Podcasts about Oregonian

Lawmakers will be back in Salem this week to consider a proposal that would help stave off layoffs for hundreds of transportation workers. But it would also raise taxes at a time when a lot of Oregonians are already hurting financially. Does this sound familiar? Yes, we’ve been here before but this time Gov. Tina Kotek said she’s confident lawmakers will approve a transportation package that will raise billions for the state’s road and bridge upkeep. We’ll discuss the politics at play on both sides of the aisle. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Show your appreciation for the show and buy me a coffee. You'll find details by following this link.Jane Kirkpatrick joins the show this week to chat about her new release, Across the Crying Sands. Oh my, what a wonderful talk we had. You might even get a few tears in your eyes as you listen to her share her personal story and the story of how Across the Crying Sands came to be. Patrons will get to hear all about the painting that's the header on her website. Across the Crying Sands by Jane KirkpatrickA Tale of Uncharted Adventure and Discovery Inspired by a True Story In 1888 Mary Edwards Gerritse is a witty and confident young woman who spends as much time as possible outdoors on the rugged Oregon coast where she and her husband, John, have settled. The two are a formidable pair who are working hard to prove their homesteading claim and build a family. But as Mary faces struggles of young motherhood and questions about her family of origin, she realizes that life is far from the adventure she imagined it would be.After losing the baby she's carrying, grief threatens Mary, but she finds an unconventional way to bring joy back into her life--by taking over a treacherous postal route. As Mary becomes the first female mail carrier to traverse the cliff-hugging mountain trails and remote Crying Sands Beach, with its changing tides and sudden squalls, she recaptures the spark she lost and discovers that a life without risk is no life at all.Get a copy of Across the Crying Sands by Jane Kirkpatrick.Jane Kirkpatrick is a New York Times best-selling and award-winning author of over 40 books and numerous essays for over 50 publications throughout the United States including The Oregonian and Daily Guideposts.She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times in 2012, the Caldera Achievement Award from The Nature of Words in 2006, and the Distinguished Northwest Writer award in 2005 from the Willamette Writers Association.Her works have sold over two million copies, and have won prestigious literary awards such as the Wrangler (National Cowboy Museum), WILLA Literary (Women Writing the West), Will Rogers Medallion (Will Rogers Foundation), and the Carol (American Christian Fiction Writers).Her many historical novels, most based on the lives of actual people, speak of timeless themes of hardiness, faith, commitment, hope, and love.Jane speaks internationally on the writing and the power of stories. Her presentations reflect stories of inspiration and courage believing that our lives are the stories other people read first.She is a Wisconsin native and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Communications and Public Address and holds a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Clinical Social Work.Prior to her writing career, she worked with Native American families on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Central Oregon as a mental health and early childhood specialist for seventeen years. She was also the director of the Deschutes County Mental Health Program in Bend, Oregon.Jane and her husband Jerry now live in Redmond Oregon with their dog Ruppert.Visit Jane Kirkpatrick's website.

Tyson Alger has been covering the Oregon Ducks for more than a decade with stops at the Oregonian, The Athletic & the I-5 Corridor. He now covers Oregon football for Lookout Eugene-Springfield. No. 7 Oregon opens with Montana State on Saturday in Eugene. Tyson joined Colter Nuanez to preview the Ducks' season.

Intel is Oregon's largest private employer, but it's facing major uncertainty. After layoffs and widespread concerns about its core business, President Trump announced the U.S. Government will buy a 10% stake in the company. Today, we're talking with Oregonian reporter Mike Rogoway about what this means for Intel, for Oregon, and for the global chip industry. Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here.  Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 27th episode: Lan Su Chinese Garden PaintCare Ardent Estate Sales Montavilla Jazz

The Oregon Legislature's Joint Committee on Transportation Funding will consider legislation this week called “LC 2” as they head into a special session to address transportation funding. The Governor's Transportation Budget Framework defines the problem as an ODOT “budget gap” that needs to be addressed with a “funding solution.” She says that the cause is a lack of revenue for ODOT, oft repeated by legislators, lobbyists, and journalists who describe the problem as “declining revenue,” or a “dwindling gas tax.” These statements are simply not supported by ODOT's financials showing that net revenue grew by 30 percent since 2018 and reached record highs in 2024.A spending problem, not a funding problem, is the reason ODOT is about to eliminate 900 positions. The real problem is two-pronged: first, too many statutory restrictions on existing revenue; and too much debt service on $4 billion in highway bonds, which have grown at a much faster rate than ODOT's revenue.In reviewing LC2, Cascade offered the Committee two suggestions. First, amend LC 2 to free up gas tax funds for services Oregonians need and have already paid for. Next, pay off these highway bonds with lottery revenues. This would increase ODOT's available gas tax revenue by more than 50 percent without a tax increase.

Ryan Clarke of The Oregonian checks in to discuss what kind of season the Beavers will have in 2025, wonders if the Civil War will end soon, and more.

In Hour 1, Harris and Marang talk to Ryan Clarke from The Oregonian about the Beavers upcoming season, discuss whether or not the Civil War could go away in 2026, and more.

Portland thrift store owner Owen Gail recently went viral for his ongoing adventures — kicking a rock through the city in hopes of smoothing off the hard edges and turning it into a sphere. His fun and quirky efforts have drawn attention from all over the world as the rock has gotten more round, while Oregonian readers recently crowned his shop, Shirtzenpantz, the best thrift store in town. Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking with Owen about his rock Christosphere and all their escapades so far. Discussed in Today's Episode: Rock-Kicking Adventures In-Store Poem Promotion  Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here.  Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 18th episode: Montavilla Jazz PaintCare Oregon Health Authority Visit Walla Walla Oregon Coast Visitor Association - Use code 50off for 50% off

The biggest impact of the $15 billion in federal cuts faced by the state of Oregon will fall on food assistance and medicaid. But these cuts will also affect the State Library of Oregon, who could lose 25% of its budget. The state library is responsible for providing accessible reading materials for people with disabilities and helping provide guidance and support for local, academic and public school libraries. Wendy Cornelisen is the state librarian. She joins us to share more on what federal cuts to the department would mean for Oregonians.

Gov. Tina Kotek’s office released an analysis this week detailing how much money Oregon stands to lose in federal funding. The state could lose more than $15 billion it uses to pay for health care and food assistance programs and a whole lot more. But Republicans have a different take: It’s not the big beautiful bill that’s going to hit Oregon’s economy, it’s the overtaxing of Oregonians that is hurting the working class. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss the latest.   

