Podcasts about Oregonian

Today on the midweek news roundup, we're digging into the mixed signals about Portland's economy. On one hand, unemployment isn't especially high. But on the other, new data show the Portland metro area has lost more jobs over the past few years than almost anywhere else in the country. Oregonian technology and economy reporter Mike Rogoway joins us to explain what's actually going on. Plus, we're digging into our mailbag. 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 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 March 11th episode International School of Portland Cascadia Getaways D'Amore Law

 As a company, Oregon-based Nike has previously said that the average factory worker in the 13 countries it has contracts with is paid twice the amount of the local minimum wage. Past reporting from ProPublic found that less than 1% of Cambodian workers made that. Now, a new story from the publication, in partnership with The Oregonian/OregonLive, found that workers in Indonesia also do not reach that standard. On top of that, the reporting found that Nike is also shifting much of its manufacturing to parts of the country that are less-developed and where workers make much less. Rob Davis is a reporter covering the Northwest for ProPublica. Matt Kish is the business reporter for The Oregonian. They join us to share more on what their reporting revealed.  

Representative Vikki Breese Iverson joins the podcast to discuss her big win for the ag community in Oregon. HB 4153 passed both chambers to really give farmers clarity in Oregon over Farm Stores. Reagan and Bryan then discussed the new issues Oregonians care about versus a year ago. Going to be a wild 2026 in politics.https://www.dhmresearch.com/housing-affordability-faces-continual-doubts-in-oregon/ 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

Today, we're looking into the wild drama surrounding the only Oregonian in President Trump's Cabinet, the legal fights and political fallout over the gas tax bill, and a neighborhood clinic that's closing after being bought by a healthcare mega-corporation. Joining executive producer John Notarianni on this week's Friday news roundup are Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel and our very own newsletter editor, Rachel Monahan. Discussed in today's episode: Democrats' Bill Altering Oregon Gas Tax Vote Is Illegal, Lawsuit Claims [OPB] Labor Secretary's Top Aides Forced Out [New York Times] The Death of a Portland Clinic [Willamette Week] 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 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 March 6th episode Discover Newport Neo Home Loans

Ian and Sujewa engage in a monstrous battle over the new indie film, His Monster!An Oregonian alcoholic named James (Gabriel Casdorph) struggles to overcome the dissolution of his marriage following a tragedy. Complicating matters is the sudden appearance of an ancient evil monster who begins attacking people in James' orbit.This contentious, spoilerific deep dive is a prime example of how two people can take away two very different experiences of the same film.Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the His Monster (2025) trailer.Follow Compassionate Disaster Films for info on all upcoming His Monster festival screenings: Watch Sujewa's recent interview with His Monster writer/director Erich Cannon.Support Sujewa's new film project, 53 Spaceships, the latest adventure of Cosmic Disco Detective Rene!Watch Sujewa's latest film, Cosmic Disco Detective Rene for free on YouTube! Rent The Secret Society for Slow Romance (the predecessor to Cosmic Disco Detective Rene).Follow Sujewa on X.Check out all the episodes in our “IndieSeen” Playlist!

Portland Public Schools was already staring down a $50 million budget deficit for the next school year. Then, last week, the district announced it will be $10 million short this year, too. Today on City Cast Portland, Oregonian education reporter Julia Silverman is here to check in on the district's current financial straits, what it will take to cover the costs, and why there are still reasons for optimism inside Portland's largest school district.  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 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 March 5th episode: Discover Newport Neo Home Loans

Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about the city official vowing to keep Portland's ICE facility open, PacifiCorp's liability in a class action lawsuit over the 2020 wildfires topping $1 billion, the recycling company that dumped 17 tons of plastic in a local landfill, and so much more. Plus, we've got event picks to help you make the most of the first week of March. Joining executive producer John Notarianni for this midweek news roundup is our very own senior producer, Giulia Fiaoni. This episode incorrectly attributes Portland Mercury reporter Jeremiah Hayden's article to the Oregonian. We regret this mistake.  Discussed in today's episode: Portland City Administrator Tells Staff ICE Facility Will Remain Open [Portland Mercury] PacifiCorp Wildfire Liabilities in Class Action Suit Surpass $1 Billion, Continue To Soar [Oregonian]   A Recycling Company Improperly Dumped 17 Tons of Plastic in a Landfill. It Has Millions of Dollars in Government Contracts [Oregonian]  Oregon Moves Toward 1-Year Moratorium on Some Data Center Tax Breaks [Oregonian]  Oregon Legislature Passes Bill To Stop Speculative Ticket Sales [Willamette Week]   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 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 March 4th episode Discover Newport Neo Home Loans

