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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.)

• The 2024 Mercury Queer Guide: Endless Queer Summer

Get ready for the queer-iest summer yet! In this year’s QUEER GUIDE, we explore the latest LGBTQ+ news, the best queer-owned restaurants, and just about every damn queer event happening over the next three months… AND THERE ARE A LOT! (Pick up the print edition all over town!)

• How a Food Bank Illuminated Cultural, Political Divides Over Gaza

The Oregon Food Bank says it hasn’t seen a significant drop in revenue, despite the loss of support from local Jewish organizations over a cease-fire statement released by the food bank. Still, the rift illuminates cultural and political divides over Gaza.

AHMAD HASABALLAH/GETTY IMAGES

• THE TRASH REPORT

Calling all trash pandas! 🦝 This week’s gossip: Lotsa celebrity couplings, another Hollywood actor in Portland, and who’s meaner: Taylor Swift, Tom Cruise, or Zachary Quinto? 🤔

DEREK WHITE / GETTY IMAGES

• STREET VIEW

“Bike share programs…shouldn’t need to be lucrative in order to exist and thrive. They’re a public good, both for the people who use them and those who benefit from their downstream effects.” 

TAYLOR GRIGGS

• As Portland’s White Collar Employees Return to Offices, Janitors Push For Fair Wages, Benefits

Janitors with SEIU work at high-profile businesses like Nike and Intel, but their work is often unsung. Amid labor contract negotiations, they’re rallying for living wages and benefits.

SEIU LOCAL 49

• Portland Chefs Again Win Top Honors at the James Beard Awards

We were actually *just talking* about how wonderful Langbaan and Gregory Gourdet are, and this week they both won high honors at the James Beard Awards!

 HUGE GALDONES, COURTESY OF JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION

• He Isn’t the DA Yet, but Nathan Vasquez Already Secured More County Money for Drug Prosecutions

Local advocacy groups are crying foul over what they call a backroom deal by incoming DA Nathan Vasquez to boost county funding for prosecutions. Part of the extra money will help pay for attorneys to go after drug crimes.

MOTOYA NAKAMURA/MULTNOMAH COUNTY

• This Portland Gay Bar Is Opening a Family-Friendly LGBTQIA+ Lounge

Since spring, we’ve wondered about the second location of downtown Portland gay bar Scandals. At last, here’s the plan for “Scandals East.”

Munro Rost

• SAVAGE LOVE

Grandma has a very… unusual… relationship with her pet parakeet. (Gulp.) Dan Savage—along with some animal experts—offer their opinions in this week’s SAVAGE LOVE! 🦜

Joe Newton

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!