by Wm. Steven Humphrey GOOD MORNING, SUNDAY! It's the perfect time to catch up on some of the great reporting and stories the Mercury churned out this week! (PRO TIP: If you despise being "the last to know," then be one of the first to know by signing up for Mercury newsletters! All the latest stories shipped directly to your email's in-box... and then... YOUR HEAD.) • The BLACK INNOVATION Issue! For the month of February, the Mercury is celebrating Black History Month with a feature package dedicated to Black innovation in Portland—edited by author extraordinaire Donovan Scribes. Including: Ten Black innovators/changemakers, an interview with artist Ronin Roc, 28 moments in (recent) Black Oregon history, and a new edition of the Black Byline. PLUS! Food, books, theater, music, AND your lovesick Mercury Reader Valentines! Charity Ekpo • Former City Hall Staffer Files Discrimination Complaints Against Councilor’s Office A former staffer in Portland Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane’s office has filed city and state complaints, alleging retaliation after she requested disability accommodations. The complaints come as calls grow for stronger job protections for City Council staff. Courtney Vaughn • THE TRASH REPORT In this week's gossip roundup: Love! And how it is often "trash"! (But we approve of anything that has to do with Heated Rivalry.)  Harold Feng/Getty Images • Mercury Reader Valentines! Did you get a secret love note from your shmoopy-woopy? Find out by perusing the hundreds of Mercury Reader Valentines! 😍 • The Landmark Saloon Calls It Quits Southeast Division's cherished western watering hole (and Mercury staff favorite) the Landmark Saloon has announced they will be closing their doors for the final time. Bri Brey • Portland-Raised Playwright Kallan Dana on Her Lynchian Thriller Racecar Racecar Racecar There's a new must-see Lynchian thriller on stage at Artists Repertory Theatre: Racecar Racecar Racecar hops in the car with an unnamed father and daughter on a cross country road trip. As with anything described as Lynchian, something uneasy bubbles under the surface and things get weird. Philip J Hatton, courtesy ART • Funding Cuts May End Innovative PCC Music Program Funding cuts are threatening an innovative music program at Portland Community College, but students and faculty are not letting it go away silently. Shana Palmer/PCC Music and Sonic Arts program • For Human Use Isn't Really About Dating Corpses For Human Use, the debut novel by Sarah G. Pierce, is both about and not about a dating app for dead bodies. It’s gory satire and wry speculation on dating and the tech industry with a side of societal collapse. Run for It/Cappy Hotchkiss • Literary Arts Announces 2026 Oregon Book Award Finalists Here are the finalists for the Oregon Book Awards! This list always largely dictates our spring reading plans, as we fill in what we’ve missed before the ceremony on Monday, April 20. Literary Arts WOW, THAT IS A LOT OF GOOD READIN'. I hope you didn't have any other plans this weekend! Dig in, and remember: Producing all this hard work costs moolah—so please consider contributing to the Mercury to keep it all coming! Thanks! ...read more read less