A federal judge heard arguments yesterday in a lawsuit seeking to block U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from using tear gas on protesters near an ICE facility in South Portland.

Why it matters: The hearing followed a weekend in which federal agents used chemical munitions on large crowds — including children — raising constitutional questions about how federal officers police protests.

State of play: A group of protesters and journalists, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, sued last month alleging the feds' use of tear gas, flash-bang grenades and pepper spray on people who posed no threat to ICE agents was a violation of their First Amendment rights, per the Oregonian.

• Judge Michael Simon on Friday urged the two sides to come to an agreement on temporary restrictions for ICE agents, but they were unable to do so.
• Thousands gathered for a labor union-led rally in South Portland on Saturday and marched in front of the ICE building.
• Federal officers unleashed clouds of tear gas after a small group of demonstrators blocked the building's driveway.

A smaller group of protesters gathered near the facility on Sunday and were again met with tear gas — the scent of which was noticeable as far away as the Ross Island Bridge, per OPB.

Between the lines: The prolific use of tear gas was met with widespread condemnation by city leaders, with Mayor Keith Wilson calling on ICE agents to resign and City Councilor Sameer Kanal saying he was working on a citywide ban on the use of tear gas.

The latest: Simon heard arguments from the ACLU and the U.S. Department of Justice on yesterday.

• "They're teargassing children. They're teargassing elderly people. They're teargassing families. And this is all when we had the TRO [temporary restraining order motion] pending, and when people were filming them," Matthew Borden, an attorney for the plaintiffs, told the court, per the Oregonian.
• Lawyers for the government argued that the agents' use of force falls within the department's guidelines and said any ruling from the judge could only be narrowly applied to the people who brought the lawsuit and could not be a wider ban on the use of chemical munitions.

When the judge will rule

It's no mirage: Portland is experiencing a midwinter warmup.

Driving the news: The Pacific Northwest is having a stretch of unusually warm weather, with temperatures in Oregon and southwest Washington expected to climb into the upper 50s and lower 60s this week, per the National Weather Service.

Why it matters: The near-spring warmth is arriving in the heart of winter — and just after the 76th anniversary of Portland's all-time record low of -3 degrees, set on Feb. 2, 1950, per NWS Portland.

State of play: A ridge of high pressure is building over the region, beginning today and lasting through Friday, and it will usher in warmer air through at least the end of the week.

• Highs will run about 10 degrees warmer than average for this time of year, NWS Portland meteorologist Noah Alviz told Axios.
• After a cloudy start to the week, Portland will see mostly sunny skies on Wednesday and Thursday, with highs in the 60s.

Yes, but: Expect some periodic light rain starting Friday night and Saturday, Alviz said.

Context: While much of the country, including the East Coast, is dealing with frigid temperatures, Portland is getting a dose of what could be called "springuary."

The bottom line: It may not be sunbathing season, but it sure doesn't feel like February either.

Many prospective homebuyers in the Portland metro area know: It's a lot cheaper to rent than own right now.

• Approximately $725 cheaper per month in fact, according to a new LendingTree analysis.

Why it matters: Housing costs have soared nationwide, with stubbornly high home prices and mortgage rates weighing on would-be buyers.

• Across the country, homeowners with a mortgage now pay around 37% more per month than renters, researchers found.

By the numbers: The median monthly gross rent in Portland was nearly $1,770 in 2024, based on the latest available census data, compared to over $2,490 a month for mortgaged homes.

• That gap widened from the year before as homeownership costs rose faster than rents.

What they're saying: "The cost disparity here could be enough to convince someone that they'll never be able to own a home in some areas, and — unfortunately — they may be right," Matt Schulz, LendingTree's chief consumer finance analyst, told Axios in a statement.

• Homebuyers may have to move to another city to find a place within reach, he said.

🛌 A new 75-bed overnight shelter for women will open in Portland's Pearl District next week, operated by Blanchet House. (The Oregonian)

🦠 Several schools across Multnomah and Clackamas counties closed yesterday and plan to alter instruction schedules throughout this week due to high absenteeism linked to a rise in cold and flu cases among students. (KGW)

📉 Oregonians are feeling increasingly pessimistic about the state economy and leadership, according to a new survey of 600 voters commissioned by Oregon Business & Industry. (Portland Business Journal)

Blazers forward Deni Avdija was named to the NBA All-Star team over the weekend, a first for the budding star.

Avdija is averaging a team-leading 25.5 points per game this season, along with 7.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists — only Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić, bonafide superstars, can match that production.

• It's the first time a Blazer not named Damian Lillard has made the team since LaMarcus Aldrige was selected in 2015.

Yes, but: Avidja has missed six of the last 10 games with a sore back and the Blazers have lost five in a row.

• Get well soon, Deni, and congrats!