Podcasts about Oregonian

Congress is considering cuts to Medicaid that would affect millions of Americans. Under a current proposal, nearly half of the Oregonians enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan would be required to prove they’re working or volunteering 80 hours a month to keep their coverage. In Oregon, some fear changes to Medicaid could hit healthcare in rural communities especially hard. Evan Saulino is a family physician providing clinical care in the Columbia River Gorge. His commentary on possible cuts to Medicaid was recently featured in the Oregon Capital Chronicle. He joins us with details of his concerns and how federal changes to Medicaid would affect rural healthcare.

Watchdog reporter Ted Sickinger joined Editor Therese Bottomly on this episode of “Beat Check with The Oregonian” to talk about his extraordinary reporting into Skyline CDL School, which operated in Oregon and Washington. On this episode of Beat Check, we talk about: --How the alleged bribery scheme operated, according to regulators --How the newsroom got onto the story --How regulators in Washington went on stakeouts to make their case What role the Higher Education Coordinating Commission has --How the school seemed to make efforts to appeal to Russian and Ukrainian immigrants --What the impact of the reporting has been Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The boys start the show by talking about fashion. Brock Purdy finally got PAID! Can Denver upset the Thunder. ITN featuring National BBQ day news and can most Oregonians afford an unexpected expense? The Pick Pony Club! Story Time with Joey! Enjoy the Club.

The Fan's new horse betting expert. This segment gets gross. ITN featuring National BBQ Day and how many Oregonians are living paycheck to paycheck?

Oregonian columnist Bill Oram wraps up the Draft Lottery discussion around the Blazers, the Male Sack is full and juicy...and who do we like in playoff action tonight?

For this week's episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian, education reporter Julia Silverman tackles a series of burning questions from readers and listeners who are weighing how to vote on the $1.83 billion bond. Have a listen, and don't forget to turn in your ballot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right now, there’s a lot happening in the State Capitol that will affect all Oregonians in some way. And because it’s an odd-numbered year, which means the Oregon Legislature has a session that stretches from January to June, we’re nearing the busiest time of the legislative session. This is when lawmakers have to pass a two-year budget and, of course, some other bills that are critical to keep the state running. Podcast producer, and self-described “civics nerd,” Julie Sabatier tagged along with OPB capitol reporter Dirk VanderHart for a day to see what’s going on behind the scenes of our state government.    For more Evergreen episodes 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.

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

Author of "American Soccer: Great on Paper, S**T on Grass" Enough said. This Brit ex-pat joined Zach and I to chat youth soccer, overkill, pay to play, and more! #podcast #soccer #youthsoccer #development Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sid Spurgeon, author of the books "Hard Times, Good People" and "Rivers, Pick Ups and Friends" joins this bonus episode of Knew Amsterdam Radio to chat about the craft of writing. Sid is a "late bloomer" who's writing well into his 70s about subject matter that is based on relationships with an Americana flair.

A federal education program known as TRIO is effectively zeroed out in President Trump’s proposed budget. It began as part of Lyndon Johnson's so-called War on Poverty in the 1960s. Today close to a million low income and disadvantaged students in the U.S. get help from these grants. Earlier this year, the Trump administration excluded students without legal status from being eligible for these programs. We'll hear what TRIO means for Oregonians from the executive director of Oregon TRIO Association, Matt Bisek, and Oregon State University student Brianna Eck. 

Between the on-again-off-again tariffs and the cancellation of federal funding, Oregonians across the state are affected by the many changes coming from the federal government. Reporters at the Portland Business Journal set out to take the temperature of business, nonprofit and political leaders across the state, three months into the Trump administration. Elizabeth Hayes, reporter for the Portland Business Journal, joins us to share what they found out.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Education is expected to resume collections on student loans that are in default, ending a five-year pause that first began at the start of the pandemic. According to the agency, more than 5 million borrowers are in default, which typically happens after nine months of non-payment on a federal student loan. The federal government can force collections on defaulted student loans by garnishing wages, tax refunds or Social Security benefits.  About 500,000 Oregonians have student loans, most of which have balances between $10,000 and $40,000, according to Lane Thompson, the Oregon Student Loan Ombuds. That position was created through the passage of SB 485 in 2021 that also required all companies that service student loans in Oregon to be licensed by the state’s Division of Financial Regulation. Thompson joins us to share more information about her office and offers advice for borrowers in Oregon. 

