
OPB Politics Now
‘OPB Politics Now’: Portland’s police oversight controversy continues
Portland has struggled for years with how to oversee matters of police discipline and the controversy appears to be continuing. On the latest episode of "OPB Politics Now," reporters Lauren Dake and Alex Zielinski discuss how the City Council appears to be changing elements of the police oversight system that was overwhelmingly supported by voters three years ago.
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‘OPB Politics Now’: Tribes, a proposed destination resort and treaty rights collide
Tribes in Central Oregon are fighting a county-approved plan to build a luxury resort on their ancestral lands, which could further deplete the region's shrinking groundwater supply.

‘OPB Politics Now’: The politics of the PPS strike
Portland public schools are on strike for the first time in history. It’s early days and it’s already turning political. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake, Dirk VanderHart and Natalie Pate discuss the politics surrounding the strike and whether Democratic lawmakers will wade in to the dispute.

‘OPB Politics Now’: Oregon’s battle over pumping gas refuels, plus Portland City Council transition drama
The battle over who can pump gas legally in Oregon may not have been fully settled. Plus, Portland City Council members continue to bicker as the transition to a new government looms. On the latest episode of "OPB Politics Now," reporters Alex Zielinski and Dirk VanderHart discuss those issues.

‘OPB Politics Now’: What happens when an Oregon town’s government implodes
Baker City's government and political system essentially ceased to exist for weeks this year, and the pieces are just now getting put back together. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, editor Ryan Haas and reporter Antonio Sierra discuss the political acrimony in Baker City and much more.

‘OPB Politics Now’: How homelessness became a statewide crisis in Oregon
Homelessness may be the biggest political story in Oregon. And it’s complicated: intertwined so closely with other big issues like the housing shortage, a lack of mental health care options and a surging drug crisis. On this week’s episode of "OPB Politics Now," reporters Lauren Dake and Alex Zielinski take a deep dive into the history of houselessness in Oregon.

‘OPB Politics Now’: Why Democrats are now willing to tackle Measure 110 reforms
During the 2023 legislative session, Democrats were not interested in making system-wide changes to the state’s drug decriminalization experiment. Now, that seems to have changed. On this week’s episode of OPB’s Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart talk about the politics behind the sudden change of heart and what it means for the future of the state’s drug policies.

‘OPB Politics Now’: Fentanyl, overdoses and Measure 110 in the spotlight
Fentanyl use in Portland and other cities is a national crisis, but in Oregon the passage of Measure 110 harkened something entirely different. Now the political repercussions about that measure continue to reverberate. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart, Lauren Dake and Jonathan Levinson discuss fentanyl, Measure 110's critics and much more.

‘OPB Politics Now’: A deep dive into the unusual and personal Paul Holvey recall
Recall efforts aren't unusual in Oregon politics these days, but it is odd to have a contest led by former allies. On the latest episode of "OPB Politics Now," reporters Alex Zielinski and Dirk VanderHart discuss the union-led effort to recall Rep. Paul Holvey. Plus, they address why Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell is leaving and what to make of his short-term successor.

‘OPB Politics Now’: What can Ted Wheeler accomplish as a lame duck?
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler won't run for reelection, but does this free him up to accomplish more in his last 15 months? On the latest episode of "OPB Politics Now," reporters Alex Zielinski, Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss Wheeler's decision, his legacy and whether he can do anything notable. Plus, they discuss the candidates entering races for state treasurer and secretary of state.

‘OPB Politics Now’: Portland public drug use ban awaits state action, Bybee Lakes gets more public cash
Portland wants to ban public drug use on sidewalks or public property, but it isn't a simple fix. And the state's largest homeless shelter, which was founded with assurances no public money was needed, is suddenly saved by Multnomah County. All that and more on this week's episode of OPB Politics Now.

Growing Oregon
OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes spent more than a year researching, reporting and producing “Growing Oregon,” a six-part podcast and web series looking at the evolution of Oregon’s unique approach to growth and the impact it has on our lives today. You can find the full series here.