Bill Oram of The Oregonian joins the guys to run through all the fallout from the news that Ton Dundon is poised to be the next owner of the Blazers, is the City/State prepared to pony up for whatever Dundon wants to do regarding the Blazers arena, and we answer the poll questions.

Sports Columnist Bill Oram for The Oregonian joins the guys running through all the parallel timelines regarding the Blazers with processing the sale to Tom Dundon, the roster and basketball staff and the City/State leaders.

ODOE released a draft of the Oregon Energy Strategy on Aug. 14, 2025, and opened a public comment period through Sept. 22, 2025. So, what is the Energy Strategy and why should you take the time to comment? We dive into an overview of the report and the five pathways outlined that represent the direction Oregon needs to go to meet the state's energy goals. As you will hear from our guests, the Energy Strategy is not a plan, but rather a strategy that can be used by policy makers, agencies, and Oregonians alike to help make decisions on Oregon's long-term energy future. Use the timestamps below to skip to the part of the discussion that most interests you. 0:1:40 - Purpose and Approach 0:10:06 - What are policy recommendations? 0:14:37 - Why should I comment? 0:23:40 - Pathway 1 (Energy Efficiency) 0:27:46 - Pathway 2 (Electrification) 0:35:08 - Pathway 3 (Clean Electricity) 0:37:53 - Pathway 4 (Low-carbon Fuels) 0:40:57 - Pathway 5 (Resilience) 0:43:33 - Conclusion Guests: Jessica Reichers, ODOE Technology and Policy Manager, and Edith Bayer, ODOE Energy Policy Team Lead. Grounded music by PaulYudin Additional Resources • View the Draft Oregon Energy Strategy: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Documents/DRAFT-Oregon-Energy-Strategy.pdf • View a summary of the draft strategy: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Documents/DRAFT-Summary-Oregon-Energy-Strategy.pdf • Submit a comment through Sept. 22, 2025: https://odoe.powerappsportals.us/en-US/energy-strategy/ • Energy Wallet Analysis: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Data-and-Reports/Documents/OES-EJEquity-Approach-11-6-2024.pdf

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has a $350 million deficit. Governor Tina Kotek has said that if this funding is not secured, she will lay off about 500 ODOT employees.During the regular legislative session that ended in June, Democrats (who hold a supermajority in both the House and the Senate) could not reach a consensus on a transportation funding bill (HB 2025). Sidelining and ignoring Republicans further ensured that the bill would not pass.To deal with the budget shortfall, the Governor has called for a special session for Friday, August 29. Her goal is to raise the gas tax by six cents ($.06), increase vehicle registration fees by $42, and raise title fees by $139.House Minority Leader Christine Drazen has proposed an alternative. Instead of raising taxes and fees on Oregon motorists, the legislature could use emergency funds from the Legislative Emergency Board. Hundreds of millions of dollars are set aside every legislative session for use in an emergency. Using emergency funds would not raise the gas tax and could fund ODOT until the 2026 session when a working solution can be found.Oregon currently has the fourth-highest gas prices in the nation. Raising the gas tax should not be an option. Legislators should find a way to fund important transportation maintenance services without punishing Oregonians at the pump.

Vote by mail sounds so innocent, but now that Oregonians have lived with it for more than forty years, many aren't so sure anymore.In this episode, we talk with a guy who is gathering signatures to make a change in Oregon.

For the past decade, pension investments made by the state have leaned heavily towards private equity. As reported in the Oregon Journalism Project, this choice has cost the state billions as this form of investments continued to be made despite advice from experts to diversify Oregon’s portfolio. Jim Neff is the managing editor for OJP and reported on this story. He joins us to share why the state stood by private equity investments and what this choice means for Oregonians.

In this episode, first published in 2021, Zach talks to mountain climb leader Michael Gurley about the best high mountain hikes and climbs that don't require ropes in Oregon.  Zach and Michael pick 10 different mountain peaks that Oregonians in good shape can attempt with a hike or "scramble" climb, provided they've got strong legs, strong lungs and a good plan.  The climbs they cover include multiple routes that rise above 9,000 feet, and two that ascend above 10,000 feet, in mountain ranges in the Cascades, Siskiyou, Elkhorn and Wallowas. 

State Rep Dwayne Yunker discusses the latest in the investigation into his porno school book read on the floor of the House...the Oregonian paper comes out in support of his free speech. Open for Businesses with Open for Business folks and more.

