Host, Weekend Edition
John Notarianni
John Notarianni is the host of “Weekend Edition” at Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Before joining OPB, John worked as a radio producer, reporter and host at WDET in Detroit and WYPR in Baltimore, and had stints at WBEZ in Chicago and WUOM in Ann Arbor.
Along the way he’s worked as the Michigan editorial director for an urban development news startup, served as business development director for several Detroit-based social entrepreneurial companies, founded a brass band that toured Europe and honed his craft cocktail skills.
John graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English and Global Media Studies.
Recent Articles
Arts | Books | NW Life | Business | local | Entertainment
Dark Horse Entertainment's Founder On The Future Of Comic Books
Oregon-based Dark Horse Entertainment recently announced a major global partnership with a Chinese investment firm to finance new film production and expand into Asian markets.
Environment | News | local | Forestry | Nation | Politics
The US Farm Bill Looks To Fight Wildfire
The House Agriculture Committee announced a tentative deal Nov. 29 on the massive federal farm bill. Final negotiations over the legislation have focused not on farms but on forests.
Entertainment | NW Life | local | News | Recreation
West Coast Pumpkin Regatta Features Boats Carved Out Of Giant Gourds
Every year, gourd enthusiasts gather for the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, where participants racing across the Tualatin Lake of the Commons in kayaks made of — yes — giant, hollowed pumpkins.
Environment | Agriculture | News | local | Land | Science
This Oregon Farmer Grows Seeds To Restore Land Scorched By Wildfires
Once wildfires are finally extinguished across the west, another threat lingers: the burned landscapes provide an opportunity for invasive species to thrive, forcing out essential native plants.
Business | News | local | Technology
Trump's Tariffs Hit Oregon's Semiconductor Industry
A new round of tariffs on Chinese goods has caught the attention of Oregon’s high-tech chip industry. Several products related to semiconductor production are on the list.
Music | Entertainment | local | NW Life
Pickathon At 20: The Local Festival With The Global Audience
Now in its 20th year, the Portland-area's Pickathon music festival has risen from ramshackle beginnings to being a major event. But maintaining it's charm without breaking the bank in an era of mega-festivals hasn't been easy.
Agriculture | News | local | Environment
How A Botched Experiment Sent GMO Grass Creeping Across Oregon
In 2003, a botched experiment by agribusiness giants Scotts Miracle-Gro and Monsanto unleashed a mutant strain of creeping bent grass across Oregon.
Arts | Entertainment | local
Gus Van Sant's New Film Tells The Story Of Iconoclastic Portland Cartoonist
The new film by filmmaker Gus Van Sant is a look at the life of irreverent Portland cartoonist John Callahan, his struggles as a quadriplegic and his recovery from alcoholism.
Business | News | local
Bend Is Now Home To The Last Blockbuster Video Store In America
At its peak, Blockbuster Video had more than 9,000 stores. But starting next week, there will be only one left in America — and it's in Bend.
Arts | local
'Leave No Trace' Director Debra Granik On Shooting A True Oregon Film
The story of a father and daughter who spent years living camped out in Portland's Forest Park is the basis of a new film called "Leave No Trace."
Agriculture | News | local | Environment
Wyden: Legalizing Hemp A Big Opportunity For Oregon
Lawmakers are working together to push the Hemp Legalization Act of 2018, to legalize and clearly define hemp as an agricultural commodity and remove it from the list of controlled substances.
Economy | local | News
A 1-Bedroom In Oregon Is Now Unaffordable For The Average Worker
The average cost to rent a one-bedroom apartment is now beyond the means of the average full-time Oregon worker, according to a new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
World | Business | News | local | Politics
The Last Time Oregon's Christmas Tree Farmers Faced Down A Trade War
Talk of new tariffs are worrying a range of agricultural businesses across the Northwest. But this isn’t the first time local farmers have been in the crossfire over an international trade dispute.
Business | News | local
Oregon's Shiny New Industry: Synthetic Diamonds
Gemstone industry giant De Beers announced a plan to begin manufacturing synthetic diamond jewelry, and that it would to open a 60,000 square foot factory in Gresham by 2020.
News | local
Oregon Gold Star Father Remembers His Daughter
The Iraq war is a fading memory for many, but not for Steve Ellis. His daughter Jessica was killed there 10 years ago, working as a medic in the elite 101st Airborne Division.
Environment | Food | Flora and Fauna | News | local | Land | Forestry
A Silver Lining From The Eagle Creek Fire: More Morel Mushrooms
Last summer's Eagle Creek Wildfire has created the perfect environment for several types of fungi to thrive, included the coveted wild morel mushroom.
News
The Twisting Saga Of Portland's Fremont Place Apartments
A controversial proposed apartment building in Portland has a new shot at being built. The Fremont Place Apartments have been approved, appealed, rejected, then un-rejected but still not quite approved.
Agriculture | News | Food | local | Environment
'Like Licking An Ashtray': Wildfires Lead To Smoky Wines In Oregon
Last summer’s wildfire season is tainting some Oregon wines with the aroma and taste of smoke, even after it’s been fermented and distilled. That’s worrying growers and winemakers here in Oregon.
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