by Wm. Steven Humphrey If you’re reading this, you probably know the value of the Mercury’s news reporting, arts and culture coverage, event calendar, and the bevy of events we host throughout the year. The work we do helps our city shine, but we can’t do it without your support. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! 👋 The sun will be taking a well-earned break this week as clouds and (starting tomorrow) showers roll into the area, with a dreary high of 65. BUT! Don't let the gloomy weather get you down, because the Mercury's ELECTION ISSUE (jam-packed with all your November 5 endorsements) will be hitting the street starting Wednesday! So keep a lookout for it, and now let's read some only occasionally dreary NEWS. IN LOCAL NEWS: • Body camera footage from a September 26 police shooting has been released, showing three officers firing into a vehicle 30 (!) times, injuring the robbery suspect. As is normal, the officers have been put on administrative leave—all of whom have (shall we say) an interesting, and at least in one case, violent past. Our Courtney Vaughn has the details.  Portland's long-awaited deflection center will open Monday. Here's what to expect https://t.co/uMVSErd6Lj — KGW News (@KGWNews) October 12, 2024 • The good news? Experts say that the Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance program is one of the most successful tools we currently have to transition houseless people off the streets and into stable housing. The not-so-great news? There's a 5,560-person waiting list. Yipes! Ellen Clarke has the details about what comes next.  • In other "the rent is too damn high" news, the tenants of the Everett Station Lofts—a low income apartment complex—are suing their landlords and accusing them of significantly jacking up the rent in violation of  affordable housing rules. That was the shot, now here's the chaser: It took the City of Portland more than 20 years to discover these landlords were in possible violation and overcharging tenants.  • It's Indigenous Peoples Day—fka Honky Colonizer Day—and if you're looking to honor the original citizens of this country, here are some activities around Portland to partake in. Strap on your brain, it's time for another super fun POP QUIZ PDX! This week's local trivia game includes loitering coyotes, snooty New York critics, sleepy volcanoes, and other things to PANIC about! 😱 See how well YOU score!https://t.co/pZdTBqVRVH — Portland Mercury 🗞 (@portlandmercury) October 13, 2024 IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS: • Several communities in hurricane ravaged North Carolina have seen a pause in aid and rescue efforts after reports of an "armed militia" interfering with and threatening members of FEMA. As we know, these militia members are under the thrall of both Trump as well as distorted misinformation about the storms (as in the government supposedly has a... *checks notes*... weather controlling machine?), and apparently love working against themselves and their community. New: Trump’s “inner circle” is scheduled to speak in NC alongside numerous Helene weather manipulation conspiracy theorists https://t.co/tUKphfYebA — Media Matters (@mmfa) October 14, 2024 • According to California officials, a man carrying guns and fake press credentials was stopped trying to enter a Trump rally in Coachella. Of particular interest: The alleged assailant, Vern Miller, was also driving an unlicensed car, and "evidence from a fake license plate of the unregistered vehicle indicates that Miller is affiliated with the sovereign citizen movement, which the FBI designates as 'anti-government extremists'." 👀 • Today in "Ew. Ewww. EWWWWWW!": Trump hints at Joe Rogan podcast appearance before election. Trump: Would you rather have the Black president or the white president? I think they want the white guy pic.twitter.com/NbGPrFAs5M — Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) October 14, 2024 • While all signs point to running head-first into what could be a very big, costly mistake, the Biden administration is doubling down on their support of Israel, sending a fancy anti-missile system and a number of troops to the country which is now waging a two-front battle against Gaza and Iran. Meanwhile an Israeli airstrike reportedly hit a Lebanon apartment building this morning, killing at least 18 people, following a Hezbollah drone attack yesterday on army base in northern Israel which killed four soldiers, and injured seven more. • In news from OUTER SPAAAAAAACE: Today NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft will launch on a six year voyage to Jupiter's moon, Europa, to explore a presumed ocean (buried under ice) and to see if the moon can sustain life (apropos of nothing).  • And finally... start your week with the most mesmerizing ping pong video you will ever see: @niceaunties12 卓球台の代わりになりそうなもの選手権 ♬ original sound  - Niceaunties