Podcasts by KGW’s Straight Talk with Laural Porter
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Lawmakers call a $1.25 billion investment in Oregon's behavioral health system 'historic' from 2022-04-08T20:23:28
Oregon lawmakers passed massive back-to-back investment packages in the state's mental and behavioral health system in the 2021 and 2022 legislative session, leveraging state general funds and fede...
ListenOregon House Republican leaders give 2022 short session a 'D' grade from 2022-04-01T19:00:29
The new Speaker of the Oregon House, Rep. Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis), said he would give the recently completed 2022 short legislative session an A-minus grade, because there's always room for impr...
ListenThe race for Oregon's new 5th Congressional District from 2022-03-25T17:54:18
Political insiders are predicting the race to represent Oregon's newly redrawn 5th Congressional district could become the nation's marquee Democratic House primary to watch. That's according to an...
ListenOregon leaders call Intel's $20 billion expansion in Ohio a 'wake-up call' for Oregon from 2022-03-18T20:12
Intel is Oregon's largest corporate employer with 22,000 employees. It's at the heart of Oregon's "Silicon Forest" in Washington County, but when Intel announced it was making a $20 billion investm...
ListenNew Oregon House leader Rep. Dan Rayfield reflects on his first legislative session as Speaker from 2022-03-11T20:53:54
When the new Oregon Speaker of the House Rep. Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis) gaveled out the 2022 Oregon legislative session on March 4th, his 10-year-old son Adam was by his side. It was the conclusio...
ListenRace for Portland auditor is contested for the first time in 36 years from 2022-03-11T20:49:38
For the first time since 1986, Portland has a contested race to see who will be the next city auditor. Current auditor Mary Hull Caballero decided not to run for re-election, and for a while it loo...
ListenBusiness leaders say Portland region at 'inflection point' from 2022-02-25T22:00
CEO of the Portland Business Alliance Andrew Hoan joined John Tapogna of ECONorthwest and Michelle Neiss from DHM Research as guests on this week's episode of "Straight Talk" to discuss the 2022 St...
ListenStraight Talk: Rep. Peter DeFazio reflects on 36 years in Congress from 2022-01-15T00:00:09
Peter DeFazio is the longest serving House member in Oregon history and the 65th longest in U.S. history. He was a guest on this week's episode of Straight Talk to reflect on his congressional care...
ListenLong-term care facilities are facing a staffing crisis from 2022-01-08T01:47:56
Long-term care executive Phil Fogg is calling on the U.S. to treat the workforce shortage in health care as a national crisis.
ListenWays to give back this holiday season from 2021-12-18T02:12:36
Bloodworks Northwest is calling on Washington and Oregon residents to give blood this holiday season as the nationwide shortage continues. We also talk to Josh Schreck with the KGW Great Toy Drive ...
ListenBehavioral health challenges and the homeless crisis from 2021-12-11T02:14
Portland Commissioner Dan Ryan joined Oregon Recovers co-founder and director Mike Marshall and Oregon State Representative Tawna Sanchez (D-District 43) on this week's episode to discuss behaviora...
ListenMultnomah County Chair says progress is being made on homeless crisis from 2021-12-03T22:24:28
Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury joined Laural Porter on Straight Talk to discuss the city's homeless crisis and progress being made, thanks in part to Metro's supportive housing bond that pa...
ListenRep. Earl Blumenauer talks COP26 climate summit in Glasgow from 2021-11-19T23:17:07
Congressman Earl Blumenauer says he's optimistic the planet can slow global warming. He recently attended the global climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland and joined Laural Porter on Straight Tal...
ListenJuvenile offenders could be released early under retroactive youth sentencing reform from 2021-11-13T02:48:12
Gabe Newland with the Oregon Justice Resource Center and Marion County DA Paige Clarkson joined Laural Porter to discuss the pros and cons of clemency for offenders convicted as teens.
