Sophie Peel

Sophie Peel

Sophie Peel is a Portland native who earned a Journalism degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia where she reported on education, poverty and politics. She worked for NPR under a fellowship following graduation, and then freelanced for Willamette Week as well as a national publication before returning to the paper full time.

At Least 77% of Portland City Employees Are Vaccinated, Memo Says

10 city employees do not plan to get vaccinated nor plan to request a medical or religious exemption.

By Sophie Peel●

It's Unclear Whether County or City Will Fund Behavioral and Mental Health Services for Safe Rest Villages

Both the county and city say they’re discussing contractors and operators for the site this week.

By Sophie Peel●

The Nabisco Strike Grew Radical—Then Ended in Compromise. How Do Portland Bakers Feel?

A retired mail carrier moved an obscure struggle for health care coverage and overtime pay into the national spotlight.

By Sophie Peel●

Commissioner Mingus Mapps Wants to Automate Portion of Portland’s Non-Emergency Calls

Mapps calls the city’s marriage of emergency and non-emergency calls decades ago a “fundamental policy mistake.”

By Sophie Peel●

Nabisco Strike Ends After Majority of Bakers’ Union Members Across U.S. Approve New Contract

Portland’s members overwhelmingly shot the contract down. Their co-workers in other states overwhelmingly approved it.

By Sophie Peel●

City’s “Safe Rest Villages” Off to a Slow Start

Only three of the six locations are set to be announced by the end of the month.

By Sophie Peel●

Facing Thinned-Out Police Force, Mayor Wheeler Wants to Beef Up Gun Violence Unit and Rehire Retired Officers

“We must recognize the prevention efforts require time and investment to disrupt the cycle of violence,” Wheeler said.

By Sophie Peel●

Union Overwhelmingly Rejects Proposed Contract, Continues to Strike at Nabisco Bakery

A majority of baker’s union members across the country must vote affirmatively for the contract to approve it.

By Sophie Peel●

Rental Vacancy Rates in Portland Shrink Again

Findings by a real estate advisory company and shared with its Portland clients were grim: Vacancies are rapidly declining, rent continues to rise, and development of new multifamily units is slowing.

By Sophie Peel●

After Wheeler Retools Response to Texas Abortion Law, City Council Votes to Use $200,000 From Fall Budget for Abortion Infrastructure

The flimsiness of Wheeler’s original resolution and pushback from advocates telling the mayor’s office it wasn’t a robust method of supporting reproductive rights produced a rethink.

By Sophie Peel●

Democratic Leaders Allowed an Oregon Lawmaker to Earmark $4 Million in Public Money for an Anti-Abortion Group

Abortion rights advocates say the Pregnancy Care Center of Grants Pass is essentially an anti-abortion health referral service.

By Sophie Peel●

Skyrocketing Vehicle Thefts Have Left Roadsides Littered With Carved-Out Hulks

Thieves stole 7,905 cars in Portland for the year ending June 30.

By Sophie Peel●

Teamster Sues Strike Staffing Company Used by Nabisco Owner, Alleging Assault by Security Guard

Jesse Dreyer was picketing alongside bakers’ union members on Monday morning when he alleges he was pinned up against a van and struck repeatedly by a Huffmaster security guard.

By Sophie Peel●

Security Guards Hired by Nabisco’s Parent Company Become Increasingly Aggressive Towards Strikers

A series of photos and videos over the past two weeks show a shift in behavior.

By Sophie Peel●

State Agency Running Emergency Rental Assistance Program Pulls $86 Million From Local Partners

Multnomah County will lose $19 million.

By Sophie Peel●