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Ben McBee

Senior City Editor

Ben grew up in the Rogue Valley, attended the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism, and has written for publications like 1859 Magazine and Portland Monthly. He enjoys hiking the PNW, football and futbol, wildlife photography, any manner of libation exploration, and of course writing for PDXtoday.

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Beatrice Morrow Cannady, noted civil rights activist, poses for a portrait.
City
Beatrice Morrow Cannady: a monumental figure in Portland’s early civil rights movement
As editor of The Advocate and a champion of anti-discrimination campaigns across the Pacific Northwest, her legacy still resonates today in the fight for justice and equality.
June 16, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A close up of a mosquito biting someone.
Travel and Outdoors
How to protect yourself during mosquito season
Portland could be on track to break last year’s record numbers of the blood-sucking pests.
June 16, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A dad lies in the grass with his eyes closed and a smile on his face with his son on top of him, also laughing and looking at the camera.
Culture
Tell us your best Portland-themed dad jokes
What do you call the Willamette River when it’s being stubborn? The Won’t-amette River.
June 14, 2023
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Ben McBee
A historic photo shows the Willamette River and Ross Island.
City
Dive into the history of swimming on Portland’s Willamette River
Long-forgotten facilities near Ross Island like Bundy’s Baths and Windemuth were the epicenter of aquatic recreation in the city.
June 12, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A boat approaches Portland's Marquam Bridge amid extreme wildfire smoke.
Travel and Outdoors
What you need to know about Multnomah County’s summer burn ban
The measure, which will be introduced in phases, begins Friday, June 16 and will last indefinitely.
June 12, 2023
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Ben McBee
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Culture
Places to work outside in Seattle
When the sun’s out, the world is your workspace.
June 9, 2023
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Ben McBee
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Work
Places to work outside in Tampa Bay
When the sun’s out, the world is your workspace.
June 9, 2023
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Bailey LeFever
Pagodas line either side of a long walkway which ends in a massive Buddha statue at the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum.
Travel and Outdoors
Portland’s sister city: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
This bustling port on the Republic of China’s south coast is known for its cultural and religious sites, shopping, world-class cuisine, and natural beauty.
June 8, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
An elderly man wearing a red beret observes one of core exhibits a the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education.
Events
Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education reopens with a street festival and new exhibits
The free event on Sunday, June 11, welcomes Portland to the renovated galleries and celebrates the organization’s cultural partners.
June 8, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Master Recycler Lauren Manlove poses in a yellow flannel shirt with a DeWalt drill.
City
How to become a master recycler
The Metro-run program trains business owners and citizens, turning them into volunteers who can empower their neighbors, families, friends, and coworkers to take action.
June 6, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
The interior of Kann in Portland shows a modern space with a long table with a wall of firewood behind it.
Culture
Kann you believe it? Gregory Gourdet’s Haitian restaurant wins big at 2023 James Beard Awards
The eatery, which blends Caribbean cuisine with Pacific Northwest ingredients, adds “Best New Restaurant” to its impressive list of accolades.
June 6, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
PDXtoday_Geocaching.jpg
Travel and Outdoors
Geocaching: find an exciting reason to get outside
The outdoor recreational activity officially started outside of Portland in 2000 and is still going strong today.
June 2, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Colorful ceramic tile art from Portland artist Brett Stern.
Culture
Ceramics and glass artist Brett Stern to host gallery show and talk at Pioneer Place
The colorful tile arrangements will be on display until Sunday, July 2, 2023.
June 2, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A basket full of crispy golden jojos.
Culture
What’s a jojo? Ask outside the PNW and prepare for confusion
Colloquialisms are tasty.
May 31, 2023
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Ben McBee
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Business
Tattoo shops in Portland ideal for first-timers
Through their own needle-to-skin research and reader suggestions, the PDXtoday team rounded up several spots to get inked in the Rose City for a variety of comfort levels.
