Think Out Loud

FILE - The Metro Council decided it would not ask voters to extend a regional homeless services tax.
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.
Today's show
Oregon Democratic Rep. Maxine Dexter on Medicaid cuts in GOP tax and spending bill
Why hundreds of millions in federal relief for 2020 Oregon fire victims remains unspent
Portland nonprofit helps fulfill ‘musical last wishes’ for people at end of life
Featured stories
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.

Oregonian Fred Grandy killed in Russian drone and missile attack while volunteering in Kyiv
We talk with family member of the late Fred Grandy, who was volunteering in Ukraine when he was killed in a Russian attack.

REBROADCAST: Isaka Shamsud-Din
Portland artist and activist Isaka Shamsud-Din has captured the lives and histories of African Americans in paintings throughout his life. He draws on his experiences growing up in Portland for his work. His exhibit, "Rock of Ages," is currently on display at the Portland Art Museum. We spoke to him in January 2020.

Immigration crackdown clouds outlook for Oregon sweet cherry harvest
We hear about how a workforce shortage due to the fear of immigration enforcement actions is affecting the sweet cherry harvest in Oregon.
Rose City roller derby is well represented at World Cup
Lex Zhang, of the Rose City Rollers, joins us to talk about the upcoming competition and the joy of skating with Chinese Nations Roller Derby.
How Vancouver aims to spur new housing construction amid slowdown
The city of Vancouver is grappling with a sharp decline in new housing construction amid a severe shortage in affordable housing that is impacting the city and the region.
Contributors
Producer's favorites
‘Red Clocks’ imagines the US with abortion outlawed
REBROADCAST: Women Of Color In Politics
How A Landmark Audit Could Change Oregon’s Child Welfare Department
How The Youth Villages Model Could Inform Oregon Foster Care
Women Transforming Their Lives In Prison
Released: Life And Forgiveness After 21 Years In Prison
Summer Whisman: At Home With ALS
At Home With Wildfires
At Home With James Yamazaki

James Yamazaki talking in his kitchen with Think Out Loud host, Dave Miller, before sitting down for an hour-long interview.
At Home With Recovery

This is the second time Trish Hodeck has lived at this Oxford House. The first time Trish and a friend left to live on their own, Trish ended up relapsing. "Oxford saved my life. And I mean it this time."