Portland: The Weekly Scoop

Rain, Strikes, and Controversy

Portlanders, stay dry on your morning adventures! A deluge of cold rain is in store, but it'll ease up in the afternoon, leaving us with a mix of sunshine and showers over the weekend.

News from our fair city: Providence Oregon nurses and doctors are on strike, demanding a fair contract. The walkout affects 5,000 nurses and 150 doctors, putting pressure on OB/GYN clinics. To cover the void, Providence has hired 2,000 replacements, but the strike has historical significance as the first major physician walkout in Oregon.

New Sobriety Center Announced

Multnomah County has chosen a site for a new 24-hour sobering and crisis center in the Central Eastside Industrial area. The center will have up to 50 beds and provide withdrawal management as an alternative to jail or the ER.

Renewable Fuel Refineries Raise Concerns

Amidst widespread concerns about the risks of renewable fuels, environmentalists are protesting the approval of two large refineries along the Oregon River: NEXT Energy and Zenith Energy. Both projects propose to produce and export massive quantities of renewable diesel and aviation fuel via pipelines and railcars.

UPS Closure and Job Worries

Employees at UPS Swan Island are apprehensive about an upcoming facility closure that could result in job losses to automation. UPS remains vague, but employees fear they may be replaced by machines.

King Tides and Coast Safety

Massive king tides are expected at the Oregon Coast from January 11-13. Officials urge caution as the towering waves have already claimed one life this season. Be alert and watch out for dangerous swells.

Firefighters to California's Aid

Oregon is sending 240 firefighters and 60 fire engines to assist with the devastating wildfires in Southern California, including 13 firefighters and 3 engines from Portland Fire & Rescue.

National and International Headlines

Trump's Conditional Discharge

In a surprise move, former President Donald Trump received an unconditional discharge in his sentencing for falsifying business records, despite a third of similar offenders receiving jail time. Trump becomes the first convicted felon to hold the presidency, but any enforced sentence would likely have stalled the proceedings even further.

TikTok Ban Debate

The Supreme Court will hear arguments today on whether attempts to ban the social media app TikTok violate the First Amendment.

Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles

At least five separate wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, claiming ten lives so far. Satellite images show the devastation in neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades.