Oregon
Oregon man called for jury duty, turns up to court in drag: “Not illegal”
A man in Oregon who was called up for jury duty decided to liven things up by going to court dressed in drag.
Comedian, actor and host Kyle Prosen has made quite a name for himself under the guise of his drag queen persona, Poly Poptart.
Since 2020, Prosen has also garnered attention for his impression of former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin, which he describes as a “product of boredom during the pandemic.” “I’ve hosted entire shows in character as Sarah Palin and done stand up comedy sets as her,” he said.
But while the occasional stand-up show or guest appearance is one thing, Prosen never imagined he would one day be heading to court in Oregon dressed in drag as the former Republican vice presidential pick.
TikTok/Polypoptart.
“The night before, I was at my friend Josh’s house watching TV, and he mentioned that I should go to jury duty the next day in drag,” Prosen said.
He said he initially laughed off the suggestion telling his friend: “Yeah, if I would, I would do Sarah Palin.” However, his friend was adamant it was “such a good idea that he wouldn’t let it go.”
Prosen, who has performed countless times as Poly Poptart, eventually relented, but decided if he was going to do it, he was going to do it properly. “Commitment to the bit is my middle name and I say it often,” Prosen said.
The next day he woke at 5:30 a.m. and got himself into his drag outfit, admitting it “fit a little more snugly” than he remembered. Prosen was keen to document the experience, so he had a camera on hand throughout, with the resulting clip posted to his Poly Poptart TikTok account.
In the video, Prosen explains that he had checked and it was “not illegal” to dress in drag for jury duty. “My friend is a judge, and I asked him if dressing up in drag was against the law. As much as I’m committed to the bit, I’m also painfully risk averse,” Prosen said.
‘Guidance on Etiquette’
A spokesperson for the Oregon Judicial Department told Newsweek: “To help ensure that court facilities remain a space of respect and safety, Oregon’s state courts provide guidance on etiquette. Jurors are encouraged to dress comfortably – suits and ties or dresses are not required – and should wear clothes that are clean and do not display foul language, insults, or other negative words. Court rules note the expectation that, ‘All persons attending court … must be dressed so as not to detract from the dignity of court.’”
Walking towards the courthouse and waiting in line, Prosen might have expected his appearance to generate some strong reactions. However, he said the response was negligible.
“It was interesting seeing people’s reactions,” he said. “Portland is very non-confrontational and obsessed with being politically correct. I think people were too professional to want to comment on how someone shows up for civic service. That, or it was just too early to deal with another Portland weirdo’s antics.”
In the end, the court dismissed all of the jurors who were given a number above 110 and Prosen was in the 130s. “The whole day was underwhelming,” he said. “I sat through all the jury things, and was hoping to get at least interviewed by someone, but they didn’t even get to my juror number.”
It was only later, when he posted his video to TikTok, that the biggest reactions were seen. At the time of writing it had been watched close to 700,000 times, with viewers full of praise for Prosen’s antics.
“I was not prepared for Sarah Palin,” one viewer wrote. “I would absolutely do jury duty with you!!! How fun!” a second commented, with a third adding: “You still dressed nicer than 99% of the people I was on the jury with when I did Jury Duty. I was the only one that got the business casual memo.”
“I always learn something about America when I have a post go viral,” Prosen said. “What people are stressed out by, or impressed by. The emotions or fears or burdens they carry. After this, I learned that people were desperate to release some of the political stress they have carried this election season.”
Prosen admits he was “a little scared” that Poly Poptart’s antics would reach “extremist” corners of the internet. Drag events have drawn criticism from some quarters. Last year, GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, highlighted 161 incidents of anti-LGBTQ protests and threats targeting drag events since early 2022.
TikTok/polypoptart
Thankfully there was no backlash. In fact, his experience that day has give him “a little more faith” in the idea of America as the land of the free.
“As much as I played a joke during the video, my day at jury duty was actually very empowering, and gave me a lot of hope in the American legal system, of democracy, and American freedom,” Prosen said. “We, as citizens, get to show up how we want or are, and decide cases. The law should apply to everyone, and the law should be able to be interpreted by the average American system.”
Prosen hasn’t ruled out doing it again, though possibly as Poly Poptart next time rather than Sarah Palin.
Ryan Reynolds on John Candy’s prideful vulnerability
Ryan Reynolds reflects on John Candy’s mix of pride and vulnerability in “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” The actor produces “John Candy: I Like Me.”
Entertain This!
The Aviation American Gin Distillery and visitor center in Portland, Oregon, has closed its doors as the company behind the celebrity-backed spirits brand shifts its production strategy, according to multiple reports.
Diageo, the global spirits company that acquired Aviation American Gin in 2020, confirmed the closure to local TV stations KGW and KOIN, saying the decision was made because of changing business needs.
“This decision reflects evolving business needs, as we continue to support growth ambitions for our Aviation American Gin brand,” Diageo’s statement reads. “Aviation American Gin remains an important part of Diageo’s portfolio and we are committed to the brand, our customers and consumers.”
USA TODAY contacted Diageo on July 9 for comment and additional information regarding the closure.
The nearly 33,000-square-foot facility opened in September 2022 in northwest Portland, offering visitors a cocktail bar, tasting room, gift shop and tours highlighting the gin-making process, including distillation and bottling operations.
Portland’s House Spirits Distillery founded Aviation American Gin in the early 2000s and later became associated with Emmy Award-winning actor Ryan Reynolds, who acquired a stake in the company in 2018.
“A little over two years ago, I became an owner of Aviation Gin because I love the taste of Aviation more than any other spirit,” Reynoalds said in a statement in 2020 after Diageo acquired the company. “What I didn’t expect was the sheer creative joy learning a new industry would bring. Growing the brand with my company, Maximum Effort Marketing, has been among the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever been involved with.”
Is Ryan Reynolds still a co-owner of Aviation Gin?
As of July 9, Reynolds remains an owner of Aviation Gin, according to his social media accounts. His Instagram says he owns Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile, Maxixum Effort and the Wrexham A.F.C. soccer club.
When Diageo acquired Aviation Gin, the acquisition agreement valued the deal at up to $610 million, including an initial payment of $335 million and a potential additional payment of up to $275 million based on the company’s performance over a 10-year period, according to a 2020 news release.
Diageo, one of the world’s largest spirits companies, also owns other alcohol brands including Captain Morgan, Crown Royal and Smirnoff.
What’s next for Aviation, Diageo?
Diageo said it had already begun moving Aviation’s production from Portland to other facilities in 2025 as part of an effort to improve efficiency and strengthen its North American operations, KGW reported.
Diageo also said Aviation American Gin will remain part of its portfolio despite the closure of the Oregon visitor center and distillery.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT
The man wanted in connection with two Pierce County homicides was shot and killed by police in Seaside, Oregon, Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank announced on X Wednesday night.
Hayes McCloud, 24, was identified earlier in the day by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) as a person of interest in two killings — the first in Puyallup around 2:40 a.m. and the second in Tacoma shortly after 3 a.m.
On Wednesday night, authorities referred to him as a suspect.
“The suspect has been contacted by police in Seaside, Oregon,” PCSO said in a Facebook post. “We are no longer looking for the suspect and details of the contact and major incident that transpired in Oregon will be available once the investigation is concluded.”
After that announcement, Swank posted an update on X.
“After he killed the person in Tacoma, he drove away. We didn’t know where he went, but he was picked up by a Flock camera in Lewis County around 4 a.m. So we knew he was headed southbound at that point,” Swank’s post said. “The suspect was shot and killed by police in Seaside, Oregon. No cops were hurt. I’m glad he was stopped before he killed anyone else. Great police work!”