It's Tuesday, March 3, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson, Timothy Reed and Adam McManus Taliban back in control in Afghanistan After 20 years of U.S. conflict in Afghanistan, the Taliban is back in control. Here's the latest. The Associated Press reports that the new Afghan penal code allows husbands to beat their wives, criminalizes criticism of the nation's leadership, and bans education for women beyond primary school.  And the Afghan-Pakistani War is heating up. According to recent numbers from Afghan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, 415 soldiers with the Taliban have died and 580 have been injured. Republicans support and Democrats oppose Iranian attack Here in the United States, there's a sharp partisan divide with Americans concerning the latest war with Iran.   An Ipsos/Reuters survey finds that 55% of Republican voters are in favor of the U.S. attack on Iran. Only 13% opposed it. And 7% of Democrats support the attack while 74% oppose.  Thus far, as of Monday — the casualties racking up in the war include 555 Iranian deaths, 31 Lebanese deaths, 10 Israeli deaths, and 4 American deaths.  Time on Doomsday Clock Ever heard of The Doomsday Clock?  Sponsored by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, it warns the public about how close we are to destroying our world with dangerous technologies of our own making. It is a metaphor, a reminder, of the perils we must address if we are to survive on the planet. As of January 2026, the Doomsday Clock was moved to T-minus 85 seconds.  That's down from 17 minutes in 1992, and 5 minutes in 2012.   China, Russia, and France's place in the nuclear arms race Recent estimates put China's spending on its nuclear arsenal at $12.5 to $14 billion for 2024 and 2025. The communist country is outspending every nation except the United States. News reports point to Russia's development of a nuclear weapon to be detonated in space. And, just yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to increase the size of the French nuclear arsenal, as the second nuclear arms race progresses. Psalm 46:8-9 instructs us to “Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the Earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the Earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.” Evidence a Mexican cartel bribe Mexican politicians Mexico's El Universal newspaper carried pictures of the ledgers found in the cabin of the late drug lord Nemesio Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” The ledgers included references to Mexico's Attorney General's Office as well as members of military and state agencies.   Mexican journalists have explained that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel has bankrolled political campaigns of Mexico's ruling party members in the National Regeneration Movement in exchange for relative immunity,  reports Breitbart. War Secretary Hegseth ends cooperation with woke Ivy League schools As The Worldview reported last month, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth cut ties between Harvard and the Pentagon, discontinuing military-sponsored and funding of graduate-level education programs.  Now, the War Department has announced no more cooperation with the rest of Ivy League schools. Secretary Hegseth explained the reason for this. HEGSETH: “Our senior service colleges have always been expected to act in the interest of this principle, to transform our senior war fighters into strategic thinkers, capable of mastering the complexities of modern warfare, and leading our joint force to victory at every echelon. Unfortunately, this sacred trust has been broken in this military's professional military education system. “For decades, the Ivy League, and similar institutions, have gorged themselves on a trust fund of American taxpayer dollars, only to become factories of anti-American resentment and military disdain. They've taken our best and brightest, the men and women who pledged their lives to this nation, and subjected them to a curriculum of contempt. “They've replaced the study of victory and pragmatic realism with the promotion of ‘wokeness' and weakness, they've traded true intellectual rigor for radical dogma, sacrificing free expression for the suffocating confines of leftist ideology.” As of last week, the Pentagon has also reached an agreement with Scouting America (including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts), to move away from what they call “diversity initiatives” and woke policies. Trust in U.S. government at 17% Among Americans, trust in the federal government has hit its lowest levels in seven decades — now at 17%. That's down from 77% in 1964, according to Pew Research's latest numbers. Oregon Democrats block bill to protect babies who survive abortions Oregon Democrats blocked a bill that would have given babies a chance to survive after a failed abortion. House Bill 4087, or the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, mandated that infants who survived a botched abortion be afforded the “same degree of professional skill, care and diligence … that a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.” Oregon Right To Life Executive Director Lois Anderson  laid out the inhumanity of the state's abortion law. ANDERSON: “Later abortions are currently legal in Oregon. There are no restrictions, no protections for unborn babies up until birth. And even if they survive an abortion procedure, they are not protected and required to be given medical treatment. “We know, from not only polling, but anecdotal information, and all of these candidates and discussing with Oregonians, that they would support this kind of legislation.” Micah 6:8 reminds us to “to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” “I Can Only Imagine 2” movie lands #3 at the Box Office And finally, “I Can Only Imagine 2,” hit movie theaters this past weekend. The sequel focuses on the Christian band MercyMe and its famous “Even If” song, which lead singer Bart Millard said was written during a tough period in his life.   “I know You're able and I know You can Save through the fire with Your mighty hand But even if You don't My hope is You alone I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt Would all go away if You'd just say the word But even if You don't My hope is You alone” In 2014, Bart Millard and his wife learned that their young son, Sam, had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a chronic and life-threatening autoimmune disease. Sam's blood sugar levels were dangerously high, and he was hospitalized. Doctors warned that managing the disease would be lifelong and complex. For Bart, who had spent years singing about faith and trust in God, the situation shook him deeply. He later admitted that he struggled emotionally and spiritually. The crisis forced him to confront hard questions about faith in the face of suffering — especially when prayers do not bring immediate healing. Listen to comments he made to CBN. MILLARD: “These two songs in particular, “Imagine” and “Even If,” were written out of some difficult seasons of my life. Not all songs are written that way, but my therapy is working issues out through my songs. The ones that mean the most to me have come out of some pretty painful places and been therapeutic for me.” The idea for the song “Even If” came from Daniel 3:16-18. It says, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to King Nebuchadnezzar, ‘We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from your Majesty's hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'” “I Can Only Imagine 2” was #3 at the box office, grossing around $8 million. Watch the trailer and get your tickets at the website  www.ICanOnlyImagine.com. Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, March 3rd, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ. Extra print story U.S. State Dept shedding the light of freedom for Europe The U.S. State Department is on the verge of launching an online portal to fight European censorship. The site, Freedom.gov, will allow Europeans to access content that has been banned by the European Union.  The Times reported, “This includes criticism of the Online Safety Act in the UK and the European Union's Digital Services Act, which force platforms to remove illegal content and harmful speech or face steep fines.” One official at the State Department added, “Digital freedom is a priority for the State Department, and that includes the proliferation of privacy and censorship-circumvention technologies like Virtual Private Networks.” 

The Oregon state Senate may soon take up the bill that would enshrine additional protections for Oregonian patients and providers of reproductive services or gender-affirming care. That bill, HB 4088, has already passed in the House and has been referred to the Senate by committee. Chief sponsor Rep. Lisa Fragala (D-Eugene) says the bill reflects a commitment to the rights of Oregonians to access these types of medical care and retain their privacy. Fragala joins us with more on the legislation. We also hear from Rep. Virgle Osborne (R- Roseburg) who voted against the bill.

Sports Columnist for The Oregonian, Bill Oram returns to the show to try and convince the guys that the Civil War Football series is very much worth extending despite the current chasm between the two schools on the field

The Oregon public defense system has been in crisis for many years. The number of defendants who need representation has far outstripped the number of available public defenders. Previous reports found the state’s system violated Oregonians’ constitutional rights. Earlier this month the Oregon Supreme Court ruled unanimously  that criminal charges against defendants must be dropped if an attorney cannot be found. Oregon lawmakers have passed legislation aimed at alleviating the crisis. We sit down with Ken Sanchagrin, the new head of the Oregon Public Defense Commission, to talk about the progress that’s been made in turning the crisis around and the future of the system.

