Portland in the News: World’s Ugliest Dog, Trail Blazers Sold, Vegan Fast Food & More | August 14, 2025

What do you get when you cross Batty from FernGully with a shell-less armadillo? Something approximating Petunia, a two-year old English Bulldog from Eugene, who was just crowned World’s Ugliest Dog.

It’s a good day to be a Blazer! Portland’s NBA team has been sold to Carolina Hurricane’s owner Tom Dundon, who sources say will keep the team in PDX.

And if you’re looking for your McDonald’s fix without the guilt, look to Face Plant. Food influencer and cookbook author Molly Baz developed the recipes for the fast food spot’s first location in North Portland.

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

• Forbes: Portland pushes to become global epicenter for women’s sports
• OPB: If you can’t beat invasive blackberries, you might as well eat them
• KGW: 99 Ranch opens Portland location this weekend
• OPB: Finding ‘sidewalk joy’ in Portland and beyond
• The Chronicle: Portland homicides drop 51% in 2025
• Mercury: For a glimpse into Portland’s thriving future, look to the river