Best OPB Podcasts (2025)

1
Newport is expanding its paid parking 4:40

20h ago4:40

4:40

Newport is expanding its paid parkingBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
The rise, fall and return of cap and trade in Oregon 20:43

1d ago20:43

20:43

An issue that once prompted a Republican legislative walkout and derailed two legislative sessions is back. On this week’s OPB Politics Now, we’ll discuss why a controversial climate proposal has suddenly re-emerged and what happens next. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.

1
Oregon mother advocates for federal bill that aims to protect kids from online dangers 30:15

16h ago30:15

30:15

A bill in the U.S. Senate would put more responsibility on social media companies to design their platforms to better protect children from online dangers. The Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA, appeared set to pass Congress last year, only to stall in the House. It was reintroduced earlier this month.Advocates say KOSA is necessary to keep kids from…

1
Looking back at Steve Prefontaine’s legacy 50 years after his death 22:54

16h ago22:54

22:54

It’s been 50 years since legendary Oregon track and field athlete Steve Prefontaine died in a car crash on May 30, 1975. He was only 24 years old. At the time, the Coos Bay runner held every U.S. distance record from the two-kilometer race to the 10K and was training for the 1976 Olympics. His athleticism and charisma made him one of the best-known…

1
Oregon's fishing industry weathers tariff uncertainty 4:56

20h ago4:56

4:56

Oregon's fishing industry weathers tariff uncertaintyBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
How Oregon’s Head Start programs are affected by federal uncertainty 12:45

1d ago12:45

12:45

The Head Start program provides free early childhood education and support for low-income families. The federal government funds the program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Project 2025 proposed eliminating the program. While Head Start still exists, regional offices have closed and programs have run into issues receiving …

1
Oregon AG-led challenge to Trump’s tariffs successful, administration is appealing 10:44

1d ago10:44

10:44

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Arizona AG Kris Mayes have prevailed in their challenge to a set of tariffs Pres. Trump had imposed on most countries on April 2. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade in April. The coalition of Attorneys General included Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, N…

1
Oregon bill would again allow foster kids to be sent out of state 29:01

1d ago29:01

29:01

A foster care bill in the Oregon legislature is controversial, but unlike other hotly contested issues, it’s not one that breaks along party lines. House Bill 3835 would allow kids in the child welfare system to be sent out of state to receive services — a practice Oregon stopped several years ago after documented incidents of abuse. Democratic gov…

1
Nicky Young aged out of foster care without a family but started her own business 5:51

1d ago5:51

5:51

How one former Oregon foster youth used financial literacy training to launch her own clothing businessBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
College students see greater success when their basic needs are met 4:02

2d ago4:02

4:02

College students see greater success when their basic needs are metBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
‘Like a jail cell’: Family of six detained at Washington state border facility for more than three weeks 4:58

3d ago4:58

4:58

A pregnant mother-of-four is raising concerns about their detention in a single room for 24 days.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Author Renée Watson on “skin & bones,” her first novel for adults 23:54

3d ago23:54

23:54

Renée Watson has topped bestseller lists and won multiple awards for her children’s and young adult literature. But the author, who splits her time between Portland and New York City, recently released “skin & bones,” her first book for adults. The story follows 40-year-old Lena Baker as she navigates dating, fat-shaming, friendship and motherhood …

1
Portland comedian Susan Rice releases first stand-up album at 73 years old 29:44

3d ago29:44

29:44

Portland comedian Susan Rice has performed on stages across the country since the 1980s. But it was only last year, at the age of 72, that she received wider acclaim after her appearance at a Don’t Tell Comedy showcase went viral. The 10-minute set has now been viewed more than 1.4 million times on Youtube. Following that success, Rice dropped her …

1
Black Belt Eagle Scout creates new composition for walks around Washington County’s Henry Hagg Lake 17:04

4d ago17:04

17:04

Katherine Paul is an Indigenous musician who performs as Black Belt Eagle Scout. The band’s most recent album, “The Land, Water, The Sky,” draws inspiration from the landscape of the Pacific Northwest and Paul’s return to her home on the Swinomish Reservation in Washington after many years in Portland. Paul recently created a 45-minute “soundwalk” …

