Portland in the News: Giant Crows, Lightening Storm, Go For A Dip & More | July 16, 2026

Sean Sterling

If you thought the crows were scary during nesting season, wait until these 6-foot tall crow statues descend on downtown Portland.

Thunderstorms building up over the Cascades sent over 2,000 strikes of lightening on Wednesday afternoon.

And once the storms clear up, here are four nearby lakes to take a dip in when temperatures are back on the rise.

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

• Oregonian: Inside the secret studio where artists are painting massive crow statues
• OPB: Portland writer breaks down native plant movement, gardening
• KPTV: Portland’s longest serving fire boat goes on display at Astoria Museum
• KOIN: Oregon sees 2,000 lightening strikes Wednesday
• OPB: Why Portland fell in love with Megan Gustafson
• WWeek: Go for a stroll, take a dip or grab a bite at four nearby lakes
• PDX Monthly: Oregon coast road trip week
• Bridgetown Bites: The Richmond Club succeeds the Richmond Bar on Division
• OR Arts Watch: Inaugural McMinnville art festival brings two days of art to downtown
• OPB: Portland artist crafts ‘true American flag’ with Oregon-grown dyes
• OPB: Oregon toads’ fascinating sex lives
• Portland Spirit: Host your holiday party on a yacht