Axios Portland

April 07, 2025
😄 It's Monday! Science says smiling puts you in a better mood. Try it sometime.
Today's weather: Rain returns. High around 56, low near 45.
Today's newsletter is 883 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: ⛺ Day centers at risk

Half of the day centers in Multnomah County — which provide basic necessities to people experiencing homelessness — could lose funding as the county looks to close a massive budget gap for its homeless services.
Why it matters: Day centers are often the first step to getting people living on the streets into housing, advocates said.
Driving the news: In February, the county announced its Homeless Services Department was facing a $104 million budget deficit, citing fluctuations in revenue from the Supportive Housing Services tax as one of the causes.
- But the county also acknowledged it used one-time funds to set up permanent programs with no plans to fund them once the funding expired.
- The department's proposed budget calls for cutting funding to four of the eight day centers in the county.
Zoom in: Blanchet House, a day center in Old Town that serves roughly 1,000 free meals each day and provides showers, personal hygiene products and medical care, is expecting to lose roughly $430,000 in county funding.
- Funding challenges aren't new, but "doing less doesn't simply mean that people will go without," executive director Scott Kerman told Axios. "Doing less means that people won't survive."
Rose Haven — a day center in NW Portland that serves women, children and non-binary people — is also facing a $430,000 cut.
- "Being outside is a very lonely and isolating existence," executive director Katie O'Brien told Axios.
What they're saying: O'Brien said day centers are often where people take the first steps toward getting off the streets.
- "If somebody doesn't know where they're going to get a bathroom or a tampon or a decent meal, it's impossible for that person to then think about, 'Oh, how am I going to find a job?'" she said.
The other side: County spokesperson Denis Theriault said it was still early in the budget process and "no final decisions have been made" ahead of a final vote in June so the county couldn't comment on specific proposed cuts.
2. 🍰 Berlu is back
Berlu Bakery, the acclaimed cafe serving Vietnamese sweet treats by James Beard Award-winning chef Vince Nguyen, will return as soon as next month — opening just around the corner from its former location.
Catch up quick: The first iteration of Berlu was a fine-dining restaurant that closed in 2023 as Nguyen welcomed his first child.
- Then it shifted to a pop-up bakery showcasing creative pastries like bánh bò nướng (pandan-flavored chewy sponge cake) and mochi waffles, which gained the bakery a cult following, but quickly overwhelmed the small space.
- Nguyen closed the bakery last fall, but planned to reopen in a bigger location.
The latest: That day has arrived — almost. At its new location on SE Belmont Street, Berlu will serve many of the same not-so-sweet treats it's known for as well as savory items, Nguyen told the Oregonian.
- New additions include a take on a classic bacon, egg and cheese, but served in bánh cuốn (steamed rice noodle sheets) with a side of maple nước chấm.
- Also on offer will be a Vietnamese hollow donut coated in everything seasoning and filled with salmon pastrami and charred scallion cream cheese.
- Everything will remain gluten- and dairy-free.
If you go: Berlu Bakery at 661 SE Belmont St. will be open Thursday through Sunday, 9am to 3pm, starting as early as May.
3. Rose City Rundown
🚙 Oregon lawmakers have proposed a transportation funding package that includes a 20-cent hike on the gas tax, a 1% tax on vehicle sales and a new user fee for owners of electric vehicles. (OPB)
🪧 A union representing more than 1,350 Clackamas County employees voted to authorize a labor strike amid disagreements over cost-of-living raises and benefits, though no date has been set for a work stoppage. (KGW)
🚨 Ongoing flooding in southeastern Oregon, due to heavy rains and "historic" levels of snowmelt, has damaged homes, submerged roads and forced the evacuation of some 1,200 people. (KOIN)
🍁 Oregon has spent roughly $46 million on curtailing black market marijuana over the last seven years, but officials don't know if they've actually put a dent in the problem. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)
4. ☔️ Chart du jour: Rain fall intensifies

Rainstorms have become only slightly more intense in Portland over the last half century, according to a new analysis — but other parts of Oregon have seen dramatic dips in precipitation.
The big picture: Hourly rainfall intensity increased between 1970 and 2024 in nearly 90% of the 144 locations analyzed, a report from the nonprofit Climate Central found.
- In Portland, rainfall intensity increased by just 0.3%.
Yes, but: Eugene saw one of the biggest declines in rainfall intensity, with a drop of nearly 35%.
How it works: The researchers divided each location's total annual rainfall by its total hours of annual rainfall, using NOAA weather station data.
- That approach quantifies how much rain fell for each hour it was raining in a given year.
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5. 🧐 Where's Joby?
He's back! And it's been warm enough outside for him not to wear a sweater. Now, let's get down to business.
Do you know where this body of water is located?
Send us your guesses! Those who get it right will be featured in this newsletter and will be showered in kudos if we ever meet in person.
- The answer will be revealed Wednesday.
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🐀 Meira is still in emotional recovery after finding a momma rat and her five babies living in her outdoor grill.
🫣 Kale is intimidated by his to-do list.
This newsletter was edited by Rachel La Corte.
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