Writer's Almanac Airs Weekdays On OPB Radio

OPB is pleased to announce that beginning Monday, January 22, "The Writer's Almanac" will return to OPB Radio.

Listeners can hear "The Writer's Almanac" weekdays on OPB Radio during our broadcast of "Day to Day" at 1:30pm. Listeners can also subscribe to "The Writer's Almanac" podcast at opb.org/radio.

OPB Program Updates Progress on Oregon's Meth Problems

A year ago, Frontline: The Meth Epidemic, produced in partnership by OPB, Frontline and The Oregonian, explored the growing methamphetamine epidemic in Oregon and across the nation. This award-winning documentary and the OPB panel discussion that followed it, Meth: The Oregon Front, sprung from a series by The Oregonian's Steve Suo.

A lot has changed in the last year. Suo has continued to break stories on the changing international meth trade. New laws approved by Congress and the Oregon Legislature have had substantial impacts on the purity and price of meth on the street. But the drug remains readily available and devastating to those who become addicted to it.

On Tuesday, January 23 at 9pm OPB will rebroadcast Frontline: The Meth Epidemic. Immediately following at 10pm, OPB will update its local exploration of what methamphetamine has done to Oregon in Meth: The Oregon Front 2007. Three of the experts featured in the original Frontline program will update their unique perspectives on meth.

Joining OPB's Colin Fogarty for the discussion are: The Oregonian's Steve Suo who will discuss how new laws are hampering meth cartels in Mexico, but may allow Chinese gangs to fill the gap; Rob Bovett of the Oregon Narcotics Enforcement Association will describe how Oregon has seen the steepest decline in meth lab seizures, due in part to the strictest controls on the meth precursor, pseudoephedrine; and Rita Sullivan, therapist and administrator at OnTrack in Medford, will speak about how that progress hasn't ended the epidemic.

More information about the meth problem in Oregon including resources, links to articles, video streaming of Meth: The Oregon Front 2007 and a special radio feature by Colin Fogarty on Oregon Considered Tuesday, January 23 at 4:30pm will be available online at opb.org/meth/ after the programs air.

OPB Expands Its News Lineup With Two New Radio Programs

OPB Radio is expanding its news lineup with the addition of two shows to its morning lineup: Here and Now from 9 to 10am and World Have Your Say from 10 to 11am beginning Monday, January 15.

Here and Now, hosted by veteran award-winning broadcaster Robin Young, is a daily hour-long program that combines the best in news journalism with intelligent, broad-ranging conversation to form a fast-paced program that updates the news from the morning and adds important conversations on public policy and foreign affairs, science and technology and the arts.

World, Have Your Say is a groundbreaking, live global interactive program on OPB Radio weekdays from 10 to 11am and online 24/7. It invites listeners and online users to share their views and questions on key issues with a worldwide audience. The program features leading global figures, experts and correspondents who are also invited to take questions and comments from the audience.

"These programs are a superb addition to our news lineup," said OPB President and CEO Steve Bass. "I'm confident that these two hours of stimulating discussion will become must-hears for our very discerning audience."

Oregon Public Broadcasting Announces Debut of the Oregon Channel Providing Coverage of the Legislative Session

Now that the elections are over, here's your chance to see your elected officials at work. Gavel-to-gavel television coverage of the Oregon Legislature is set to hit the airwaves on January 8. A pilot project conducted by Oregon Public Broadcasting, the Oregon Legislature and Southern Oregon Public Television will test the concept of a 24/7 "Oregon Channel" to broaden public access to state government and public affairs events.

Additional programming will come from the Oregon University System and the Oregon Public Affairs Network as well as OPB's own productions.

"It is important that OPB, the most-trusted media resource in the state, step forward with this service that gives citizens more insight into the issues impacting us all," said Steve Bass, president and CEO of OPB. "This new channel is a perfect example of OPB striving to fulfill our mission of giving voice to the community and connecting all Oregonians. "

"For the first time ever, Oregonians will have a television channel dedicated solely to covering the legislature and state government. This new Oregon Channel will be a good resource for Oregonians to learn more about their government," said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn).

"The Oregon Channel is one of the only practical means for many Oregonians to actually see what goes on in Salem," said Karen Minnis (R-Wood Village). "The channel is the next step in Oregon's history of open government and it will make us more accessible to those we serve."

The Oregon Channel pilot will launch on January 8, 2007, the Opening Day of the next legislative session. The channel will include unedited coverage of legislative floor sessions, committee hearings, Capitol news conferences, and other state government and public affairs events. The pilot project will conclude at the end of the legislative session, at which point the channel will be evaluated to determine the feasibility of establishing a permanent Oregon Channel statewide. Similar channels have been successfully launched in other states and the partners are eager to test the concept in Oregon.

The Oregon Channel will be broadcast on digital television channels available in most of the state's largest cities served by OPB and SOPTV. Since digital television technology is still in transition, access to the channel during the pilot period will be limited primarily to digital cable subscribers and households equipped with a digital television tuner. Information about how and where to tune in is available on OPB's Oregon Channel Web page or www.oregonchannel.org where visitors can access streaming video feeds of the channel, a program schedule and an online survey that will be used to help evaluate the pilot project.

The pilot project will cost approximately $150,000, and will be funded by the Legislative Administration office. All of the project partners are contributing equipment and staff time for the project.