Despite constant pushback from activists, calls from Portland’s mayor for federal agents to resign, and city councilors passing legislation to hold the federal government accountable, the city’s administrator says Portland is committed to keeping the local ICE facility open.

Start making summer plans: The 2026 PDX Live concert series returns this August, bringing acts including MUNA, Japanese Breakfast, and Vince Staples to Pioneer Courthouse Square. Soul and funk band Earth, Wind & Fire will get you dancin’ in September at Edgefield!

For months, protesters and residents near the local ICE facility have been repeatedly subjected to a chemical haze from tear gas used by federal agents. The Portland City Council has tried to intervene by passing a detention center fee ordinance in December 2025.

Portland's first-ever Azn Zine Fest is this weekend! Azn Zine Fest will feature more than 100 zinesters, and the organizers are also bringing in guest artist Yumi Sakugawa from Los Angeles.

The Oregon Legislature took its first step toward approving payments to a billionaire (sort of) for Moda Center renovations, Dems in four states (not Oregon) have introduced legislation that would bar ICE employees from getting jobs in civil service in the future, and more of the top headlines ⬇️

Like free stuff? Then enter to WIN FREE TICKETS to see Whitney, Indigo De Souza, Jarrod Lawson, and a whole lot more in this edition of the Mercury's FREE TICKETS THURSDAY!

Mayor Keith Wilson announced a new group will meet to discuss revitalizing the central city, including downtown and the east side from OMSI to Lloyd Center and Albina District. Critics say the group favors wealthy interests, excluding smaller orgs focused on homelessness & affordable communities.

Oregon lawmakers are advancing House Bill 4134, aiming to boost funding for wildlife conservation and protect Oregon’s most vulnerable species by raising the lodging tax. The new revenue would support Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife programs.

-Portland ICE officer threatened to shoot bike pursuer -Big Pink owner buys another downtown building -Oregon officials boost funding for wildlife conservation All the Good Morning, News ⬇️

-Portland's Frog Brigade is in Washington, DC -TEDxPortland dropped its list of speakers -Local food aid charity Feed the Mass just bought the former Portland Airbnb headquarters -Portland World Naked Bike Ride announced its date Full Art Snack ⬇️

This week in Savage Love: "I had an affair with our mutual boss a long time ago... does my hubby need to know?" Dan issues a ruling on this and other sexually fraught (and horny) questions!

-Oregon House Republicans walked out yesterday, stalling multiple bills during the state's six-week legislative short session. -Portland's US Rep. Maxine Dexter isn't going to the State of the Union—but she is sending one of Jeffrey Epstein's survivors to take her place. More Good Morning, News ⬇️

The top events this week in PDX: MonsterBox Comedy appears for just one night at Portland Center Stage. Someone will finally let me pay money to watch comedic genuses Adam Pasi and Nariko Ott argue at Topic Thunder. PLUS a big zine fest. Full guide ⬇️

Let's go, trash pandas! :raccoon: It's time for another hilarious edition of THE TRASH REPORT. In this week's oh-so-juicy gossip: Prince Andrew gets nicked, new beef with Shia LaBeouf, and celebrities give Portland its props! (Oh hello there, Cardi B!) ❤️

Councilor Loretta Smith backtracks on alarming plan to arm fellow council members, the killing of a Mexican drug cartel leader has led to violence and chaos across the country, and Trump's mostly hand-picked Supreme Court smacks down his tariff dreams. It's GOOD MORNING, NEWS!

The final Prestige Wrestling Show packed the Roseland Theater in Portland on Friday night.

Portland City Council’s policy committees, implemented last year, are a relatively new way for the public to engage with elected officials on a regular basis. Starting next month, the committee structure will get a makeover. The change could shake up some power dynamics in and out of City Hall.

Portland Timbers home opener 🪵⚽️

After signaling a desire for a new policy that would allow city councilors to bring loaded firearms to City Hall, Portland City Councilor Loretta Smith says she “denounces violence” but wants additional safety protocols for her and her colleagues.

Your plans are in good hands with weekend picks from Zwickelmania to the Movie Madness VHS Swap and from A Beat Happening's February DJ and Beats Showcase to a Black History Month Market and Celebration.

Environmental advocates and city councilors remain skeptical, saying the investigation may have excluded critical context.

Calling all smarty butts! It's time for another brain-teasing and sassy edition of POP QUIZ PDX. In this week's super fun local trivia quiz: Blazer dreamboat Damian Lillard's latest big win, the irredeemable dumbshits of ICE, and more!

