Hard as it is to believe, we've been publishing a newsletter for three whole years!

Why it matters: We launched May 1, 2023, with a simple goal: to become essential reading for the most engaged Portland residents and newcomers, providing a daily news product that gets you up to speed on the big stories shaping our region and have some fun while doing it.

Flashback: Over the last 36 months, we've sent more than 740 newsletters.

• We covered the first-ever Portland teachers' strike in our first year, Damian Lillard leaving the Blazers (but he eventually came back), the historic Oregon GOP-led walkout despite a rules change and the end of a 72-year ban on pumping our own gas.
• In 2024, we tracked drug recriminalization, Pac-12's seismic shift, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Oregon homelessness, why everyone was moving to Clark County and lest we forget: the election.
• Plus: Last year, our focus was on the city's new form of government, detailing the court battle over sending in the National Guard, downtown's comeback and the billion-dollar transportation funding push, which is ongoing.

😎 Meira's thought bubble: The best part about this job is writing about how cool our city is.

• Whether it's the resurgence of vinyl DJing, re-wilding our yards, setting culinary trends, running together or embracing small designers, local theaters, urban art and nudity — we've always been on the forefront of culture.

🦫 Kale's thought bubble: Some of my favorite moments here have been telling the stories of people (and animals) solving problems.

• Like this Montavilla resident who started a Monarch butterfly nursery in her backyard, or this Portlander who highlights the best grocery deals around town, or how the return of beavers is helping to restore wetlands and fight climate change.

What's next: Our aim is to continue featuring an engaging mix of original reporting, plus links from the best and most interesting local journalism, to provide you with everything you need to know — and not much you don't — on politics, food, culture and sports.

• 📬 We want to hear your ideas, too! Email us at [email protected] with the stories you'd like to see in our next year.
• If you've enjoyed spending your mornings with us over the last three years, please encourage your friends and neighbors to subscribe for free.

Nearly all of Oregon is at least "abnormally dry" after a warm winter that saw few big storms and record-low snowpack, per the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The big picture: The latest outlook from federal fire experts warns of above-normal wildfire potential in all of eastern Oregon by June and most of the state, except the northwest corner, by July.

What they're saying: "Over the last few years, different states have set new records for acres burned and acres of high severity fire and homes burned," John Bailey, a professor of wildland fire at Oregon State University, told Axios.

• Those broken records are being driven by "inordinate amount of fuel in the landscape," new homes in fire-prone areas, and longer and more severe fire seasons, Bailey says.

Between the lines: Climate change is driving longer, more intense wildfire seasons — and worsening pollution from wildfire smoke — according to Climate Central, a research group.

What we're watching: The severity of this year's wildfire season could depend on the potential formation of a "super El Niño."

• El Niños — driven by unusually warm Pacific Ocean temperatures — can push temperatures to record highs, and create conditions for devastating wildfires and widespread smoke.
• Such a phenomenon could also have far-reaching consequences for the global fight against climate change, The Guardian notes.

Go deeper

🚧 The City Council overwhelmingly approved a new monthly transportation utility fee for residents and businesses to fund road maintenance.

• The fee will be begin appearing on utility bills in January. (KGW)

🏫 Several Portland-area school districts won't receive state funding for summer learning programs this year, potentially limiting academic support for students who need it most. (The Oregonian)

📞 The Portland Metro Chamber funded surveys in Washington County and Oregon's 38th House District that tested voter reactions to messaging about progressive candidates it characterized as "too extreme," without identifying the group to respondents. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

🎭 A recent economic impact analysis found that a new performing arts venue on Portland State's campus would generate more revenue and higher attendance than a renovated Keller Auditorium. (Portland Business Journal)

Smash burgers have become the norm in recent years, but finding a good one is still a challenge.

• Steely's, a new spot on Southeast Hawthorne, delivers with tasty burgers, a nice tap list of beers and ample space to take a date, watch a game or even get some remote work done.

The menu: The standard smasher comes as the "looper," while the "looper deluxe" adds caramelized onions.

• You'll also find fried chicken, bologna and beet sandwiches alongside chicken wings, wedge and beet salads, a chocolate chip cookie and, of course, fries.

Best bites: I went for the deluxe burger option, which came with well-seasoned patties — crisp on the edges, but not too dry — with a hit of sweetness from the onions and offset by the tang of sliced pickles.

• It checked all the smash burger boxes for me, though the bottom bun got soggy a little more quickly than I would've liked.

The vibe

Portland could crest 90°F over the weekend for the first time this year, per the National Weather Service.

• There's a 60-80% chance of hitting 90° on Sunday and, if we do, it will be the second-earliest time we've hit that mark behind 1998, when we did so on April 30.

Yes, but: If you're looking to cool off in a local lake or river, just know that the water is cold and the currents are fast.

• Be safe out there!