Best Oregon Public Broadcasting Podcasts (2025)

1
How an old Gresham hotel shows one solution to community college housing problems 4:45

Play Pause

3h ago4:45

4:45

A nonprofit is offering low-cost apartments to students, even if they have no credit score or co-signer. This story comes to OPB from the education journalism nonprofit, Hechinger Report.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Energized candidates aim to change Clark County government 4:20

9h ago4:20

4:20

Energized candidates aim to change Clark County governmentBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon police, forensics lab actions result in $14 million payout for Coos County man 5:19

1d ago5:19

5:19

The Oregon State Police forensic lab agreed to pay millions as part of a settlement after failing to disclose DNA evidence in the decades-old homicide of Leah Freeman.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
The aerospace company that calls Tillamook home 4:43

3d ago4:43

4:43

The aerospace company that calls Tillamook homeBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
In Oregon, crossing your party comes at a cost 5:04

4d ago5:04

5:04

The Beaver State has long prided itself on its two political parties finding common ground, but it is now lamenting the loss of centrist lawmakers.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Baseball field turned Indigenous-led community garden takes root in Portland 4:59

5d ago4:59

4:59

How one nonprofit is reclaiming Indigenous land and embracing ancestral foods.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
West Coast governors issue COVID-19 vaccine guidance after CDC concerns 4:42

5d ago4:42

4:42

The four-state group, which includes Oregon, Washington, California and Hawaii, formed a vaccine policy alliance after concerns about partisanship at the CDC.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Christosphere the Rock (Star) 6:52

6d ago6:52

6:52

The owner of Hillsdale thrift shop Shirtzenpantz, Owen Gail, goes viral kicking a piece of granite named “Christosphere.”By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
A rural Oregon town lost its maternity ward. As Trump’s Medicaid cuts loom, other hospitals may be next 5:17

7d ago5:17

5:17

Most Oregon hospitals have been bleeding cash for years, and at least two are already set to close their obstetrics units.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Mayor Changes City Homeless RV Camping Policies 4:24

12d ago4:24

4:24

The deadline for Portland Mayor Keith Wilson’s big campaign promise to end unsheltered homelessness is quickly approaching. He’s not just opening shelters, he’s changing city policies to try and meet his goal. Starting next month Portland will handle so-called derelict recreational vehicles differently.…

1
QA Keith Rosson on Coffin Moon 5:16

12d ago5:16

5:16

Fans of scary stories can dig their teeth into Coffin Moon, a book set in Portland right after the Vietnam War and full of surprising twists on the vampire genre.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Library still in limbo in Josephine County 6:12

12d ago6:12

6:12

Eight months ago, Josephine County Commissioners put their local library in limbo after terminating the lease of the Grants Pass branch. It came after years of turmoil about how the library should be funded and more recent political pressure from county commissioners.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Josephine County Commissioners put their local library in limbo 5:40

14d ago5:40

5:40

Commissioners in Josephine County have put their local library in limbo after terminating the lease of the Grants Pass branch which has been in place since 2008.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon borrowers face confusion, anxiety as federal changes disrupt student loan repayment options 5:12

15d ago5:12

5:12

A barrage of updates to the federal student loan repayment system this year has left borrowers feeling misled and frightened for their future.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Firefighters question leaders’ role in Washington immigration raid 5:51

16d ago5:51

5:51

Firefighters question leaders’ role in Washington immigration raidBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
‘At Work With’ an Oaks Park ride inspector-operator who finds ‘absolute peace’ high above on AtmosFear 6:25

17d ago6:25

6:25

Sean Strauss has worked five summer seasons inspecting rides like Zero Gravity at the Southeast Portland amusement park.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Naomi Pomeroy’s legacy lives on in L’Echelle 5:30

19d ago5:30

5:30

A year after her tragic death, Pomeroy’s impact on Portland’s culinary world is still present in dishes crafted by those who knew her best.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Confused about how vaccines will work this year? Here’s some clarity 12:27

22d ago12:27

12:27

West Coast states are teaming up to issue their own vaccine guidelines in the face of rapid changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. The federal turmoil has some people wondering what this means for their seasonal shots.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Heroic efforts — and preparation — saved hundreds of homes near the Flat Fire 5:24

22d ago5:24

5:24

Despite the anxiety evacuees felt, a combination of swift firefighting efforts and fire prevention long in advance meant the Flat Fire’s legacy is more about the thousands of homes saved instead of lost.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon, Washington, California form health care alliance to protect vaccine access 4:46

23d ago4:46

4:46

The democratic governors of Oregon, Washington and California are forming a new public health partnership aimed at preserving access to vaccines. The announcement comes after a week of turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over vaccines.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
St. Helens High School leaders failed to act on claims of abuse for years, report finds 4:21

25d ago4:21

4:21

OPB obtained the records after months of appealing the local district attorney’s office.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Some 2020 Labor Day wildfire survivors still struggle with finding housing 4:34

25d ago4:34

4:34

Some 2020 Labor Day wildfire survivors still struggle with finding housingBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon Tuna Classic snags 14,000 pounds of fish for nonprofits 5:02

25d ago5:02

5:02

Oregon Tuna Classic snags 14,000 pounds of fish for nonprofitsBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Class of 2025: Raiden's story 6:34

26d ago6:34

6:34

The paths of students in OPB’s Class of 2025 project didn’t always go in a straight line. And now that they’re out of school, they’re learning how hard their next steps can be.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
A 'beauty contest' for fruit and vegetables at the Oregon State Fair 4:04

28d ago4:04

4:04

Every year, the Oregon State Fair draws thousands of people who come for the rides, fried foods of all sorts, the music and livestock competitions. And some Oregonians come to showcase their fruits, vegetables and flowers in the hopes of landing a blue ribbon at the farm and garden competition.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Scientists find surprises under surface of burned forest streams 5 years after Oregon’s Labor Day fires 5:02

