OPB’s First Look: Gun policy and the governor’s race

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Good morning, Northwest.

Polling suggests the race between Gov. Tina Kotek and her Republican challenger Christine Drazan could be close.

The recent deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School has people asking familiar questions about how to reduce gun violence in Oregon. OPB’s Lauren Dake takes a look at how the two candidates view the issue.

Also this morning, you can now watch OPB’s full 45-minute exclusive interview with Kaylub Giamanco, the man who fatally shot the teenage shooter at Silver Rail on Oct. 15.

Here’s your First Look at Monday’s news.

— John Hill

Top story

Top candidates for Oregon governor want to end gun violence. But how?

Republican Christine Drazan and Democrat Tina Kotek recently spent time in Bend after a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary killed three children and a teacher. They also attended a candlelight vigil in Drake Park.

It’s not the first time the two candidates have faced the issue of gun violence while campaigning. Four years ago, another shooting at a Safeway, also in Bend, prompted questions about how they would reduce such violence.

In 2022, the candidates’ views on gun restrictions broke along familiar party lines.

This time, both candidates have so far been reluctant to delve too deep into a gun policy debate. (Lauren Dake)

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3 things to know

1. Watch the full OPB’s exclusive interview with Kaylub Giamanco, the man who fatally shot the teenage school shooter at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend. (Emily Cureton Cook and Jen Baires)
2. On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of friends, family and local Bend residents gathered at Caldera High School to celebrate the life and legacy of Megan Lambert, the 25-year-old schoolteacher who was killed in a school shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School. (Jireh Deng)
3. Newport authorities issued an evacuation order near a seafood plant after it caught fire Sunday morning. The city has opened shelters, and residents are being advised to stay indoors and to wear a mask to avoid inhaling the smoke from the burning facility. (Jireh Deng)

The Evergreen

What a scientific study reveals about Oregon’s psilocybin therapy program

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University recently completed the first rigorous study of Oregon’s psilocybin therapy program. In this episode, we hear about the research and dig a little deeper into what psilocybin therapy looks like in Oregon. (Amelia Templeton and Julie Sabatier)

Listen Here

Northwest headlines

• Harney Basin experiment explores crops for a drier future (Alejandro Figueroa)

• Drought, fire and high diesel prices ‘addin’ up tough’ for Oregon ranchers (Anna King, NPR)

• Amid rising food costs, a free newsletter helps Portlanders save money (Crystal Ligori)

• Cottage Grove Sentinel to cease operations at the end of October (Zac Ziegler, KLCC)

• Lane Community College offers buyouts to some longtime employees (Nathan Wilk, KLCC)

• Oregon ethics commission dismisses complaint against Curry County Sheriff John Ward (Justin Higginbottom, JPR)

• People aren’t drinking like they used to. Can Washington beer, wine industries adapt? (Monica Nickelsburg, KUOW)

• ‘It’s only a matter of time’: A beetle that decimates ash trees has arrived in southeast Washington (Erick Bengel, NWPB)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

• University of Washington researcher studies impacts of technologies used inside prisons

One more look

20th-century Americana radiantly on display at the National Neon Sign Museum in The Dalles

Driving along the scenic Columbia River Gorge on I-84, you might not expect to find many of the bright, candy-colored vintage neon signs that once illuminated America’s main boulevards.

But a time capsule of this craft can be found in The Dalles, Oregon, home to the National Neon Sign Museum.

In 2014, retired neon sign maker Steven Benko, creator of many signs for McMenamins, had a dream of creating a museum dedicated to neon. Around that time, he learned that the historic 1910 Elks Building in The Dalles was up for sale.

The museum opened its doors in 2017, reflecting Benko’s passion for neon and his desire to create a community hub that would also teach the classic skills and art form of neon tube bending.

The museum would also soon become the home of the original Jantzen Beach Carousel, designed and created in 1921 by renowned 20th-century carousel designer C.W. Parker. (Jacob Pander)

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