ListenPeople for Portland is trying to hold elected officials accountable. Is it working? from 2021-11-05T22:20:15
Political strategists Dan Lavey and Kevin Looper usually find themselves on opposing sides of an issue. Lavey served as strategist for former Republican U.S. Senator Gordon Smith, and advises Ore...
ListenLandlords and tenants frustrated with rent assistance delays from 2021-10-29T22:56:11
Kim McCarty represents 6,000 low-income tenants across the state. As the executive director of the Community Alliance of Tenants, McCarty said their office receives hundreds of calls from tenants w...
ListenHow do we address the gun violence across Portland? from 2021-10-22T21:26:23
Portland Police Sergeant Ken Duilio, Lakayana Drury, founder of the nonprofit Word Is Bond, and Multnomah County's Chief Deputy District Attorney Kirsten Snowden were guests on this week's episode ...
ListenPortland voters have a once in a decade opportunity to change how the city runs from 2021-10-15T22:55:14
It was 1913 when Portland voters first decided the city would have a commission form of government with city council members elected at large. Now, 108 years later, Portland is the only large city ...
ListenSunrise Movement PDX calls on Oregon leaders to take swift action on climate crisis from 2021-10-09T01:04:25
Youth climate activists Adah Crandall and Cassie Wilson discuss the growing climate crisis and what they want Oregon leaders to do about it. Specifically, they talk about the recent climate protest...
ListenCommissioner Dan Ryan promises urgent action on two Portland crises — homelessness and gun violence from 2021-10-02T00:37:54
Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan discusses the new "Safe Rest Village" project, the surge in gun violence and his plan to run for re-election in 2022.
ListenAddressing the humanitarian crisis on Portland‘s streets from 2021-09-25T00:38:59
Blanchet House Director Scott Kerman is calling for innovation, bold action and teamwork as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens the crisis on Portland's streets. Also, Terry Leckron-Myers with the Mental...
ListenHead of I-5 bridge replacement project says it‘s time to get it done, but critics remain from 2021-09-15T20:36:05
Greg Johnson, the leader of the Interstate Bridge Replacement project, and Joe Cortright, a Portland economist opposed to replacing the bridge, discuss the latest bridge project and concerns about ...
ListenSen. Ron Wyden takes on climate change by changing federal tax code from 2021-09-10T18:55:50
In a wide-ranging interview, Sen. Ron Wyden discusses a number of issues like the Afghanistan withdrawal, the COVID-19 pandemic and legislation he authored to eliminate dozens of current tax credit...
ListenMultnomah County leaders reflect on summer's deadly heat waves and plan for dealing with a hotter future from 2021-08-20T22:15:38
Multnomah County Chair Kafoury, Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Vines and Deputy Chief of Multnomah County Emergency Management Alice Busch were guests on this week's episode of Straig...
ListenBlack community leaders in Portland push for slavery reparations commission in Congress from 2021-08-13T19:29:53
Oregon state Sen. Lew Frederick, Cameron Whitten, co-founder of the Black Resilience Fund and founder of the nonprofit Brown Hope, and Dr. Carmen Thompson, a historian and visiting scholar in the B...
ListenSecretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visits Oregon + Looking ahead to the Tokyo Olympics with Jules Boykoff from 2021-07-16T20:59:12
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visited Eugene, Springfield, and Corvallis this week to highlight how the president's vision would improve traffic safety, make historic investments to he...
ListenThe pandemic's impact on those struggling with addiction from 2021-07-09T22:49:06
The Centers for Disease Control reported a record number of overdose related deaths during the pandemic and several studies showed binge drinking increased during that same time. This week, Stra...
ListenOregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer: bipartisan infrastructure deal an 'important step toward rebuilding and renewing America' from 2021-06-25T23:22:50
Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) has said he has waited his entire congressional career for an opportunity to participate in a sweeping infrastructure plan like the one President Biden has pr...
