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! 👋 What in the WORLD is happening with this weather, you may be asking? Here's what's happening: Expect occasional showers with brief appearances from the sun (LOVED THAT YESTERDAY) and a high of 53 degrees. Oh, and what's that poking its head out from behind the clouds? Why, it's the NEWS. IN LOCAL NEWS: • A Portland protester who was struck in the head by a munition fired by a federal officer during a 2020 protest has reportedly reached an “agreement in principle” with the feds—one month before it was to go to trial. Portlander Donovan LaBella was protesting peacefully outside the downtown federal courthouse when he was struck in the face by a federal official shooting an impact munition that led to LaBella's permanent brain damage. The agreement includes a cash payment upfront followed by a stream of income for the next 40 years for the severe damage incurred by LaBella. The exact amount of the payout has not been revealed. Portland’s population increased by a sliver from 2023, according to the Portland State University Population Research Center, climbing for the first time by the center’s estimations after three years of declines. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...[image or embed] — Jonathan Bach (@jonathanmbach.bsky.social) November 19, 2024 at 2:55 PM • A former Portland Police officer is one of many who has been arrested in a human trafficking sting that's been going on for two months on the corner of NE 82nd and Sandy Boulevard. Former Sgt. Christopher Kenagy—along with 27 others—was charged with "commercial sexual solicitation and/or unlawful prostitution procurement activities." Portland Police Bureau refused to comment on the arrest due to Kenagy—who retired months ago—no longer being with the force, essentially saying "Not my pig, not my farm." • In education news, the state’s latest annual At-A-Glance profile, which tracks the progress of Oregon students, indicates that attendance and earned high school credits are on the upswing after taking a nosedive during the pandemic. That said, these same metrics are still well below pre-pandemic levels, but while there is still much work to do, it's a measurable improvement. • The mystery of the "weird stink that drifted down to Portland from Washington state" may finally be solved! According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, the obnoxious mystery smell that drifted around the region was most likely due to the Smurfit Westrock paper mill in Longview, Washington... BUT! According to investigators, there may have been other stinks out there as well contributing to the overall problem. And while that paper mill didn't do anything wrong per se—maybe they might want to consider keeping their corporate fartz to themselves? It's kinda rude. The most detailed look at the forthcoming James Beard Public Market I’ve seen yet; it even includes floor plans. via @bridgetownbites.bsky.social bridgetownbites.com/2024/11/20/e...[image or embed] — iain (@maccoinnich.bsky.social) November 20, 2024 at 4:07 PM • There are two new creepy horror flicks out that are vying for your attention, Heretic and Don't Move, and both feature heroines who survive their situations by "fawning and/or freezing." What's up with that? Our Suzette Smith explains in her excellent review. IN NATIONAL/WORLD NEWS: • The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity for orchestrating the genocide in Gaza. Hamas military chief, Muhammad Deif, has also been charged with crimes against humanity, which include murder, hostage taking and sexual violence, though it's unclear whether or not Deif was recently killed in an Israeli air strike. The Justice Department is seeking to force Google to sell off its Chrome browser and make other major changes to remedy its illegal search monopoly, setting a marker in the landmark case before the incoming Trump administration makes its own determinations about how to proceed.[image or embed] — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) November 21, 2024 at 4:05 AM • More trouble for Trump's slimy pick for Defense Secretary (and former Fox News personality), Pete Hegseth, after a police report reveals more gross details about his alleged sexual assault of woman in a hotel room in 2017. The victim said that she suspected Hegseth, who had been acting inappropriately toward women at a hotel bar all night, may have slipped something into her drink and brought her back to his room, where he refused to let her leave. Hegseth, who has denied the charges, later allegedly paid the woman to keep her silent. For those keeping score, that makes three members of Trump's proposed cabinet who have been accused of sexual misconduct. • Oh, and lest we forget: "Linda McMahon, Trump’s Education pick, was sued for allegedly enabling sexual abuse of children." Breaking News: Federal investigators established a trail of payments from Matt Gaetz to women, including some who testified he hired them for sex, according to a document obtained by The New York Times and a lawyer representing some of the women. nyti.ms/3YXR0ij[image or embed] — The New York Times (@nytimes.com) November 20, 2024 at 3:47 PM • Meanwhile, Twitter murderer Elon Musk has a scheme to force all federal employees to stop remote work and return to the office—even though that would only pertain to the 10 percent of employees who currently work remotely. But it's the idiotic thought that counts, right?  • Hey musical theater kids planning on seeing Wicked in theaters: DO NOT SING ALONG. Or at least that's what many Wicked fans are saying online to those who want to showcase their own questionable talents instead of the voices of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. I agree that singing along loudly is potentially very rude, so may I suggest continually texting the lyrics to your friends instead?  • And finally... I don't who did this or why they did it, I just know I NEEDED IT. Crank up the sound and have a great day! 👋 @2twainz Snoop Trainz ft. Santa Snoop #snoopdogg #drdre #music #song #parody #2trainz #thomasthetankengine #thomasandfriends #bachmanntrains #hoscale #musicvideo #ttte #fun #funny #modelrailway ♬ Nuthin' But A "G" Thang - Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg