Alex Zielinski
Alex Zielinski covers Portland city politics. Prior to joining OPB, Alex covered city government for the Portland Mercury. She’s also worked as a journalist in San Antonio, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Alex grew up among the California redwoods and graduated from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication. Send Alex story ideas at azielinski@opb.org.
Latest Stories
Portland city employees, councilors question Mayor Wilson’s return-to-office mandate
Days before a return-to-office mandate kicks in for city managers, Portland city councilors got an earful from workers.
Head of Portland-area homeless services department to retire amid budget blowback
Dan Field, the official overseeing the Portland region’s top homeless services program, is stepping down after two years.
Councilors advance plan to add sidewalks in Portland's east and westside neighborhoods
Portlanders have long lobbied City Hall to address a lack of sidewalks in areas of the city with a high rate of traffic-related deaths. Now, the city’s recently elected officials are trying to take action.
Portlanders defend youth programs, parks, jobs at city budget sessions
Saving programs that serve Portland kids has been a central theme in the first two public budget sessions, held in Southeast Portland’s District 3 and East Portland’s District 1 last week.
Multnomah County confirms it used short-term money to pay for long-term homeless services
On Friday, Multnomah County opened the books on the Homeless Services Department’s budget – and confirmed others' concerns about how that money is spent.
How to participate in Portland’s budget process
Portland’s facing a consequential budget year: With a $93 million deficit, mass layoffs, limits to public safety programs and the closure of beloved community spaces are all on the table. And the city is looking to members of the public to help them decide what to cut — and what to save — to keep the city running next year.
Top 5 Oregon takeaways from latest US Census data
The U.S. Census dropped updated population data Thursday, showing that the country’s metropolitan areas are growing faster than previous years. The data delivered new information – both high and low – about Oregon cities.
In East Portland, a light post offers hope for a change in City Hall representation
In East Portland's District 1, neighbors begin to see the impact of new City Hall representation.
'OPB Politics Now': Why Portland and Multnomah County’s budgets are so bleak but Oregon’s is stable
It's budget season in the government world and the overall outlook varies widely depending on where you look.
Gov. Kotek, Mayor Wilson join forces to increase apartment construction in Portland
Portland leaders and the Oregon governor’s office have teamed up with the private sector to tackle the city’s housing crisis. Mayor Keith Wilson and Gov. Tina Kotek convened a meeting Thursday with housing developers, construction firms and other city officials to float solutions to the city’s slow pace of housing development.