ListenNYT columnist Nicholas Kristof blames many of Portland's problems on a failure of leadership from 2021-06-18T19:12:42
Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof writes about human rights, women's rights, and global affairs. He also has a unique perspective on his home state of Ore...
ListenNYT columnist Nicholas Kristof reflects on growing up in Oregon and the struggles of rural America from 2021-06-11T20:30:33
New York Times columnist and author Nicholas Kristof has been called the "Indiana Jones of journalists" for the dangerous places he's reported from around the world; genocide in Darfur, the massacr...
ListenPortland Parks leaders thank voters and look forward to restoring summer programs from 2021-06-04T23:03:40
When the pandemic forced Portland Parks and Recreation to close community centers, swimming pools, and recreation programming, that also meant a hit to revenues. Portland voters came to the rescue ...
ListenFrom Portland to Zimbabwe, nonprofits innovate holistic health solutions from 2021-05-21T20:51:15
Three generations living together in a connected community, peers helping others experiencing homelessness, and grandmothers trained to offer counseling to people suffering from depression: from Po...
ListenTax Day: What do your federal and state taxes pay for? from 2021-05-14T20:08:35
Tax Day comes a month later than usual in 2021. The IRS extended the filing and payment deadline to May 17 to allow people more time because of difficulties posed by the pandemic. On Straight Talk,...
ListenTwenty years of Gleevec: The impact of the life-saving cancer drug pioneered by an OHSU doctor from 2021-05-07T18:11:12
Before 2001, a diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia was almost certainly terminal. But a breakthrough drug pioneered by a doctor at OHSU changed that and made the rare cancer treatable, saving...
ListenMultnomah County tackles racism as a public health crisis from 2021-04-30T19:33:41
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners has declared racism as a public health crisis, in an attempt to rebuild the county using a racial equity lens. Chair Deborah Kafoury and Multnomah Coun...
ListenKGW's Vaccine Team discusses reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine rollout from 2021-04-23T20:38:27
Even as Oregon and Washington have expanded vaccine eligibility to everyone older than 16, the number of COVID cases and hospitalizations are going up. The Oregon Health Authority said this week, t...
ListenRep. Peter DeFazio set to shepherd President Biden's $2-trillion infrastructure deal through the House from 2021-04-16T21:21:51
Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio is king of the hill, at least Capitol Hill, when it comes to all things transportation and infrastructure. As the Chairman of the powerful House Transportation and ...
ListenPortland Muslim community leaders call for unity against hate from 2021-04-09T22:49:08
A human rights expert for the United Nations has said anti-Muslim hatred has reached epidemic proportions. Now as Ramadan begins, Portland Muslim community leaders are calling for unity against Isl...
ListenStopping anti-Asian hate from 2021-04-03T00:13:05
Four Asian American women who are community leaders in Oregon discuss recent anti-Asian violence and how to stop it on this week's episode of "Straight Talk."
ListenOne year later: Oregon health care leaders reflect on COVID pandemic from 2021-03-27T01:49:56
Three women who helped lead Oregon through the COVID-19 pandemic reflect on the past year, lessons learned and what’s ahead.
ListenChecking in with Portland's Street Response Team from 2021-03-19T20:05:37
The Portland Street Response Team, a non-police response to assist people in a behavioral or mental health crisis or experiencing homelessness, officially launched last month. Here's a look at how ...
ListenLooking back on the February ice storm from 2021-03-12T20:54:05
This week's Straight Talk episode takes a look back at the winter storm in February that left many without power for more than a week, and takes a look ahead to see how we can keep ourselves safe w...
ListenPort of Portland’s future and impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic from 2021-03-06T01:32:38
The Port of Portland brings in nearly $6.5 billion a year to the region. Now, it’s looking to do some major overhauling through selling and repurposing properties to spread the wealth with people o...
ListenMultnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt from 2021-02-26T23:21:30
Now in office for six months, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt discusses his criminal justice policies, how they’ve been applied during the Portland protests and riots in 2020, why h...
ListenHow the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Portland's economy from 2021-02-20T03:08:13
This week's episode of "Straight Talk" examines the 2021 "State of the Economy" report with guests, Andrew Hoan, CEO of the Portland Business Alliance, John Tapogna, president of ECONorthwest, and ...
ListenOregon seniors feel forgotten and afraid during COVID-19 pandemic from 2021-02-13T00:22:47
The pandemic has been difficult on everyone, but it has had a disproportionate impact on older adults. They're the most likely to contract COVID-19, to be hospitalized and to die. According to the...
ListenMayors of Gresham, Beaverton and West Linn from 2021-02-06T03:23:37
The mayors of Gresham, Beaverton and West Linn all have something in common. They are first-term mayors who took office in January and are breaking barriers. Mayor Travis Stovall is the first Black...
ListenBonus: Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler from 2021-02-06T01:12:54
In the bonus podcast episode, KGW's Dan Haggerty sits down for a one-on-one with Republican congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, who represents Southwest Washington, to talk about the impeachment o...
ListenHow the pandemic has affected youth mental health, food insecurity in Oregon from 2021-01-30T02:08:41
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of life. In the first segment this week, Jeff Carr, CEO of Albertina Kerr, discusses the impact the pandemic has had on youth mental health. In the s...
ListenOregon, Washington school leaders on reopening from 2021-01-23T04:45:43
While many in Oregon and Washington eagerly await getting the COVID-19 vaccine, school leaders in both states are charting a course for schools to reopen even before everyone is vaccinated. The h...
ListenPortland commissioners Carmen Rubio, Mingus Mapps from 2021-01-16T04:17:22
Portland's two newest city commissioners, Mingus Mapps and Carmen Rubio, were sworn into office on Jan. 1 with big plans to move the city ahead in 2021. They discuss what they're working on and wha...
ListenSen. Wyden on attack on the U.S. Capitol from 2021-01-09T04:54:36
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) was on the Senate floor when members of a violent pro-Trump mob broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Wyden talked about the incident and called for President Donald T...
ListenSen. Jeff Merkley from 2020-12-19T04:20
Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon is Laural Porter's guest on this week's episode of KGW's Straight Talk. Merkley discusses how Congress is working on potentially passing a COVID-19 relie...
ListenCOVID-19 vaccine in Oregon and concern for holiday spike from 2020-12-12T05:18:42
On this week's episode, Laural Porter takes a look at the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon. She's joined by the CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS), Becky Hultberg, and...
Listen2020's impact on Street Roots and Portland businesses from 2020-12-05T04:11:01
In this week's episode of Straight Talk with Laural Porter, she talks with Street Roots executive director Kaia Sand and staff members Raven Drake and Gary Barker about how the nonprofit, which sup...
ListenOregon nonprofit sees success in getting women and women of color elected from 2020-11-21T04:29:16
The first Black member and first Muslim member of the Washington County Commission and Mayors-elect of West Linn and Beaverton went through Emerge Oregon training.Emerge Oregon counts among its suc...
ListenPortland Commissioner-elect Mingus Mapps; Gresham mayor's race from 2020-11-14T03:36:22
On this week's episode of Straight Talk, Laural Porter is joined by Portland Commissioner-elect Mingus Mapps, who talks about his victory and what he hopes city council can achieve moving forward. ...
ListenOregon's 4th District: Peter DeFazio v. Alek Skarlatos from 2020-10-31T03:24:39
Longtime Democratic Congressman Peter DeFazio is facing Republican challenger Alek Skarlatos in a race that has received national attention.
ListenWashington congressional race: Herrera Beutler vs. Long from 2020-10-24T04:36:17
Southwest Washington's 3rd Congressional District holds the unique distinction of being the only district touching the Pacific Ocean that is held by a Republican. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler has ser...