John talks to Josh Crepea, Oregon Ducks reporter for the Oregonian about the path from college to first round pick for new Commander draftee Josh Conerly Jr. https://www.ampiremedia.com/

Daniel Estrin is an Oregonian who makes Oregon wines. As winemaker and vineyard manager for Cristom, Daniel has put his stamp on this iconic brand that's a favorite of Binny's wine buyers and customers. Cristom Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvée 2022 Cristom Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard 2021 Cristom Pinot Noir Louise Vineyard 2021 Cristom Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard 2021 Cristom Pinot Noir Paul Gerrie Vineyard 2021 Cristom Wines Chardonnay Estate Eola-Amity Hills 2022 If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at comments@binnys.com, or reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. If we answer your question during a podcast, you'll get a $20 Binny's Gift Card! If you like our podcast, subscribe wherever you download podcasts. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.  

What happens when a Portland father joins a friend for a casual camping trip — and ends up face-to-face with something that defies reality? In this gripping episode, we sit down with John, a working-class Oregonian who thought he was spending a quiet evening in the Mount Hood National Forest... until a glowing red glow stick led to one of the most shocking Sasquatch encounters we've ever heard.John describes a crouched, cougar-shaped creature by the creek that suddenly stood eight feet tall, revealed a glowing yellow eye, and seemed to absorb the beam from his thousand-lumen flashlight. Then — it hovered. In a story that blends spiritual fear with raw terror, John opens up about the life-changing aftermath, the dreams that followed, and the questions he still carries.You'll hear details from Highway 26, E Lolo Pass Road, and the deep woods near Welches, Oregon — including the haunting moment when his friend asked, “Did we see a demon?”More than just a Bigfoot story, this is a glimpse into the unknown — and the emotional toll it takes.

The NFL Draft has come and gone, and the Commanders started theirs off with the selection of Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 overall. Take a listen to reactions to that pick from several hosts, as well as James Crepea from The Oregonian and ex-NFL head coach Mike Tice. Plus, hear from guard Sam Cosmi on his recovery from a torn ACL and Virginia Tech WR Coach Fontel Mines on fourth-round pick Jaylen Lane, and listen to discussion of Jayden Daniels' continual desire to improve, and JD and his squad showing OUT at Game 2 of Caps-Canadiens.

The NFL Draft has come and gone, and the Commanders started theirs off with the selection of Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 overall. Take a listen to reactions to that pick from several hosts, as well as James Crepea from The Oregonian and ex-NFL head coach Mike Tice. Plus, hear from guard Sam Cosmi on his recovery from a torn ACL and Virginia Tech WR Coach Fontel Mines on fourth-round pick Jaylen Lane, and listen to discussion of Jayden Daniels' continual desire to improve, and JD and his squad showing OUT at Game 2 of Caps-Canadiens.

The NFL Draft has come and gone, and the Commanders started theirs off with the selection of Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 overall. Take a listen to reactions to that pick from several hosts, as well as James Crepea from The Oregonian and ex-NFL head coach Mike Tice. Plus, hear from guard Sam Cosmi on his recovery from a torn ACL and Virginia Tech WR Coach Fontel Mines on fourth-round pick Jaylen Lane, and listen to discussion of Jayden Daniels' continual desire to improve, and JD and his squad showing OUT at Game 2 of Caps-Canadiens.

The NFL Draft has come and gone, and the Commanders started theirs off with the selection of Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 overall. Take a listen to reactions to that pick from several hosts, as well as James Crepea from The Oregonian and ex-NFL head coach Mike Tice. Plus, hear from guard Sam Cosmi on his recovery from a torn ACL and Virginia Tech WR Coach Fontel Mines on fourth-round pick Jaylen Lane, and listen to discussion of Jayden Daniels' continual desire to improve, and JD and his squad showing OUT at Game 2 of Caps-Canadiens.

James Crepea from the Oregonian talks Josh Conerly Jr.