Finance doesn't have to be scary. In this episode of VRTAC-QM's Manager Minute, Kat Martin, Finance Director at the Oregon Commission for the Blind, joins Carol Pankow to break down the complexities of government finance in vocational rehabilitation. Kat shares her journey from the private sector into VR, the lessons she's learned managing federal and state dollars, and the difference between budget authority and actual revenue (spoiler: it's not as simple as it sounds). From making reports accessible for blind colleagues to explaining why finance people should bepartners—not compliance enforcers—Kat offers practical advice, thoughtful insights, and a healthy dose of humor. Whether you're new to VR, leading a program, or just finance-curious, this episode delivers the wisdom you didn't know you needed—plus a little reality check on what it takes to manage complex funding with heart and clarity.   Listen Here   Full Transcript:   {Music}   Kat: It took me a bit to wrap my head around was the difference between budget and revenue. I like the way my executive director describes it to other directors. You have to be paying attention to what's going on with your budget, not because that's the amount of money you have to spend, particularly with federal funding. That is what you have authority to spend. That doesn't mean you have that revenue to spend. If somebody has helped you out, pay it forward, help the next new person out that got their eyes crossed and looking overwhelmed when they're trying to figure out what in the world is re allotment, let alone carryover and maintenance of effort.   Carol: Oh my gosh.   Intro Voice: Manager Minute brought to you by the VRTAC for Quality Management, Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time. Here is your host Carol Pankow.   Carol: Well, welcome to the manager minute. Joining me in the studio today is Kat Martin, finance director at the Oregon Commission for the Blind. So, Kat, how are things going in Oregon?   Kat: They're going well. We're getting started on a lovely summer and a new biennium and trying to close out the old ones. So, you know, busy is always in the finance department.   Carol: Yeah, all the things. Nothing like getting the finance director like turnover of a state year and all that. I know you got a lot of things going on. So as the QM grant is winding down, I thought it would be great to hear from a respected VR finance director, someone who's walk the walk. Kat has been a standout voice in her fiscal management community of practice, sharing advice that's grounded, real, and incredibly helpful. So, Kat, let's dig in. So, Kat, can you tell our listeners a bit about your career journey and how did you land in your current role?   Kat: Sure. Thanks, Carol. I worked in the private sector for the first decade or so of my life and realized after about a decade of that that I really needed work that spoke to my heart. And coming from a family of educators, I was a little too late to go back to school and get my teaching credentials at that point in time. But I decided to pursue mission focused organizations that were helping others. So I worked for about six years for a law firm that represented the disabled and injured individuals before the Social Security Administration and the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. And then I went into public education for about 15 years. About five years ago, I left public education and came to work for the Oregon Commission for the blind. And it was my first role in the world of vocational rehabilitation. So it was a new experience for me. I love a good challenge and it's been that for five years.   Carol: That sounds amazing. I always love to hear how people kind of make their long and winding road into VR, because none of us ever usually get here very directly. So I know when you and I chatted before, you have just some great perspective on any role you take. How do you go about building that solid foundation when you start a new role?   Kat:, You know, I came up through the accounting departments, specifically accounts receivable. So I was working with invoicing and collecting bills, and I experienced a lot of success in those jobs, so much so that I was moved into first supervisory and then management positions and eventually the C-suite role. And when I moved into my first CFO position, I worked with an amazing campus president who talked with me about the fact that my focus up to that point in time as the director of accounting for the organization and my prior professional experience, had been very much compliance focused. And that as her new director of finance, she needed me to be more of a fiscal partner to not only herself, but my peers on the leadership team. So, you know, that took me a little bit to figure out, because when you've been doing it for decades, it's easy to be a compliance goon. It's a little more difficult to figure out what being a finance partner looks like. I recognized that particularly when I was starting a new role like the one I did in VR five years ago. It was really important for me to understand who I needed to form relationships with, what the systems were that I was going to be utilizing to complete my work and to manage those that were completing the day in and day out of the accounting work that we were doing. And then also what were the policies, procedures and standards? So when I start a new job, I like lay out my first 100 days and I create myself a little Venn diagram that is all about those three things where at the intersection of that right in the middle, that's the work that I'm going to be doing for the organization planning, organizing, directing and monitoring their finances and the fiscal health of the organization.   Carol: I love that you have that people, systems and processes. I mean, I think that sweet spot in the middle where all of that intersects is really wonderful. You've talked to me before about this whole compliance goon fiscal partner, and I do like that approach. Can you talk a little more about what that really means to you and kind of how that's played out?   Kat: Yeah, it's really about people and about relationships in a vocational rehabilitation agency. We are helper humans and even fiscal employees, accountants, your travel coordinator, your payroll specialist. They need to be helper humans as well, because it's easy to get all wrapped up in the way we have to transact these certain things or the deadlines that the state lays down. If it's an enterprise wide system that you're using and sometimes lose sight of the fact that the people we are serving are actually the employees who are providing the direct service to the blind Oregonians that we serve at the Oregon Commission for the blind. So I have worked very hard to develop that in myself. And the way I've accomplished that is beginning first with the people I'm going to be serving and whether that's my boss, my peers, my employees, that to report directly to me, my employees that report indirectly to me or those other individuals in the larger organization, like the state's chief financial officer and the state's legislative fiscal office, and maybe the procurement office and the Payroll Services Office to make sure that I know what our place is, but also how we can provide the best possible services within that matrix that we operate in to those eventual end users that we're there to serve so that they don't ever have to worry about, am I going to get paid on time? Is my computer going to be working? Those kind of things I tell my staff when we're doing our jobs exceptionally well, nobody knows what we're doing. And then that allows them to focus on the work that they're doing with our clients.   Carol: How long do you think it takes, really, to get settled, especially coming into VR for a finance person? How long do you feel like you know what, I got this, I feel proficient what I'm doing because I think people have this idea that can come in. I was an accountant here or a CPA, or I've done something else. But you come into this program. How long do you feel it takes you to really get a handle on what's going on.   Kat: A full fiscal cycle in the state of Oregon, we operate on a biennium, so that's a full 24 months. I had been with the agency for two years before. I really felt like, oh, now I'm repeating things and there's a lot of repetition in a finance role, regardless of what role it is, there's a lot of repetition. But what makes it complicated in the VR world, in my state, for instance, is we have state fiscal years that end on June 30th, and then you have your federal fiscal year that ends on September 30th. So right there, those two things are out of sync. And then the VR awards in particular, are the most complicated revenue stream I've ever worked with. Braid those in with the general fund that you have to be on top of, which is truly available to you, and you can sometimes lobby for more. But there's a lot of politics and personalities that you have to deal with when you're trying to obtain more general fund for your agency, and then the limited amount of other funding. So I have been working as a finance director since 2009, and I would have to say that these last five years, it has been the most complicated fiscal management for an organization that I've ever touched upon in my career up to this point in time, because of those complexities between the state and the feds in fiscal years that don't align. And we're on a biennium where, you know, the federal awards are one year, and maybe you can get carryover if you do all the things you got to do to meet the requirements around March to get there.   Carol: And you're confirming what the feds say, because David Steele, who's the unit chief for the fiscal unit at RSA, he often says this is the most federally complex grant. And I remember hearing him a long time ago thinking, is it really? But yeah, it really it really is. Proof is in the pudding when you're actually doing that work. So given all of that complexity, how do you implement like strategies or things that you do to help your leadership, like literally be able to interpret and understand because it is like talking to different languages. And how do you get your whole executive team kind of on board with what's happening because you have these realizations and insights. But that isn't always apparent in the VR world, because a lot of people are not they're not math people. They're people people. They're social services people. They don't know about reading a spreadsheet. You just show them these numbers, and their eyes kind of glaze over and they hear you talking, but they don't know what you're saying.   