The murder suspect from the homicide on Woodland Avenue also shot and killed a person in Tacoma.
After he killed the person in Tacoma, he drove away. We didn’t know where he went, but he was picked up by a flock camera in Lewis County around 4:00 AM. So we knew he was headed…
— Sheriff Keith Swank (@SaveOurSheriff) July 9, 2026
35-year-old killed in Puyallup home early Wednesday
At 2:40 a.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to the 12500 block of Woodland Avenue E. in Puyallup after receiving reports that a man was found dead in a home. Two homeowners were at the scene when deputies arrived.
“The preliminary investigation indicates there was homicidal violence in a bedroom that eventually led outside the home,” the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office reported. “The 35-year-old male was located inside the home with multiple deadly injuries. We have no suspect in custody at this time.”
Second homicide in Tacoma less than 30 minutes later
Just after 3 a.m., police responded to the 6900 block of E. D Street in Tacoma’s Hillsdale neighborhood after multiple people reported hearing gunfire. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Officers began lifesaving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Contributing: Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
The Oregon Country Fair is right around the corner and got an up-close preview of the annual event with generations of revelers expected to return yet again.
Vendors and construction teams were busy setting the venue up on Wednesday. It opens to the public on Friday, and organizers are expecting a big turnout.
For over fifty years, people have come together to enjoy live music, art, food and community at the event in Veneta.
“It has definitely changed and evolved and it’s definitely still holding true to the magic that has started the fair,” said fair attendee Jill Carter.
Carter has been going to the fair for about forty years, but throughout her time there, there’s always one thing on her mind.
“I’ve had a lifelong dream to do the poster, and I’ve been working on applying for a long time, and I got to do it and I’m so excited!”
Carter says over the years, she’s fine-tuned her design proposal to accurately capture the whimsey of the fair.
“In our day-to-day world, we really don’t get to connect on this kind of level of art and whimsey.”
This curated space of art and whimsey is what keeps generations returning to the fair.
“I was at a meeting the other day and somebody was a third generation Oregon Country fairgoer. Their parents were babies here. They were babies here. Now, they’re on crews that help manage the safety of this community,” says Kate Gillespie, the White Bird Rock Medicine crew coordinator.
Gillespie has been working within medical response at the fair for sixteen years.
Before fair goers even arrive, White Bird Rock Medicine works on setting up for the two hospitals provided on site as well as staffing medical crew – which consists of almost 300 medical professionals and mental health crisis workers.
“We are prepared to deal with first aid things like scrapes, bumps, bruises; injured feet are a big thing that we see – all the way up to things like cardiac events and strokes,” Gillespie explains.
And for the attendees they serve, the event is a yearly tradition that is more than just a fair – it’s a chance to catch up with old friends and make new memories.
“I think it’s really like a reunion for a lot of the people that are out here on this property,” says Gillespie.
The Oregon Country Fair runs Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the intersection of Suttle Road and Bus Road in Veneta.
For more information, visit the fair website.
-
Massachusetts6 minutes agoHealey administration vows to appeal as Trump rejects Massachusetts blizzard aid request – The Boston Globe
-
Minnesota8 minutes agoMinnesota Looks to Add 1,100 Child Care Slots, With Melrose Among the 11 Funded Communities
-
Mississippi14 minutes agoDeath of Mississippi teen Nolan Wells under investigation
-
Missouri21 minutes agoMissouri realtors hold statewide rally to vote no on Amendments 4 & 5
-
Montana23 minutes agoDistrict court judge blocks new Montana GOP bylaws – WTOP News
-
Nebraska29 minutes agoNebraska ag experts say early detection for livestock parasites, illnesses will be important during summer show season
-
Nevada36 minutes agoLocal artists on Northern Nevada stages, now through Labor Day weekend
-
New Hampshire38 minutes agoTrans athletes drop lawsuit to gain access to girls’ sports in New Hampshire after SCOTUS ruling
