The Mercury requests small monthly contributions to support smart local journalism and arts coverage in Portland. Portland will have pleasant weather today with temperatures around 80 degrees, but a heat wave could push highs to near 100 degrees by Saturday. The Willamette River is currently safe to swim after recent rain helped break up a toxic algal bloom, but dogs are highly sensitive to the algae and exposure can be fatal; cats are likely at risk as well. The Portland Central City Task Force's 10-person tax advisory group, convened in 2023, recommends overhauling city and county taxes and includes representatives from the Portland Metro Chamber and Ampere.
The Willamette River is safe to swim in again. This update follows last week's advisory about a toxic algal bloom, issued first by local advocacy group Human Access Project and, after some lagging, the Oregon Health Authority. Apparently, last weekend's rain did its magic (as rain is wont to do...that glorious substance from the sky), helping break up the algal bloom. So, you are free to embrace our beautiful river without worry, at least for the time being.
However, please don't bring your dogs to the river. Dogs are super sensitive to the toxic algae and exposure can be fatal. (I assume this is the case for cats, too. But if you're considering bringing your cat to go swimming in the Willamette River, you live a life I could never dream of understanding, and I frankly don't feel qualified to give you advice about anything.)
The weather is going to be nice today, with temperatures projected to top out at around 80 degrees. But don't get too comfortable. By Friday, things will not be so pleasant, and we might hit 100 degrees on Saturday. I am, personally, not a fan. But there's not much I can do, is there? (Except try to get more people to give a shit about the climate crisis, which I am constantly attempting to do.)
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