🌱 Charter Reform Challenges + Higher Security On Tri-Met

It's Thursday, my friends. We're officially over the hump of the week. We've still got a few days until the weekend, but the promised land is in sight. Here's what's happening today.

Now, today's weather:

The summer sun comes back and gives us a high temp of 87.

Here are the top five stories in Portland today:

1. In response to the legal challenges to the charter reform measure, Portland leaders are crafting a plan in case one of those challenges are upheld. A leading proposal, floated to council offices last week by the mayor’s chief of staff, would place three separate measures on the ballot but require all of them to pass to take effect, four City Hall staffers told The Oregonian/OregonLive. The effort comes as a Multnomah County judge is scheduled to hear oral arguments Thursday in a lawsuit filed by the Portland Business Alliance. (OregonLive)
2. Good news for the owner of the SE Portland house that was taken over by squatters! There's now a sale pending on the property. Nathan Jones, the real estate broker overseeing the transaction, said KOIN 6 News coverage of the story helped get the ball rolling on the sale. He also said that the offer is close to what the sellers were initially hoping for and that they stood to lose upwards of six figures worth of equity. (KOIN.com)
3. How truthful are the police? The Multnomah County district attorney said three of them are on a list that calls for added scrutiny if they’re ever called to the stand during a trial. The list is known informally as a “Brady list,” after a Supreme Court ruling in 1963 that requires prosecutors to disclose any evidence they have that might exonerate a defendant. These lists generally include names of officers who have a history of untrustworthiness that may need to be disclosed to defense attorneys. The Portland list also includes officers with criminal convictions. (Willamette Week)
4. TriMet plans to increase transit police on and around the transit system in part due to an alleged increase in drug use on buses and MAX trains, according to an internal agency memo. The increase in transit police and other security officers will not exceed the agency's budgeted positions, according to TriMet. On July 27, TriMet sent a memo to employees titled “What to Know About Drug Inhalation on System” that noted the surge of fentanyl use in Oregon over the past three years. (Portland Mercury)
5. Reed College in Portland is working to protect the rights of students impacted by the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court. Audrey Bilger, president of Reed College, was invited to a roundtable discussion at the White House on Monday hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss student’s rights. Though abortion access in Oregon is not severely impacted by the decision, Bilger said the university is still committed to supporting its students. (OPB)

Today in Portland:

• For a night of acoustic music come to Double Mountain Brewery and Taproom in SE Portland to hear singer/songwriter Jacob Morse. Plus, the beer is awesome. Enjoy! 6 - 8 p.m.
• There will be a Jewish Zine Fest PDX Pop-Up at Books with Pictures in SE Portland. Bring zines to share and swap. Meet other folks making and reading zines here in Portland. They'll also have supplies for making zines. 6:30 - 8 p.m.
• Everyone needs a Balanced BreakFEST, so come get yours at Al's Den in downtown Portland. Balanced Breakfest, which was started in San Francisco, presents its first music showcase in Portland at Al's Den. Playing tonight are Double Play, Douglas Allen, Tara Velarde and Emily Zisman. Showtime is 7 p.m.
• Come see Wilco tribute band Wilclone at the Laurelthirst Pub in NE Portland. They'll have plenty of new tunes for you to sing, dance and play air guitar to. Good times guaranteed or your money back! Showtime is 6 p.m.
• It's a music-packed night at Doug Fir as they present a three band line up. Papercuts with The Umbrellas, The Reds, Pinks & Purples, and Foamboy will be playing. Doors open at 7 p.m.

From my notebook:

• Portland Art Museum: "There is much anticipation building for the site-responsive exhibition “They Come From Fire” by Jeffrey Gibson, opening in October. " (Portland Art Museum via Instagram)
• Portland Audubon: "It’s a merry-go-round of snacks! Northern Shovelers have figured out that occasionally working together will net them easier access to a good meal! That’s because this is a cooperative approach to feeding by swimming in a tight circle." (Portland Audubon via Instagram)
• Portland Parks & Recreation: "Can't wait to see you on Saturday, August 27 at Irving Park! Singer, songwriter of old and new school R&B, soul, and funk Kimberly Monique and DJ Ambush are IN for this Concert in the Park! See the full Summer Free For All events schedule." (Portland Parks & Recreation via Facebook)
• If you are in need of healthcare, ZoomCare is offering free access to treatment on Wednesday evening. Every second Wednesday of each month, the clinic offers cost-free appointments from 6 to 9 p.m. The appointments are at their location off NE Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Davis Street. (KOIN)
• You know I love singing Portland's praise, so it gives me great joy to announce that a new study has found Portland to be the most sustainable city in the United States. The study commissioned by travel blog ParkSleepFly analyzed 50 of the most visited cities in the US on the total carbon footprint per person, to reveal the destinations with the lowest carbon footprint. Portland consistently ranks high on lists of the greenest cities in the United States and was one of the first to present a thorough strategy to address CO2 emissions. Close behind Portland in second place in the study was Seattle. (KPTV)

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That's your Thursday, my friends. Live your best life and don't forget to be kind to each other. We're all on this same spaceship Earth. And if that's not crunchy, hippie enough for you, come on back tomorrow when I'll do the peace and love thing all over again. Hey, it's Portland.

— Dominic Anaya

About me: Doctor, educator and now a writer/artist, I'm just chillin' in Portland, OR with my wife, our ferrets, our chickens and our goats.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Portland Daily? Contact me at portland@patch.com