Kat: Yeah. I think the first thing I try to do is keep it short and simple. And that's not to say that these individuals are not intelligent. They are highly intelligent, and they have skills and expertise that I'm incredibly impressed by. But I have different skills and expertise. And if I'm going to provide the information to them that allows them to make informed decisions about not only what we're doing in the present, but for the duration of whatever the fiscal period is that we're in and for the long term. Then I need to present the information in such a way that it's digestible. Now I work for a blind agency, so that means it needs to be accessible. I see a lot of spreadsheets that folks like myself love to create. You know, it's fun to get in there and do the color coding and the formatting and have multiple tabs that support your summary. Conclusions and charts are then the next best thing in the world, right? You can spend a lot of time on that. And yet my director of rehabilitation services can't see any of it, can't read any of it. So what I need to create for her and for the other 20% of the employees at my agency that is usable and digestible is very straightforward spreadsheets that are readable by the assistive technology they use in order to do their jobs. The other thing that I do to try and help the leadership team, and my executive director in particular is I insist upon regular report outs. It's really easy to be just like, yeah, yeah, Kats got it. Budget to actuals are going to be fine. She knows we don't want to leave any general fund on the table at the end of the biennium. She'll let us know how we're doing with match, but she'll take care of all of it. And what I let them know is I report on the money, but I don't decide how it's spent. I know what's in the purse, but the executive director is holding the purse strings and you all are influencing that spend. So by insisting upon regular report outs, I review budget to actual data summary grant reporting, cash reporting on at least a weekly basis. Right now I'm reviewing that more like 2 to 3 times a week, because it's the end of the biennium and startup of a new one, but the management team gets finalized reporting once a month that is based on the accounting close. And not only do we distribute that to them with the highlights, we want to pinpoint in written format, but then I also present on that every month at the leadership team meeting, when we're reviewing other results for the month and other measures that matter to us.   Carol: I think that's really super good advice for our listeners. I've seen it all across the country. I mean, I've seen where sometimes fiscal people, they are calling all the shots. They aren't that partner. They're like, hey, I'm the one that knows you all can't do math. I'm deciding. I'm doing. People are signing for the director. You know, they're sending stuff in. Directors get it? Zero clue. And while that can be a way to operate. Boy, highly not advisable. Because at the end of the day, the director is the one holding the bag. You know, the buck stops with them. If something goes wrong, something happened. They're the one. And those are the ones that end up getting fired or whatever it may be. So I'm always on the new director end of things. Encouraging people to learn as much as they can. And it's just like learning anything. You take one step at a time, one item at a time, one cell on the spreadsheet to gain understanding. You're not going to be instantly an accountant, but you can get to a level understanding where you hear what's happening. So I appreciate that you've had that experience, because I think you always bring so much to any conversation. Having worked in a blind agency, when you're thinking about how am I going to convey information in a way people can read it for one with assistive technology, not make it so fancy that you kind of lose sight really, of what is trying to be conveyed. So I think you really have great advice there and that you're the partner. I mean, you're advising and then the director's deciding. I think that's a really lovely partnership. What have been your biggest surprises and lessons learned in this role?   Kat: Well, first and foremost, it is more complicated than budgets, significantly larger than what I'm dealing with now because of the interplay of federal and state. Some of the surprises that came to me early on were around the timelines and how important it is to create a calendar of key events that not only takes everything going on with your state into consideration, but all those federal timelines, particularly the federal reporting timelines. We now, after five years, talk about the months between October 1st and the end of January as federal reporting season, because between the support we provide to program with some of their program reports that have fiscal elements in them, and then all of the federal financial reports that have to be submitted during that period of time. There's 18 different reports that my grant accountant and I prepare, review, discuss, and then, of course, go over with the program directors before they are ever submitted to our federal funding partners.   Carol: I'm a huge fan of the calendar. I just have to say, I literally we get calls. I had one of the finance directors from one state. He will remain unnamed, but he calls me on April 30th and he's like, please don't tell me a report is due today, and I'm like, uh, yeah, this is gonna be a really bad day. He said, I gotta go, and he, like, hangs up the phone. I'm like, calendar this stuff. You need the calendar. Oh my gosh. Drives me crazy.   Kat: It's important. And I mean, one of the surprises that came to me is I started with the commission in August of 2020, and a couple of days after I arrived, my senior accountant and we have a small shop. At that time I only had one accountant and two accounting technicians. My senior accountant went out on a family leave of absence about two weeks early. So here I was, no VR experience trying to figure out what the heck I'm doing. I don't even have access to most of the systems. And as it turns out, as the agency security officer, I give everybody else access. But nobody knew how to give me access. So that was an interesting start. And when she came back from her leave, she said to me, so how did that SF 425 report submission going? I'm like, what? SF 425 report submission. So I missed I started my career with the Commission for the blind by missing a federal Financial Report submission.   Carol: Oh my gosh.   Kat: I'm still here. So I guess it wasn't the end of the world that we were late with one report.   Carol: How do you find it so different between like government accounting compared to the other accounting work you've done? I always hear from people that go, government accounting is like nothing else I've ever been exposed to.   Kat: Yeah, it is very different in that having worked in the private sector and the for profit sector for a number of decades, obviously you're looking for efficiencies and effective ways of doing business that drive your bottom line. The profit imperative is just that don't be fooled by what the for profit organizations say they're really about. Making money is what it's all about in the end. But in the public sector and definitely for the government, one of the things that it took me a bit to wrap my head around was the difference between budget and revenue, and I like the way my executive director describes it to other directors that you have to be paying attention to what's going on with your budget, not because that means that's the amount of money you have to spend is because, particularly with federal funding, that is what you have authority to spend. That doesn't mean you have that revenue to spend. So figuring out how to keep track of where am I at, actually, with my approved budget and my limitations on the federal fund and other fund that I operate with? And where am I actually at with cash available to me through my federal grants, was something else that was very new to me, because every place I'd been before budget was budget. You had that to spend, even in higher education, in the public sector. It was like I had that budget to work with for the entire fiscal cycle. Not true here. So you really have to be paying attention to that difference between budget and revenue. I started to say my executive director describes this to other directors. She tries to put it as think about budget as being the line of credit. If you had a credit card in your wallet. Think about it as the line of credit that you could spend up to, but your revenue is actually how much money you actually get paid. So if you have a $50,000 line of credit, but your income for the year is only going to be $25,000, you're going to have a problem when you spend up to that line of credit.   Carol: That is such an awesome point. We have seen lately. There's been some really interesting things with the budget Authority, and this has to do with kind of the reverse, where for whatever reason, you have a federal grant say you get $100 million. But the legislature has said we are only going to give you $90 million of budget authority. And that's cropped up more and more. And so people forget because you've got program income coming in and you've got other kind of sources of these revenues. And the legislature has set this limit. And so you're bumping on it, but your eye is over here. You're looking at well, yeah, but I've got I can match and I can draw these funds. But for whatever reason the legislature hasn't given you enough authority to actually maximize and utilize everything available to you. That is super concerning for folks. And the thing they weren't watching. Really?   