ListenPortland mayoral debate: Wheeler vs. Iannarone from 2020-10-09T23:12:41
In a Portland mayoral debate hosted by KGW and the Oregonian, incumbent Ted Wheeler tried to make his case to voters to let him lead the city for four more years, while challenger Sarah Iannarone ...
ListenPortland City Council runoff race: Eudaly vs. Mapps from 2020-10-03T01:14:32
For Portlanders, one of the most important issues on the ballot is the runoff election for city council between incumbent Chloe Eudaly and challenger Mingus Mapps. We talk with both candidates abou...
ListenClimate change and Oregon’s historic wildfires from 2020-09-26T00:37:44
This week on Straight Talk, three associate professors at Portland State University, Paul Loikith, Max Nielson-Pincus and Andres Holz, analyze the historic wildfires that devastated parts of Oregon...
ListenPortland’s never-used Wapato Jail set to open as homeless shelter from 2020-09-19T04:12:26
Two men. One dream. Their partnership could mean a new beginning for hundreds of people living on the streets of Portland. Jordan Schnitzer and Alan Evans, the CEO of the nonprofit Helping Hands, a...
ListenPortland activist Cameron Whitten, Reed College professor Paul Gronke from 2020-09-05T03:17:15
In this week’s episode of Straight Talk with Laural Porter, Portland activist Cameron Whitten says Portlanders should be asking when the suffering of their Black neighbors will end. Also, Reed Coll...
ListenStrategies to navigate work and school from home from 2020-08-22T03:09
As the pandemic stretches into six months, more than two-thirds of employees working from home are experiencing symptoms of burnout, according to a survey from online employment platform Monster. T...
ListenPortland commissioner-elect Dan Ryan, businessman Jordan Schnitzer from 2020-08-15T02:32:17
This week's guests include Dan Ryan, who this week won a special election to fill the late Nick Fish's seat on Portland City Council. He discusses the ongoing protests and what he hopes to bring to...
ListenPortland mayoral candidate Sarah Iannarone on protests, violence and the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020-08-08T04:01:06
Portland mayoral candidate Sarah Iannarone positions herself as a more progressive alternative to incumbent Mayor Ted Wheeler, who is seeking his second term. She's made police accountability a maj...
ListenPortland Mayor Ted Wheeler on protests, federal officers and reelection campaign from 2020-08-01T04:08:05
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler was once overheard saying he couldn't wait for the next 24 months to be over, and the end of his first term as mayor. That was in November 2018 after a health coalition f...
ListenLoretta Smith, Dan Ryan make their case for Portland City Council from 2020-07-25T03:43:27
Portland voters will decide between longtime political insider Loretta Smith and political newcomer Dan Ryan, who calls himself a change agent, as the next commissioner on Portland City Council. Th...
ListenCommissioner Hardesty on Portland protests, police reform from 2020-07-17T23:50:58
For the first time, Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty said she is open to heading up the Portland Police Bureau. Traditionally, the mayor has taken on that role, and Mayor Ted Wheeler cu...
ListenWhere Oregon stands in the coronavirus pandemic from 2020-06-27T04:03:08
All of Oregon has begun gradual reopening over the last month. At the same time, cases of COVID-19 have also increased to their highest levels during the months-long pandemic. Dr. Dean Sidelinger f...
ListenCOVID-19 in Oregon’s prisons, and food insecurity during the pandemic from 2020-06-20T04:22:42
In this week’s episode of Straight Talk, we examine the impact COVID-19 is having on Oregon’s prisons, and calls to release inmates to reduce the risk of transmission. We also take a look at how th...
ListenCongresswoman Suzanne Bonamici on why child care is critical to reopening economy from 2020-06-13T04:43:22
No child care. No economic recovery. That's the bottom line for Oregon first district Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici when it comes to reopening the economy and recovering from the pandemic. Bonam...
ListenSen. Jeff Merkley on George Floyd's death, coronavirus from 2020-06-06T05:29:39
In this week's Straight Talk with Laural Porter, Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley addresses George Floyd's death, the protests across the country and the coronavirus pandemic. He's proposing a bill that wo...
