon pen pal club pairs high schoolers with older adults in memory care and assisted living facilities.

Lawmakers will consider a change to Oregon law that could increase medical debt among low-income patients. Opponents say the change could weaken efforts to help low-income patients access care, as nearly a third of Oregonians have taken on medical debt. Hospitals say it’s an administrative burden.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Change in Oregon law could increase medical debt, high school pen pal club connects with older adults, January in Oregon's labor scene and more. Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Three years ago, Polk County residents expressed weariness of new shelters in their towns. Familiar accusations and fear-mongering arguments arose. But their concerns never materialized. Now, some of the same critics who opposed the shelters say they have no problem with their new neighbors.

Oregon has a goal of professionalizing medical interpreting and eliminating health disparities by 2030. But the interpreters’ union says they’re the last to be paid.

Legacy Emanuel nurses say ICE agents violate hospital policy while administrators prevent them from doing anything about it.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Residents' response to shelters in Polk County, medical interpreters in Oregon fight for better pay, nurses at Legacy Emanuel say ICE agents are interfering with care and more. Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

In February, legislators will return to Salem. PCUN had a legislative strategy to press for higher wages for farmworkers and secure their collective bargaining rights. Then more than 2,000 of her fellow Woodburn residents disappeared — abducted by masked thugs carrying guns and badges.

A Portland-area mother deals with the fallout of Trump’s immigration enforcement. With a newborn and two toddlers, her life was upended when ICE agents detained her husband in October, three weeks after she had given birth.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: The damage done one year into Trump 2.0, Oregon Legislature's short session begins in February, a new book on Silicon Valley’s homeless encampments and more. Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

A new book offers an intimate look at self-government in Silicon Valley’s homeless encampments. The author and people featured in the book will appear at an event in Portland on Jan. 21 at Broadway Books.

Photography exhibit, ‘If We Could Talk’, explores gentrification in Northeast Portland. Residents of the Millner building took a photography and writing workshop last summer, and their work is now featured in the exhibition. www.streetroots.org/news/2025/12...

Oregon is supposed to provide cash compensation to people sent to prison for crimes they didn’t commit. With many still waiting for payments, lawmakers will consider revising the program. www.streetroots.org/news/2026/01...

A local librarian’s research helped secure a settlement for descendants of displaced Black Portlanders moved out of their homes due to racist urban renewal projects. www.streetroots.org/news/2026/01...

“The charges have been dismissed. They are living free in the world. They’re working. They’ve got families. The question is, are we going to compensate them for having been in prison when they shouldn’t have been?” #orpol #oregon www.streetroots.org/news/2026/01...

ICYMI Oregon lawmakers are considering hitting pause on program meant to curb health care costs. But it could mean a break for the country's largest insurer. www.streetroots.org/news/2025/12...

Oregon lawmakers are considering changes to a state program aimed at slowing the rise in healthcare costs. The catch? It could mean one of the country’s biggest insurers dodges penalties.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Oregon's major delays in payments owed to people wrongfully imprisoned in the state, art infused with histories of Black Portlanders forced from their homes, vendor poetry and more. Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

🗞️ ICYMI: Part two of a deep dive into sweeps conducted in Portland is on sale now. Purchase this issue from your local Street Roots vendor while you still can. www.streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Street Roots photographed locations where sweeps occurred via the city’s Impact Reduction Program. Using details included in the data reports, newsroom art director @ettamadeit.bsky.social reimagined and illustrated the possessions and homes of those who lived there. 📸: @killendave.bsky.social

🗞️ In the new issue of Street Roots: We bring you part two of a deep dive into sweeps conducted in Portland from July 2024 through June 2025. Using firsthand accounts, photography and more, this issue attempts to visualize the 8,764 sweeps recorded during this time frame.

We raised over $234,000 for Street Roots during our Winter Fund Drive! So many of you went above and beyond for us this year. Thanks to you, we are stabilized and ready to continue providing meaningful income opportunities community-driven reporting into the new year.

Celebrate the grand opening of the new Northwest Library this Sat, Jan 10, and enjoy a poetry reading with Street Roots vendors! The reading will be from 4 - 5:30 PM at 2030 NW Pettygrove St. Support our vendors & discover what library's expansion means for the community!

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Six months of data showing every instance between January and June 2025 in which workers through the city’s Impact Reduction Program took the homes or belongings of people living outdoors. Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

407 ⭐️ This is the number of vendors who sold Street Roots in 2025. Your support is critical to each and every one of their successes. Your donation is a powerful way to support the vendors who depend on us for income, connection & resources. Give today giveguide.org/nonprofits/street-roots

Support Street Roots today on Give!Guide with a donation of $10+ for a chance to win a 2025 Tern HSD S00 e-bike from Splendid Cycles! This prize currently retails at $5,949. 🚲 ⚡ Find us at giveguide.org/nonprofits/street-roots and make a gift that powers dignified work opportunities!

While nothing's cooler than our vendor Makavalie's photo-printed apparel, today's Big Give Day has some serious drip. Several VERY COOL prize packages with Atlas Tattoo, Midtown Beer Garden & Music Millennium are up for grabs with every donation of $10+! giveguide.org/nonprofits/street-roots

Our supporters are a central part of Street Roots and our vendors' stories. And today, when you invest in the lives and futures of our vendors with a donation of $10 or more to our Give!Guide campaign, you could win a $500 gift card to Powell's Books! giveguide.org/nonprofits/street-roots

🎁 Didn't get what you want for Christmas? With this BIG GIVEAWAY just for Street Roots Give!Guide donors, you could be ringing in the new year over $600 in gift cards to Portland eateries! 5 days left to help us reach our goal! Donate to enter giveguide.org/nonprofits/street-roots

🥂 Eat, clink, drink & repeat with this BIG GIVEAWAY exclusively for Street Roots' Give!Guide donors! NOW until Dec 31, donate $10+ to our campaign for your shot at our special Eat/Drink Portland giveaway ft. over $600 in gift cards to local eateries! giveguide.org/nonprofits/street-roots

The new edition of our Rose City Resource Guide (Dec 2025 to May 2026) is here! 💚 Booklets can be picked up at no cost from our office located at 281 West Burnside during open hours. For more information, email [email protected] or call (503) 210-5641.

Our vendors are lookin' good in their new Street Roots merch! Spot a vendor out selling this week's copy of Street Roots by looking for the sweet "Read the News" hoodie and fresh Street Roots beanie! 🔍 You can also find a vendor near you by visiting streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Head into the new year with style! All gifts made to Street Roots on Give!Guide this weekend (Dec. 20-21) will earn you a shot at a personal stylist appt. from Garnish Apparel, along with a $100 store credit, to refresh your wardrobe in 2026. Go to giveguide.org/nonprofits/street-roots to donate!

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Health insurance companies want a break from the Legislature, hunger on the coast, an exhibit examining gentrification and more. Find a vendor in your neighborhood to purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Join us for the 2025 holiday zine reading party next week! We're gathering to celebrate & uplift the artists who put hard work into this year’s vendor-lead holiday zine. Join us Dec. 15 at 6 pm at 832 SW 4th Ave, a pop-up location by The Portland Darkroom/Portland Camera Club.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: "Ending unsheltered homelessness" translates to 'reducing visible homelessness,' local student journalists are excellent, what's happening in Oregon labor and more. Find a vendor in your neighborhood to purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

So far, we've raised $14,612 for Street Roots newsroom! NewsMatch is matching these donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $15,000, through Dec. 7. That means we're just $388 away from unlocking the total matching funds. Will you help us close the gap? Give at streetroots.org/donate