Portland in the News: Waterfront Restaurant, Airport Accolades, Heatwave & More | June 11, 2026

Rose Festival (Chris Nesseth)

The Portland Spirit has big plans to open a new restaurant in the former Rose Festival headquarters in Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Portland International Airport has landed at the top of another ranking of best U.S. airports.

And breakout your water bottles and SPF. A multi-day heatwave will hit Portland and Vancouver, WA beginning Sunday morning.

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

• The Points Guy: New Alaska Airlines lounge lands in PDX
• KPTV: Portland Fire begins search for potential mascot
• KOIN: Oregon native wins first Tony award
• Here is Oregon: Look inside the new free food market in NW Portland
• KOIN: Pearl District Culinary Farmers Market reopens after ten years
• OregonLive: Portland and Seattle among worst cities for grass pollen
• OPB: The unexpected connection between gray whales and kelp on the Oregon coast
• OPB: Portland and Vancouver could see year’s hottest temperatures
• Willamette Week: A restaurant could be coming to Tom McCall Waterfront Park
• Here is Oregon: Another accolade for Portland International Airport