Portland’s Best St. Paddy’s Pubs: Where to Celebrate Now
Key Takeaways Kells and Paddy’s Lead the Pack: The iconic block parties on SW 2nd Avenue remain the epicenter of…
Author: Ben Hardy
Hello, I'm Ben Hardy, a dedicated journalist for Willamette Weekly in Portland, Oregon. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California and a Master's degree from Stanford University, where I specialized in multimedia storytelling and data journalism. At 28, I'm passionate about uncovering stories that matter to our community, from investigative pieces to features on Portland's unique culture. In my free time, I love exploring the city, attending local music events, and enjoying a good book at a cozy coffee shop. Thank you for reading my work and engaging with the stories that shape our vibrant community.
April 2026: The Streaming Binge That Defines the Year
The streaming landscape in April 2026 is defined by a rare convergence of cultural heavyweights. As the industry faces a…
James Blake Defies Industry Giants With New Indie Album
Key Takeaways Independence Achieved: James Blake has officially transitioned away from the traditional major label system, citing a need for…
Judge Blocks Oregon Gov’s Union Project Mandate
Key Takeaways A Marion County Circuit Court judge ruled Governor Tina Kotek’s executive order (EO 24-02) illegal. The order sought…
US Tightens AI Chip Export Rules, Nvidia & AMD Stocks Slide Amid Global Control Push
The United States is set to enact stricter export rules. These new regulations target advanced artificial intelligence chips. This news…
Oregon Senate Shifts Gas Tax Referendum to May Primary Amid Fierce GOP Opposition
Oregon’s Senate has passed a key bill. This happened on February 24, 2026. Senate Bill 1599 passed by a narrow…
Oregon Ducks Soar: Multiple Records Fall in Trending Sports News
Oregon track and field athletes are on a historic run. They continue to shatter records across the nation. This past…
Global Headlines: Australia Tightens Immigration Vetting, Ukraine Faces US Demands, and Cricket Rivals Clash in High-Stakes Match
Trending global news highlights major shifts. Australia’s immigration policy faces a new direction. Ukraine navigates complex demands from the United…
New Oregon Beverage Collective Forms to Secure Local Brands
Five Central Oregon beverage companies have united. They formed the new Oregon Beverage Collective (OBC). This is a major step…
AI’s “Failure to Find”: Understanding Trending Topics and Systemic Stumbles
Modern AI systems sometimes fail. This happened when an AI could not find a trending article. It searched thoroughly. Yet,…