Alex Zielinski
OPB
Portland, OR, United States
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Past articles by Alex:
‘OPB Politics Now’: Milepost 5 and the challenges of affordable housing
Oregon leaders are pushing local governments to build more affordable housing and to build it quickly. But on this week's episode of OPB Politics Now, we’re going to look at the realities of actually managing that housing once it's built. We have a case study in how hard that can be: Portland’s Milepost 5. It started as an artist’s dream – but is now embroiled in a class-action lawsuit. → Read More
Report on Portland economy shows slow rebound post-pandemic
A new report on the region's economy reflects slow job growth and increase in migration out of Multnomah County, especially to Washington's Clark County. → Read More
Portland leaders celebrated Milepost 5. Now it’s a lesson in how not to do affordable housing
An apartment complex for low-income artists is facing a lawsuit from tenants accusing management of serious neglect. → Read More
Portland Environment News 2022
The Portland Clean Energy Fund distributed $107 million in green energy project grants in 2022. The Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) distributed its second round of grant funding in 2022, doling out $107 million to 65 projects slated to reduce carbon emissions, expand the green energy workforce, and lower Portlanders’ utility bills. The grants came with a condition that allowed the Bureau of… → Read More
Portland Politics News 2022
A political group called People for Portland raised $450,000 to unsuccessfully advance a ballot measure that would funnel tax dollars meant for housing toward a strategy to criminalize unhoused people. A dark money group called People for Portland attempted to push through a ballot measure to the November ballot that would have grabbed 75 percent of all tax dollars that currently go toward… → Read More
Portland Housing News 2022
Multnomah County’s homeless population hit an estimated 3,057 in 2022. After a two year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Joint Office of Homeless Services conducted a regional “Point in Time Count” to estimate the size of the unsheltered population in the tri-county area. They tallied 3,057 people sleeping outside—as opposed to shelter or temporarily staying at another person’s house—which is a 30… → Read More
Officers Shoot Alleged Arsonist in Southeast Portland
Portland police officers shot at a member of the public suspected of lighting a vehicle on fire in Southeast Portland on Monday morning. According to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), officers were called to assist firefighters in addressing a vehicle fire around 8:50 AM along SE 83rd Ave near SE Harrison St. According to the Oregonian, an unidentified man had specifically set a Mercedes on fire… → Read More
Workers at Southeast Portland Burgerville Location Move to Unionize
Workers at a Southeast Portland Burgerville store are joining the wave of labor organizing that's sweeping Portland. On Monday, workers employed at the Burgerville restaurant at SE Powell Ave and SE 25th Ave announced their intent to join the Burgerville Workers Union (BVWU), the nation's first fast food union. The announcement follows workers' allegations that a new manager sexually harassed… → Read More
City Raises Concerns about ShotSpotter Gunshot Detection Technology
The city office focused on surveillance technology and public data ethics, Smart City PDX, isn't certain that a technology used to monitor gunshots is the right tool to address Portland's gun violence problem. In a report prepared for City Council, staff with Smart City PDX explain that the technology—called ShotSpotter—could open the city up to legal risks, financial woes, and weaken… → Read More
Good Afternoon, News: Wheeler's Latest Homeless Ban, Betsy Swipes Left on Mike Nearman, and US Sends Warfare Gifts to Ukraine
Good afternoon, Portland! Good news: We're cruising into a weekend of cool 80-something temps! Better news: That's the perfect temperature to enjoy a Burger Week burg on a patio! Bad news: You still have an hour of work left. Let these headlines help tide you over, somehow: - Mayor Ted Wheeler is at it again: This morning, he issued an emergency declaration banning homeless camping from an… → Read More
Police Shoot at Armed Man During Attempted Arrest in Lents Neighborhood
Police officers shot at a man in Portland's Lents Neighborhood Tuesday evening while attempting to arrest him. The man, identified by the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) as Robert Connelly, was not injured in the shooting. The officers involved were members of the bureau's team that responds to gun crimes, called the Focused Intervention Team (FIT), who were seeking to arrest Connelly on several… → Read More
Good Morning, News: A Peek Back at Pickathon, Portland Parks Welcome Cancerous Weedkiller, and Seantors Pass Significant Climate Bill
The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! Good morning, Portland! You made it through another scorching weekend to be rewarded with some cooler temps in the 80s—and… → Read More
Man Arrested for 2019 Murder of Sean Kealiher
After years of investigation, Portland officers have arrested a man for the murder of Sean Kealiher, a local anti-fascist activist who was 23 at the time of his death. Kealiher, known by friends as “Armeanio,” was fatally hit by someone in a black SUV in Northeast Portland in the early morning hours of October 12, 2019. Kealiher was struck shortly after leaving the former Cider Riot pub located… → Read More
Police Officer Shoots at Driver in St. Johns Neighborhood
A Portland police officer shot at a man driving a car in North Portland's St. Johns Neighborhood Tuesday morning, after the driver allegedly attempted to run over a cop. According to a press release from the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), officers arrived at the scene near N Fessenden St. and N Macrum Ave. around 1:15 am, responding to a 911 call regarding gunfire in the area. Per the PPB,… → Read More
Mayor Wheeler Announces State of Emergency to Streamline Response to Gun Violence
Mayor Ted Wheeler has announced a state of emergency to address Portland’s surge in gun violence during summer months. The announcement allows Wheeler to gather all city departments related to deterring gun violence under his office in hopes of orchestrating a coordinated response. “Emergency declarations can get results the status quo cannot,” said Wheeler at a Thursday press conference. “It… → Read More
Jury Finds Right-Wing Brawler Mackenzie Lewis Guilty of Riot at Cider Riot
A jury has found 32-year-old Mackenzie Lewis, an affiliate of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer, guilty of engaging in a riot during a Portland street brawl on May 1, 2019. The brawl took place after members of the conservative group approached a now-shuttered Northeast Portland bar called Cider Riot, where a group of anti-fascist activists were meeting. The confrontation began with yelled… → Read More
Workers at New Seasons' Sellwood Market Join Unionizing Effort
Workers at a third New Seasons grocery store have joined the burgeoning labor organizing efforts. On Thursday, employees at the grocery chain's Sellwood location filed a petition to join the New Seasons Labor Union (NSLU) with the National Labor Relations Board on Thursday. "We're tired of being unable to bring any issues to management," said Jakob Parsons, a grocery clerk at the Sellwood store.… → Read More
New Seasons Hires Another Trump-Aligned Law Firm to Fight Workers Union Efforts
Confronted with a revitalized unionizing effort among its workers, New Seasons management is turning to a familiar tactic: Hire a national law firm that's helped fight union organizing at Trump-owned companies to quash the labor movement. According to the National Labor Relations Board filing, New Seasons has hired a lawyer with Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart to represent the company in… → Read More
New Seasons Management Sows Distrust in Workers' Unionizing Efforts
New Seasons management didn't wait long after receiving their workers' petition to unionize to kick off a campaign meant to undermine the labor movement. On Friday, the day employees at the New Seasons "Seven Corners" location at SE Division and 20th filed their intent to unionize, workers placed handmade zines in the store's break room for workers that included information about what to expect… → Read More
Oregon Medical Providers, Politicians, and the Public Respond to Draft Repeal of Roe
The leaked majority opinion draft from the US Supreme Court, indicating the court will overturn the abortion rights enshrined in 1973's Roe v. Wade, has Oregonians on the defensive. As the late Monday news spread, politicians, advocacy groups, and other leaders pledged their commitment to keeping Oregon a state that protects the individual right to an abortion, regardless of the federal ruling.… → Read More