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‘Feast Portland’ returns with smaller events and a focus on BIPOC producers

For nearly a decade, FEAST Portland has drawn foodies from around the globe to the Pacific Northwest for a 4-day food festival with local chefs and international culinary talent. But thousands of folks, elbow-to-elbow, eating and drinking together, is not a good look in the midst of a pandemic. Last year, the festival went on hiatus, but 2021 brings a new “Summer of FEAST” with smaller, more intimate events spread over a month.

Oregon health officials are warning people not to use the herbal supplement kratom.

Politics

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown plans to veto bills related to mental health oversight, kratom sales

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown plans to veto two bills from the 2021 legislative session.

Whitebark pines thrive in rugged mountain in environments.

Science

Pining for whitebarks: Researchers work across the Northwest to save ‘quintessential wilderness trees’

If you’ve ever backpacked in the Northwest’s mountaintops, you’ve likely spent some time among whitebark pines. These important trees are bringing together researchers across the West, who want to save them from a fatal fungus.

Related

Capturing sounds and silence at Crater Lake

health

Oregon on precipice of another COVID wave, modeling suggests

With the delta variant surging in the state, public health officials are urging the public to resume mask use and get vaccinated.

Oregon approves killing up to four wolves in Eastern Oregon

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved killing four wolves in Baker County, where the Lookout Mountain wolf pack attacked four cows in 14 days.

Remembering the 1967 ‘Albina riot’

On July 30th, 1967, a protest in Portland's Irving Park over the police treatment of Black people turned into a week of social unrest and clashes with police.

Fires update

Middle Fork Complex fires in Willamette National Forest prompt Level 3 evacuations

Level 3 -Go!- evacuation orders were issued Saturday in the area of the Middle Fork Complex of fires east of Lowell on the Willamette National Forest.

Science

Pining for whitebarks: Researchers work across the Northwest to save ‘quintessential wilderness trees’

Related

Capturing sounds and silence at Crater Lake

Oregon COVID-19 cases

Source for all charts: Oregon Health Authority
Created by Jacob Fenton

Oregon hospital capacity

Depending on staffing, Oregon has between 600 and 800 adult ICU beds and between 4,000 and 7,000 regular beds.

Oregon vaccinations

Line does not distinguish between first and second doses. Researchers have estimated that Oregon will reach herd immunity when around 6 million doses have been distributed.

Anger mounts as Biden, Congress allow eviction ban to expire

Millions of Americans face being forced from their homes now that a moratorium on evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic has expired.

A research vessel found SpongeBob look-alikes a mile under ocean’s surface

A photo of a real-life sponge and starfish hanging out together delighted the internet. But "the reality is a little crueler than perhaps a cartoon would suggest," says the researcher who posted it.

Settled: High-jump friends elect double gold over jump-off

Mutaz Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy tied for the gold medal in the men’s high jump at the Tokyo Games.

Health

Fauci: More ‘pain and suffering’ ahead as COVID cases rise

The nation’s top infectious disease expert is warning that more “pain and suffering” is ahead as COVID-19 cases climb again and officials plead with unvaccinated Americans to get inoculated.

Some of our favorite Olympics photos, so far

Take some time to enjoy pictures of the bigger and lesser-known moments from the summer Games.

Culture

Plays in prisons: How a Portland actor connects adults in custody with classic Greek theater

Through his performances, Paul Susi strives to break through physical and emotional walls as he brings real connection to adults in custody.

‘OPB Politics Now’: Unpacking OPB’s investigation into a fatal shooting by a private security officer

Since last year, calls for police reform have led to meaningful policy changes in Portland and other cities throughout the country. But less scrutiny has gone to a sector that often crops up when police aren’t around: Private security.

A person stands outside wearing a T-shirt. A basketball hoop is visible behind him.

Creativity helps an asylum seeker, artist, and father build a life in America

As Manuel de Jesus Isasi Hernandez contends with awaiting a ruling on his asylum case, he finds strength in art, whether it’s using his body as a canvas for tattoos he inks himself, transforming wire from a construction site into the sculpture of an animal, or creating a signature that incorporates symbols for all his loved ones.

Oregon COVID-19 cases

Source for all charts: Oregon Health Authority Created by Jacob Fenton

Oregon hospital capacity

Depending on staffing, Oregon has between 600 and 800 adult ICU beds and between 4,000 and 7,000 regular beds.

Oregon vaccinations

Line does not distinguish between first and second doses. Researchers have estimated that Oregon will reach herd immunity when around 6 million doses have been distributed.

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Source for all charts: Oregon Health Authority
Created by Jacob Fenton