GOOD MORNING, SUNDAY! It's the perfect time to catch up on some of the great reporting and stories the Mercury churned out this week! (PRO TIP: If you despise being "the last to know," then be one of the first to know by signing up for Mercury newsletters! All the latest stories shipped directly to your email's in-box... and then... YOUR HEAD.)

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• Portland City Councilors Will Lobby For Change in State Law to Pave Way For Criminalization of Drugs

Portland city leaders will pressure state lawmakers to change state law, blaming a longstanding loophole for the scourge of fentanyl and meth use on Portland's streets. Experts caution a repeat of the failed War on Drugs won't solve the addiction crisis.

• POP QUIZ PDX

In this week's trivia quiz: swarms of swifts, embarrassing jailbreaks, and Portland's woeful lack of ninja supply stores! (Think you're smart? See how well you score!) 🤓

 

• The First Portland Area Detox Center Funded By Measure 110 Will Open Soon

Physicians say fentanyl has made addiction much harder to treat. A new Southeast Portland detox center funded with money from Measure 110 will be one of the first to focus on helping people withdraw and recover from fentanyl.

• Family Worship Center’s Big Band Rock Lives Inside a Pocket of Time

Portland-based Family Worship Center preaches the gospel of rock 'n' roll. And their new album, "Kicked Out of the Garden," is music for the weary travelers, the aimless ramblers, the unrepentant sinners, and the true believers.

• PICA’s New Arts Festival Takes Its Time

For the next incarnation of PICA's primary arts festival, there is no theme. But the theme is survival over time. But there is no theme.

• THE TRASH REPORT

Mitch McConnell's freezer burn, Chris Rock has a soggy Burning Man, and is there ever enough Lea Michele gossip? NO THERE IS NOT. Come get your TRASH REPORT!

• The Mercury’s Fall Arts & Culture Guide

The Mercury’s Fall Arts & Culture Preview doesn’t need a theme, but this year’s was obvious: Portland is building. Portland is rebuilding.

• The Problem with Proving, Again and Again, That Portland and Seattle Are Not Dying

OPINION: Portland's "death" has been greatly exaggerated—and in doing so, city conservatives are willfully ignoring the true cause of homelessness.

• TICKET ALERT

Zach Bryan will hit the road for his Quittin’ Time tour and something in the orange tells us that he’ll stop by Portland. Plus, electronic duo Thievery Corporation has announced they'll close out 2023 with a Pacific Northwest mini-tour. Here's where to score those tix!

 

• HEAR IN PORTLAND

This week, we’re over the moon about the Thesis' end of summer party—on a boat—and two upcoming album release shows. Let’s get into it all, Hear In Portland!

• Bottoms Is the Horny Gay Teen Comedy of My Dreams

"Bottoms" is a deliciously ribald entry into the “good for her” cinematic universe.

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WOW, THAT IS A LOT OF GOOD READIN'. I hope you didn't have any other plans this weekend! Dig in, and remember: Producing all this hard work costs moolah—so please consider contributing to the Mercury to keep it all coming! Thanks!