Portland in the News: From ‘Ghost Mall’ to Startup Hub, Paddleboards vs Blackberries, Places of Pride & More | July 31, 2025

A new exhibit at the Architectural Heritage Center honors Portland spaces that were safe havens for the LGBTQ+ community. ‘Places of Pride’ will be on display through 2026.

Ross Island has been plagued by invasive blackberry species choking its shores. A group of volunteers on paddleboards are trying to fix that. Their motto? If you can’t beat em’, eat em’.

And who says the American mall is dead? Lloyd Center Mall has transformed from a ghost town to a thriving incubator for 90+ small businesses including a pinball museum, lightsaber vendor and more.

Here’s a roundup of the goings-on in Portland this week:

• Willamette Week: Free stuff you can get on your birthday in Portland
• KATU: Shifting opinions about downtown Portland
• OPB: Meet the Chinese-American women from Oregon who made aviation history
• KOIN: Paid parking hours extended in Central Eastside district
• Daily Astorian: Meet the woman behind the city’s favorite photobooths
• Register Guard: Oregon wines sweep USA Today’s best wine awards