🌱 Online Learning Academy Lawsuit + Protest Mass Shooter Sentenced

Good morning, everybody. It's Thursday in Portland and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Rain and drizzle. High: 52 Low: 46.
• Friday: Cloudy, a shower; warmer. High: 58 Low: 46.

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Here are the top three stories in Portland today:

1. Several families of students enrolled in the Online Learning Academy of Portland Public Schools (PPS) are suing the school district over its planned closure of the online platform. PPS announced in February that the remote-only learning option would be shutting down in June, and any students currently in the program would then be required to transition to in-person classes. The lawsuit claims that the closure of the online learning option would violate the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act as the students involved in the lawsuit claim that they are unable to learn at in-person schools due to discrimination. (Fox 12 Oregon)
2. Benjamin Smith, who shot and killed a woman and injured four other people during a protest in February 2022 near Portland's Normandale Park, was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to the charges against him. During the sentencing, Smith declined the opportunity to address the court, but victims of the shooting and their families and friends took the opportunity to speak. (KATU)
3. The Portland Police Bureau confirmed that a new Shake Shack location scheduled to open in downtown Portland in a week was recently vandalized. Police officials found one of the windows smashed, and photos show plywood boarding up the window. The Shake Shack, which is located at 1016 Burnside St., is scheduled to open on Apr. 24; it is unclear at the time of this writing whether this recent incident will impact the planned opening date. (KOIN.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Portland:

Thursday, April 20

• Letters From Home At Aladdin Theater (7:00 PM)
• The Interrupters With Bedouin Soundclash, The Bandulus At Roseland Theater (7:30 PM)

Friday, April 21

• Toddler Time At The Craft Factory (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Calling all house hunters! To help you in your search for a new home, check out this list of five open houses in and around the Portland area, including one on Saturday, Apr. 22 at 11 a.m. for a five-bedroom, three-bathroom house on the market for $795,000. (Portland Patch)
• Looking for something fun to do this week? Here's a list of things to do in Portland over the next week, including the Multnomah Village Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, Apr. 22 at 10 a.m. (Willamette Week)
• Northwest Portland is home to a unique new subterranean cocktail bar called Grandma's Secret. Learn more about the hidden Vietnamese-inspired speakeasy at the link. (Eater Portland)
• Mark your calendars for a fun summer festival! The Portlandia Mermaid Parade and Festival is set for Jul. 29. (Travel Portland via Instagram)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.