Now on the Ducks Beat for The Oregonian, Ryan Clarke joins the Ticker with the odd year for the Men's Basketball team and speculation on the future of Dana Altman.

Last month, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed an executive order creating an interagency council to better support immigrants and refugees in the state. According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, there are more than 400,000 immigrants in Oregon, making up nearly 10% of the state’s population and nearly 13% of the state’s workforce.    The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement at ODHS is leading this new effort which aims to boost coordination and communication between multiple state agencies amid the toll heightened immigration enforcement is taking on communities and the state services they rely on.     According to OIRA director Jessica Ventura, the council had its first meeting last week and aims to deliver a plan by late spring that identifies how to align and boost state programs to support immigrants and refugees while upholding the state’s sanctuary law. Gov. Kotek and Ventura join us for more details about the Interagency Council for Immigrant and Refugee Coordination and to share what they’ve been hearing from dozens of community partners who advocate on behalf of these vulnerable Oregonians.  

Paul Koberstein cofounded Cascadia Times in 1995 and has been its editor ever since. Paul, a journalist for forty years, was a staff writer for The Oregonian and Willamette Week in the 1980s and 1990s. He is the co-author of Canopy of Titans examining the global importance of the Pacific Coastal Temperate Rainforest that stretches from Northern California to Alaska. Paul discussed the book Canopy of Titans which details the threats facing this vital environmental resource, and celebrates the beauty and complexity of one of the world's great forests. Cascadia TimesOR Books (Order Canopy of Titans)@cascadiatimes@thewolfconnectionpod

Ed Bonderenka and Gary Wellings talk to Jason LaFace of Alberta about their effort to leave Canada.We also talked about Greater Idaho and the efforts of 13 Oregonian counties to leave Oregon.

Bianca Fox Ballara is an indigenous Latina with Taino and Cuban roots who serves on the community leadership team for Pride in Numbers, a groundbreaking statewide research project that's a force for change and community empowerment in Oregon.

Oregonian article on the fundraising. You can also look up all federal transactions on the FEC site.https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/02/this-republican-challenger-outraised-an-oregon-congressperson-in-the-final-months-of-2025.htmlWe found the Poly Market that must be the old one before the new entries into the race. We will watch were it goes from here. 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

Rep. Emerson Levy (D-Bend) joins the podcast to discuss protecting children when they use AI, Oregon's natural resources budget priorities, and holding government accountable to the Oregonians and taxpayers it serves. 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

What do Oregonians care about? 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

A hazy, confusing nightmare unveils itself in,The OregonianA woman in an abusive relationship (with Robert Longstreet) crashes her car and wanders in a bad dream. Your mileage may vary in this thing that Calvin Reeder barfed out of his brain, but you may also be one of the chosen who gets on its wavelength and end up kinda loving it. There's even a little bit of Barlow Jacobs in here (last seen by us in "Great World of Sound" and "Low and Behold").Rate, review, subscribe, like? If you review us on a podcast platform like Apple, please do leave the name of a movie you'd like us to cover in that review, and we will do an episode just like this.#barlowjacobs #calvinreeder #lindsaypulsipher #horrormovie #2011 #podcast #filmography #robertlongstreet #nightmare #dreamscape

Hey listeners, picture this: it's been a whirlwind few days in the courts, with President Donald Trump's legal battles dominating headlines from the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., all the way to Capitol Hill. Just two days ago, on Wednesday, January 21, I was glued to the live updates from SCOTUSblog as the nation's highest court dove into Trump v. Cook, a blockbuster case over Trump's bold move to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from the Board of Governors. The arguments kicked off at 10 a.m. sharp in the majestic Supreme Court chamber, with Trump administration lawyers defending the president's authority to remove her, claiming it's essential for executive control over the independent Fed. On the other side, Lisa Cook's powerhouse attorney, Paul Clement—the guy often called the LeBron James of the Supreme Court for his wins under President George W. Bush—argued fiercely that Fed governors serve 14-year terms protected by statute, shielding them from political whims.Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell showed up in person, drawing fire from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who blasted it on CNBC as a mistake that politicizes the Fed. Bessent said, and I quote from the report, "If you're trying not to politicize the Fed, for the Fed chair to be sitting there trying to put his thumb on the scale, that's a mistake." Bloomberg Law highlighted Clement's role, noting his recent clashes with the Trump team on everything from Big Law firm executive orders to Harvard's foreign student visa fights. The justices grilled both sides intensely—Justice Amy Coney Barrett even pressed a lawyer on disagreements with the government's brief—leaving everyone buzzing about a potential ruling that could reshape presidential power over economic watchdogs.But that's not all. Shifting to Congress, yesterday, Thursday, January 22, the House Judiciary Committee in the 2141 Rayburn House Office Building held a tense 10 a.m. hearing titled "Oversight of the Office of Special Counsel Jack Smith." Lawmakers zeroed in on Smith's office, scrutinizing his past investigations and prosecutions of President Trump and his co-defendants in cases tied to the 2020 election and classified documents. Tension was thick as Republicans pushed for accountability, while Democrats defended the probes' integrity—echoes of Smith's indictments that rocked the nation before Trump's return to the White House.Meanwhile, other Trump-related fights simmer. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco scheduled a June hearing on Trump's appeal of an Oregon federal judge's injunction blocking National Guard deployment to Portland, after the Supreme Court sided against a similar Illinois push last month, per The Oregonian. Lawfare's Trump Administration Litigation Tracker noted a dismissal as moot on January 14 in a case over dismantling the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, one of dozens tracking the administration's court clashes. And don't forget the Supreme Court's recent denials of gun rights petitions, though they punted on one involving a woman's old check-forgery conviction—Trump's influence looms large even there.As these battles unfold, from Fed independence to prosecutorial oversight, the stakes feel sky-high for our democracy and economy. Will the justices side with Trump's firing power? What's next for Jack Smith's legacy? Listeners, thanks for tuning in—come back next week for more updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

President Trump’s second term hit the one-year mark this week and – surprise! – Oregonians and Southwest Washington residents have divergent takes on how things are going. On this week’s episode of the podcast, we hear about what OPB learned when our reporters fanned out to check in with people all over the region.

