🍱Happy Friday, freaky folks. A warm, mostly dry weekend ahead. Three stories worth knowing before you get out there. Mid-60s Friday, climbing to the upper 70s Saturday. You have no excuse. Also: kids rescued on 82nd, prisoners teased with early freedom, and Portland is about to have its first real WNBA game in years.
🚨 THE NEWS
Bus Shelter on 82nd, photo by Thomas Le Ngo on Flickr
Six Teenage Girls Rescued from 82nd Avenue Trafficking Ring
Since April 15, Portland Police's Human Trafficking Unit has recovered six teenage girls, ages 13 to 17, who were found engaged in prostitution-related activity along the 82nd Avenue corridor. Officers called the number "stunning," significantly higher than the norm. The girls were connected to advocacy services through PPB Victim Services and Safety Compass, and DHS is working to reunite some with out-of-state families. Detectives are actively building cases against suspected traffickers and sex buyers. Police say it's unclear whether this represents a new trend or an isolated spike. 82nd has long been known as a trafficking corridor. KOIN
Oregon Said You Could Leave Prison Early. Then It Changed Its Mind.
Last fall, the Oregon Department of Corrections quietly reduced sentences for more than 380 incarcerated people following an Oregon Supreme Court ruling that allowed credit for pre-sentence jail time. For a few weeks, hope spread, nearly 40 people were released early. Then Gov. Tina Kotek paused the process, the Department of Justice rewrote its guidance, and 17 people were sent back to prison. Ten have since won their freedom back through the courts. The people left behind got almost no communication from ODOC, until a Prison Journalism Project reporter started asking questions. Then, suddenly, a memo went out. Portland Mercury
Portland Fire Made Two Trades. Now Their Home Opener Is Saturday.
Three days before their inaugural home game, the Portland Fire traded two players they'd drafted in April's expansion. Forward Chloe Bibby went to Phoenix in exchange for the rights to undrafted Michigan State guard Julia Ayrault, who isn't expected to play this season. Guard Maya Caldwell went to Minnesota for a 2028 third-round pick. Both were expansion draft picks, both are gone before they played a regular season minute. Coach Alex Sarama still needs to cut one more player before Thursday's roster deadline. The opener against the Chicago Sky tips off Saturday at 6 p.m. at Moda Center. KGW
🏡 TIGARD-ROGERS HOUSE SPOTLIGHT
The Tigard-Rogers House, tucked on 2.86 wooded acres at 4504 SW Shattuck Road in Bridlemile, is the oldest surviving building in Portland, built in 1855 by Andrew Tigard, brother of the man who founded the town of Tigard. Listed for years and nearly lost to development, it sold last spring for $750,000. The new owner says he plans to preserve it. More about it HERE
📚 ON THIS DAY
On May 8, 1905, a cross-country automobile race from New York City to Portland — timed to the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition — got underway.
🥳 UPCOMING EVENTS
🌧️ Well…
Portland gave six kids their freedom back this week. Please be alert to suspicious activity and report what you see.
by Michael Simpson Contact: [email protected]