ListenMultnomah Co. DA-elect Mike Schmidt, homeless services tax from 2020-05-29T23:41:24
On this week’s Straight Talk with Laural Porter, Multnomah County District Attorney-elect Mike Schmidt discusses reform he would like to see in the criminal justice system and reacts to the death o...
ListenKurt Schrader, Mark Gamba make final pitches in Democratic congressional race from 2020-05-15T23:33:21
Oregon's primary is on May 19. One of the big races is the Democratic primary for Oregon's fifth congressional district. Rep. Kurt Schrader is seeking reelection but faces challenger Milwaukie Mayo...
ListenDuring pandemic, communities asked to be watchful for signs of child abuse from 2020-05-11T15:22:41
The non-profit, Prevent Child Abuse Oregon, a chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, is working to try to help stabilize and support Oregon families, and protect children at risk for abuse and neg...
ListenSecretary of State candidate Jamie McLeod Skinner from 2020-05-11T14:56:08
This week, former congressional candidate Jamie McLeod Skinner joins host Laural Porter to talk about her qualifications for Oregon Secretary of State, which is next in succession to the governor. ...
ListenOregon Secretary of State candidates Shemia Fagan and Mark Hass from 2020-05-02T02:41:11
One of the most competitive races in Oregon’s May 19 primary is the Democratic race for secretary of state. Three candidates are vying for the chance to take on the winner of the Republican primary...
ListenSen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Education head Colt Gill from 2020-04-25T02:59:36
This week’s guests with Laural Porter are Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden and Oregon Education head Colt Gill. Wyden talks about what he and Congress are doing to help people and businesses get through t...
ListenOregon health officials plead for continued social distancing from 2020-04-18T04:37:02
The leaders of the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Association of Hospitals are pleading with Oregonians to continue to stay home and social distance. Pat Allen of OHA and Becky Hultberg, CE...
ListenHouse Speaker Tina Kotek&help for those battling addiction from 2020-04-11T03:39
In this week's Straight Talk with Laural Porter, House Speaker Tina Kotek reassures Oregonians that state lawmakers are listening to their concerns and fears about the future created by the coronav...
ListenMultnomah County Chair and Oregon Labor Commissioner address coronavirus pandemic from 2020-04-04T03:41:35
This week's guests on Straight Talk with Laural Porter are Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury and Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle. They talk about how the agencies they oversee are handling...
ListenHow the coronavirus is impacting business and the homeless in Portland from 2020-03-28T03:35:22
On this week’s episode, Laural Porter talks with Andrew Hoan, the executive director of the Portland Business Alliance, about the impact the coronavirus has had on Portland’s economy. Laural also s...
ListenOregon Food Bank, census organizers meet coronavirus challenges head-on from 2020-03-25T01:07:49
The coronavirus outbreak is sending far-reaching shockwaves through our communities. But the CEO of the Oregon Food Bank said the organization is determined it will meet the need of those hurting i...
ListenJules Boykoff on why we should cancel the Olympics from 2020-03-20T19:15:06
Jules Boykoff, a political scientist who studies the Olympics, wrote an op-ed in the New York Times in March 2020 about why the Summer Games should be canceled amid a coronavirus pandemic.
ListenValue of Jobs report in Oregon from 2020-03-13T23:20:57
The full economic impact of COVID-19 is still unknown, but the executive director of the Portland Business Alliance, Andrew Hoan, said it's already had significant impact on the traded sector, the ...
ListenRep. Schrader on coronavirus and climate change from 2020-03-07T01:14:02
Congressman Kurt Schrader (D), who is being challenged by Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba in the Democratic primary, talks about why he should continue to represent the 5th District. He also discussed a...