Jack Ohman has been a political cartoonist for 48 years; he got his start at the Minnesota Daily when he was still a college student, and at 19 he became the youngest-ever syndicated cartoonist in the United States. He has worked at major papers across the US, including The Detroit Free Press, The Oregonian and The Sacramento Bee, where in 2016 he won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning. Since 2023 he has been the editorial cartoonist and a political columnist for The San Francisco Chronicle, and also publishes at his Substack, Jack Ohman's You Betcha.He joined us to talk about his history in the news biz, the state of editorial cartooning, the death of Scott Adams, and much, much more.   Plus - Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics.1:00 Sports betting update3:27 The Prop. 50 court decision5:41 Clarissa Laguardia podcast6:47 Jack Ohman7:46 Origin story9:23 Collapse of the afternoon papers11:53 Substack14:04 Political cartooning vs. comic strips15:30 "I never really wanted to be a cartoonist, I wanted to be governor of Minnesota"16:00 Kate Brown18:27 Youngest syndicated cartoonist23:46 Are we in a new Yellow Journalism era?26:58 "In some ways we're fighting the same battles of the Civil War"33:27 The Death of Scott Adams36: 39 Bacchi Decision40:21 Where is cartooning right now?48:46 Thomas Nast49:43 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last year, our city might have set a record for new Italian restaurants. If you want to try them but are overwhelmed by all the options, we've got an expert guide on which ones are actually worth the visit. Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking with Oregonian restaurant critic Michael Russell about his favorites and what to order — plus, which ones are maybe not yet worth the hype. Discussed in Today's Episode: Bistecca Dimo's Italian Specialties Fantino Hey Luigi Maglia Rosa Monty's Red Sauce Sunday Sauce Parallel City Cast Portland is looking for an Audience Development Manager. Go to citycast.fm/jobs for more information and to apply. 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 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 January 15th episode: West Lombard D'Amore Law OMSI Cascadia Getaways SkillCharter

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chadcrouch.substack.com When I first heard a radio piece about Mt. Tabor Park being awarded America's first Urban Quiet Park I have to admit I was incredulous. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it, but of all the parks I visit to make field recordings in the Portland area, this one might be the most frustrating. That is, if you're hoping to get away from anthropogenic sounds—people and their machines.It was just last October that I introduced you to Mt. Tabor (if you weren't already acquainted.) I described it as a “island of green in a patchwork of grey.” And so it is: all 176 acres of it. The deal with mountains, though, is they only give the listener more acoustic vantage as you venture further up and in. There are few folds in the park's contours, so getting out of earshot of boulevards pulsing with machine energy and airplanes raining down sound waves on approach to PDX, just 5 miles to the north, is nearly impossible. It's also a well-loved, well-used park. Runners and cyclists breathe heavy scaling its slopes. People talk. On phones. It is not packed on a weekday, but it sure isn't lonely either. All this sound energy is not a bad thing, don't get me wrong, but why the first urban quiet park in the US? This is an exemplar?It's all about framing isn't it? I mean yeah, you walk up the mountain and there's downtown looking like a diorama set against the green West Hills. It looks quiet. It seems quiet. Quiet is so slippery, so subjective. Maybe it's the signal-to-noise ratio of the near field soundscape—of being able to key in on small sounds because the background noise is just a wash—that lends itself to the perception of quiet. When you can hear little birds, with their little bird-whisper sounds. Or rain. Yes, rain with its crowd-suppressing effect; it makes the park seem quieter. Rain and wind in the trees masks the city din. Like passing through a veil, moving through the rain can feel transportive. It sounds a sizzle on the reservoirs, a diffused and hushed drum circle played on millions of leaves. But still, the first quiet urban park in the whole of the USA? I love the sentiment, but the logic seemed imprecise. Unearned, even.And then a few weeks ago, on a Wednesday, I went up there for a walk. Something was different. The gate to one of several lanes leading to one of several parking areas was locked shut. “Park Closed to Vehicles on Wednesday” a sign read. I don't remember this. Is this new? Then a thought occurred to me: maybe this is why it's the first urban quiet park. Maybe it is earned. After all, cordoning off whole interior parking lots, even one day a week is sure to rankle some folks. This is what intention looks like, I thought. This is a place that, at least on Wednesdays, sounds different. Measurably quieter. It came with a cost. People can't vroom in and out. They have to enter from the perimeter and use good old-fashioned human power to move through it. Mt. Tabor Park, I'm sorry I ever doubted you. But how long has this been going on? A while, it seems. According to a 2013 article, which references the closure policy, it's been well over a decade; so long even the internet doesn't know. I love it when the internet—and AI, when it's not hallucinating— doesn't know something. That's when I let my fingers do the walking through the maze of research tools the Multnomah County Library provides: not quite microfiche, but as close to it as digital gets. Could the policy go back to the 1980's? Conceivably. In a bulletin of Matters to be Considered by City Council, the Apr. 6, 1981 Oregonian references “an ordinance authorizing Parks to install 5 traffic control gates in Mt. Tabor Park” up for consideration. I found no events programmed for the park on a Wednesday thereafter, save for Audubon bird walks embarking from a perimeter entrance in 2006.If it goes back that far, what really motivated no-vehicle-Wednesdays? Was a day of peace and quiet? Wilderness-in-the-city-Wednesdays? I'd like to think so.On several spring and summer Wednesday nights, however the quiet park is jolted to life. Established in 2020, Mount Tabor Dance Community (aka MTDC or Tabor Dance) saw another role that the closure policy could lend itself to in summertime: Insulating their outdoor music-fueled events from the dense neighborhoods of SE Portland, while also minimizing potential conflicts of park users. Tracing its roots to the pandemic and dancing in chalk circles drawn for distancing, the event grew over the years to draw crowds in the hundreds. Last spring and summer MTDC started again at Mt. Tabor, then hopped around to at least five other Portland parks, making good on the motto “Portland is our dance floor.”My score for Mt. Tabor Rain Soundwalk is very gauzy: mostly languorous synth pads and drones. Electric piano only enters the instrumentation in the final third of the recording. That's my favorite moment; a tender melody receding into the blue-grey distance.Thanks, my friends, for reading and listening. Mt. Tabor Rain Soundwalk is available on all music streaming services on January 16th, 2026.

