Elliott Kozuch

Portland Mayor: Hold the Course To Stop ICE | Opinion We see ourselves in pictures and videos of choking union families, just as we see ourselves in images of Renée Good and Alex Pretti.

I'd like to share my editorial for Newsweek that published this morning. I ask mayors across this great nation to continue standing strong and standing together, peacefully, in the face of federal bully tactics against our communities.

www.newsweek.com/portland-may...

I love kicking off the new year at the theatre — and 2026 was no exception ❤️

(Stranger Things is a 5 out of 5 show with a less-than-perfect finale.)

Downtown Portland foot traffic on the rise ahead of Christmas, new data shows With Christmas just days away, the City of Portland says new data shows there is a significant increase in downtown foot traffic.

Downtown Portland foot traffic on the rise ahead of Christmas, new data shows

Portland mayor chooses pick for powerful city post Portland Mayor Keith Wilson on Tuesday announced his pick for a permanent city administrator, a position that wields substantial power and influence within the city’s new form of government.

“As the mayor of a city on the rise, I knew Portland would need an innovative city administrator with a track record of success to unlock a new chapter of safety, innovation and shared prosperity,” Wilson said. “We’ve found that and more with Raymond Lee.”

www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

Judge blocks deployment of California National Guard – or any other national guard – to Portland The Trump administration cannot deploy national guard troops to Portland, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut ruled Sunday night.

To quote the Mayor, "If Portland does not need federal troops from Oregon, then we do not need federal troops from California – or anywhere else."

www.portland.gov/federal/news...

My weekend in peaceful Portland:
- My regular boxing class
- Saw a Ghibli movie at the theatre & had a slice of pie at Lauretta Jean's w/ my partner
- Thrifted my Halloween costume

The only chaos was when I realized everyone had switched to their fall wardrobe, leaving me feeling silly in shorts.

How Many Federal Troops Do We Need? Zero. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson replies to President Trump's threat to deploy troops to our city. Portland is peaceful. We don't need troops. Federal deployment is unwanted, unneeded, and un-American.

To quote Mayor Wilson: "Portland is peaceful. We don't need troops. Federal deployment is unwanted, unneeded, and un-American."

www.portland.gov/mayor/keith-...

My week in peaceful Portland, OR:

- Chatting about '40s romance films at Movie Madness
- A rare work-week lunch out with my partner in Downtown
- Eating thumbprint cookies made by a dear friend
- Weekend classes at Portland City Boxing
- Celebrating another friend's birthday at Marrakesh on 21st

Portland City Council Approves Temporary Code Suspensions to Improve Permitting Process This first package of changes, going into effect October 24, aligns City teams and breaks down siloes to support development alterations.

And from Donnie Oliveira, DCA for Community & Economic Development:

“[T]here is more to come – our teams have identified even more options to better align City permitting services that we are contemplating as future proposals.” 

www.portland.gov/community-ec...

Portland, delivering on its promises to improve permitting!

From David Kuhnhausen, interim director of Portland Permitting & Development: “There’s never been a right-sizing, until now.”

a woman in a fur coat is standing in the dark with her arms outstretched and a cooler in her hand . Alt: A gif of Kate Hudson as her character in ‘Almost Famous,’ speaking while gesticulating in a fur coat, standing in the dark with her arms outstretched and an item in her hand. The text on the gif reads “it’s all happening”

Almost Famous! My favorite movie of all time :)

I had a *really* fun commute downtown today, and you can too by joining the City Bike Bus, happening on the 2nd Wednesday of the month through October! 🚲🚌

www.portland.gov/transportati...

Portland’s affordable housing funds nearly depleted Affordable housing in Portland faces a funding crisis as voter-approved bond money dries up, risking a halt in critical development and social service support.

Portland-area voters approved $911.2 million in affordable housing bonds in 2016-18. The results:
Metro: ≈5,600 units in ≈65 projects for $652.8 million.
Portland: 1,889 units in 15 projects for $258.4 million.
A look back at a generation of affordable housing:
djcoregon.com/news/2025/06...

Thanks to the rad folks at @rcbpdx.bsky.social, I now own my first adult bike (ebike) after years of relying on bikeshares⚡🚲

Now I must decide where to go first on this gorgeous holiday weekend.

Any ride recommendations for someone newer to Portland and excited to explore the city?

The only answer!