PORTLAND'S RIVER VIEW Cemetery is the state's oldest nonprofit cemetery, founded in 1882 by three of Portland's most prominent citizens: Henry Corbett, Henry Failing, and William S. Ladd. All three of them are buried there — Ladd's grave in particular was the target of a bizarre raid by a gang of grave robbers 15 years later, but that's a story for another time. But the most visited grave at River View isn't one of them. It's not even the grave of an Oregonian. The name carved into the stone is Virgil W. Earp. (Portland, Multnomah County; 1880s, 1890s, 1900s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/2401c-1009d_virgil-earp-090.631.html)

Harmon won a job and was a force at Oregon, making a huge forced fumble against Ohio State at Oregon. The shoulder injury didn't hamper Harmon. Harmon's mom is on life support and he said he was going to visit his mom after being drafted. Harmon is "a tone setter player" by the way he goes about his business.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: Winners and losers from the draft. Oregon reporter James Crepea from The Oregonian told us Harmon won a job and was a force at Oregon, making a huge forced fumble against Ohio State at Oregon. The shoulder injury didn't hamper Harmon. Harmon's mom is on life support and he said he was going to visit his mom after being drafted. Harmon is "a tone setter player" by the way he goes about his business.

Download my FREE 'Dick Magnet Subliminal Affirmations' at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://georgelizos.com/dickmagnet⁠⁠⁠In this deeply honest episode of Can't Host, writer and therapist Wayne Scott opens up about the complexities of queer identity beyond binary labels like "gay" or "straight." Reflecting on his journey of coming out later in life while raising children and navigating a heterosexual marriage, Wayne shares the nuances of bisexuality, the pain of having his truth oversimplified, and the liberation found in embracing his queerness. We explore how shame has shaped—and ultimately evolved—his story, what it means to not “queer correctly,” and how he's reclaimed his narrative outside the confines of traditional queer tropes. For anyone questioning their identity within a straight relationship, this episode offers profound insight, compassion, and hope.Order my book 'Ancient Manifestation Secrets' and get a FREE past-life regression workshop to retrieve manifestation skills: https://georgelizos.com/ancientmanifestationsecretsJoin the Energy Work Membership: https://georgelizos.com/energy-work-membershipABOUT WAYNE SCOTTWayne Scott's writing has appeared in The Sun, Poets and Writers, The Psychotherapy Networker, Huffington Post, and The Oregonian, among others. His New York Times essay, “Two Open Marriages in One Small Room” (January 2020) was adapted for the Modern Love podcast and read by Edoardo Ballerini (summer 2021). He is a writer, psychotherapist, and teacher in Portland, Oregon.Website: https://www.waynescottwrites.com/Instagram: @waynejosephscottCONNECT WITH ME Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/georgelizos/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://georgelizos.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@iamgeorgelizos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.yourspiritualtoolkit.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ MY BOOKS Be The Guru: ⁠⁠⁠https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1TtCjLightworkers Gotta Work: ⁠⁠⁠https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1TmKfProtect Your Light: ⁠⁠⁠https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1TmJdSecrets of Greek Mysticism: ⁠⁠⁠https://l.linklyhq.com/l/1uPvrAncient Manifestation Secrets: https://2ly.link/1zCVg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gregory Gourdet Chef and Founder - Kann and SousòlAuthor, Everyone's Table: Global Recipes for Modern Health - 2022 James Beard Foundation Award Winner2023 James Beard Foundation Award Winner for Best New Restaurant2024 James Beard Foundation Award Winner for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific RegionCulinary Director Printemps - New York Gregory Gourdet is a three-time James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef, best-selling author, and television personality. He is best known for his award-winning cuisine, bevy of TV appearances, and trendsetting role in the culinary boom of Portland, Oregon.A native of Queens, NY, Gregory attended the Culinary Institute of America, becoming the school's first student to land an internship with celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. For nearly seven years, Gregory honed his culinary skills at three of Jean-Georges' trailblazing restaurants, climbing the kitchen ranks to become one of his chef de cuisines. Gregory ran the kitchen at Portland's Departure Restaurant + Lounge for 10 years, leaving in 2019 to focus on opening Kann. An avid traveler and lifelong student of food and culture, Gregory has made a name for himself by infusing methods and ingredients from all over the world, balanced together with his Haitian heritage, and creating signature flavors adored for their seasonality, boldness, complexity, and spice. He was named “Chef of the Year” by both Eater Portland and the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and is a two-time Bravo Top Chef finalist.In 2021, Gregory released his first cookbook, Everyone's Table: Global Recipes for Modern Health, the ultimate guide to cooking globally-inspired dishes free of gluten, dairy, soy, legumes, and grains. The book is a national bestseller and a 2022 James Beard Award winner for Best General Cookbook. August 2022 brought about the opening of Kann, a live-fire dinner house that showcases traditional Haitian flavors alongside dishes inspired by the cuisines of the African and Caribbean diaspora. Kann was quickly recognized by Eater, The New York Times, and Robb Report as a “Best New Restaurant”; Esquire named Kann the #1 “Best New Restaurant in America.” Portland Monthly and The Oregonian also named it restaurant of the year. Kann was named the James Beard Foundation Awards 2023 “Best New Restaurant.”In September of 2022, Gregory opened Sousòl, Kann's subterranean sibling cocktail bar. Sousòl draws inspiration from the greater Pan-Caribbean for its food and drink menu. It also features a full zero-proof menu for an inclusive experience for drinkers and non-drinkers alike. In 2023, Sousòl was named one of Esquire's “Best Bars in America.”In 2024, Gregory's culinary career was recognized by the James Beard Foundation Awards, which named him “Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific.” The same year, Kann was featured on the inaugural “25 Best Restaurants in Portland, OR Right Now” list by The New York Times and was featured on La Liste's 2025 list of the world's best restaurants. In his role as Culinary Director of Printemps New York, opening March 2025, Gourdet will oversee five concepts, ranging from fine dining to a casual cafe—each a celebration of artistry, unparalleled quality, innovation, culture, and creativity.Gregory sees food as nourishment and is committed to moving the restaurant industry forward sustainably and equitably. He is a member of the US State Department's American Culinary Corp. He is also an ambassador for the Marine Stewardship Council.He spends his spare time trail-running in the woods for hours.Gregory is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and openly gay. He is a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and Ben's Friends, a national recovery group for the restaurant industry.

