Decorative cover image of Street Roots April 22, 2026 issue. A spider web among tree branches spells out the text "Spring Anthology." The illustration is in shades of red, green and brown and depicts a lush spring scene.

🗞️ 🌼 Street Roots Spring Anthology is out now! If you're not familiar with the Spring Anthology issues, our newsroom puts together some of the most impactful stories from the last six months into two issues each spring. Catch up on stories you may have missed and grab a copy to share with a friend.

State's Psychiatric Security Review Board stalls patient discharge, critics say Lawmakers and advocates have long debated the authority of the board. Critics now say its extreme caution collides with Oregon’s strained mental health system.

Lawmakers and advocates have long debated the authority of the state Psychiatric Security Review Board. Critics now say the board’s extreme caution stalls patient discharge and is colliding with Oregon’s strained mental health system.

Who is Nathaniel VerGow, the county's new homeless services leader? Documents show the former social worker effectively ran homelessness programs in LA, but he's leaving his former employer amid its disarray

Who is Nathaniel VerGow, Multnomah County's newly appointed leader of its Homeless Services Department? Documents show the former social worker effectively ran homelessness programs in LA, but he's leaving his former employer amid its disarray.

Henry Brannan joins Street Roots as new investigative reporter Brannan returns to Street Roots as an investigative reporter after working for PBS, NPR stations and print newspapers.

Meet Street Roots' new investigative reporter, Henry Brannan.
www.streetroots.org/news-stories...

Cover of Street Roots April 15, 2026 issue. Large text says, "As Oregon’s mental health system strains, critics say board keeps some patients confined past recovery. PAGE 6." An illustration of a padlock with a chain fills the page. The lock has the he Rod of Asclepius symbol on it.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: County appoints new homeless services leader, criticisms of the state’s Psychiatric Security Review Board, March labor updates and more.

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

Homeless Portlanders, service providers prepare for heat With the city increasing sweeps while shelters face funding woes, extreme heat means increased health risks for those living outside

National Weather Service climate projections show Portland’s summer will likely be hotter and drier than average. Amid an increase in sweeps and shelters facing funding woes, homeless Portlanders and service providers brace for the dangers of summer heat.

New Oregon laws expand doula access for expectant parents The laws could improve Oregon parents' maternal outcomes by increasing prenatal and postpartum support by making it easier to access a doula

New Oregon laws expand doula access for expectant parents. The laws require commercial health benefit plans and Medicaid plans to cover perinatal services, including services provided by doulas, lactation counselors and lactation educators.

New Oregon laws expand doula access for expectant parents The laws could improve Oregon parents' maternal outcomes by increasing prenatal and postpartum support by making it easier to access a doula

New Oregon laws expand doula access for expectant parents. The laws require commercial health benefit plans and Medicaid plans to cover perinatal services, including services provided by doulas, lactation counselors and lactation educators.

Homeless Portlanders, service providers prepare for heat With the city increasing sweeps while shelters face funding woes, extreme heat means increased health risks for those living outside

National Weather Service climate projections show Portland’s summer will likely be hotter and drier than average. Amid an increase in sweeps and shelters facing funding woes, homeless Portlanders and service providers brace for the dangers of summer heat.

1/5 - Job update: I’m now an investigative reporter at Street Roots!

I sent my first official pitch to SR about 6 yrs ago. Its editors then spent the next 1.5 yrs schooling me, before sending me off to jobs at PBS NewsHour, NPR stations and beyond.
www.streetroots.org/news-stories...

April: Arts for All calendar Here are our April top picks for where to use your Arts for All benefits to catch movies, plays and music for $5

Your April Arts for All calendar is here! If you have an Oregon Trail card, find an arts event to attend this month at a discounted rate.
www.streetroots.org/culture/2026...

Cover of Street Roots April 8, 2026 issue. Large, black text says, "Rerooting Albina. After generations of displacement, Black Portlanders are returning to Albina through a large-scale restorative development project. PAGE 8."

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Homeless Portlanders prepare for summer heat, Albina Vision Trust's answer to displacement, Sincere Studio's ambitions for accessible sewing education and more.

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

Oregon farmworker activists say the movement is more than one person Activists reflect on the strength of Oregon's farmworker movement and its history, amid sexual assault accusations against César Chávez

Oregon farmworker activists say the movement is more than one person. Activists reflect on the strength of Oregon’s movement and its history, amid the sexual assault accusations against César Chávez.
www.streetroots.org/news-stories...

Some patients at Oregon State Hospital stuck there for months Patients deemed ‘guilty except for insanity’ typically spend months occupying desperately in-demand beds for care that mental health professionals and authorities say they don’t need

Some patients at Oregon State Hospital are stuck in limbo for months. Even after being told they no longer need to be there, only a few are discharged each month from the state’s most-regimented and costly mental health treatment setting.
www.streetroots.org/news-stories...

