Street Roots

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Why Portland shelters can be a dead end for those seeking housing, disagreement among Democrats in the Oregon Legislature, Oregon's skyrocketing eviction rates and more.

Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Celebrating Paul Knauls Sr. at 95 - Street Roots Paul Knauls Sr. helped shape the culture of Northeast Portland. Read how his storied past intertwines with city history — and what he sees on the horizon.

Known as the "honorary mayor of Northeast Portland," Paul Knauls Sr.'s reputation precedes him. He shared with Street Roots how his storied past intertwines with city history — and what he sees on the horizon.

Street Roots unveils new website - Street Roots I started at Street Roots as an editorial producer in 2021. I’ve often described my job as meeting our readers where they are. After the newspaper comes out in print, and is handed off to our Street…

💻️ ✨️ Have you heard? Street Roots has a brand new website, powered by Newspack. We’ve got a new look, but the same high-quality journalism
www.streetroots.org/arts-and-ent...

Portland shelters continue to have a racism problem - Street Roots City and county shelters underserve homeless Portlanders of color, a report shows. The report reflects Portland shelters' continued racism problem.

City and county shelters underserve homeless Portlanders of color, a Multnomah County report shows. Responses from Mayor Keith Wilson’s office voiced concern, but took issue with some of the county’s data points.

Celebrating Paul Knauls Sr. at 95 - Street Roots Paul Knauls Sr. helped shape the culture of Northeast Portland. Read how his storied past intertwines with city history — and what he sees on the horizon.

Known as the "honorary mayor of Northeast Portland," Paul Knauls Sr.'s reputation precedes him. He shared with Street Roots how his storied past intertwines with city history — and what he sees on the horizon.

Street Roots unveils new website - Street Roots I started at Street Roots as an editorial producer in 2021. I’ve often described my job as meeting our readers where they are. After the newspaper comes out in print, and is handed off to our Street…

💻️ ✨️ Have you heard? Street Roots has a brand new website, powered by Newspack. We’ve got a new look, but the same high-quality journalism
www.streetroots.org/arts-and-ent...

Portland shelters continue to have a racism problem - Street Roots City and county shelters underserve homeless Portlanders of color, a report shows. The report reflects Portland shelters' continued racism problem.

City and county shelters underserve homeless Portlanders of color, a Multnomah County report shows. Responses from Mayor Keith Wilson’s office voiced concern, but took issue with some of the county’s data points.

The cover of Street Roots Feb. 25, 2026 issue. Large text says, "He’s 95 and he ‘ain’t takin’ no jive.' Paul Knauls Sr. helped shape the culture of Northeast Portland. Shortly after his 95th birthday, he shared how his storied past intertwines with city history — and what he sees on the horizon. PAGE 8." At the center of the page is an illustrated portrait of Paul Knauls smiling and wearing a sailor's cap.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Portland's Paul Knauls Sr. at 95, remembering Jesse Jackson and Avel Louise Gordly, racism in Portland's shelters, prison health services fall short and more.

Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Every issue of @streetroots.bsky.social is excellent, but I am particularly excited about this next issue. Pick one up from your local vendor this Wednesday and check it out!

Oregon stands to lose nearly $1 billion in revenue due to federal funding cuts - Street Roots As voices raised in protest outside the Oregon State Capitol Feb. 5, Marchel Kaleikini heard the ticking inside the building. Time was already running out. Legislators only have until Sunday, March 8,...

Keeping up with the Capitol? Read reporter Tom Henderson's latest on what's at stake for Oregonians this legislative session.

Oregon pen pal club forges intergenerational connections Now nationwide, the club connects high schoolers to older adults in memory care and assisted living facilities

An Oregon pen pal club pairs high schoolers with older adults in memory care and assisted living facilities.

Hospitals push for a change to Oregon law that could increase medical debt among low-income patients Opponents say the seemingly small change could undermine efforts to help low-income patients access care. Hospitals say it’s a burden.

Lawmakers will consider a change to Oregon law that could increase medical debt among low-income patients. Opponents say the change could weaken efforts to help low-income patients access care, as nearly a third of Oregonians have taken on medical debt. Hospitals say it’s an administrative burden.

Large text on the cover says, "Uncharitable. Hospitals are pushing for a change to Oregon law that could increase medical debt among low-income patients. PAGE 4." An illustration of medical documents and medical billing documents overlapping one another are behind the text.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Change in Oregon law could increase medical debt, high school pen pal club connects with older adults, January in Oregon's labor scene and more.

Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Polk County residents were wary of new shelters in their towns. Their concerns never materialized. With some of the shelters now operating for several years, some residents say they have no problem with their new neighbors

Three years ago, Polk County residents expressed weariness of new shelters in their towns. Familiar accusations and fear-mongering arguments arose. But their concerns never materialized. Now, some of the same critics who opposed the shelters say they have no problem with their new neighbors.

Oregon’s medical interpreters say middlemen pocket public dollars for their high-stakes work The state professionalized helping patients understand their doctors. But the interpreters’ union says they’re the last to be paid.

Oregon has a goal of professionalizing medical interpreting and eliminating health disparities by 2030. But the interpreters’ union says they’re the last to be paid.

Portland nurses say ICE agents interfere with patient care Legacy Emanuel nurses say ICE agents violate hospital policy while administrators prevent them from doing anything about it

Legacy Emanuel nurses say ICE agents violate hospital policy while administrators prevent them from doing anything about it.

