The Portland Mercury's 'Good Morning, News!' column for October 30, 2026, provides a diverse round-up of local and national news, intertwined with arts and culture highlights. The article encourages readers to support local journalism through monthly contributions or subscriptions. It sets the scene for a rainy Portland weekend, humorously touching upon the end of Daylight Saving Time. Key reports include essential reminders for voters regarding ballot deadlines, several impactful local incidents and policy discussions, and updates on significant national and entertainment news stories.
Impending Ballot Deadline and Election Endorsements With elections drawing near, officials remind the public that it's now too late to mail in ballots for assured on-time counting. Voters are strongly advised to deliver their ballots directly to official drop boxes. The article provides a map of these drop-off locations in Multnomah County and highlights The Mercury's comprehensive Election Strike Force endorsements for local and state races, alongside a convenient cheat sheet for quick reference. Portland Police Officer's Fatal Shooting Deemed Justified The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) released body camera footage showing the fatal officer-involved shooting of 36-year-old Eric Hurtado, which occurred downtown on October 15. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office subsequently announced that it would not prosecute the officer, concluding that the use of force was justified and not criminal, thus bypassing a grand jury review. The footage captured the rapid sequence of events, showing an officer firing just four seconds after approaching Hurtado, who was reportedly attempting to attack a man with a box cutter at a hotel and had earlier stabbed a bakery employee. ACLU Video Shows ICE Agents Slashing Tires of Legal Observers A disturbing video released by the ACLU, originating from Hillsboro, shows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents deliberately slashing the tires of legal observers. These observers were lawfully filming the agents in a public parking lot. The video evidence suggests the act was a direct retaliation for their transparency efforts, raising concerns about civil liberties and police accountability. Portland Police Bureau Explores AI Tools Despite Legal Ban According to a report by the local nonprofit newspaper *Street Roots*, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) is actively investigating the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as Microsoft Copilot. This exploration is ongoing despite the city’s explicit prohibition against the PPB using such technology. A PPB spokesperson cited 'staffing shortages' as the reason for exploring AI, claiming it could help address inefficiencies, even while engaging in legally restricted discussions about its implementation. Tragic Mid-Air Helicopter Collision Near McMinnville A tragic incident unfolded near McMinnville on Thursday afternoon when two helicopters collided in mid-air, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. One helicopter carried a 22-year-old flight instructor and another person, while the second helicopter had a 38-year-old occupant. Authorities and investigators are still on the scene, working to determine the cause of the fatal accident. Oregon's Domestic Terrorism Law Based on 'Questionable Data' An investigation conducted by The Western Edge reveals that Oregon's domestic terrorism law, which was passed in 2023, was established based on what is described as 'very questionable data.' This legislative change marked a significant shift for Oregon, which had previously stood apart for decades by not having a local domestic terrorism statute, with concerns about protests and growing extremism influencing its passage. Haunted Portland Edition: POP QUIZ PDX Prepare for Halloween with the latest edition of POP QUIZ PDX, titled 'Haunted Portland Edition.' This engaging quiz challenges participants' knowledge of local trivia, focusing on Portland's haunted history and its most infamous spectres and spooky locales. It's a fun way to get into the Halloween spirit and discover more about the city's eerie past. The Mercury's Scream Queen Halloween Afterparty The Portland Mercury is hosting its 'Scream Queen Halloween' party this Saturday at the Albert Abbey in North Portland. The event promises a night of frightful fun including costume contests, flash tattoos, interactive photo booths, and lively dancing. Attendees are invited to embrace the 'horrors of late nights' and celebrate Halloween with the Mercury team. Comprehensive Weekend Events and Music Guide For those seeking entertainment, the 'Do This, Do That' events calendar by Lindsay Costello provides a wide array of weekend activities. Highlights include a screening of the 1932 film *Vampyr* at Tomorrow Theater, a 'Death at Dusk' tour at Lone Fir Cemetery on Saturday, and, of course, The Mercury's Scream Queen Halloween party. Additionally, Starly Lou Riggs' 'Mercury Music Picks' offers specific recommendations for various live music shows around the city. Remembering Sir Patrick Stewart, Dead at 86 The entertainment world mourns the loss of the legendary Sir Patrick Stewart, the celebrated actor famed for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in *Star Trek* and Professor Charles Xavier in *X-Men*. Stewart passed away at the age of 86 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia. A recipient of numerous awards for his stage and screen work, including for Shakespearean performances and a Grammy, he was also a vocal LGBTQ+ ally and held a deep affection for Portland. Christa Pike Speaks Out on Botched Execution Christa Pike, a woman on death row in Tennessee who recently survived a botched execution attempt, has released her first public statement since the incident. In a written account, Pike describes experiencing constant physical and psychological pain, stating, 'there is pain in my mind and in my soul.' She condemned the 'incompetence' of the execution team, who spent an hour unsuccessfully trying to administer a lethal dose of pentobarbital. Pike, who was convicted for a 1995 murder, is reportedly being held in solitary confinement in a prison infirmary in Nashville.