1
Portland ice cream chain Fifty Licks making ends meet a year after devastating fire 20:16

4d ago20:16

20:16

Chad Draizin of Portland’s 50 Licks sold his first scoop of ice cream in 2009 at a street fair. After several years of pop-up events and selling to local grocery stores, he opened his first brick-and-mortar shop in 2013 in the Clinton Street neighborhood, but it was in 2017 that Draizin says his business transformed with the opening of the E. Burns…

1
State and local law enforcement seize hundreds of animals during search of Southern Oregon safari park 15:05

4d ago15:05

15:05

Last week, Oregon State Police, joined by multiple state and local agencies, completed a search of a roadside zoo in Bandon on the Southern Oregon Coast. More than 300 animals were seized and relocated to animal sanctuaries or rescue facilities. Three animals, including a camel, were euthanized because they were determined to be in such poor health…

1
Danger lurks in the summer sun 4:25

5d ago4:25

4:25

Danger lurks in the summer sunBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Northwest writer Timothy Egan’s new book tells KKK history 52:06

5d ago52:06

52:06

By the early 1900s, the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group founded by former Confederate soldiers after the Civil War, had all but faded from existence in the U.S. Then, in 1915, a second Klan was founded in Georgia, and soon spread across the country. By the mid-1920s, it had as many as eight million members across the U.S., including many ch…

1
Memory activism’ on display in ‘Precipice’ solo play at Portland’s Vanport Mosaic Festival 33:41

8d ago33:41

33:41

The new solo play “Precipice” was conceived by actor and self-described “memory activist” Damaris Webb. It’s part of the offerings of the Vanport Mosaic Festival she co-founded 10 years ago. The play, like the festival itself, centers on remembering and reclaiming history and telling the stories of people who have been marginalized or forgotten. We…

1
Eugene Ballet artistic director looks back on 46 years of dance and collaboration 19:25

8d ago19:25

19:25

Toni Pimble moved to Oregon from her home in England more than 46 years ago and co-founded the Eugene Ballet. As the company’s artistic director, she has choreographed over 60 pieces and collaborated with composers, artists and other organizations, from the Eugene Opera to the Oregon Bach Festival to the University of Oregon School of Music and Dan…

1
The Void Fest puts the focus on tatoo artists 4:28

8d ago4:28

4:28

The Void Fest puts the focus on tatoo artistsBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon State University study finds more than 3,500 animal species threatened by climate change 15:05

9d ago15:05

15:05

The International Union for Conservation of Nature keeps what it calls a Red List of species that are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss or exploitation such as overfishing. But a new study led by researchers at Oregon State University suggests another reason some wildlife might be at risk: climate change. The scientists analyzed nearly…

1
How proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act could affect salmon, other species in Oregon and beyond 13:48

9d ago13:48

13:48

The Trump administration is proposing changes to the definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed changes would prohibit actions that only directly relate to hurting or killing an animal. Historically, the word “harm” has been defined broadly to include habitat loss, which is a leading cause of extinction for endangered speci…

1
Oregon voters split on school funding measures 10:39

9d ago10:39

10:39

While the biggest school bond on the ballot seems to be passing in Tuesday’s special election, Oregonians appear to be split in their support of education-related bond measures that would fund school building construction, maintenance and other improvements. OPB editor Rob Manning joins us to give us a picture of how many of the education-related v…

1
Portland city councilors consider over 120 amendments to city budget 13:22

9d ago13:22

13:22

On Wednesday, Portland’s 12 city councilors stayed late considering a number of amendments to the city’s budget - both large and small. OPB's Portland city politics reporter Alex Zielinski was there and tells us what it all means.

