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  "path": "/newsblast/2026/02/15/48312055/your-sunday-reading-list-celebrating-black-innovation-secret-valentines-and-dating-corpses",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-15T15:00:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.portlandmercury.com",
  "tags": [
    "Newsblast!",
    "signing up for _Mercury_ newsletters!",
    "The BLACK INNOVATION Issue!",
    "Former City Hall Staffer Files Discrimination Complaints Against Councilor’s Office",
    "THE TRASH REPORT",
    "_Mercury_ Reader Valentines!",
    "The Landmark Saloon Calls It Quits",
    "Portland-Raised Playwright Kallan Dana on Her Lynchian Thriller  _Racecar Racecar Racecar_",
    "Funding Cuts May End Innovative PCC Music Program",
    "_For Human Use_ Isn't Really About Dating Corpses",
    "Literary Arts Announces 2026 Oregon Book Award Finalists",
    "contributing to the _Mercury_"
  ],
  "textContent": "by Wm. Steven Humphrey\n\n**GOOD MORNING, SUNDAY!** It's the perfect time to catch up on some of the great reporting and stories the _Mercury_ churned out this week! (PRO TIP: If you despise being \"the last to know,\" then be one of the first to know by signing up for _Mercury_ newsletters! All the latest stories shipped directly to your email's in-box... and then... YOUR HEAD.)\n\n• The BLACK INNOVATION Issue!\n\nFor the month of February, the _Mercury_ is celebrating Black History Month with a feature package dedicated to Black innovation in Portland—edited by author extraordinaire Donovan Scribes. Including: Ten Black innovators/changemakers, an interview with artist Ronin Roc, 28 moments in (recent) Black Oregon history, and a new edition of the Black Byline. PLUS! Food, books, theater, music, AND your lovesick _Mercury_ Reader Valentines!\n\nCharity Ekpo\n\n• Former City Hall Staffer Files Discrimination Complaints Against Councilor’s Office\n\nA former staffer in Portland Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane’s office has filed city and state complaints, alleging retaliation after she requested disability accommodations. The complaints come as calls grow for stronger job protections for City Council staff.\n\nCourtney Vaughn\n\n• THE TRASH REPORT\n\nIn this week's gossip roundup: Love! And how it is often \"trash\"! (But we approve of anything that has to do with _Heated Rivalry_.)\n\nHarold Feng/Getty Images\n\n• _Mercury_ Reader Valentines!\n\nDid you get a secret love note from your shmoopy-woopy? Find out by perusing the hundreds of _Mercury_ Reader Valentines! 😍\n\n• The Landmark Saloon Calls It Quits\n\nSoutheast Division's cherished western watering hole (and  _Mercury_ staff favorite) the Landmark Saloon has announced they will be closing their doors for the final time.\n\nBri Brey\n\n• Portland-Raised Playwright Kallan Dana on Her Lynchian Thriller  _Racecar Racecar Racecar_\n\nThere's a new must-see Lynchian thriller on stage at Artists Repertory Theatre:  _Racecar Racecar Racecar_ hops in the car with an unnamed father and daughter on a cross country road trip. As with anything described as Lynchian, something uneasy bubbles under the surface and things get weird.\n\nPhilip J Hatton, courtesy ART\n\n• Funding Cuts May End Innovative PCC Music Program\n\nFunding cuts are threatening an innovative music program at Portland Community College, but students and faculty are not letting it go away silently.\n\nShana Palmer/PCC Music and Sonic Arts program\n\n• _For Human Use_ Isn't Really About Dating Corpses\n\n_For Human Use_ , the debut novel by Sarah G. Pierce, is both about and not about a dating app for dead bodies. It’s gory satire and wry speculation on dating and the tech industry with a side of societal collapse.\n\nRun for It/Cappy Hotchkiss\n\n• Literary Arts Announces 2026 Oregon Book Award Finalists\n\nHere are the finalists for the Oregon Book Awards! This list always largely dictates our spring reading plans, as we fill in what we’ve missed before the ceremony on Monday, April 20.\n\nLiterary Arts\n\n**WOW, THAT IS A LOT OF GOOD READIN'.** I hope you didn't have any other plans this weekend! Dig in, and remember: Producing all this hard work costs moolah—so please consider contributing to the _Mercury_ to keep it all coming! Thanks!",
  "title": "YOUR SUNDAY READING LIST: Celebrating Black Innovation, Secret Valentines, and Dating Corpses"
}