One of today's stories was a request sent in by a listener who was curious to know what happened to their childhood babysitter. The second case is making local headlines for offering a local council chair to a murderer. So let's get into 2026 with the same damn stories, the same damn outrage and the same damn themes. Teenage girls, disposed of like trash, their killers usually facing the smallest of consequences. Today I'll be telling you the stories of Robyn Jones and Nikki Thrasher.For an extended version of the episode, join our Patreon for just $1! To get started on your own newspapers.com journey, Go to Newspapers.com/Crime. When you sign up, use discount code MurderInTheRain to get 20% off!Visit justaddBUOY.com/MITR to get started with some Buoy drops focused on Hydration, digestion, brain health, Immunity, rescue, or energy!Accidental Autoerotic Deaths and Mental Disorder: A Scoping Review - PMC - Classmates.com 1984 Pendleton High - BeenVerified.com Report Richard Russell Meyer - Robyn Johns (1978-1996) - Find a Grave Memorial - Statesman Journal Dec 29 1996- Obituaries - Oregon Judicial Department- Online Records Search A99984 - History of Toledo - Corvallis Gazette Times- December 3 1996- Toledo police look for leads to missing woman - Oregon Judical Department Online Records Search, Meyer, Richard Russell - East Oregonian July 15 1985- Dispositions - Corvallis Gazette Times December 25 1996- Man charged in death of Toledo woman - The Oregonian October 8 1997- Toledo man goes on trial in death of woman, 18 - The Observer October 9 1997 Murder Trial Heats Up - The Register Guard October 10 1997- Trial begins in death of 18 year old woman - The Oregonian October 14 1997- Toledo man found guilty of intentionally killing teen - Visor.com Victim Information System in Oregon - The Observer October 14 1997- Jury convicts man in slaying - Corvallis Gazette-Times December 3 1996- Toledo police look for leads to missing woman - The Oregonian, December 24, 1996- Autopsy due on body of young woman - Statesman Journal, December 24, 1996 Newport: Body found may be missing teen - Corvallis Gazette Times, December 24, 1996- Body found may be that of Toledo woman - Statesman Journal December 27 1996- Obituaries - Convicted killer speaks out after controversy over police oversight board selection - Correspondence Press Release - The Oregonian Nov 29 1994- Woman's death a possible homicide - The Register Guard Nov. 29 1994- Equestrian finds body of woman - The Oregonian Nov 30 1994- Police Skeptical of Victim's Crime Report - The Oregonian December 1 1994- Roseburg teen held in slaying of woman - The Register Guard December 1 1994- Teen-ager arrested in woman's slaying - Statesman Journal Dec 2 1994- High School Senior Charged in Girl's Death - Albany Democrat Herald December 2 1994 - Murder part of coverup - The Register Guard November 18 1995- Killer pleads guilty, gets life sentence - Albandy Democrat Herald November 18 1995- Killer Sentenced - The Register Guard Oct 30 1999- Life Without - The Oregonian April 28 2022- Wyden: Brown's decision to free killer 'grossly irresponsible' - Statesman Journal, November 2,6 2025- Man's murder conviction puts future on police review board in question - Nikki Ranee Thrasher (1975-1994) - Find a Grave Memorial - The Register Guard Oct. 30 1999- Restoring Humanity - Convicted killer speaks out after controversy over police oversight board selection - Statesman Journal Dece 3 2001- Educating inmates about AIDS - The Oregonian May 6 2023- A swift shift from prison to politicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/murder-in-the-rain/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Last year, Portland leaders took big swings at addressing homelessness in our city. But even so, homelessness has continued to rise. As the new year begins, the big question is what happens next — especially with the threat of major federal funding cuts. Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking with Oregonian homelessness and mental health reporter Lillian Mongeau Hughes. She's giving us an update and a look ahead on one of our city's biggest ongoing issues. 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 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 January 13th episode: West Lombard D'Amore Law OMSI Cascadia Getaways SkillCharter

On December 30th, Chief Petitioners plunked down the last pile of signatures on the Secretary of State's desk. It was a slam dunk for the Oregon System.In a record-breaking 40-ish days, a quarter-million Oregon voters lined up in every county to sign the “Stop the Gas Tax” petition and refer Governor Kotek's $4.3 billion transportation tax to the November ballot.These voters participated in the “Oregon System,” a form of direct democracy passed in 1902 and giving voters the right to challenge legislation in a veto referendum. Since then, Oregon voters have repealed 42 laws.Oregon Freedom Coalition's Nick Stark told Cascade there were nearly enough signatures to even qualify for a constitutional referendum.The record-breaking signature drive signaled legislators that Oregon's voters are up for any challenge—especially the legislative session beginning in February.No sooner had Stark spoken, when Governor Kotek called for lawmakers to “redirect, repeal, and rebuild” the transportation bill, admitting that “thousands of Oregonians across the state have made their point.”As designed, the Oregon System earned the Governor's attention.So what's next? The Bill's Chief Petitioners say a full repeal isn't the best answer as it would gut the good parts, re-institute tolling, and halt the audit of ODOT.In any case, the Governor and her supermajority are back where they started one year ago, unable to govern and unable to carry out the state's most basic functions: to maintain roads and bridges—the stuff all of us need and care about.Two things—a lack of imagination in spending solutions and a narrow fixation on collecting more taxes—make up a mindset where nothing can be done unless voters pay more for less—more for gas taxes, more for fees, more for dying transit, and more for fewer roads and fewer lanes for cars.While New York's socialist mayor touts the “warmth of collectivist action” — taxpayers in Oregon were nearly condemned to the cold gulag of blistering tax increases and service decreases. That is, until a quarter-million voters decided to light a fire, ignited by the spark of individual freedom.