1
An inside look at how OPB covers the Oregon Capitol 24:54

9d ago24:54

24:54

The Oregon Legislature is racing toward a conclusion in the coming weeks. On this week's episode of OPB Politics Now, we’re going to bring you a special episode from our OPB colleagues and friends at The Evergreen podcast. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at what our lives are like down at the state Capitol in Salem. Usually, OPB Politics reporter Dir…

1
Portland tattoo festival aims to uplift artists 4:13

9d ago4:13

4:13

A pair of Portland tattooers are hoping to fill a gap in the market with a new tattoo convention that focuses on the artists themselves. The three day event will also focus on inclusivity and education.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon Republican Podcast Explosion 5:32

9d ago5:32

5:32

Oregon Replublican's are PodcastingBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon journalist explores New Age religion in latest book, ‘Blazing Eye Sees All’ 52:07

10d ago52:07

52:07

Oregon journalist and OPB’s “Hush” Podcast Host Leah Sottile has made a name for herself investigating extremism and fringe movements in the West. Her latest book, “Blazing Eye Sees All,” explores New Age religion, including the Love Has Won movement. Beyond that, the book is a history of spirituality in the U.S. and looks at the ways fascism and m…

1
Prosecutor in a Beaverton cold case murder contradicted DNA experts in closing argument 5:06

11d ago5:06

5:06

Robert Atrops was convicted last month for the cold case murder of his wife. Statements made during the trial showcased the flexibility attorneys have in their closing arguments to interpret the evidence.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Bend affordable housing provider takes issue with city’s tree code 13:26

11d ago13:26

13:26

Thistle & Nest, an affordable housing provider in Bend, says the city’s new tree code isn’t flexible enough and is raising the cost of building new housing in Central Oregon. At one of the affordable housing developments Thistle & Nest is currently building, the code will mean fewer homes get built, according to the organization, which is refusing …

1
How tariffs are affecting Oregon’s seafood industry 13:17

11d ago13:17

13:17

The West Coast seafood industry is caught in the crosshairs of tariff uncertainty. International orders have been canceled, which impacts Oregon workers. Industry leaders and Oregon’s Democratic Congressional delegation have asked the US Department of Agriculture to step in. Lori Steele is the executive director of the West Coast Seafood Processors…

1
Retired Oregon justice department lawyer says state should reject Purdue opioid settlement 25:59

11d ago25:59

25:59

David Hart isn’t necessarily one of the people you’d expect to be critical of the $7.4 billion multi-state opioid settlement reached with drug company Purdue. For 25 years, he was the assistant attorney general at the Oregon Department of Justice until his retirement last month, and he headed the department’s opioid litigation and recovery/pharmace…

1
More than 20 breweries collaborate on beer project showcasing unique Oregon hop 15:07

12d ago15:07

15:07

As most beer enthusiasts know, hops play a vital role in the brewing process. The cone-shaped flowers impart distinct aromas that help distinguish, say, a pilsner from a pale ale. Oregon is one of only three states, along with Washington and Idaho, that commercially grows hops. Oregon and Washington are also the only two states that have their own …

1
Oregon doctor speaks out against proposed Medicaid cuts 17:51

12d ago17:51

17:51

Congress is considering cuts to Medicaid that would affect millions of Americans. Under a current proposal, nearly half of the Oregonians enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan would be required to prove they’re working or volunteering 80 hours a month to keep their coverage. In Oregon, some fear changes to Medicaid could hit healthcare in rural commun…

1
Oregon reports record number of student vaccination opt-outs 19:49

12d ago19:49

19:49

Oregon kindergarteners are opting out of vaccinations at increasingly higher rates over the last four years. And public health officials are growing increasingly concerned. Oregon is one of just 15 states that allow parents to opt out of childhood vaccinations for nonreligious, nonmedical reasons. The current opt-out rate of 9.7% is the highest rec…

1
Street Soccer Portland aims to reduce barriers to playing soccer, especially for low-income youth 16:04

15d ago16:04

16:04

Street Soccer Portland is part of a national organization that aims to expand access to playing soccer by providing a free alternative to the pay-to-play model of club soccer. The local chapter primarily serves elementary and middle school-aged children through afterschool programs currently being offered at 20 schools and community centers in Port…