ListenFighting hunger in Oregon and Washington from 2020-02-29T00:29:35
According to the Oregon Food Bank, one in nine people in Oregon and Washington face food insecurity. Oregon Food Bank CEO Susannah Morgan hopes there comes a time when her job is no longer necessary.
ListenWhat trees can tell us about climate change from 2020-02-21T00:00:34
Local experts explain how trees can help us prepare for a warming climate. Laural Porter is joined by KGW Meteorologist Matt Zaffino, Reed College Professor Dr. Aaron Ramirez, and Portland State Un...
ListenHow Inside Woodlawn teaches us about a lot more than a Portland elementary school from 2020-02-14T04:47
Investigative reporter Cristin Severance, and photojournalists Gene Cotton and Kurt Austin, are spending the school year telling stories about Woodlawn Elementary's students, staff and parents. It'...
ListenStrengthening domestic violence laws from 2020-02-08T00:04:50
Tiffany Hill was shot and killed by her estranged husband in front of her children in November 2019. Now, Washington lawmakers and victims’ advocates are working together to stop what happened to H...
ListenSenate leaders on new Cap and Trade Bill from 2020-02-03T19:55:18
Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick and Senate Minority Leader Herman Baertschiger Jr. join Laural Porter to discuss the upcoming legislative session, and why Democrats think their new version of ...
ListenChild abuse in Oregon from 2020-01-25T00:59:43
Laural Porter is joined by Becky Jones, the executive director of the Oregon Network of Child Abuse Intervention Centers, Rep. Anna Williams (D-52), and Hood County Sheriff Matt English. The expert...
ListenGov. Brown on the upcoming session from 2020-01-18T01:49:11
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown talked with Laural about reviving the cap-and-trade bill, the possibility of another Republican walkout and goals for the upcoming legislative session.
ListenRemembering Commissioner Nick Fish from 2020-01-11T01:28:11
Portland Commissioner Nick Fish passed away after a battle with abdominal cancer on Jan. 2, 2020. He was a frequent guest on Straight Talk, and a long-time public servant. Laural Porter is joined b...
ListenIs the trade industry in Oregon strong? from 2019-12-20T21:41:04
We're joined by Eco Northwest President John Tapogna, Executive Director of PNW International Trade Association Maria Isabel Ellis, and Executive Director of Port of Portland Curtis Robinhold to ta...
ListenAddiction Treatment and Recovery, with Heidi Wallace and Carrie Bates of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation from 2019-12-13T11:00
Heidi Wallace and Carrie Bates from the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation join Laural Porter to talk about addiction and recovery. The holidays can be a difficult time for people who struggle with sub...
ListenRep. Tiffany Mitchell on donating a kidney from 2019-12-06T08:00
Laural Porter is joined by Oregon State Rep. Tiffany Mitchell, a living kidney donor, and Leslie Brock, executive director of Donate Life Northwest. They discussed Mitchell's donation, as well as h...
ListenEbony Clarke of Multnomah County's Mental Health and Addiction Services from 2019-11-25T18:31:57
Ebony Clarke, the new director of Multnomah County's Mental Health and Addiction Services Division, says her goal, as she takes over leadership of the department, is to rebuild trust, morale and tr...
ListenChildcare deserts and free preschool from 2019-11-16T00:19:08
Commissioner Vega Pederson and Director of Oregon's Early Learning System Miriam Calderon talk about Oregon's expensive childcare and preschool programs. A recent study recently found every Oregon ...
ListenInvestigative Reporter Kyle Iboshi on robocalls and scams from 2019-11-11T08:00
KGW's Kyle Iboshi explains how robocalls work and if there's anything we can do to stop them. He also goes over some tips for aging parents and grandparents to avoid impostor scams. More info on...
ListenOregon business teams up with non-profit to fight child abuse from 2019-11-08T22:56:27
Child advocates say the state of Oregon is woefully under funding services to prevent and treat child abuse. We're joined by Becky Jones, the executive director of the Oregon Network of Child Abuse...
