Think Out Loud
The 2020 Labor Day Weekend wildfires burned through the cascade forests, impacting many communities across Oregon.
In Jackson County, residents prepare for future wildfires
The “Think Out Loud” team traveled to Southern Oregon recently and talked to residents about how they’re thinking about fire in their communities now.
Today's show
REBROADCAST: Ann Patchett’s new novel focuses on mothers, daughters and theater
Featured stories
How Lincoln County residents are approaching Oregon’s housing crisis
"Think Out Loud" traveled to Lincoln County to learn about three different approaches residents and organizations are taking to create more units, more affordability and more stability in the coastal housing market.
Why hundreds of millions in federal relief for 2020 Oregon fire victims remains unspent
Andrea Bell, who heads Oregon Housing and Community Services and Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, join us to tell us more about who has gotten this federal aid, who is still waiting and how they’re each thinking about the potential disaster threats from future fire seasons.
Portland nonprofit helps fulfill ‘musical last wishes’ for people at end of life
Swan Songs Portland provides free concerts performed by local musicians for people at the end of their lives. Musicians are paid for their performances at no cost to recipients or their loved ones.
Oregon Democratic Rep. Maxine Dexter on Medicaid cuts in GOP tax and spending bill
Oregon Democratic Rep. Maxine Dexter joins us to talk about the impact on Oregonians under the GOP's massive tax and spending bill.

What comes next for Portland-area homeless services tax
Metro, the regional government agency for Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah counties, decided to hold off on asking voters for a renewal of the homeless services tax on the November ballot.
How cuts to federal research funding are impacting Oregon academics
We’ll talk with three Oregon researchers whose funding was cancelled about the negative impact the cuts will have on efforts to address health disparities in the U.S.
What the Mississippi River can learn from the Columbia and vice versa
Stakeholders from the upper Mississippi River recently toured the Columbia and Snake River. We'll hear what they learned and what they can take away from their visit to the Pacific Northwest.
What the future of the Blazers looks like after draft, start of free agency
The Blazers will see some new faces and say goodbye to others. We'll hear from the host of "Locked On Blazers" to hear what player changes will mean for the team.
Oregon Democratic Senator on transportation bill he helped kill
We hear from Oregon Sen. Mark Meek, D-Gladstone, about his reasons for opposing the transportation bill the Democratic supermajority failed to pass in the recently concluded legislative session.

ODFW releases draft management plan for Southern Resident orcas
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has a new draft plan to help Southern Resident orca populations along the West Coast. We'll hear from the agency to learn more.
CAHOOTS, a Lane County mobile crisis service provider, navigates local cuts
Justin Madeira, CAHOOTS program coordinator, joins us with details about what’s next for the organization and what crisis response efforts look like in Oregon.
Oregon Legislature wraps up a busy session
The gavel came down on this year’s session of the Oregon Legislature on Friday. Legislators failed to pass a controversial funding package for transportation and infrastructure. They also took up gun bills, civil commitment, wildfire funding and many other issues. OPB political reporter Dirk VanderHart helps us understand it all.
Housing advocates warn Oregon legislative cuts to housing and eviction prevention program will add to homeless population
We talk with Portland State University Professor Lisa Bates about the funding for homelessness and housing programs and what’s needed in her view to address the ongoing homeless and housing crisis.
What climate policies did – and didn’t – pass the Oregon Legislature
We'll hear from a climate policy advocate about what lawmakers did – and didn’t – pass in terms of climate legislation and how federal rollbacks of environmental protections could impact the state’s climate goals.

Faith-based CityTeam Portland will double its shelter and recovery capacity with move to Old Town
We talk with the executive director, who first came to the organization for services when he was homeless, about CityTeam's mission and how it is expanding.
Multnomah County reports measles case, here’s what you should know
Oregon has it's first reported case of measles. We'll hear from the state to learn more.

Portland’s Pacific Standard and Palomar up for national Spirited Awards
We talk to the owners of two Portland bars who are finalists for this year’s Spirited Awards, one of the most prestigious honors in the cocktail world.

Oregon high school program teaches students about the state’s ‘blue economy’
A new program teaches students about seafood butchery and Oregon's seafood economy. We'll learn more about the program from the program coordinator, a teacher and a student.
Concerns over privacy and police surveillance arise in Southern Oregon
We learn more about what’s happening in Medford from Kelly Simon, the legal director of the ACLU of Oregon.
What regulations for ketamine clinics look like in Oregon, the US
Ketamine has seen growing use to treat depression. We'll hear from a reporter to hear how ketamine clinics face little regulation.