Deportation threats change how immigrants and asylum seekers navigate homelessness ICE has shown up to at least two homeless shelters in Portland — creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty

“All these things come together to make it harder to couchsurf, especially when you have kids, for a lot of folks who have unstable status.”

Via: @streetroots.bsky.social

April: Arts for All calendar Here are our April top picks for where to use your Arts for All benefits to catch movies, plays and music for $5

I wrote the last legally permissible Timothée-ballet gag for @streetroots.bsky.social: www.streetroots.org/culture/2026...

Cover of Street Roots April 1, 2026 issue. Large text says, "Treated and Trapped. Why are patients at the Oregon State Hospital cleared for release but still unable to leave? PAGE 4."

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: Patients at Oregon State Hospital stuck in limbo, Oregon farmworker activists reflect on the movement, April Arts for All calendar and more.

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

Third Eye Books aims to educate Portland with a curated selection of reading material The store's offerings balance what Portlanders may want to read, but also what they need to read, according to co-founder Charles Hannah

Third Eye Books is one of Portland's only Black-owned bookstores. Co-founder Charles Hannah says he curates the book selection keeping in mind what Portlanders may want to read, but also what they need to read.

‘Girlypop Politics’ takes civics education to the airwaves The host of the Salem-area radio segment aims to demystify how local government works, and encourages listeners to get involved

KMUZ radio segment, 'Girlypop Politics' encourages listeners to get involved in local politics. "You can make an impact if you’re loud enough, you’re persistent enough, and you have the passion to follow through," host Jane Titchenal said.

Portland leaders can't agree on how to spend $106 million in housing funds One side wants to continue prioritizing developer profits, while the other wants to eliminate profit motives entirely

Portland has $106 million of unspent housing funds, but city leaders can't agree on how to spend it. While one side wants to continue prioritizing developer profits, the other wants to eliminate profit motives entirely.

New city ordinance protects diverse family and relationship structures from discrimination The policy marks a win for non-monogamous families amid a national campaign to strengthen visibility and protections

A new Portland city ordinance protects diverse family and relationship structures from discrimination.

New city ordinance protects diverse family and relationship structures from discrimination The policy marks a win for non-monogamous families amid a national campaign to strengthen visibility and protections

A new Portland city ordinance protects diverse family and relationship structures from discrimination.

Portland leaders can't agree on how to spend $106 million in housing funds One side wants to continue prioritizing developer profits, while the other wants to eliminate profit motives entirely

Portland has $106 million of unspent housing funds, but city leaders can't agree on how to spend it. While one side wants to continue prioritizing developer profits, the other wants to eliminate profit motives entirely.

‘Girlypop Politics’ takes civics education to the airwaves The host of the Salem-area radio segment aims to demystify how local government works, and encourages listeners to get involved

KMUZ radio segment, 'Girlypop Politics' encourages listeners to get involved in local politics. "You can make an impact if you’re loud enough, you’re persistent enough, and you have the passion to follow through," host Jane Titchenal said.

Third Eye Books aims to educate Portland with a curated selection of reading material The store's offerings balance what Portlanders may want to read, but also what they need to read, according to co-founder Charles Hannah

Third Eye Books is one of Portland's only Black-owned bookstores. Co-founder Charles Hannah says he curates the book selection keeping in mind what Portlanders may want to read, but also what they need to read.

Cover of Street Roots March 25, 2026 issue. Large white text on the page says, "Citizen Jane. The host of ‘Girlypop Politics’ takes civics education to the airwaves. PAGE 8." An illustration of a hand holding a megaphone fills the page. The megaphone has a lace bow and heart charm tied around it.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: 'Girlypop Politics' encourages civic engagement, Portland leaders and an unspent $106 million, Third Eye Books' curated selection and more.

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

Young activists reimagine care for children of incarcerated parents Activists are calling on Oregon lawmakers to expand protections via the Bill of Rights for Children of Incarcerated Parents.

Family Preservation Project, a nonprofit based in Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, aims to help mothers stay connected with their kids while incarcerated. On March 9, mothers and children gathered to advocate for expanded protections for children of incarcerated parents.

Pride in Numbers project seeks stories of LGBTQIA2S+ Oregonians The project aims to produce a comprehensive picture of queer and gender non-conforming life in the state.

A statewide initiative wants Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ Oregonians to have a chance tell their stories on their own terms. Read about the Pride in Numbers project:

Oregon legislative session adjourns Even dead bills sparked lively conversations at the Oregon State Capitol

For more than just the highlights, read reactions and visions for what's next from advocates and lawmakers.
www.streetroots.org/news-stories...

Legislative Bill Tracker: Final Tally Keep up with bills in the Oregon Legislature this session

The Oregon Legislative session adjourned March 6. Take a look at which bills passed and which ones died in committee.
www.streetroots.org/news-stories...