ListenClimate Change in the Pacific Northwest from 2019-10-25T22:58:09
Three scientists from Portland State University along with KGW's Chief Meteorologist Matt Zaffino discussed the impact climate change is having on the Pacific Northwest.
ListenRep. Suzanne Bonamici on student loan debt from 2019-10-18T21:12:35
Student loan debt in 2019 is at the highest points its ever been. Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and talks about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and is joined by Kristen Fouts, currently...
ListenLines for Life's CEO Dwight Holton and YouthLine Crisis Line Director Emily Moser from 2019-10-14T21:24:26
Lines for Life CEO Dwight Holton and Lines for Life YouthLine Crisis Line Director Emily Moser discuss the crisis, resources for prevention and erasing the stigma of suicide. This episode originall...
ListenSen. Ron Wyden and former Sen. Gordon Smith on mental health from 2019-10-04T19:27:43
For the first time in more than a decade, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith made a join appearance. The Republican and Democrat were in town for the Gordon and Sharon ...
ListenProvidence Health doctors on tackling opioid epidemic from 2019-09-30T12:18:29
An average of 5 Oregonians a week die from opioid abuse, and Providence Health is taking steps to battle the addiction crisis. KGW's Laural Porter is joined by Providence doctors Shorin Nemeth a...
ListenMegan Bigelow of PDX Women in Tech from 2019-09-20T19:41:58
KGW's Laural Porter is joined by Megan Bigelow of PDX Women in Tech. The pair discusses Portland's technology sector, which is predominantly led by white men, PDXWIT was founded to encourage tho...
ListenInterim PSU President Stephen Percy on his vision for the university from 2019-09-13T18:04:55
KGW's Laural Porter talked with interim Portland State President Stephen Percy ahead of the new school year. They discussed the tumultuous few years at PSU under the previous president and how h...
ListenRep. Blumenauer on housing, climate change and marijuana legalization from 2019-09-08T14:34:45
Rep. Earl Blumenauer spoke with KGW’s Laural Porter about his call for the federal government to help in the housing crisis, why he’s calling for a climate emergency, and why he thinks marijuana...
ListenBONUS EPISODE: Sen. Merkley on his new book from 2019-08-27T14:41:17
KGW's Laural Porter hosted a discussion with Sen. Jeff Merkley at Revolution Hall in Portland on Aug. 26. They discussed Sen. Merkley's new book, 'America is Better Than This: Trump's War Agains...
ListenMilwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba on challenging Rep. Schrader from 2019-08-25T20:00
Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba, a former National Geographic photographer, is challenging incumbent Kurt Schrader for Oregon's 5th District in 2020. He talked about his passion to battle climate cha...
ListenMultnomah Co. Chair Deborah Kafoury on homelessness from 2019-08-20T19:23:36
Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury and Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meiren talk about what steps the county is taking to address homelessness. This episode originally aired on June 2...
ListenBill Currier on the future of the GOP in Oregon from 2019-08-20T15:54
The chair of the Oregon GOP Bill Currier talks about Republican efforts to recall Democratic Gov. Kate Brown, as well as the future of the Oregon Republican Party. This episode originally aired ...
ListenOR Treasurer Tobias Read on Oregon Saves program from 2019-08-20T15:15:35
Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read and Executive Director of the Rose City Rollers Kim Stegeman talk about “Oregon Saves,” a first-of its kind work-and-save program. Read says the program is getting n...
ListenSen. Jeff Merkley on immigration, Democratic presidential candidates and gun violence from 2019-08-20T14:48:21
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D) discuss the immigration crisis and his experience seeing the detention camps in person. Sen. Merkley also talks about reducing gun violence, the Democratic presidential can...
ListenRep. Kurt Schrader on gun laws, the NRA and immigration from 2019-08-20T14:47:52
Oregon State Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-5th District) talked with KGW’s Laural Porter about gun laws, the NRA and the immigration crisis at the border. They also discussed his primary opponent, Milwa...
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