Tell us whatcha' think! Send a text to us, here! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our podcast. BEST of the BEST!! July 14, 2023OREGON: GENDER TRANSITION CAPITALTell us whatcha' think! Send a text to us, here! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our podcast.Longest Drag Show Ever!PORTLAND, Ore. — The City Council on Thursday unanimously approved the renaming of O'Bryant Square to Darcelle XV Plaza, located at Southwest Harvey Milk Street and Park Avenue.The change honors the life and legacy of Walter Cole, who dazzled people on stage for five decades as Darcelle.“By renaming O'Bryant Square to Darcelle Plaza, we send a resounding message of support and recognition to the LGBTQI+ community, reminding them that they are valued, and they are cherished members of our Portland family,” said City Commissioner Dan Ryan.Darcelle was the oldest working drag queen until her death this March at the age of 92.PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The bill that sparked the longest Oregon Senate walkout in state history were quietly signed by Gov. Tina Kotek on Thursday, officials say.The governor's office confirmed HB 2002  – was signed into law and will receive a ceremonial signing at a later date.Provides Dangerous Gender Affirming Counseling and Treatments Without Parents' Knowledge or Consent at Taxpayer Expense!The law guarantees Oregonians ages 15 or older can access reproductive health care, including abortion. It also allows people of the same age to access care without parental permission in some cases and protects healthcare providers from out-of-state investigations and legal action.The bill also backs more gender-affirming procedures in insurance coverage — including facial feminization surgery and hair removal treatments — and implements a fine of up to $6,250 and a prison sentence of up to 364 days for anyone who interferes with health care facilities.•          Eliminates any age of consent requirements for Gender-affirming treatment and procedures. •          Requires written permission from a child of any age for a parent to know what health services—including Gender-affirming treatment—are provided by a health care provider.•          Pharmacists will be authorized to provide Gender-Affirming Treatment medications without regard to the age of the patient.•          By mandating insurance coverage and protecting doctors, this bill sets Oregon up to provide treatments to patients from other states. Republicans returned to the Senate floor June 15 after a multi-week walkout that stalled dozens of bills and left at least nine RepubSupport the showIf you need assistance with a situation in your area, please fill out our free consultation form.DONATE TODAY!www.ParentsRightsInEducation.com