Kat: Yeah. And we all know of a state recently that got into difficulties with that. The thing to keep in mind with that too. And we were in a spot where we had to go back to the legislature and ask for an increase in our spending authority, which is even more complicated than going to just the legislative body, because we have a governing board of commissioners. So first we have to go to the commissioners and get approval to take this before the legislature. And there is a lot of months of lead time in order to accomplish those things in the correct order. We needed to do it because we were fortunate enough to receive an additional sum in the Re allotment process last summer, so we were going to be okay with the amount of revenue we were expecting with the existing authority we had to spend. My concern, of course, was we don't got enough money to get through the end of the state fiscal year, let alone the federal fiscal year. So we went after re allotment. Then I didn't have enough authority on the federal side, so we had to get permission from our board of commissioners. Then of course, go through the legislative process to increase our federal fund limitation.   Carol: Well, and that's a whole other probably lesson learned is the whole legislative process and those cycles for the legislature and all of that. That is no small feat to understand. I'm sure your calendaring all of those dates as well.   Kat: I am. Our agency is small enough that not only am I the finance director, I'm also the budget coordinator, so it's helpful to me at the same time. My office is situated a couple hours away from the state capitol where the legislature meets. So for a hearing before Joint Ways and Means, for instance, that maybe is going to last five minutes. It's a four hour round trip, but I go down there for those meetings and I'm ready to answer any questions should they come.   Carol: That's excellent. That's excellent. Now, I know you have been, are particularly like vocal finance director and participate in things. You've done a great job with networking, and I understand you have a bit of a fan club at CSAVR. So what happened there? What's going on with that?   Kat: You know, one of our asks of all of our staff is that they be on camera when we're in virtual meetings, and it's in part because as a blind agency, we are trying to help our clients be prepared for virtual meeting environments as we're helping them launch into the working world. So we need to model those behaviors, right? So I just developed the habit of whenever I'm speaking, even in large group meetings, like the community of practice that you and your team run is that I'll not only come off of mute, but I'll come off of having my camera shuttered so that people can see me talking. I don't know why, but it's become muscle memory, right? Well, as a result of that, because I have a lot to share at times and I want to help others the way I was helped when I first started by fiscal directors with more experience that had been, you know, around the block a couple of times. I like to try and offer up my contact information as well, so people can feel free to reach out and get in touch with me. So when we were at CSAVR the last session, kind of surprisingly, my director and I were walking around and there was a couple of folks that, as we passed, were like, your Kat, right? Your Kat from Oregon blind. And I'm like, I am. And they said, you know how helpful it was. Some of the things that I had berbled out in one of the community of practice meetings and that it had really helped them wrap their head around the topic or the concept or whatever it may be, and also then have conversations with their leadership team and their executive directors, which I was kind of blushing, but I appreciated hearing that what I had done was helpful to others.   Carol: Oh, 100%. We hear it all the time. Whenever you come on and you give some advice and people be like, that really helped me. You know, we've had folks come back the next month and they're like, that really helped me. I was able to talk to our finance people and whatever, you know, any of the things. They were so excited. You've been an immense help. So let me spin that a little different way. Maybe you can help some of our directors. So fiscal folks are coming and going just as quickly as directors and executive leadership. What suggestions would you have for those VR leaders that are hiring fiscal staff? Because sometimes people think they're bringing in somebody and it's going to be the best thing since sliced bread. And then they're like, this didn't work out at all.   Kat: Yeah.   Carol: So I think folks, especially when you're talking to non-math people and such, they don't tend to know. What should they ask?   Kat: Yeah that's a tough one because on paper it is really hard to assess somebody's education and their stated experience in the positions that they've had before. If you're not a finance person and even understanding the difference between accounting and finance, I have to explain to people again that are really intelligent individuals. I mean, they have their master's degree in counseling and rehabilitation. And yet explaining the difference between accounting and finance is something that I do pretty regularly. My first suggestion to directors would be, if you are at all uncomfortable with accessing the written materials that you're receiving in terms of resumes and a well-written cover letter, find somebody in your state that knows a little bit about fiscal and accounting, or rely upon a recruiter. If you're using the state's chief human resource office to help you assess not only the minimum qualifications that you should be asking for when you're going to turn over millions of dollars to an individual who is going to be responsible for planning, organizing, directing, monitoring and reporting on that money, but also in your preferred qualifications. Look for things like foundational knowledge of appropriations and grants. I don't put that as a minimum qualification because I didn't come in with foundational knowledge around appropriations and grants, but I'm eminently teachable. So that's another thing to look for, is, is this somebody that's a lifelong learner? Do they like a good challenge? Are they good with change and do they know how to lead change? I've experienced this quite a bit in the state of Oregon. We have, since I've arrived, adopted two different enterprise wide solutions for payroll and time tracking, contract management and procurement that we didn't really have a choice to adopt these, but the implementations were intended for very large agencies, and we're an agency of 67 employees. So figuring out how to do these things that you're required to use by the larger organization, that you are a part of being the state at your agency to complete the work that you're going to do is somebody that really needs to be a quick learner that's adaptable, and that can lead change because technology is influencing all of our lives and with what's coming with AI, it's going to continue. And these are good things, but it can be tiring if you think you're going to get in the door as a finance director, and it's all going to be business as usual after you've completed that first fiscal cycle. The other things executive directors could look for are somebody that is curious. I think I mentioned flexibility, but adaptability is very important. When I was interviewing for my role, our VR director, who is fully blind, said to me, how are you going to present materials to me so that I am able to access them and read them? And for me, that was like a oh, how exciting, a new opportunity to take my knowledge and present it in such a way that somebody that I've never worked with before, having a visual impairment or blindness, can also use it. So what do I need to do differently to meet their needs? Not expecting them to accept whatever it is I'm pushing out their way and be just like here it is. If you don't get it, well, that's too bad. The last thing I would mention, and this is just because your fiscal director does have a great deal of access, it's important to remain diligent in managing that employee, just like you would any of your other direct reports. I am fully aware of the responsibility that I have for these millions of dollars that our taxpayers dollars, when all is said and done. So you know you don't want to be so trusting of the person that's managing your finances, that you set yourself up for any kind of a situation where maybe a good person does something not so good because they're in a very difficult spot. So that's where even if you don't know, finance, finding somebody in your own professional network that maybe knows a little bit more about this, that even if you ever have a slight inkling, you can say, hey, you know, my finance director told me this. Can we noodle that around just a little bit? Because I want to make sure that it's all okay. Based on your years of experience doing this and your relationship with your finance director.   Carol: That's good advice.   Kat: Yeah. I don't mean to be skeptical. I think it's just realistic to know that when you have access to and the ability to move around millions of dollars, you should be diligent in managing them just like you would anybody else.   Carol: And things have happened across the country in years past, and people have lost jobs and all kinds of things. So it is no joke. That is excellent advice. Do you have any final kind of words of wisdom for our listeners?   Kat: Don't be afraid to admit what you don't know. I mean, early on in my career, as I was being promoted into management positions, I was like, fake it till you make it right and we can all do that. But the further I've progressed and the older I've gotten, I've developed some of that crone wisdom that comes at this decade of your life, which is, boy, there's a whole lot I don't know. And there are people out there that have been doing this for a while. So who do I need to meet? Who do I need to form a relationship with? Who can be my buddy? And then how can I pay that forward? And that would be the other advice is if somebody has helped you out, pay it forward, help the next new person out that got their eyes crossed and looking overwhelmed when they're trying to figure out what in the world is re allotment, let alone carryover and maintenance of effort.   Carol: Oh my gosh. Well Kat, I really appreciate your wisdom and your honesty. You are so direct. I love it for our listeners. If you're a  leader or fiscal staff or share this episode with somebody new in the role, they do not have to do this alone. Thanks so much for joining me today, Kat.   Kat: Thank you Carol.   {Music} Outro Voice: Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time, brought to you by the VR TAC for Quality Management. Catch all of our podcast episodes by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening!