After a group of protestors disrupted a City Council meeting on Wednesday, District 1 Councilor Loretta Smith told OPB she drafted a city ordinance to allow councilors to open carry (yeah, a gun) while they’re conducting city business. This and more in Good Morning, News ⬇️

January through March are lean times for everyone, and the week’s Art Snack has way too many restaurant closings. But we’ve also got some some silver linings in building buying and the promise Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride in August. 🎨⬇️

WIN free tickets to see Fellow Travelers, JOSEPH, Rodney Crowell, and more during this week's "Free Ticket Thursday" ⬇️

One of Portland's best summer events is coming back: Waterfront Blues Festival! Tank and the Bangas, the Revivalists, and more artists will perform at Tom McCall Waterfront Park this July. Learn more ⬇️

-US Department of Education civil rights division has opened an investigation into PPS's plans for a Center for Black Student Excellence in Portland. -New Seasons laid off 5% of its workforce this week -Dems in Salem are advancing a bill that would disconnect the state from parts of federal tax code

A federal judge extended a temporary restraining order (TRO) that bars federal agents at Portland's ICE facility from using tear gas on protesters for another two weeks.

Eric Trump's shady attempt to profit off a government contract, restraining order against agents at the ICE facility in PDX extended, the city could soon have its own Brooklyn Bridge, and more of the top headlines this morning. ⬇️🗞️

The annual Mardi Gras parade on Mississippi Ave in Portland.

While the Portland Timbers won their first playoff game in four years last fall, their 2025 season was... less than stellar. Ahead of their season opener this weekend, resident expert Abe Asher poses the five major questions which face the club as it prepares for its sixteenth MLS season.

Proponents of Portland Community College's Music and Sonic Arts (MSA) program tell the Mercury they're planning to rally before a board meeting at the Sylvania campus in Southwest Portland, on February 19.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is helping a group of protesters and journalists strengthen their case against the Department of Homeland Security.

Celebrating the Lunar New Year at Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland. Today, Milo, a 21-year-old mini horse, was on site to celebrate the year of the fire horse.

Oregon's AG joins the ACLU's case against the Department of Homeland Security, Portland police are testifying about excessive force by federal agents outside the city's ICE building, and false spring is over. Find all the Good Morning, News. ⬇️

Black History Month isn’t just about honoring the past—it’s about celebrating the future being made right now. History is happening in Portland every day. From arts to activism, Black Portlanders are reshaping the Rose City. Meet 10 Black innovators and changemakers making history in Portland.

The cop union wants a big chunk of that sweet, sweet climate money, ICE and DHS temporarily lose their funding (ha-ha-ha), and rest in peace to the "King of Enchanted Forest" Roger Tofte. It's GOOD MORNING, NEWS! 👋🗞️

Catch up on this week's top Portland headlines: -Funding Cuts May End Innovative PCC Music Program -Former City Hall Staffer Files Discrimination Complaints Against Councilor’s Office -The Landmark Saloon Calls It Quits -Literary Arts Announces 2026 Oregon Book Award Finalists

In January, two men were arrested and detained by ICE agents while sitting in a car at a Portland gas station. Friends of one of the men said agents broke a window on the vehicle and forced them out.

There's lots to love in our weekend guide, with festive events from the Portland Night Market's Tunnel of Love edition to the Q Center's Heated Rivalry Valentine's Night from The Off Beat Grand Opening to Volume Bomb Presents Valentine's Day Crusher.

The new Wuthering Heights film is here, and it's destined for a long afterlife as a teenage slumber party staple. Is it worth a watch? Mercury film critic HR Smith breaks down the bombastic new adaption from the director of Saltburn.

Tenants who live in the affordable housing complex Gray’s Landing, which sits across the street from the Portland ICE facility, are going before a federal judge Friday to talk about how federal agents’ use of tear gas has impacted them. This and more top headlines in the Good Morning, News roundup.

Enter to win free tickets to some of the best shows coming soon to Portland!

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is the stuff of crazed movie magic. The meta misadventure follows Torontonian best friends Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol in their ongoing quest to get their band, Nirvanna the Band, a show at Toronto venue the Rivoli.

My latest for the Mercury. Got to profile a new Italian joint straight outta north Jersey. Took my ex-Jersey dad and he told me this was how his Italian neighbors ate growing up (complimentary) www.portlandmercury.com/Food/2026/02...

A former staffer in Portland Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane’s office has filed city and state complaints, alleging retaliation after she requested disability accommodations. The complaints come as calls grow for stronger job protections for City Council staff.

For the month of February, the Mercury is celebrating Black History Month with a feature package dedicated to Black innovation in Portland—edited by author extraordinaire Donovan Scribes.

-Oregon Turns 167 this weekend -The February fakeout is fading -New all ages music venue opens this weekend -House Republicans are working to create stricter paperwork requirements for voting -Leach Botanical Gardens is in trouble -Actor James David Van Der Beek has died More news ⬇️

There's a new must-see Lynchian thriller on stage at Artists Repertory Theatre: Racecar Racecar Racecar hops in the car with an unnamed father and daughter on a cross country road trip. As with anything described as Lynchian, something uneasy bubbles under the surface and things get weird.

Funding cuts are threatening an innovative music program at Portland Community College, but students and faculty are not letting it go away silently.