For some of us, Christian summer camp is where we felt most at home. But for campers at white Evangelical church camps in particular, camp was also often the place to inherit an image of God—and of each other—that was incomplete at best and toxic at worst. Author Cara Meredith joins Amy Julia Becker on the podcast to explore belonging, betrayal, and new beginnings as they talk about Cara's latest book, Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, and How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation. They examine:Personal experiences of church camp, including joy, exclusion, and betrayalComplexities of faith and belongingEmotional manipulationReconstructing faithDeciding if church camp is right for your child_MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Amy Julia's Live, In-Person Workshop on May 3: Reimagining Family Life with DisabilityFree resource: 5 Ways to Experience God's Love and Practice PeaceSurprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T. Wright_WATCH this conversation on YouTube by clicking here. READ the full transcript and access detailed show notes by clicking here or visiting amyjuliabecker.com/podcast._ABOUT:Cara Meredith is a speaker, public theologian, and development director who found home at a church camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains. After serving in various roles, she continued as a speaker for two decades at camps up and down the West Coast. With a master of theology (Fuller Seminary) and a background in education and nonprofit work, she is also the author of The Color of Life. Her writing has been featured in national media outlets such as The Oregonian, The New York Times, The Christian Century, and Christianity Today, among others. She lives with her family in Oakland, California. CONNECT with Cara on her website (carameredith.com) or on Facebook and Instagram. ___Let's stay in touch. Subscribe to my newsletter to receive weekly reflections that challenge assumptions about the good life, proclaim the inherent belovedness of every human being, and envision a world of belonging where everyone matters.We want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!Connect with me: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website Thanks for listening!

Today, Cara Meredith and I talk about what church camp gets right (and wrong) about community.Cara Meredith is the author of Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, and How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation (Broadleaf Books, 2025). She is also a sought-after speaker, public theologian, and development director who found home at a church camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains. After serving in various roles, she continued as a speaker for two decades at camps up and down the West Coast. With a master of theology (Fuller Seminary) and a background in education and nonprofit work, she is also the author of The Color of Life. Her writing has been featured in national media outlets such as The Oregonian, The New York Times, The Christian Century, and Christianity Today, among others. She lives with her family in Oakland, California.  Church Camp comes out April 29 and is available wherever you buy books. You can follow Cara on socials @carameredithwrites. Check out her Substack and her website, carameredith.com. Join the Found Family crew over on Substack and get your free Found Family Cheat Sheet! Support the show

Students from Sprague High School in Salem and Lincoln High School in Portland are co-champions of a national civics competition that tests students’ knowledge and understanding of the U.S. Constitution. But it’s how they won that has made this year’s “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution National Finals” one for the history books.  Sprague High School’s team consisted of just two members, seniors Matthew Meyers and Colin Williams. They won a spot at the national finals in Washington, D.C. after winning second place in the state competition in January, behind Lincoln High School.  At the finals, Meyers and Williams faced off against teams with 20 or more players in the 3-day competition, fielding questions about constitutional law and Supreme Court cases from a panel of judges and legal experts. When the scores of all 32 teams were tallied, the duo from Salem were initially declared winners on April 11, with the Lincoln team finishing in third place. But according to reporting by The Oregonian and New York Times, Patrick Magee-Jenks, who teaches social studies at Lincoln High and coaches its constitution team, found what appeared to be a mistake in his team’s score. That prompted officials at The Center for Civic Competition, which organizes the annual competition, to investigate and correct the scoring results, with both Sprague and Lincoln High School prevailing as this year’s national champions.   Meyers and Williams join us to talk about this remarkable outcome, along with Magee-Jenks and Audrey Farrimond, a junior at Lincoln High School and member of its constitution team.

The Pacific Northwest's Highway 20: a ribbon of asphalt winding through breathtaking landscapes, but also a place shrouded in tragedy and whispered legends. This week, we unravel the perplexing case of Kate Turner, who vanished without a trace, and the prime suspect, Jon Ackroyd, whose own history casts a long shadow over the investigation. Join us in this last episode of season 1 of Girl Gone Running, as we delve into the ghosts of highway 20, for this true crime tale unlike any this podcast has covered before. The outdoors are a beautiful that can be filled with light and bliss and many different ways to bring yourself closer to those you love and yourself. But they can also be filled with terror and death, imminent and oppressive. Join me as we dig into these stories that inspire you to be just a little bit more careful while you're in the outdoors. Please rate and subscribe from whatever listening platform you use. Be sure to join us on Patreon for exclusive content, sneak peaks, and more!Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get the most up to see photos and relevant episode information. And don't forget to send us a Campfire Confessional to tragedywithaview@gmail.com - accepting all stories from the outdoors but especially looking for those that make us laugh to help lighten the heaviness that comes with tragedy. Sources: madraspioneer.com; projects.oregonlive.com; Wikipedia.org; the Oregonian

Ryan Clark covers the Oregon State Beavers for The Oregonian and joins the guys to preview tomorrow's Spring Game and the key players and units to watch.