Back on the Blazers Beat for The Oregonian, Joe Freeman returns to the Ticker to discuss what intrigues him most about where the franchise is at, and how different the mood is around the team than when he was last on the beat 5 years ago.

Covering the Oregon State Beavers for The Oregonian, Ryan Clarke joins the guys to preview this season and the biggest storylines for Trent Bray's team in year 2 of his tenure.

In the late 2000s, unexplained mass die-offs of oysters at Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery in Tillamook, Oregon helped scientists uncover a major threat to coastal ecosystems: ocean acidification.    Today, Oregon’s coast remains one of the areas most affected by this phenomenon. Each summer, deep ocean waters rich in carbon dioxide and low in oxygen rise to the surface — a natural process known as upwelling — creating corrosive conditions that make it harder for shellfish like oysters and crabs to form shells and survive.    Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Oregon State University are currently on a scientific cruise to track acidification and low oxygen levels in real time along the Oregonian coast. Zachary Gold, a researcher with NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Lab joins us to share what scientists are seeing right now in Oregon’s waters.  Alan Barton, production manager at Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery, talks about what these conditions mean for local shellfish growers and how they’re working to adapt.  

DHM Research Senior Vice President John Horvick is very well known in the research world in Oregon, his public opinion work is used by companies, cities, counties and the state for many reasons. We discuss many things during the episode relevant to Oregon politics, especially the amazing top issue that is dominating every Oregonians thoughts. https://www.dhmresearch.com/insights/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.crosstabs.studio

The 1930s were a golden age of aviation, as famous pilots like Amelia Earhart made flights once thought impossible and inspired new curiosity about the skies. At the time, more and more women were learning to fly in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, some of the first Chinese American women ever to earn pilots licenses grew up in the same tight-knit Chinese community in Portland. On this week’s show, we learn about two of these barrier-breaking pilots: Hazel Ying Lee and Leah Hing. Their passion for flying cemented their roles in the history of a country which sought to exclude them. We’ll hear how they’re remembered today - by their loved ones, by Portlanders, by Americans - at a time when so much history is intentionally being forgotten.   Watch the OPB “Oregon Experience” video about Hazel Ying Lee, “Her Name Means ‘Hero.’”For episodes of The Evergreen, and to share your voice with us, visit our showpage. Follow OPB on Instagram, and follow host Jenn Chávez too. You can sign up for OPB’s newsletters to get what you need in your inbox regularly.   Don’t forget to check out our many podcasts, which can be found on any of your favorite podcast apps: Hush Timber Wars Season 2: Salmon Wars Politics Now Think Out Loud And many more! Check out our full show list here.

Happy Thursday Edition of the Program!! R.I.P Hulk Hogan!! 20 Most Interesting takes us to Eugene Oregon for a look at The Ducks. The UFL could be coming to Columbus. Joe Burrow talks at Bengals Camp. The Browns released an alternate uniform that created some buzz. Dan Lanning and James Franklin took their turns at Big Ten Media Days. ESPN's Paul Finebaum, James Crepea of the Oregonian, What's Up, Emails, Higher or Lower, Thing or Not a Thing and 3 Things

President Donald Trump has spent his first six months back in the White House using broad executive orders and aggressive raids and deportations to overhaul longstanding immigration practices. The unpredictability of these actions has stoked fear and confusion among immigrant communities across the country – and in Oregon.On this week’s OPB Politics Now, reporters Conrad Wilson, Troy Brynelson and Alex Zielinski help us understand how federal immigration policies under this administration are impacting the lives of Oregonians – and how advocates, lawyers and the courts are stepping in.

Show 15-29 Summary: Judicial Watch sued Oregon to clean up its voter rolls, which JW called “the dirtiest in the nation.” Oregonians are not surprised by this. Oregon didn't deny its rolls are dirty. But Oregon claimed JW and its clients had no standing and asked a judge to toss the lawsuit. That hearing was … Read More Read More The post 15-29 Still Waiting | Oregon's Dirty Voter Rolls in Limbo appeared first on The I Spy Radio Show.

He had the Dame coming back to Rip City story first...Bill Oram hops on the Ticker to discuss how the reunion came together and what it means for the franchise, for the roster and for the fan base.

Krista Catwood, also known by the stage name Vera Mysteria, can be found at the Lloyd Center mall every Sunday leading Portlanders in a group workout. But the exercises aren’t done on machines and do not take place in a retail space — instead, they’re done throughout the entire mall. As first reported in the Oregonian, Catwood, armed with a neon track suit and a Bluetooth speaker, leads a group ranging from ages 8 to 80 on a power walk throughout the mall with '80s music blasting behind them. The group is known as the Food Court 5000, started off with a group of eight that has now grown to upwards of 70 people at its highest. Catwood joins us to share why she started the Food Court 5000 and more.

Tim Gruver reports for the Washington Observer in Olympia on housing, labor, and the environment. He's also a 2020 Poynter-Koch Media fellow whose work has appeared in Politico, The Oregonian, and Pluribus News.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rural Oregonians are done with the state. They want out, but not moving out; they want to change the borders to join Idaho. This is a very interesting idea that's got a lot of steam and some opposition. But before you write it off as crazy, get your facts right here.