1
Behavioral health providers say Oregon Health Authority rule puts patients at risk 14:04

15d ago14:04

14:04

When someone accused of a crime is found unable to aid and assist in their own defense, they are sent to the Oregon State Hospital for an evaluation. After that, they often need to spend time at a residential treatment center until they are fit to stand trial. A new rule from the Oregon Health Authority requires residential treatment facilities in …

1
Washington and Coos county commissioners among many grappling with budget shortfalls 22:28

15d ago22:28

22:28

More than half of all counties in Oregon are facing budget shortfalls and cuts to programs and services. In Washington County, officials are proposing more than $25 million in reductions to the $2 billion budget that would include eliminating jobs and services. In Coos County, the sheriff’s department released some of those serving time in its jail…

1
Trail Blazers up for sale 6:40

15d ago6:40

6:40

The Portland Trail Blazers are officially for sale. Who could buy them and for how muchBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
What Oregonians should think about as they vote in local school board races 5:54

16d ago5:54

5:54

An in-depth guide to help voters navigate their local school board races on the May 20 ballot.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
How proposed Medicaid cuts could impact health care in Oregon 4:35

16d ago4:35

4:35

A bill that passed a key committee vote in Congress this week would add a work requirement for some on Medicaid and would jeopardize billions in Medicaid funding for Oregon.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Prairie High School esports team in Vancouver heads to state championship 18:18

16d ago18:18

18:18

Prairie High School in the Battle Ground School District is headed to a statewide tournament this weekend. But it's not for a traditional sport like soccer, baseball or football — it's for esports. Esports, like many other sports, have players compete as individuals or in a team in a video game against others. Prairie High School took home first pr…

1
Salem-Keizer superintendent shares more on proposed budget 18:58

16d ago18:58

18:58

Some of Oregon’s largest school districts are facing cuts this year, including Portland Public Schools, Eugene 4J School District and the Beaverton School District. However, Oregon’s second-largest school district, Salem-Keizer Public Schools, is looking to spend more. Superintendent Andrea Castañeda shared a proposal last week that aims to increa…

1
Oregon’s economic outlook clouded by tariffs and federal spending cuts 16:12

16d ago16:12

16:12

Oregon lawmakers will have roughly $500 million less to work with for the next two-year budget cycle, according to the state’s latest economic and revenues forecast unveiled Wednesday in Salem. The uncertainty sparked by tariffs, slashed federal spending and immigration issues are clouding the state’s economic outlook, according to Oregon Chief Eco…

1
Oregon’s revenue forecast shows economic slowdown 20:47

16d ago20:47

20:47

Oregon’s most important revenue forecast, the one that lawmakers used to write the two-year budget, was released this week. It showed that the state is expecting more money to roll in, but significantly less than the amount predicted just three months ago. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Alex Zielinski discu…

1
After 28 years, Next Adventure is closing its doors. 5:41

17d ago5:41

5:41

Next Adventure will be shutting its doors this fall, closing four retail locations and its online business.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon arts organizations scrambling after National Endowment for the Arts grants are withdrawn 15:53

17d ago15:53

15:53

The National Endowment for the Arts has withdrawn more than half a million dollars worth of grants that arts organizations all over Oregon were relying on. Portland Playhouse got a letter that said it would not get $25,000 meant for its production of August Wilson’s and Joe Turner’s "Come and Gone" that was to open the next day. Other organizations…

1
New Washington law making clergy mandatory reporters of abuse draws investigation by US Justice Department 15:57

17d ago15:57

15:57

Earlier this month, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill into law that now requires clergy to be mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect. Under SB 5375, clergy in Washington must report suspected abuse or neglect to authorities even if they learn of it during so-called penitential communications, such as confessions. The bill was first …

1
Portland Pickles gear up for new baseball season and premiere of new soccer team 20:46

17d ago20:46

20:46

Ever since its debut 10 years ago, the wood-bat baseball team the Portland Pickles have been delighting fans with its summer games that feature quirky fan appreciation events, such as a “Redhead Appreciation Night” for the season opener on May 27, or one honoring bee sting survivors. In addition to its 10th anniversary and winning the West Coast Le…

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