In this week's episode, Politics and Education Editor Betsy Hammond breaks down the key finding of a survey of 600 metro area voters by DHM Research, commissioned by The Oregonian. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right now, the Republican controlled Congress is speeding down a path that would raise costs for food and health care for millions of families by taking away Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. It would do so in order to help pay for massive tax cuts primarily benefiting the most well-off, including millionaires and billionaires.In this episode of Policy for the People, we speak with Oregon Senator Ron Wyden about what the budget blueprint currently being discussed in Congress means for Oregonians and the nation. We also speak with Steve Wamhoff, Federal Policy Director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, about his recent report titled: Federal Tax Policy: What Should It Accomplish? In it he argues that our federal government needs to raise more revenue, not less, and do so in a progressive way. In other words, we need to go in the opposite direction from the current plan in Congress.

From 2021 to 2024, the Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board, the state agency that oversees death care, saw a whopping 79% increase in repayment claims from funeral homes for indigent remains. Indigent remains are the bodies that go unclaimed, have no next of kin or lack financial means for the handling of the body that may have been left in the deceased's will. Oregon is one of a few states that have an established program to reimburse funeral homes for handling these cases. The number of funeral homes that received payment has also seen a big increase, with a rise of about 114% since 2021. The program is not meant for everyday Oregonians who cannot afford a funeral or other services, but for those whose wishes after death are unknown or uncertain. Chad Dresselhause is the executive director of the Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board. Wally Orderman is the executive director of the Oregon Funeral Directors Association. They both join us to share what this increase has meant for the state and what it means for the individual funeral homes that take on these cases.

Ann Garcia has helped thousands of families save millions of dollars on college. She is a fee-only financial planner and the author of the critically-acclaimed "How to Pay for College" and a sought-after media guest who's been quoted in the New York Times, the Oregonian, and U.S. News and World Report, to name a few. Ann recently launched an interactive online course to help parents (and their advisors) affordably build saving for college and applying for aid into their broader financial plan. As a parent whose twins just graduated debt-free from their top-choice colleges, Ann's expertise expands beyond FAFSAs and 529s — she understands the emotional components of helping your child set and achieve goals for their future. Outside of financial planning, Ann is an avid runner, skier and fan of middle school rock concerts.   Ann has graciously offered the Pruning to Prosper audience a 10% off coupon code PRUNING to save on her course, The College Financial Plan.   I can be reached at: tightshipmama@gmail.com

Earlier this year, Portland saw an alarming spike in cases of shigellosis, which you probably recognize by its less-specific, historical name: dysentery. Why did an illness most closely associated with the Oregon Trail pop up in modern-day Portland? Today, executive producer John Notarianni talks with Oregonian homelessness and mental health reporter Lillian Mongeau the connection to our growing unsheltered homelessness crisis and the reason some well-meaning Portlanders seem to oppose the very simple measures that could help stop its spread. Join City Cast Portland at the 503 Day Block Party, Saturday, May 3, at downtown Portland's Ankeny Alley!! Details and RSVP here. 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 April 9 episode: OMSI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep in the shadows of Mount St. Helens, five gold prospectors experienced a night of terror that would forever mark their lives and give birth to one of America's most enduring wilderness mysteries.In this episode, we transport you to July 1924, when Fred Beck, the steady leader of a small mining operation, fired three shots at a strange, towering figure glimpsed across a canyon. Little did he know that as darkness fell, his cabin would become a fortress under siege.Join us as we follow Fred, Gabe Lefever, John Peterson, Marion Smith, and his son Roy through their harrowing ordeal—rocks and massive objects raining down on their roof, glimpses of seven-foot creatures moving through moonlit shadows, and the heart-stopping moment when a massive, hair-covered arm reached through their window.As dawn broke over Mount St. Helens, the men discovered fourteen-inch footprints surrounding their cabin, evidence of something science couldn't explain.Their story would reach The Oregonian newspaper under the headline "Ape Men Sought," and a remote gorge would forever be known as "Ape Canyon. "Ninety-nine years later, we examine what really happened during that midsummer night and why Fred Beck maintained the truth of their encounter until his death, insisting they had confronted something unknown in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest.Share your own wilderness encounter: brian@paranormalworldproductions.com