John Rossman, former Amazon executive and author of "The Amazon Way," discusses Amazon's 14 leadership principles and their application to modern businesses. As a fifth-generation Oregonian who worked at Amazon from 2002-2005, Rossman witnessed the company's transformation into a platform company. He emphasizes customer obsession, the importance of simplifying work processes, and ownership mentality. His latest book "Big Bet Leadership" provides a playbook for organizational transformation in the hyper-digital era, focusing on systematic experimentation and long-term thinking. TAKEAWAYS Customer Obsession Beyond Transactions: Practice both tactical customer service and strategic curiosity about customers' broader needs upstream and downstream of current interactions. Simplify Before Innovating: Focus on zero-based redesign and radical simplification of work processes before adding new technologies - most companies have calcified layers that need unwinding. Ownership Mindset for Long-term Success: Think enterprise-wide beyond your role, never say "that's not my job," and refuse to sacrifice long-term value for short-term results. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

This week, Oregon High School students sought a ban on transgender athletes via a federal lawsuit. Trump's “border czar” threatened to crack down on Portland. And we looked at the flurry of housing bills that made it through our legislative session. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week's Friday news roundup are Oregonian courts reporter Zane Sparling and executive producer John Notarianni.  Discussed in Today's Episode: Oregon High School Students Seek Ban on Transgender Athletes With Federal Lawsuit [Oregonian]  ‘I'm Gonna Head to Portland': Federal ‘Border Czar' Claims Crackdown on Sanctuary Cities [KOIN]  Valiant Firefighter Stand Against ICE in Bell [TikTok]  Lawmakers Passed Slate of Bills Meant To Address State's ‘Woefully Short' Housing Supply [Oregon Capital Chronicle] Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here.  Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 11th episode: D'Amore Law Biketown PDX - Use code CITYCAST25 for a free unlock Kenai-Red Fresh Company Guilds with Benefits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a marathon session on Wednesday night, Republican lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives are poised to pass a massive tax and spending bill which President Trump has said he wants to sign on July 4. On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate passed their version of the bill after a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance. The bill passed by the Senate is expected to add $3.3 trillion to the federal deficit, according to the Congressional Budget Office, while making steep cuts to Medicaid benefits to help pay for trillions of dollars in tax cuts.    In Oregon, roughly 1 in 3 residents get their insurance through Medicaid. According to Oregon Health Authority’s Medicaid director Emma Sandoe, an estimated  100,000 to 200,000 Oregonians could lose their Medicaid benefits under the bill. On Wednesday, Gov. Tina Kotek and former Gov. John Kitzhaber, the architect of Oregon’s state Medicaid program, urged U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz of Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District to vote against the bill. Bentz is the sole Republican member of Oregon’s Congressional delegation and roughly 40% of the residents in his district are enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan. Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter of Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District is a pulmonary and critical care physician by training who testified against the bill on Capitol Hill and introduced amendments to it which were blocked by Republicans. She joins us to talk about the impacts of the Medicaid cuts for Oregonians and the new work and recertification requirements for Medicaid enrollees. “Think Out Loud” also made multiple attempts to request Rep. Bentz to participate in this conversation.

When Susan Kuhnhausen came home from work on a September evening in 2006, she noticed something felt…off. Minutes later, a man charged at her from the shadows with a hammer in hand. What followed was a shocking and harrowing fight for survival—and an investigation that uncovered a dark and twisted plot involving betrayal, manipulation, and a hitman with a violent past. This week, we tell the story of Susan and Michael Kuhnhausen, a case that forces us to ask: how well can you ever really know the person you married?Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/LoveMarryKillToday's snack: Loaded totchosSources:https://www.wweek.com/news/2016/08/17/a-hit-man-came-to-kill-susan-kuhnhausen-she-survived-he-didnt/Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry? S2 E14, “No Bigger Gamble”https://blurredbylines.com/articles/susan-kuhnhausen-walters-survivor-hitman-portland/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2014/06/portlander_who_hired_hitman_to.htmlhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/intruder-killed-by-nurse-was-hit-man/https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueCrimeDiscussion/comments/1f7i45a/surviving_the_unthinkable_the_susan_kuhnhausen/ https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2014/04/woman_who_fatally_strangled_hi.html https://www.facebook.com/Susan.WaltersRN Martinis, Cheryl. “Lincoln City woman's threats allegedly led to her rape, death.” The Oregonian, Jan. 25, 1994, p. B10.Bernstein, Maxine. “Intruder strangled by nurse: A hitman?” The Oregonian, Sep. 15, 2006, p. A1.Peterson, Anne M. “Police say nurse killed ‘hit man'”. The Huntsville Times, Sep. 17, 2006, p. A16.Associated Press. “Portland man accused of murder-for-hire plot denied release on bail.” The Bulletin (Bend, Oregon), Dec. 30, 2006, p. C3.Saker, Anne. “Man admits plot to kill his wife.” The Oregonian, Aug. 30, 2007, p. B1. Saker, Anne. “‘I am damaged. But I am not destroyed.” The Oregonian, Sep. 8, 2007, p. A1. Green, Aimee. “Jury grants $1 million to wife in murder plot.” The Oregonian, Mar. 7, 2008, p. B4.Tara the hero cat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEa6jZv-Khc 

Artist Fred Grandy grew up in Oregon with five sisters and one brother. The family also lived in Washington for a time. As an adult, Grandy moved around the country, with stints in California, Louisiana, Kentucky and Virginia. But his last days were spent in Ukraine, volunteering with a group that helped to clear up debris after Russian bombings. His sister, Bend resident Sietska Reed, says he had taken off on an open-ended trip to Western Europe but found himself drawn to Poland and then Ukraine. Reed said her brother felt he was where he needed to be to help Ukrainians in a small but tangible way. Grandy was angry, she said, about President Donald Trump’s embrace of Russia, which invaded Ukraine, and also wanted to represent the many Americans who are horrified by Trump’s actions and demonstrate support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. She says the family was notified last week by the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine that her brother was among those killed in one of the heaviest Russian attacks on Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Reed joins us, along with her son Kennith Reed and her brother Jim Grandy to remember Fred and tell his story as they think he would want it told.  

Sports Columnist for The Oregonian, Bill Oram returns to the show with thoughts on what the Anfernee Simons indicates to him, how much more activity we should expect from Joe Cronin this offseason, and what would be a win for the Blazers in the Draft tonight.

