Latest stories The Portland Observer

PCC-Cascade Campus

RFP PCC Public Safety Building

One Officer Charged in Breonna Taylor Case

Decision based on shots fired into neighboring apartment

A Kentucky grand jury on Wednesday indicted a single former police officer for shooting into neighboring apartments but did not move forward with charges against any officers for their role in Breonna Taylor’s death

Oregon State Bar-HR

Assistant Disciplinary Counsel

NFL Hall of Famer Gale Sayers Dies

Mourned as one of the finest men in NFL history

Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, who made his mark as one of the NFL’s best all-purpose running backs, has died. He was 77.

Supporting Blood Cancer Cures

Annual Light the Night Walk to go virtual

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's annual Light the Night Walk in Portland has gone virtual this year.

COVID Stimulus Help goes Unclaimed

IRS says thousands of Oregonians may still qualify

People who make too little or no money to file for income taxes may not know they qualify for the $1,200 in stimulus checks that went out last spring.

Iannarone Grows Support for Mayor

Provides list of endorsements from Black community

Sarah Iannarone is showing off some impressive support from the local Black community in her runoff election for Portland mayor on Nov. 3.

Vancouver Fire Chief Introduced

Brennan Blue brings 32 years of experience

After a nationwide search, the City of Vancouver has hired Brennan Blue to serve as the city's new fire chief starting Sept. 24.

Unhealthy Smoke to Last Days

Best prescription for bad air: Stay inside

Very unhealthy air quality conditions are expected to last at least until the end of the week and possibility until next week because of dense smoke coming from massive wildfires in Oregon and across the West.

Feedback Starts Over on I-5 Project

New board with black ties to consider past harms

ODOT says the priorities of Portland’s African American community will be elevated in its consideration of the controversial I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project.

Diverse Blood Supply Needed

All races and ethnicities urged to donate

The American Red Cross in Portland is sending out word it needs people of all races and ethnicities to give blood to help ensure a blood supply as diverse as the patients who depend on it.

Fighting to Save the World

A brilliant performance in sci-fi thriller

With some theaters still closed because of COVID-19, like Portland, the film will roll out in days and weeks to come.

Beloved Reggae Star Remembered

Toots Hibbert gave musical style its name

Toots Hibbert, one of reggae’s founders and most beloved stars who gave the music its name, has died. He was 77.

Ocean Inspires with New Album

Returns to music scene with 'Lift You Up'

For his first studio album in a decade, Ocean returns to the theme of uplift.

A Historical Race for Gresham Mayor

Travis Stovall secures key endorsements

A Black leader from Gresham has the potential to become the first Black mayor of any city or town in the Portland metropolitan area.

Portland Firefighters Provide Mutual Aid

Crews deployed to region and state

Portland Fire & Rescue has responded to over 500 fire calls locally and are assisting fire crews in other cities and communities nearby and around the state.

Complaints on Police Tactics Reviewed

Citizen panel gathers feedback on crowd control practices

Portland’s Citizen Review Committee is now reviewing if police are using appropriate tactics for crowd control during protests and want to hear from the public who have experienced or witnessed crowd control tactics by Portland police.

Mayor Calls for More Housing Relief

Unpaid rents grow during COVID-19

Unpaid rents are growing in Portland during the COVID-19 pandemic and Tuesday Mayor Ted Wheeler announced he will bring forward new local housing relief measures to help stabilize households facing eviction and foreclosure.

Reimaging a Better School Year

Principal says COVID-19, racial equity push an opportunity

Principal says adjustments being made for teaching under COVID-19 restrictions are an opportunity to provide a better education to all students now and in the future.