28d ago5:02

5:02

Pacific Northwest researchers are on an ambitious quest to understand how the megafires of 2020 altered mountain streams and all the life they contain.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Move-in day at Oregon's largest private university 4:19

28d ago4:19

4:19

Move-in day at Oregon's largest private universityBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Multnomah County Director of Libraries reacts to 2 acts of violence outside the Central Library this summer 4:30

29d ago4:30

4:30

A violent attack outside the Portland Central Library this week is the second one in less than two months. Director of Libraries Annie Lewis talks about security in and around the facility.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
In search of source for Crook County well pollution, Oregon presses mining company to investigate itself 4:58

30d ago4:58

4:58

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said she wants agencies to work with 'greater urgency' to get answers for residents.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Debate over road funding reignites ahead of Oregon’s looming special session 5:22

30d ago5:22

5:22

Lawmakers held their first public hearing Monday on Gov. Tina Kotek’s proposal to hike transportation taxes.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
How East Portland’s new councilors are reaching their constituents 4:21

30d ago4:21

4:21

How East Portland’s new councilors are reaching their constituentsBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Republican Congressman Cliff Bentz defends voting for Medicaid cuts 7:03

1M ago7:03

7:03

Bentz is meeting with small groups of constituents in his district this week. He’s defending Republican policy moves over the summer, including the spending bill that cut federal dollars for Medicaid and SNAP benefits, while extending President Trump’s tax cuts.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Flat Fire destroys 4 homes, threatens thousands more in Central Oregon 5:30

1M ago5:30

5:30

Four homes have been lost to the Flat Fire as it continues to threaten nearly 4,000 homes in Deschutes and Jefferson counties.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
In a hedge against disaster, Neskowin buys its own watershed 4:43

1M ago4:43

4:43

In a hedge against disaster, Neskowin buys its own watershedBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
After a pandemic and a fire, an 81-year-old Portland institution emerges from the ashes 6:26

1M ago6:26

6:26

Ringside Steakhouse is open once again.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Portland Center Stage reaches first milestone of long journey 5:17

1M ago5:17

5:17

Portland Center Stage just hit a major milestone in its effort to raise $9 million by next June. We talk with PCS artistic director Marissa Wolf.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
With funding in doubt, officials shutter a SW Washington middle school 4:52

1M ago4:52

4:52

With funding in doubt, officials shutter a SW Washington middle schoolBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Grant clawback puts Oregon wildfire mitigation projects on pause 4:28

1M ago4:28

4:28

Grant clawback puts Oregon wildfire mitigation projects on pauseBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Oregon’s college leaders navigate uncertain financial waters 5:04

1M ago5:04

5:04

Higher education leaders in the state say they are pulling all the levers to minimize student impacts caused by state and federal funding pressures.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
‘We are sinking’: Oregon timber counties flail, awaiting Congress to renew key funding 4:41

1M ago4:41

4:41

A budget crisis a century in the making is coming to a head as Oregon's rural counties wait on Congress to approve funding they've long relied on.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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#29 The Frontline of Southern Oregon Public Broadcast Service Battle for Funding 30:22

1M ago30:22

30:22

Listeners' producer Dakota Runyon-Trapp and Daniel Bloomfield spoke with Floyd Aragon of Southern Oregon Public Broadcast Service in order to figure out what the station is in terms of potential budget cuts. Along with potential roadmaps for the future of the station, what’s going in with the station, and what does PBS mean to the public at large a…

1
A renovated food truck showcases opera with mobile performances in Portland 4:20

1M ago4:20

4:20

For the past decade, Opera a la Cart has performed in parks and on streets around Portland. The aim is to revive interest in opera by offering more accessible performances in a former popcorn truck.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Pacific Northwest skateboarders descend on Portland this week 3:32

1M ago3:32

3:32

Pacific northwest skateboarders will compete in a pro-am competition on Portland's waterfront park this weekend. We talk Seattle's 14-year-old Nels "Gnarls" Rosen.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
How one Oregon activist is using a decades-old liberal policy to stall green energy projects 5:35

1M ago5:35

5:35

Irene Gilbert is a 76-year-old retired state employee on a mission, fighting energy projects like large wind farms in Oregon’s rural communities. Renewable energy advocates treat activists like her as gadflies who should be stopped.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Trail Blazers sold to group that will keep team in Portland, reports say 4:41

1M ago4:41

4:41

Tom Dundon, who owns professional hockey’s Carolina Hurricanes, is leading the ownership group.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
The growing partnership that’s helping current students and future teachers 4:07

1M ago4:07

4:07

The growing partnership that’s helping current students and future teachersBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
#28 Teaching on the Edge 20:29

1M ago20:29

20:29

In this episode, host Devon Young talks with first-year educator MJ Poss, who shares an honest reflection on what it’s really like to be a teacher in today’s public schools. From chronic underfunding to emotional burnout, MJ doesn’t hold back about the toll the system takes on its educators—and why, despite it all, they’re still committed to showin…

1
Teens explore transit at Portland State camp 4:01

2M ago4:01

4:01

Teens explore transit at Portland State campBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Christian revival event draws thousands in quest to save Portland’s soul 5:00

2M ago5:00

5:00

Christian revival event draws thousands in quest to save Portland’s soulBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Harefest Delivers Nostalgia, Fun, and Musical Celebration 5:16

2M ago5:16

5:16

The Clackamas County music festival known as "Harefest" just completed it's 13th year, celebrating some of the biggest songs and artists in rock history, all via Northwest-based tribute bands.By Oregon Public Broadcasting