When authors want to talk about their book they go on a book tour and often they go to large companies like Microsoft and speak to us in person. I had the opportunity to interview Dave Berry in person and I jumped at it. I grew up reading his humor column syndicated in The Oregonian, and his brand of sarcasm and dry humor matches mine. This episode is that raw recording in association with and with the permission of Microsoft's Outside in Lecture Series program.  He was a lovely gentleman and we enjoyed spending time together, so if it seems like we're picking on each other, we are.Dave Barry's Class Clown: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass

By 2050, roughly one in four Oregonians will be age 65 or older. In rural Lincoln County, older adults already make up about a third of the population, representing one of the fastest-aging communities in the state.“Think Out Loud” recently traveled to Newport to talk about healthy aging — the social connections and habits that can help people thrive as they get older, as well as the programs and policies communities should consider as their populations age.Jan Molnar Fitzgerald is the executive director of North End Senior Solutions, which includes an adult day service. Helen Beaman is the older adult behavioral health specialist for Lincoln and Tillamook counties. Randi Moore is the director of Senior, Disability, and Community Services Programs for the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments. And Debby Rhein volunteers for some of the council’s programs, including as a Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent.They joined us in front of a live audience at the Newport 60+ Activity Center to talk about the civic and social infrastructure that can lead to healthy aging on the Oregon Coast.                

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I delve into the subject of church camp with guest Cara Meredith, a speaker, writer, and public theologian. The discussion revolves around Cara's book 'Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, and How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation,' examining the complex nature of church camps. Cara emphasizes the importance of holding both the positive and negative aspects of camp life, discussing the formative experiences alongside the theological and social harms encountered. The conversation provides insights into maintaining nuanced views, fostering dialogue with children about their experiences, and imagining better ways to cultivate genuine spiritual growth and inclusivity in camp environments.A sought-after speaker, writer, and public theologian, Cara Meredith is the author of Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, and How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation and The Color of Life: A Journey Toward Love and Racial Justice. She has been featured in national media outlets such as The Oregonian, The New York Times, The Living Church, The Christian Century, and Baptist News Global, among others. Passionate about justice, spirituality, and storytelling alike, Cara holds a master of theology from Fuller Seminary and is a postulant for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church. With a background in education and nonprofit work, Cara also works part-time as the Director of Development for Made for PAX Co, an organization dedicated to providing mentorship and vocational resources to emerging creatives, contemplatives, church leaders, and community builders of color.   When she's not working, you'll likely find her reading a book, tinkering around in the garden, or hanging out with her family. She is proud to call Oakland, California home.Follow Cara Meredith @carameredithwrites:FacebookInstagramSubstackThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

The Oregonian's investigative reporter Yesenia Amaro talks on Beat Check about the recent immigration enforcement ramp-up, Trump's approach to immigration and the impact on Oregon communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ada Gallagher was an artsy kid who joined the track team at Portland’s McDaniel High School at the urging of her friends. It turns out, not only was she was good at running, she also enjoyed it. Last year, Gallagher won first place in the 200-meter race at the Class 6A state track meet. Earlier this year, Fox News posted a video of her performance in a 400-meter race at a meet. The national attention came because Ada is a member of a very small but controversial population: a transgender female athlete. In February, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” that aimed to ban transgender women from competing in girls and women’s sports. After Ada’s win in the 400, the Trump administration launched an investigation into Portland Public Schools and the Oregon School Activities Association for allegedly violating Title IX. Bill Oram, sports reporter at the Oregonian, and Ada Gallagher join us to talk about what it has been like to be at the center of national attention, and why she and her family are choosing to leave the country.

"McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday's 9am hour of Mac & Cube got underway with a final decision as to whether or not one play decides a game; then, James Crepea, Oregon & Big Ten reporter for The Oregonian, tells us where the ceiling is for the Ducks, and why Nebraska is a Big Ten dark horse; later, Cole lays out why the Big Ten is so intriguing this year; and finally, we finish up our irreplaceable SEC players discussion. "McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the digital age, true crime content has exploded in popularity across podcasts, social media and streaming platforms. But with this growth comes a troubling trend: The blurring of verified facts and speculative theories.   On a recent episode of Beat Check with the Oregonian, guests Emily Reeder and Ashley Desanno from the Books with Your Besties podcast discussed this challenge while reflecting on their coverage of the Kyron Horman case, the 7-year-old Portland boy that went missing in 2010.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2010, digital tools for journalists were emerging, but the gritty, time-intensive methods of traditional reporting still dominated newsrooms. The disappearance of 7-year-old Kyron Horman from his Portland elementary school thrust The Oregonian's journalists into a high-stakes investigation that demanded old-school techniques now increasingly rare in today's fast-paced media environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Both the latest federal point-in-time count and Multnomah County's own recent data on our area's homeless population show that a serious homelessness crisis remains on Portland's streets. Today, we're talking with Oregonian reporter Lillian Mongeau Hughes to get caught up on where we are with solutions. We're finding out what the latest numbers actually tell us, what every level of government is doing about the issue, and when we'll actually know what next year's homelessness services will look like in our city. For Further Reading: Homelessness Continues To Rise in Portland Area Even as Increased Services Help Thousands [Oregonian ] Officials Now Have a Much Better Idea of How Many Homeless People Live in Multnomah County. It's a Lot [Oregonian

When a child goes missing, the first hours can be critical. In Kyron Horman's case, investigators didn't even know he was missing until about six hours had passed — a devastating delay that may have forever altered the trajectory of one of Oregon's most haunting unsolved cases. In a recent discussion on the Beat Check with The Oregonian podcast, veteran crime reporter Maxine Bernstein highlighted this critical timeline as perhaps the most consequential element of the 2010 disappearance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A trio of journalists joined Editor Therese Bottomly on Monday's episode of “Beat Check with The Oregonian” to talk about the 2020 street protests that started in Portland after the police killing of George Floyd. Multimedia journalist Beth Nakamura, social media producer Ryan Fernandez, and reporter Zane Sparling (who covered protests for the Portland Tribune) join the conversation. On this episode of Beat Check, we talk about: --The physical dangers journalists faced on the streets from tear gas, munitions, crowding --Direct police violence against journalists --The three chapters of the 150-plus nights of protest --The role of live streamers --The fatal shooting in downtown after a pro-Trump caravan arrived in the city Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2022, Oregonians passed Measure 111, which amends the state constitution to declare access to affordable healthcare a right for every citizen. As it happens, this was the first ballot Derek voted on when moving to the state. Now that the long journey to universal healthcare is a reality in Oregon, what does that actually entail? Derek is joined by two members of the nonprofit organization, Health Care for All Oregon: Collin Stackhouse, the Social Media Coordinator, and Rebecca Schoon, an Associate Professor of Public Health at Pacific University, who's on the board. Together, they map out the journey ahead. Health Care for All Oregon Measure 111 passes, giving Oregonians a constitutional right to access affordable health care Maga's era of ‘soft eugenics': let the weak get sick, help the clever breed Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices