Portland, Oregon's award-winning, nonprofit, independent weekly newspaper

Icons of a wildfire, hand washing, and a fist indicating resistance

Coping with the moment: Insights into resilience on the frontlines of 2020

A therapist, medical doctors, journalists and a firefighter are in the thick of today's crises

Jessica Pollard

October 7, 2020

Watercolor illustration of light shining onto a lonely person from a window

Isolation during the pandemic exacts a complex toll on senior citizens

Seniors have a diverse set of needs — and solutions — in the battle against loneliness

Jessica Pollard

October 7, 2020

Right-wing extremists have adopted the American flag. These BLM protesters want it back.

To some of the people marching in support of Black lives, the same flag represents very different values

Ellena Rosenthal

September 2, 2020

Illustration of a city with head-shaped center

Opinion | Community land trusts could help heal segregated cities

To heal, American cities can start with an area that was key to past discrimination: how land is used

Mark Roseland Christopher Boone

October 7, 2020

Street Roots vendors tell us what they’re grateful for

Vendors express gratitude for God, pets, income opportunities and more

Pat Zimmer

October 7, 2020

Vendors sit around a table with a voter registration sign in front of it

Kaia Sand | Democracy must reach the unhoused — and that includes voting

OPINION | The Street Roots Action Team's voter registration drive builds on efforts to broaden civic engagement

Kaia Sand

October 7, 2020

A U.S. Postal Service van is parked beside a tent erected on the sidewalk

Kaia Sand | We must save USPS, a lifeline for the poor

OPINION | The Trump administration's push to privatize the Postal Service is reckless, scary and unnecessary

Kaia Sand

August 26, 2020

Remembering Genny Nelson: Her spirit, compassion and integrity

The co-founder of Sisters of the Road, who died Aug. 19, touched many people. Here's what some of them have to say.

August 26, 2020

History has been about survival of the friendliest, explains Dutch author Rutger Bregman

Bregman is certain humans are not as bad as we fear we are — and he’s written a book, ‘Humankind: A Hopeful History,’ to prove it

Thuy On

August 24, 2020

Portland parks officials, advocates aim to make the outdoors more accessible to BIPOC

Transportation, economic and cultural barriers have put some recreational spaces out of reach to marginalized communities

Henry Latourette Miller

August 23, 2020

Candidates of color are shaking up small-town politics across Oregon

Several communities will have a chance in November to diversify their city councils for the first time

Hanna Merzbach

August 21, 2020

New Seasons Market workers want their hazard pay reinstated

They join a citywide effort among grocery store employees demanding increased pay and better safety precautions during the pandemic

Jessica Pollard

August 21, 2020

Street Roots Podcast | Talking with Sen. Ron Wyden

Episode 11: Oregon’s senior U.S. senator discusses Trump’s attempt to undermine the Postal Service, issues around digital voting and the Census — and, of course, the Portland Trail Blazers

DeVon Pouncey

August 20, 2020

Adam Allen lies on the ground in front of police

Passerby attacked by police during protest is suing Portland

Adam Allen was walking home from a bar when police knocked him down in North Portland, says tort claim

Christen McCurdy

August 19, 2020

Kermit and RuPaul sit across from each other at a table.

From a stream to streaming, Kermit tells us about his great leap forward

The famous frog, now 65, stars in a new Disney+ show. He credits his friends the Muppets for his enduring success and popularity.

Aimee Knight

August 18, 2020

Trump rescinded a fair-housing rule: What that means for Oregon

Fair Housing Council of Oregon director Allan Lazo breaks down the AFFH and the dangers associated with removing requirements that promoted racial and economic integration

Ann-Derrick Gaillot

August 17, 2020

Two months in, Chief Lovell stresses community policing as he grapples with protests, police accountability

Street Roots asked the new head of Portland Police Bureau about police oversight, protest response, gun violence and more

Street Roots Staff

August 15, 2020

Multnomah County Elections Office confirms late delivery of ballots

But, according to the office’s director, the county — not USPS — is to blame

Christen McCurdy

August 14, 2020

Kate Brown wanted to close 2 prisons. Legislature said no.

Top Oregon Democrats refused to send the recommendation to the floor for a vote. The governor may still have executive authority to move forward with closures.

Tom Henderson

August 14, 2020

Street Roots vendors wait socially distanced in line to pick up our special publication — the first in five months — on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Kaia Sand | Back to print, back to our roots

OPINION | While some Street Roots vendors return to selling the paper, others need to shelter in place. There are ways to support them, too.

Kaia Sand

August 14, 2020

Two people hold signs in support of the Postal Service and against mail delays.

Portland postal workers fight top-down changes at USPS

A spate of new initiatives undermines public confidence in the Postal Service, they say, as shipping delays plague businesses and some Portland ballots may have arrived late

Christen McCurdy

August 13, 2020

A student is surrounded by other students in a classroom, facing the instructor in the front of the class

Community colleges, students grapple with housing insecurity during the pandemic

In the Portland area, a growing number of students are experiencing some form of homelessness, and COVID-19 has made it harder to balance schoolwork with basic needs

Christen McCurdy

August 11, 2020

Kachka, a Soviet inspired restaurant in Southeast Portland, was one of more than 70 businesses that service industry workers are accusing of fostering abusive workplaces.

An Instagram account posts anonymous claims of Portland restaurant workers

The reckoning of Portland’s service industry continues with @86dlistpdx, where more than 70 businesses have been accused of fostering hostile workplaces

Sarah Hansell

August 11, 2020

A group of people hold signs supporting reproductive rights

Opinion | With Trump appointing anti-abortion judges, the fight for reproductive freedom is critical

Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon’s director urges Oregonians to remain united against the White House’s harmful policies

Emily McLain

August 10, 2020

People of color stand and hold signs during a protest

Psychological impacts of this moment are overwhelming, Black mental health care providers say

Portland therapists serving the Black community say they’re at capacity as protesters and others fill their appointment slots

Jessica Pollard

August 9, 2020

More homelessness expected among K-12 students in Portland

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, unhoused students struggled to stay connected, and district officials don’t know how many have fallen through the cracks

Christen McCurdy

August 8, 2020