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

The 8am hour of Friday's Mac & Cube continued with the CFP Semifinals version of MAXX BALL Friday!! We began by getting Cole's & Greg's thoughts on Oregon vs. Indiana; then, James Crepea, Oregon & Big Ten reporter for The Oregonian, tells us what's going on with the Ducks' lack of depth, where Oregon has some advantages, and how this Peach Bowl semifinal game against Indiana plays out; later, after correctly predicting Miami > Ole Miss, the Rubix Cubelic returns to predict Indiana vs. Oregon; and finally, time of possession is NOT an overrated stat. "McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's all about Ducks vs. Hoosiers round 2 in hour 2 as the biggest concern for Oregon going into the game is the lack of depth at RB...we hear the final public thoughts of Dan Lanning and Curt Cignetti...plus Bill Oram of The Oregonian joins the guys live from Atlanta with the latest stories floating around the stadium.

As the number of elderly Oregonians surpasses the number of children, demand for long-term care is rising. But the workers who provide this essential care are underpaid, overworked, and leaving the industry at alarming rates. Melissa Unger, Executive Director of SEIU Local 503, which represents tens of thousands of long-term care workers across Oregon, describes the physically and emotionally demanding nature of care work, the low wages and poor benefits many workers face, and the devastating impact of high turnover on both workers and the seniors and people with disabilities they care for.The episode also explores a potential policy solution: workforce standards boards. David Madland of the Center for American Progress explains how these boards work, where they've already been implemented, and how they could help stabilize Oregon's long-term care workforce.

According to the Oregon Health Authority, nearly 35,000 Oregonians visited emergency rooms in 2023 for issues related to a brain injury. These injuries can result in a range of symptoms, from confusion and short-term memory loss to depression, anger issues and lack of impulse control. Depending on the severity of the injury, survivors may need access to resources such as employment and housing assistance in addition to medical and mental health services. Oregon launched a program last year to help brain injury survivors access those services. A team of trained navigators is available at 833-685-0848 to help people understand and connect with resources in their community. Nakeshia Knight-Coyle is the director of ODHS’s Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. Claire Madhavan is a navigator for the Oregon Brain Injury program. They both join us to talk about how the program is going.

CTSI tribal members Todd Logan, Joshua Rilatos, and Dylan Gorman work with anatomic pathologist Kurt Williams of the OSU necropsy team to remove blubber, bones, and baleen for cultural use and tissue samples for diagnostic testing on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Photo: Jens Odegaard / Oregon State University) Last November, a stranded humpback whale near Yachats, Oreg. had to be euthanized after rescue efforts to put the 10-ton, 28-foot-long mammal back into the ocean failed. As Brian Bull of Buffalo's Fire reports, what followed became a meaningful collaboration between the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and a team from Oregon State University (OSU). In mid-November, volunteers worked around the clock to keep the whale doused in sea water – and to try pulling it back into the sea. Video from The Oregonian captured some of those harried efforts. Finally, on-site stranding experts and veterinarians agreed to put the whale down. A necropsy team from OSU prepared to remove samples to determine how the whale lived before getting tangled in crab pot line. Kurt Williams is the director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. “I've never done a necropsy exam on a whale, before. I don't think I'll have another opportunity – I hope I don't have another opportunity, because I don't want this to happen to these animals.” Another group of roughly 20 Siletz tribal members also came. Among them was Lisa Norton, chief administrative officer for the tribe. She said they began by laying down tobacco and praying with Williams' team. “We offer up prayers for the animal and the bounty it's going to give us. People kinda did their own thing, they prayed in whatever way was comfortable for them. But we just spent some time taking in the enormity of the task.” There's been a historic tension between tribes and scholars, often due to academic institutions pillaging remains and artifacts from Native burial mounds and village sites. But these two groups – standing side by side with the whale – worked in tandem, conferring with each other as they worked against the incoming tide and pending sunset, said Norton. “We were able to get them to get more specimens than they would have otherwise, that resulted in them finishing quicker and getting more samples had they just done it on their own. But also allowed us to preserve more parts of the whale for future use.” Williams praised the experience. “I'm not going to kid you, being able to work alongside the members of the Siletz Tribe, it was amazing. And they were gracious and collegial, and to even allow us just a glimpse into their community and culture was, I felt honored to be honest with you.” The Siletz have stored 1,500 pounds of blubber for possible soap or oil, while the whale's skeleton has been buried for possible use later as a museum piece. While the whale's death was a sad event for many, the collaboration between the tribe and university gave a primer for how to handle similar incidents in the future. Angela Sondenaa is the Natural Resources Director for the Siletz. “We would anticipate that if something similar happened, that we would revive those relationships and collaborations that we've built from this experience.” Health and Human Services Secretary. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with Gabriel Lopez, chairman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, in Scottsdale, Ariz. in November 2025. The Indian Health Service (IHS) recently announced seven projects to build or renovate health care facilities – often in rural areas – throughout Indian Country. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, one of those beneficiaries will be Arizona's Ak-Chin Indian Community. Gabriel Lopez, the tribe's chairman, is grateful. “Currently, we have a satellite facility, which is 2,000 square feet and a triple-wide trailer with minimal services.” Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with the Ak-Chin Indian Community in November. After that visit, he made a social media post with Lopez. “The elders in the community have to drive 60 to 80 miles to get decent care, and they have to go through Maricopa County with all the traffic, so it's an inconvenience and it can be a lethal inconvenience.” Ak-Chin will construct a 60,000-square-foot facility and lease it at no-cost to IHS for two decades. In exchange, the agency will lobby Congress on behalf of the tribe for federal funding to staff and maintain the building. “In a roundabout way, we're looking at maybe two years to be up and running,” said Lopez. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out the latest episode of Native America Calling Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – Remembering Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Harvey Pratt

Trump administration freezes billions in social services funding to five Democratic states; House GOP faces internal divisions, challenges on agenda and questions from Trump; Eastern Kentuckians say proposed rate hikes will further hurt region; SD expert helps make sense of U.S. military action in Venezuela; Free or low-cost ways Oregonians can save on heating bills.

Trump administration freezes billions in social services funding to five Democratic states; House GOP faces internal divisions, challenges on agenda and questions from Trump; Eastern Kentuckians say proposed rate hikes will further hurt region; SD expert helps make sense of U.S. military action in Venezuela; Free or low-cost ways Oregonians can save on heating bills.