May 26, 2023
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Ben McBee
An airplane takes off from Portland International Airport with a snowcapped Mount Hood in the background.
Travel and Outdoors
Get the most out of your Memorial Day flight
Set your sights on the skies.
May 25, 2023
 · 
Jordan Radach
A pair of hands touches a smart egg used by Oregon Zoo to monitor California condors.
City
Oregon Zoo researchers use ‘smart egg’ to monitor endangered California condor chicks
New data will inform efforts to recreate the optimal conditions for the birds to healthily hatch and grow.
May 23, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
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Real Estate
Your guide to understanding development news in Portland, OR
Become a development terminology expert faster than you can say “special use permit for a mixed-use zone.”
May 23, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A front yard of a white house with green trim that has grasses, purple lupine and lavender.
Travel and Outdoors
Take pride in your yard
PDXtoday City Editors Ben and Cambrie put a lot of work into their yards and gardens and know that their readers do too. Share your slice of paradise with us.
May 19, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A sign in Southeast Portland reads Creston Park
City
Portland powerslides its way toward building a new skatepark in Creston Park
Construction is slated to start mid-2025 with a grand opening planned for spring of 2026.
May 19, 2023
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Ben McBee
Wildwood Trail, Near Lower Macleay Trail, Forest Park, Portland,
Travel and Outdoors
Friends of Marquam Nature Park merges with Forest Park Conservancy
The move will allocate additional resources to the land that was largely maintained by volunteers.
May 17, 2023
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Ben McBee
Trees bloom with pink blossoms in front of the reservoir at Mt. Tabor and the sun sets with pinks and purples in the background.
Culture
Move your feet and feast your eyes at Mt. Tabor Art Walk
The juried art show brings crowds to the Southeast Portland neighborhood, opening the doors to local artists’ studios, community spaces, and homes.
May 17, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A golden retriever named Nacho poses in front of Niagara Falls in Oregon's Coast Range.
City
How to get a pet license in Portland
Registering your dog or cat is required for residents and comes with many benefits.
May 15, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Light purple lupine flowers grow alongside a hiking trail at Mosier Plateau.
Travel and Outdoors
Hike of the Month: Mosier Plateau
Although the window to appreciate this nature preserve’s wildflowers is brief, hikers are also rewarded with vistas of a waterfall and the mighty Columbia River Gorge.
May 15, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A Portland Bureau of Transportation engineer inspects a crack beneath the Northeast 33rd Avenue Bridge.
City
Northeast 33rd Avenue Bridge closes as crews repair cracked column
Extreme temperatures during the heat dome of 2021 caused damage to one of the structure’s concrete supports. Work is expected to finish midsummer.
May 15, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Muralist David Rice works on a floor to ceiling painting for Hopscotch in Portland, Oregon
City
Jump into our preview of Hopscotch
The 23,000-sqft immersive art experience will open in Portland’s Central Eastside this June, wowing guests with its “Rainbow Cave,” “Quantum Trampoline,” and murals from Portland Street Art Alliance.
May 10, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Shira Fogel, founder of Tiny Talkers, signs with her hands to two young toddler age kids.
Small Business
Q+A: Shira Fogel, founder of Tiny Talkers
Her business helps babies and toddlers learn to communicate with their parents and peers, oftentimes before they can verbally talk, by using basic sign language.
May 9, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
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Travel and Outdoors
Quiz: How well do you know Nashville streets?
Take our 5-minute quiz to test your local street smarts.
May 5, 2023
 · 
Dylan Aycock
The sun shines between two tall buildings in downtown portland, with the river in the foreground, under a stormy sky
City
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler releases $7.1 billion proposed budget for 2023-2024
We break down this multi-billion dollar proposed budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Including funds to address homelessness, public safety, economic recovery, and livability.
May 5, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A woman and a little girl open up a door on an antique looking cabinet.
City
Save money and limit your environmental impact with Resourceful PDX
The online tool connects Portland residents with free or low-cost options for everything from home improvement, clothing, art, and more.
May 1, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
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