Your Daily Guide

Trump Administration Withholds Emergency Wildfire Funds

The Trump administration denied two emergency grant requests from Gov. Tina Kotek to help fight the ongoing East Evans Creek and Rowe Creek fires in eastern Oregon. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley say the decision represents a “major shift” in federal policy. The state has 30 days to appeal the denial. So far, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved emergency funds for only the Lower Dry Creek, Awaka Butte and Grasshopper fires. [Oregonian]

Downtown Food Cart Pod Operator Blames Closures on City Rules

Later this year, the Downtown Development Group (a major downtown property owner) is closing two prominent food cart pods — at Southwest 3rd Avenue and Washington Street as well as Southwest 2nd Avenue and Oak Street — because of city waste disposal regulations. Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services says the new rules have been implemented gradually since 2023, and the responsibility is on the property owners, not the food cart operators, to comply. A recent count shows 77 of our city's approximately 90 pods are now following the regulations. [Willamette Week]

City Squashes Popular Community Waterslide

Today on the podcast, the efforts to fund cops with climate dollars aren't going as smoothly as some had hoped, and there are some troubling updates on the state hospital’s patient care. Plus, City Hall is shutting down a beloved summer tradition at a Brooklyn neighborhood park. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

This bright-colored mural was submitted last week by Chris Houghton. It's in Multnomah Village on Southwest 36th Avenue between Southwest Troy St. and Capitol Hwy.

This photo is an updated version showing the artist's recent progress.

"It's new, and I literally just saw it last week for the first time and planned to submit it here, but someone beat me to the punch! Ha!" says reader Ella B.

"Right across the street from the newly built community stage in a tiny park, this area is becoming the center of Multnomah Village community activities," adds reader Eric S.

A shoutout to the first 10 readers who responded correctly: Eric S., Sue B., Robin Feidelson, Joe G., Amy M., Nicole P., S Riley, Kelly, Ella B., Christine I., and many others who guessed it was in Multnomah Village.

This week’s scavenger hunt comes from photographer Mark E. McClure:

Do you know where this sidewalk artwork is? Your hint for today: It might not be around much longer.

Please click here to submit the location — and, for unofficial bonus points, anything you know about it.

If you’re new to the newsletter, there’s a scavenger hunt usually every Friday. Next week, I’ll reveal the answer on Thursday — Friday’s newsletter will be a different format.

📸 Want to submit a photo? Please email me a snapshot of somewhere in the Portland metro area, and we’ll consider it for an upcoming “Where Is It?” segment!