Impending Ballot Deadline and Election Endorsements
With elections drawing near, officials remind the public that it's now too late to mail in ballots for assured on-time counting. Voters are strongly advised to deliver their ballots directly to official drop boxes. The article provides a map of these drop-off locations in Multnomah County and highlights The Mercury's comprehensive Election Strike Force endorsements for local and state races, alongside a convenient cheat sheet for quick reference.
Portland Police Officer's Fatal Shooting Deemed Justified
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) released body camera footage showing the fatal officer-involved shooting of 36-year-old Eric Hurtado, which occurred downtown on October 15. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office subsequently announced that it would not prosecute the officer, concluding that the use of force was justified and not criminal, thus bypassing a grand jury review. The footage captured the rapid sequence of events, showing an officer firing just four seconds after approaching Hurtado, who was reportedly attempting to attack a man with a box cutter at a hotel and had earlier stabbed a bakery employee.
ACLU Video Shows ICE Agents Slashing Tires of Legal Observers
A disturbing video released by the ACLU, originating from Hillsboro, shows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents deliberately slashing the tires of legal observers. These observers were lawfully filming the agents in a public parking lot. The video evidence suggests the act was a direct retaliation for their transparency efforts, raising concerns about civil liberties and police accountability.
Portland Police Bureau Explores AI Tools Despite Legal Ban
According to a report by the local nonprofit newspaper *Street Roots*, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) is actively investigating the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as Microsoft Copilot. This exploration is ongoing despite the city’s explicit prohibition against the PPB using such technology. A PPB spokesperson cited 'staffing shortages' as the reason for exploring AI, claiming it could help address inefficiencies, even while engaging in legally restricted discussions about its implementation.
Tragic Mid-Air Helicopter Collision Near McMinnville
A tragic incident unfolded near McMinnville on Thursday afternoon when two helicopters collided in mid-air, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. One helicopter carried a 22-year-old flight instructor and another person, while the second helicopter had a 38-year-old occupant. Authorities and investigators are still on the scene, working to determine the cause of the fatal accident.
Oregon's Domestic Terrorism Law Based on 'Questionable Data'
An investigation conducted by The Western Edge reveals that Oregon's domestic terrorism law, which was passed in 2023, was established based on what is described as 'very questionable data.' This legislative change marked a significant shift for Oregon, which had previously stood apart for decades by not having a local domestic terrorism statute, with concerns about protests and growing extremism influencing its passage.
Haunted Portland Edition: POP QUIZ PDX
Prepare for Halloween with the latest edition of POP QUIZ PDX, titled 'Haunted Portland Edition.' This engaging quiz challenges participants' knowledge of local trivia, focusing on Portland's haunted history and its most infamous spectres and spooky locales. It's a fun way to get into the Halloween spirit and discover more about the city's eerie past.
The Mercury's Scream Queen Halloween Afterparty
The Portland Mercury is hosting its 'Scream Queen Halloween' party this Saturday at the Albert Abbey in North Portland. The event promises a night of frightful fun including costume contests, flash tattoos, interactive photo booths, and lively dancing. Attendees are invited to embrace the 'horrors of late nights' and celebrate Halloween with the Mercury team.
Comprehensive Weekend Events and Music Guide
For those seeking entertainment, the 'Do This, Do That' events calendar by Lindsay Costello provides a wide array of weekend activities. Highlights include a screening of the 1932 film *Vampyr* at Tomorrow Theater, a 'Death at Dusk' tour at Lone Fir Cemetery on Saturday, and, of course, The Mercury's Scream Queen Halloween party. Additionally, Starly Lou Riggs' 'Mercury Music Picks' offers specific recommendations for various live music shows around the city.
Remembering Sir Patrick Stewart, Dead at 86
The entertainment world mourns the loss of the legendary Sir Patrick Stewart, the celebrated actor famed for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in *Star Trek* and Professor Charles Xavier in *X-Men*. Stewart passed away at the age of 86 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia. A recipient of numerous awards for his stage and screen work, including for Shakespearean performances and a Grammy, he was also a vocal LGBTQ+ ally and held a deep affection for Portland.
Christa Pike Speaks Out on Botched Execution
Christa Pike, a woman on death row in Tennessee who recently survived a botched execution attempt, has released her first public statement since the incident. In a written account, Pike describes experiencing constant physical and psychological pain, stating, 'there is pain in my mind and in my soul.' She condemned the 'incompetence' of the execution team, who spent an hour unsuccessfully trying to administer a lethal dose of pentobarbital. Pike, who was convicted for a 1995 murder, is reportedly being held in solitary confinement in a prison infirmary in Nashville.