Cover of Street Roots' Feb. 3, 2026 issue. A triangle/argyle-like pattern fills the page background. Large text says, "Straw Man. Angry townsfolk feared the worst when a local nonprofit announced plans to build a shelter. The shelters were built, but the chaos they imagined never materialized. PAGE 4."

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Residents' response to shelters in Polk County, medical interpreters in Oregon fight for better pay, nurses at Legacy Emanuel say ICE agents are interfering with care and more.

Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Mass abductions in Woodburn shift focus for farmworkers’ union’s approach to legislative session The union had plans for addressing farmworkers' wages and collective bargaining rights, now they are solely focused on immigrant justice and safety

In February, legislators will return to Salem. PCUN had a legislative strategy to press for higher wages for farmworkers and secure their collective bargaining rights.

Then more than 2,000 of her fellow Woodburn residents disappeared — abducted by masked thugs carrying guns and badges.

A Portland-area family deals with the fallout of Trump’s immigration enforcement Like many others, they struggle to survive due to the violent separation tactics tearing their family apart

A Portland-area mother deals with the fallout of Trump’s immigration enforcement. With a newborn and two toddlers, her life was upended when ICE agents detained her husband in October, three weeks after she had given birth.

Street Roots' January 21, 2026 issue. Large white text says, "American carnage. One year into Trump 2.0, Street Roots takes a look at the damage." In the background is a collage of photos and illustrations filling the page. A framed photo of Trump, a king's crown, a U.S. map, the white house, protest signs and more make up the collage.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: The damage done one year into Trump 2.0, Oregon Legislature's short session begins in February, a new book on Silicon Valley’s homeless encampments and more.

Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

‘There’s nothing different about us:’ life inside ‘Techlandia’s’ homeless encampments A new book offers an intimate look at self-government in Silicon Valley’s homeless encampments. Its author and people featured in the book will appear at an event in Portland.

A new book offers an intimate look at self-government in Silicon Valley’s homeless encampments. The author and people featured in the book will appear at an event in Portland on Jan. 21 at Broadway Books.

‘If We Could Talk’ exhibit explores gentrification in Northeast Portland The BLACK Gallery hosts storytelling exhibit created by Northeast Portland residents on reclaiming their neighborhood and the meaning of home

Photography exhibit, ‘If We Could Talk’, explores gentrification in Northeast Portland. Residents of the Millner building took a photography and writing workshop last summer, and their work is now featured in the exhibition.
www.streetroots.org/news/2025/12...

Oregon’s wrongly imprisoned are exonerated, free — and still in court The state is supposed to provide cash compensation to people sent to prison for crimes they didn’t commit. With many still waiting for payments, lawmakers will consider revising the program

Oregon is supposed to provide cash compensation to people sent to prison for crimes they didn’t commit. With many still waiting for payments, lawmakers will consider revising the program.
www.streetroots.org/news/2026/01...

A local librarian’s research helped secure a settlement for descendants of displaced Black Portlanders Byrd took her research and family history and created ‘wearable history’

A local librarian’s research helped secure a settlement for descendants of displaced Black Portlanders moved out of their homes due to racist urban renewal projects.
www.streetroots.org/news/2026/01...

Oregon’s wrongly imprisoned are exonerated, free — and still in court The state is supposed to provide cash compensation to people sent to prison for crimes they didn’t commit. With many still waiting for payments, lawmakers will consider revising the program

“The charges have been dismissed. They are living free in the world. They’re working. They’ve got families. The question is, are we going to compensate them for having been in prison when they shouldn’t have been?” #orpol #oregon www.streetroots.org/news/2026/01...

Oregon lawmakers consider delaying penalties for insurers and hospitals who raise health care costs without justification Insurers, hospitals want a break from a program to contain health care costs. The ask comes as federal policy is expected to wreak havoc on Oregon health care.

ICYMI Oregon lawmakers are considering hitting pause on program meant to curb health care costs. But it could mean a break for the country's largest insurer. www.streetroots.org/news/2025/12...

Oregon lawmakers consider delaying penalties for insurers and hospitals who raise health care costs without justification Insurers, hospitals want a break from a program to contain health care costs. The ask comes as federal policy is expected to wreak havoc on Oregon health care.

Oregon lawmakers are considering changes to a state program aimed at slowing the rise in healthcare costs. The catch? It could mean one of the country’s biggest insurers dodges penalties.

Street Roots January 13, 2026 cover. Large text on the black and white cover says, "Unreckoned. Oregon is supposed to provide cash compensation to people sent to prison for crimes they didn’t commit. With many still waiting for payments, lawmakers consider revising the program. PAGE 4." An illustration in a beam of a spotlight shows stacks of legal paperwork and a forensic evidence marker sits beside the stack of paper.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Oregon's major delays in payments owed to people wrongfully imprisoned in the state, art infused with histories of Black Portlanders forced from their homes, vendor poetry and more.

Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Visualizing the impact of sweeps in Portland through data

📈 Take a look at graphs showing the number of people displaced by sweeps conducted in Portland, comparisons between sweeps and the amount of city shelter beds, which confiscated items are stored after sweeps, and more.

There's more, but you'll need to see the rest for yourself in print!

Firsthand accounts of those impacted by sweeps on Portland's streets

Portlanders shared their firsthand accounts of being swept.