This Saturday saw the biggest coordinated nationwide demonstration against the Trump administration to date. In Oregon, Indivisible helped organize protests, among others, as part of the 50501 movement. Many thousands of people turned out in Portland alone, with thousands more out all over the state including in Tigard, Medford, Enterprise other small towns in southern, central and Eastern Oregon.   They protested the dismantling of federal government agencies, mass layoffs and deportations, planned cuts to Medicaid, social security and more. We talk with four Oregonians from three different communities about how the protests they attended went and what motivated them to spend their Saturday demonstrating. Susannah Graven is a massage therapist in Medford and an unaffiliated voter.  Mike Eng is a retired National Parks employee who lives near Lostine in Wallowa County and is a Republican. And Mary Minor is a retired hospice nurse who helped organize the Tigard protest, along with her husband James, a retired technical writer, both unaffiliated voters.

Humanities councils across the country, including in Oregon, recently learned that the federal government is slashing their funding. A grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities was meant to fund the councils through 2027, but it was rescinded on April 2 following reports that the Department of Government Efficiency was planning cuts at the NEH. The abrupt lack of funding will affect organizations like Oregon Humanities, which facilitates public conversations and community-building events across the state. Last year, the nonprofit received 44% of its budget from NEH funding, which helped finance grants to libraries, social service agencies and other organizations in Oregon. Adam Davis is the executive director of Oregon Humanities. He joins us to talk about what cutting humanities funding could mean for Oregonians.

What comes to your mind when I mention the name “Balch”? For most of us, it's the sordid, nasty tale of Danford Balch, the first Portland resident to be hanged for murder, a fate he earned in 1858 by reacting to his stepdaughter's elopement by chasing the young couple down with a shotgun and murdering his new son-in-law on the Stark Street Ferry (here's a link to the Offbeat Oregon article about that). And yeah, that's one way to make it into the history books! Half a century ago, though, most Oregonians would instantly recognize the Balch name from a more benign, and certainly a more important, historical character, who probably was distantly related to Danford — Frederic H. Balch, the author of what may actually be the most important and influential work of literature in Oregon history: a misty, mythical novel titled The Bridge of the Gods: A Romance of Indian Oregon, published in 1890. In part, the reason Frederic's name is so seldom recognized today is that he died young. The Bridge of the Gods was supposed to be Volume One of a six-part saga telling the story of the Oregon country. But tuberculosis claimed him when he was just 29 years old, leaving the great work unfinished. (Lyle, Washington Territory; 1890s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/2501b.frederic-balch-bridge-o-gods-684.512.html)

Portland economist Joe Cortright says ODOT’s projects have a history of costing much more than initial estimates. He points to proposals like the I-5 Rose Quarter project which has been in the works for nearly a decade and is estimated to cost around $1.9 billion. The estimate in 2017 was $450 million. A Statesman Journal investigation found that ODOT’s projects were over budget and the agency was unable to track some of its funds and how they were spent. Cortright, the director of City Observatory, an urban policy think tank based in Portland, joins us with details of his concerns. In a statement, ODOT writes:Transportation agencies across the state face a structural revenue issue. This issue is driven by three causes: flattening and declining gas tax revenues as cars become more efficient, consistent inflation that eats away at the purchasing power of each dollar, and legal restrictions that prevent ODOT from using available dollars to fund maintenance and operations.While the Legislature increased the gas tax in recent years, revenues are now at their peak and are expected to flatten and decline in coming years. When you account for inflation, the buying power of that revenue source is set to dramatically decrease. ODOT’s major projects in the Portland metro area, supported by city, county, state, Metro and community leaders, have seen costs grow in recent years. However, the funds dedicated to these projects are specifically directed by the legislature to construction projects and cannot be used for day-to-day maintenance and operations of the highway system. We are forced to cut back on critical efforts like plowing snow and fixing potholes independent of funding these popular projects. The public and our partners have consistently told us they want us to do both. We take our responsibility to provide safe travel for all Oregonians very seriously. The last thing we want to do is let the system we built fall into disrepair. But because of how our funding is structured, we are increasingly forced to do so. We are focused on achieving sufficient and sustainable funding for maintenance and operations in this legislative session. We are increasingly optimistic that the legislature will take this opportunity to break the pattern of past legislatures and robustly fund the maintenance, operation and preservation of our transportation system.