It’s estimated that more than 80,000 Oregonians are living with disabilities related to a brain injury. That includes Portlander Cheryl Green, who sustained a brain injury in 2010. Since then, Green has showcased the experiences of brain injury survivors through a number of projects, including a podcast, documentary film, short videos and her work as a self-described “access artist.” She’s also advocated for their needs as a member of the Oregon Brain Injury Council.   We’ll talk with Green about her disability justice work and how art can play a role in that movement.

 Wildfires, extreme heat, ice storms and other weather events have Oregonians thinking about climate change in a much more personal way. We talk with clinical psychologist Thomas Doherty, who helps people cope with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues brought on by the climate crisis. His new book, “Surviving Climate Anxiety,” teaches how to cope and heal from the psychological impacts of our environmental crisis.

In this powerful episode, Candice sits down with Heidi Yewman, an award-winning filmmaker, author, and longtime advocate for trauma survivors and gun violence prevention. Heidi shares her personal journey growing up in an abusive household, navigating deep childhood trauma, and finding her voice through advocacy, storytelling, and community work following the Columbine High School tragedy. In this episode, they discuss:How childhood trauma shapes identity, coping, and resilienceWhy minimizing pain is often a survival strategyThe role of safety, rules, and accountability in healingHow advocacy can become a pathway to reclaiming your voiceWhy asking hard questions about gun safety saves livesHow empathy and dialogue create space for real reformTurning imposter syndrome into purpose-driven action This episode is a reminder that healing begins when we tell the truth, listen with compassion, and choose courage over silence. By turning pain into purpose, it is possible to create hope, connection, and lasting change! About Heidi Yewman:Heidi Yewman has dedicated 26 years to advocating for trauma survivors, with a passion for gun violence prevention ignited in 1999 when her former basketball coach and teacher, Dave Sanders, was tragically killed alongside 12 students in the Columbine High School massacre.An award-winning director and producer of the documentary “Behind the Bullet,” Heidi has also authored the book “Beyond the Bullet: Personal Stories of Gun Violence Aftermath” and contributed numerous articles highlighting the devastating impact of gun violence on victims and their families.As a board member of Brady United Against Gun Violence, Women Donors Network, Develop Africa, and the Trauma Intervention Program, Heidi has combined deep empathy with extensive experience in trauma work and community organizing to foster more meaningful conversations about gun violence. She approaches advocacy with fresh perspectives, aiming to create solutions rooted in compassion and dialogue.Her writing has appeared in USA Today, Ms. Magazine, The Seattle Times, The Oregonian, and The Huffington Post. Her widely recognized four-part series, "My Month with a Gun," was published in Ms. Magazine, The Daily Beast, and The Denver Post. Her debut memoir, “Dumb Girl,” was published August 2025. For more, visit HeidiYewman.comWebsite - https://heidiyewman.com/Book trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwgh-FmluQ4linkedin.com/in/heidi-yewman-aa52ba71Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heidiyewmanauthor/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572729608602BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/heidiyewmanauthor.bsky.socialGoodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220630538-dumb-girlAmazon - https://www.amazon.com/Dumb-Girl-Journey-Childhood-Advocacy/dp/1647429420/Behind The Bullet Documentary: Can be found on Amazon to rent or buyBookshop - https://bookshop.org/p/books/dumb-girl-a-journey-from-childhood-abuse-to-gun-control-advocacy-heidi-yewman/7cc465fa041d5442-----If you're struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor, BetterHelp.Visit https://betterhelp.com/candicesnyder for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.*This is a paid promotionIf you are in the United States and in crisis, or any other person may be in danger -Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Dial 988-----Connect with Candice Snyder!Website: https://www.podpage.com/passion-purpose-and-possibilities-1/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candicebsnyder?_rdrPassion, Purpose, and Possibilities Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/passionpurposeandpossibilitiescommunity/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpurposepossibilities/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicesnyder/Shop For A Cause With Gifts That Give Back to Nonprofits: https://thekindnesscause.com/Fall In Love With Artists And Experience Joy And Calm: https://www.youtube.com/@movenartrelaxationClick this link to receive your FREE TRIAL to The Greenhouse Communityhttps://www.thegreenhousecommunity.com/checkout/the-greenhouse-membership?affiliate_code=11e889

Hang on, boys and girls--here's a fast-moving, story-rich conversation about chasing ducks on Oregon's amazing Columbia River with a couple diver diehards--retired Migratory Bird Chief Brad Bortner and decoy carver Pat Gregory--and long-time Oregonian outdoor writer M.D. Johnson. The Columbia River shapes everything about duck hunting coastal Oregon--weather, water, ducks and even the people chasing them. And we get into it all--the mighty river itself, open-water spreads and river tactics, a-little-something-for-everyone opportunities, hair-raising dangers, hand-carved decoy traditions, defining species--choose one of over 20-something waterfowl--and regional topics such as the "pineapple express" or "atmospheric river" phenomena, Lewis and Clarke, razor clamming, the mystical big foot and who the heck knows what else--like a wild ride down the Columbia River, this one took a life all of its own!    Visit the Legendary Brands That Make MOJO's Duck Season Somewhere Podcast Possible: MOJO Outdoors  Alberta Professional Outfitters Society Benelli Shotguns Bow and Arrow Outdoors Ducks Unlimited  Flash Back Decoys GetDucks.com Inukshuk Professional Dog Food  Migra Ammunitions onX Maps  Use code GetDucks25 to save 25% Sitka Gear SoundGear Use code GetDucks20 to save 25% Tom Beckbe USHuntList.com   Like what you heard? Let us know! • Tap Subscribe so you never miss an episode. • Drop a rating—it's like a high-five in the duck blind. • Leave a quick comment: What hit home? What made you laugh? What hunt did it remind you of? • Share this episode with a buddy who lives for duck season.   Want to partner? Have or know a story to share? Contact: Ramsey Russell ramsey@getducks.com

