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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.)

• Fire at Portland Mercado Temporarily Closes All Businesses

Portland Mercado is casually known for having some of the best food carts in the city, but it’s also a cultural center and BIPOC business incubator. A fire has temporarily closed the hub’s businesses.

Courtesy Portland Fire & Rescue

• Portland’s Top VILLAINS for 2023—Ranked!

Portland’s right-wingers, rich crybabies, police enablers, and fake Democrats crawled out of the woodwork and were especially busy this past year. Here are our picks for Portland’s TOP VILLAINS OF 2023!

• POP QUIZ PDX!

How much do YOU remember from 2023? 🤔 Let’s find out with this week’s super fun edition of POP QUIZ PDX, featuring lots of quizzy Qs about the surprisingly busy year we just had. See how well YOU score! 🤓

RICHVINTAGE / GETTY IMAGES

• Steel Bridge Skatepark Will Finally See the Light of Day

A skatepark near the Steel Bridge in Old Town has been planned for development since 2008. Recently, community advocates threatened to build it themselves if the city didn’t take action. Now, the Steel Bridge Skatepark is finally coming to fruition.

DAO ARCHITECTURE RENDERING

• HEAR IN PORTLAND

In this week’s music column: The debut record by Portland-based neo-soul singer-songwriter Julia Logue will brighten your dark winter days, Golden Boy headline a show at Portland Music Month, and the incredible Jamila Woods visits in February!

GREYFAEN EASTLAND

• The Biggest Portland City Hall News of 2023

In 2023, some of the biggest policies from city hall centered on homelessness and conditions on Portland’s streets. City leaders also unveiled a new tax incentive for businesses downtown, requiring workers to return to offices, at least half time. Check out our top city hall stories of the year!

• Best Bites From Portland Restaurants (and Pop-Ups) in 2023

Food critic Andrea Damewood breaks down her favorite dishes from Portland restaurants (and one pop-up). On the list: chocolate truffle dumplings, Tuna Toast you could share (but you won’t), and a French onion soup that lives rent free in her head 24/7.

DYLAN HARKAVY, COURTESY OF HEAVENLY CREATURES

• The Best Things To Do in Portland This Month

It’s a new year, and with it comes a fresh slate of events you can pencil into your brand-new calendar or planner. We’ve rounded up our top picks of things to do this month, so you can kick off your 2024 in the most entertaining way ever!

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

• Man Killed by Police in Mall 205 Target Parking Lot Identified as 33-Year-Old Tyrone Lee Johnson II

Police say they shot at a suspect who ran from them after allegedly trying to steal merchandise from the Mall 205 Target store. The man died at the scene. While police say a gun was found near the deceased, they have released very little information on the shooting.

Courtney Vaughn

• Get Your Tickets NOW for the Funniest Night of the Year: The Undisputable Geniuses of Comedy 2024!

It’s Portland’s biggest comedy event of the year! Don’t miss the Mercury‘s “UNDISPUTABLE GENIUSES OF COMEDY,” coming at ya on February 2 at Revolution Hall—with a lineup of Portland’s funniest comedians and special guest Kyle Kinane! Snap those tix up, babies!

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!