In 2013, Oregon implemented a plan to expand access to home and community-based services for Medicaid recipients with intellectual, developmental or psychiatric disabilities. The goal was to allow more Oregonians to receive care at home rather than in an institution. While programs were established for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, no supports have been created for individuals under age 21 who require inpatient-level psychiatric care. Senate Bill 909 would require the Oregon Health Authority to establish criteria for that program and a pathway to services. Jessa Reinhardt is a parent and mental health advocate pushing for SB 909. She joins us with more details on the bill and what it could mean for families with children who have severe mental health needs.  

According to a recently published study, more than 40 percent of adults over the age of 55 in the U.S. have a lifetime risk of developing dementia. New cases of dementia are also projected to nearly double to 1 million a year by 2060.  The cognitive decline and memory impairments associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can make it difficult to follow the branching storylines of a novel or the flow of facts in a newspaper or magazine article.  But as traditional avenues for literary enjoyment close, new ones can and should open for this growing population. That’s the guiding mission behind Mirador, a quarterly magazine Nikki Jardin co-founded in Portland nearly four years ago to be accessible to people with dementia. From the font style and size, to the way paragraphs are structured or photos are displayed to accommodate changes to vision and recognition, the whole magazine is designed with dementia in mind.   Jardin joins us to talk about the inspiration for starting Mirador and the magazine’s recent international expansion and collaboration with other dementia-friendly publications. 

Minoru Yasui was the first Japanese American to graduate from the University of Oregon’s law school. He was working as a lawyer in Portland when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed an executive order in 1942 that allowed the military to impose a curfew on Japanese Americans and relocate them to internment camps. On March 28, 1942, Masui challenged the curfew by walking in downtown Portland after 8pm to get himself intentionally arrested. His case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he lost.   In honor of Minoru Yasui Day in Oregon on March 28, we listen back to a conversation we recorded on Nov. 24, 2015, with Joan Emerson Yasui, a niece of Minoru Yasui, the same day her uncle was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Joan Emerson Yasui died in 2016.  

Minoru Yasui was the first Japanese American to graduate from the University of Oregon’s law school. He was working as a lawyer in Portland when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed an executive order in 1942 that allowed the military to impose a curfew on Japanese Americans and relocate them to internment camps. On March 28, 1942, Masui challenged the curfew by walking in downtown Portland after 8pm to get himself intentionally arrested. His case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he lost.   In honor of Minoru Yasui Day in Oregon on March 28, we listen back to a conversation we recorded on Nov. 24, 2015, with Joan Emerson Yasui, a niece of Minoru Yasui, the same day her uncle was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Joan Emerson Yasui died in 2016.  

How lazy are Oregonians, and nostalgic horror movies.

In 2023, Oregon was awarded more than $58 million in federal grants from the Inflation Reduction Act to plant and maintain trees. The availability of much of those funds remains uncertain.  Earlier this month, the Oregon Department of Forestry, city agencies and nonprofits told Inside Climate News that at least $40 million dollars in grant reimbursements to boost urban tree canopies in Oregon remain unpaid.  Last week, several U.S. farmers and nonprofits sued the Trump administration for withholding grants funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.   Vivek Shandas is a professor of geography at Portland State University and a member of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council. He joins us with more on the future of the state’s tree canopies and what they mean for Oregonians.

Last week, two federal judges ordered thousands of federal workers who were on probationary status when they were fired to be rehired at 18 federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Education. The rulings came a day after the Department of Education announced massive staff cuts, part of the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the federal workforce.  Democratic Oregon US Senator Jeff Merkley joins us to discuss the mass firings of federal workers, as well as the vote on the stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown and possible cuts to Medicaid House Republicans are considering that could directly impact care for 1.4 million Oregonians.