How much money does it take to “fully fund” Oregon's public schools? Last month a Joint Committee of the Oregon legislature released a “Report on the Adequacy of Public Education Appropriations.” Oregon's Fiscal and Policy Research offices examined the level of funding provided by the Legislature and other sources for public schools.They concluded that public schools today receive the full $13.5 billion recommended by the Education Commission in 2024 to “fully fund schools.” That means the Legislature appropriated $11.3 billion and the Corporate Activities Tax came in at another $2.2 billion. According to the Oregonian's analysis, advocates for public school funding, like PPS board member Christy Splitt, dismiss the expert report and opines that school funding is “not enough.” She complains the report's conclusion is the result of a “political narrative.”However, the facts remain that school funding has increased over the years while academic outcomes and the student population have declined. Lawmakers have asked for accountability on how schools are using state dollars, only to see plummeting national scores of about 25-percent proficiency in reading and math for today's eighth graders.Maybe more money is never enough because money is not the problem – or the solution – to Oregon's education. At Cascade, we believe options in education would make better use of funding and allow parents a greater say in choosing the school -- public, private or charter -- that meets their child's learning needs.Read the full commentary at www.cascadepolicy.org

On December 2, Portland Public Schools board voted unanimously to purchase the One North commercial building for $16 million to house the Center for Black Student Excellence, but the building's purchase price is only the beginning. The building needs another $20 to $25 million in renovations and two to three years of construction. For the next three years PPS will own an expensive, mostly empty shell. While fostering student excellence should be the district's priority, this plan is fiscally reckless and logistically flawed. In November, Cascade submitted an Analysis to the PPS Facilities Committee enumerating the risks associated with the One North purchase. The Oregonian editorial board repeated some of Cascade's concerns.Portland Public Schools faces a $50 million budget shortfall, yet they've committed to purchasing property with operational deficits for an undefined program. When board members questioned this gap—money that could fund teachers or educational assistants—proponents dismissed concerns. One called it a “drop in the bucket.” Another complained that such questioning “doesn't feel very fair.” For taxpayers facing cuts, such resistance to basic financial scrutiny is unacceptable. There is a better solution: to integrate the center into Jefferson High School's construction. This eliminates costly conversions, cuts delays, and saves tens of millions of dollars.The board has a mandate to spend $60 million on Black student excellence. It doesn't have a mandate to spend it foolishly.Read the full commentary at www.cascadepolicy.org

JPR's Jane Vaughan recently spoke with The Oregonian's education reporter Julia Silverman about her coverage of this issue.

Thirteen bars entered. One bar left. In the end, Milwaukie's Golden Nugget (11056 SE Main St.) -- nominated by The Oregonian's unofficial old bar beat writer Samantha Swindler -- held off 12 other nominees from across the metro area in the traditionally idiotic HBTG coin flip tournament bracket to claim the third annual Listeners' Choice Episode honors. For Nathan, it was a chance for the prodigal son to return home to experience his hometown through the cocktail glasses of a rather incredible, completely hidden gem, Goodfellas, '70s chic, diner lounge, type place that was a vibe unto its own. For Alfredo, it was a chance to eat liver & onions... Also, a vibe unto its own. Hearty thanks and gratitude to all our listeners, Instagram followers, friends, and family near and far who have made this project so doggedly enjoyable year after year. You've made us rich in every way, except...you know...with money. Producer Bill would like to dedicate this episode to the rollicking life of Bob Daley -- sportsman, bar man, family man, and friend.Bar visit and episode recording: Friday, November 28, 2025 HBTG theme song: "Frozen Egg" by Lame Drivers Interlude music: "Right Track" by Lame Drivers

Covering the Beavers for Oregonlive.com, Ryan Clarke returns to the show to preview JaMarcus Shephard's introductory press conference later today .

Did the Beavs make the best decision they could hiring JaMarcus Shephard and what did the Ducks win at Washington prove to Bill Oram of The Oregonian...

In Hour 2, Isaac and Suke pick their biggest game of Week 13 of the NFL season, debate why random Oregonians keep showing people their guns, and more.

This week, we're looking at the three finalists for our next city administrator, the story behind the whale that washed ashore in Yachats, Ore., and the almost good news from our state's economists. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week's Friday news roundup are Oregonian business reporter Mike Rogoway and our very own senior producer, Giulia Fiaoni. Discussed in Today's Episode: City Narrows Search for Portland's Next Top Bureaucrat [Portland Mercury] Beached Humpback Whale on Oregon Coast Euthanized [Fox12] Oregon's Budget Deficit Drops to $63 Million in Updated Revenue Forecast [Oregonian]     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 November 21st episode: Northwest Children's Theater Simply Eloped Portland General Electric Portland Art Museum PaintCare DUER - Mention code CCPDX for 15% off MUBI Check out our City Cast Portland 2025 Holiday Guide!

Over the past decade, the Oregon Department of Justice has tried shifting blame to parents in wrongful death and negligence claims against the Department of Human Services , new reporting from The Oregonian/OregonLive shows. The publication found 10 cases where this was happening. But in half of those, parents were not accused of any crimes yet were still sued by the state . Sami Edge is the assistant breaking news editor for the Oregonian. She joins us to share more on why this is happening and what it means for parents.

Earlier this month, Liv Rainey-Smith became the first Oregonian to win a World Fantasy Award for “Best Artist.” Rainey-Smith now joins a pantheon of World Fantasy Award-winning writers and visual artists that includes Stephen King, Edward Gorey and fellow Oregonian Ursula K. LeGuin.   Oregon ArtsWatch recently profiled Rainey-Smith, whose achievement is all the more notable for the thousand-year-old artistic craft the Portlander specializes in. Rainey-Smith uses blocks of wood that she carves by hand, coats in ink, covers with paper and then rolls through an etching press to make prints featuring mythological creatures or otherworldly scenes laden with skulls, ravens and other macabre symbolism.  Six of her original woodcut prints and descriptions she wrote for them are included in “The Dagon Collection,” an anthology published last year that was nominated for a 2025 World Fantasy Award and inspired by a short story from pioneering horror and fantasy writer H.P. Lovecraft. Rainey-Smith talks to us about her award-winning art and the childhood health struggles she overcame that inform and inspire her work.