Vendor Profiles
Vendor Profile | A poet and ambassador
Vendor Douglas “Wookie” Marcks knows Street Roots inside and out. He doesn’t just sell the paper — he also contributes his poetry to it. By his estimate, Marcks has had his poetry published in the paper upwards of 50 times. He writes poetry during Street Roots’ vendor creative writing classes, but he’s been writing in…
News
City of Portland hires independent law firm for Zenith investigation
The city of Portland hired independent law firm Cable Huston to assist its investigation into whether the Houston-based fossil fuel transport and storage company Zenith Energy violated city laws when it constructed and used new pipes at its facility along the Willamette River. “Earth to Oregon” is a recurring column by Jeremiah Hayden covering developments…
Here are all the public records on Zenith Energy obtained by Street Roots
In December 2024, after the Oregon DEQ fined Zenith Energy for illegal construction and use of new pipes at its facility in Northwest Portland, environmental advocates submitted public testimony saying they were concerned the city would rush into approving a DEQ-required city permit before the end of the year. Along with its fine, DEQ had…
International Migrants Alliance Political Conference hosted in Portland
Federal agents are hitting closer to home. Early this year, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded the Sensitive Locations Policy, allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to conduct enforcement in institutions such as schools and churches with a judicial warrant. In July, a video went viral of ICE detaining Mahdi Khanbabazadeh while dropping his child off…
No Vacancy brings art to empty Old Town storefronts
Some of Old Town’s empty storefronts are graced with art installations now through November. The No Vacancy Window Gallery filled 17 vacant storefronts with work from local artists. Spanning the neighborhood, passersby can enjoy a self-guided art walk. The open-air art gallery launched with a guided walk by curator Lauren Lesueur on Sept. 4. Lesueur…
Opinion
Last Month in Oregon Labor | August 2025
At the end of the summer, Oregon saw a decrease in new campaigns and election wins but a large uptick in labor actions. “Last month in Oregon labor” is a monthly installment by Aurora Biggers covering all things Oregon labor. Health care and medical research workers carried the brunt of the action in August, with…
Letter from the Art Director | Notes on 100 issues
This is my 100th issue of Street Roots. Etta O’Donnell-King joined Street Roots in 2023 and contributes their original illustrations and design expertise to the newspaper each week. For 100 issues, or nearly two years, I have edited photos, laid out pages and created illustrations for this powerhouse of a publication. And it is truly…
Culture
No Vacancy brings art to empty Old Town storefronts
Some of Old Town’s empty storefronts are graced with art installations now through November. The No Vacancy Window Gallery filled 17 vacant storefronts with work from local artists. Spanning the neighborhood, passersby can enjoy a self-guided art walk. The open-air art gallery launched with a guided walk by curator Lauren Lesueur on Sept. 4. Lesueur…
