Portland in the News: Krispy Krunchy, RIP Centennial Mills, Who Is Queso Queso & More | August 20, 2026

(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) Michael Novak

Some of Portland’s best fried chicken is served out of mini-marts? With, 35 locations and growing Krispy Krunchy Chicken is becoming prolific in PDX.

If you’re a pedestrian in Portland, you’ve surely seen Queso Queso stamped on sidewalks all over town. PDX Monthly interviewed the elusive graffiti artist.

And this week we bid farewell to another Portland landmark: demolition crews began tearing down Centennial Mills after a fire destroyed the building.

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

• OPB: ODOT warns of major closure along I-5
• Mercury: Working for the planet
• The Guardian: Riot Grrrl legends Heavens to Betsy reunite
• OPB: Tattoo People: The stories behind Oregon’s ink
• PDX Monthly: An interview with Queso Queso
• KGW: Centennial Mills demolition footage
• CoWorking Cafe: Best US cities to live without a car
• KATU: Portland issues construction permits for James Beard Public Market
• KATU: Recycling centers expand disposal options in Portland Metro
• OregonLive: Portland Fire drop breadcrumbs via news skits, teasing upcoming reveal
• OPB: Oregon federal funding for bees, butterflies habitat
• WWeek: Krispy Krunchy Chicken has 35 outposts in Portland-Metro area