Latest news with #OregonChildren'sTheatre
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Portland committee advances ordinance that would ban AI rental price-fixing software
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Following a lawsuit against companies that use algorithms to fix rent prices across the U.S., Portland leaders have advanced a measure that would crack down on the act locally. On Tuesday, the Homelessness & Housing Committee discussed an ordinance that would amend the Affordable Housing Code to ban 'anti-competitive rental practices' — such as those that use artificial intelligence to impact rental costs. Oregon Children's Theatre to put programs on hold amid $1 million fundraising campaign Federal officials have sounded the alarm on the practice in recent months. In August, the that accused tech company RealPage of using its software to help property managers skew rent prices. Oregon was one of eight states that joined the original federal lawsuit, in addition to the . The suit was updated to include 'some of the nation's largest landlords' like Cortland Management, Cusman & Wakefield and Greystar Real Estate Partners. According to the court documents, renters in local submarkets ranging from Central Portland to West Beaverton could have been impacted by RealPage's software. Some of the identified landlords, like , also name several Portland apartment buildings on their list of properties. Severe weather threat paired with record-breaking heat Wednesday During Tuesday's meeting, New York-based Legal Fellow Angelo Pis-Dudot told committee members that an increase in consolidation and financialization has brought an increase in rent and evictions to the housing market. He noted that one in six U.S. apartments were owned by the nation's top 50 property managers in 2019, and the number of properties that these companies manage has increased annually for the past 14 years. 'We know that 47% of Portlanders are renters and they deserve to have some representation on this city council and have their needs centered,' Councilor Angelita Morillo, one of the councilors who introduced the amendment, said. 'We also know that the homelessness crisis on our streets is going to continue and get even worse if we don't do some of the changes that we need to do now.' The Homelessness & Housing Committee voted to refer the ordinance to the entire city council. Hwy 26's hazardous 'The Bump' to see major repairs after multiple accidents At a state level, Oregon legislators are also attempting to ban rental price-fixing with . While supporters of the measure argue that it would support tenants who struggle to pay their rent as it rises, opponents have contended that it could hinder development amid the state's housing crisis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oregon Children's Theatre to put programs on hold amid $1 million fundraising campaign
PORTLAND, Ore. () — The Oregon Children's Theatre is the latest organization to put its programming on hold due to economic problems. The state's largest youth-focused nonprofit theater company announced that it will pause operations on Sept. 1, after its summer camp season concludes. Forest Park conservationists challenge Portland's approval of PGE project OCT reported that it would need $1 million to maintain its operations through the year, and to ensure its ability to reopen at a later date. Leaders said the upcoming hiatus will help the nonprofit as 'it begins an organizational restructuring.' In a statement, Producing Artistic Director Jenn Hartmann Luck said the organization must be intentional in its next steps in order to ensure its long-term success. 'We have been facing these challenges for many years, and in order for us to create a way forward we must stop and assess who we are as an organization, what we need in order to continue producing shows and providing educational programming, and create a financial model that works so that we can come back stronger, ready to serve the youth and families in our community,' Hartmann Luck added. The pause will impact all of OCT's productions and education programs, including its mentorship and training program for teens involved in theater. The organization first revealed its financial issues last June, when it launched a to support its production of 'Cat Kid Comic Club: the Musical.' Although the campaign allowed the theatre nonprofit to hold sold-out shows at Portland'5 Centers for the Arts' Newmark Theater, leaders said the money was not enough to sustain future performances at the venue. VIDEO: Portland's cherry blossoms peak, threatened by Wednesday's storms OCT's most recent donation campaign is more dire, by the end of December. In addition to the fundraiser, the group is hoping to secure grants and additional sources of revenue through other organizations, partnerships and sponsorships. According to the nonprofit, operations will not continue if the fundraising goal isn't reached. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
