Your trusted source for local Portland, OR news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
A federal judge sentenced former Kentucky police officer Brett Hankison to nearly three years in prison for excessive force during the 2020 Breonna Taylor raid. Despite a Justice Department recommendation for no prison time, U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings emphasized the seriousness of Hankison's actions, which sparked nationwide protests against police brutality.
Bill Cosby expressed deep sorrow over the death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who played his son on “The Cosby Show.” Cosby’s representative shared that Warner's passing reminded him of the loss of his own son, Ennis, and emphasized the impact Warner had on young men through his role. Warner, who died at 54 after drowning in Costa Rica, was a beloved figure in television history.
A four-year-old child suffered injuries from a mountain lion attack on July 20 in Olympic National Park. The child was hiking with family when the collared cougar bit them, prompting a swift emergency response and subsequent investigation. Rangers located and killed the mountain lion the following day to eliminate any threat to the public.
Damian Lillard returned to the Portland Trail Blazers on July 21, 2025, after spending two years with the Milwaukee Bucks. The nine-time All-Star expressed his joy in coming back home, despite facing rehabilitation from a torn Achilles tendon. Lillard will likely not play next season but aims to mentor younger teammates during his recovery.
A Portland man, Shaun Szwarz, faces 18 new charges, including three counts of first-degree bias crime, related to a four-alarm fire he allegedly started. Prosecutors claim he targeted non-white neighbors, with one victim recounting the terrifying experience of escaping the blaze. Szwarz has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for arraignment on the new charges.
The City of Portland issued a notice regarding Land Use Decision LU 25-038046 MLDS on July 21, 2025. This decision pertains to zoning and land use regulations that impact local development and community planning. Stakeholders, including the Maniac Latin Disciples, are expected to respond to the ruling's implications.
Jeff Gianola, a veteran news anchor at KOIN-TV, announced his retirement after 43 years in the industry. He began his career at KATU News in 1983 and has been with KOIN since 1998. Gianola plans to reflect on his career with a series of retrospective pieces.
Portland officials ensure compliance with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws by providing necessary accommodations for city programs and services. Residents can request translation, interpretation, and other services by calling 503-823-4000 or using Relay Service: 711.
A fire at a 19-unit apartment complex on East Burnside Street in Portland, suspected to be arson, led to a dramatic escape by a family who jumped from a second-story balcony. The suspect, Shaun Szwarz, faces 20 criminal charges and is set to appear in court. Firefighters rescued eight others as they battled the blaze.
The Burdoin Fire in the Columbia River Gorge has burned 8,776 acres and remains uncontained as of July 20. The fire has destroyed 14 primary structures and damaged 37 others, prompting evacuation orders in Klickitat County. Approximately 250 structures are threatened, and a firefighter was hospitalized due to injuries.