Best Oregon Public Broadcasting Podcasts (2025)

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

Play Pause

15d 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…

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

15h ago4:21

4:21

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

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

24h ago4:34

4:34

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

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

24h ago5:02

5:02

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

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Class of 2025: Raiden's story 6:34

2d 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

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

4d 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

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

4d 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

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

4d ago4:19

4:19

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

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

5d 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

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

6d 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

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

6d 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

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

6d ago4:21

4:21

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

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

8d 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

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

8d 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

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

8d ago4:43

4:43

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

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

9d ago6:26

6:26

Ringside Steakhouse is open once again.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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

12d 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

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

12d ago4:52

4:52

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

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

13d ago4:28

4:28

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

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

14d 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

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

15d 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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A renovated food truck showcases opera with mobile performances in Portland 4:20

16d 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

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Pacific Northwest skateboarders descend on Portland this week 3:32

18d 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

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

19d 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

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

20d ago4:41

4:41

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

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

20d ago4:07

4:07

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

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#28 Teaching on the Edge 20:29

21d 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…

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Teens explore transit at Portland State camp 4:01

22d ago4:01

4:01

Teens explore transit at Portland State campBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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

22d ago5:00

5:00

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

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

24d 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

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Finding joy on the sidewalks of Portland 5:56

25d ago5:56

5:56

Finding joy on the sidewalks of PortlandBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Oregon Democrats cheer on Texas walkout while Republicans see ‘hypocrisy’ 4:53

26d ago4:53

4:53

As Democratic members of the Texas House continue to boycott their state Capitol, some Oregon Democratic lawmakers are cheering them on. And that has rankled some Oregon Republicans.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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A shopping center’s demise brings frustration to East Portland 4:06

27d ago4:06

4:06

The Gateway district’s economic struggles offer Portland’s new city government a chance to show up for long-neglected neighborhoods.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Big projects, bigger problems: Oregon bridge, highway efforts face delays and steep costs 4:39

28d ago4:39

4:39

As Oregon lawmakers prepare to return for a special session focused on transportation, the Rose Quarter and other high-profile projects are on the back burner.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Incarcerated Students 4:53

29d ago4:53

4:53

For formerly incarcerated Oregon youth, high school graduation — and success — look different.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Salem prepares for a water emergency 4:30

29d ago4:30

4:30

Salem prepares for a water emergencyBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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#27 Food Hubbing Emerges as a Solution for Feeding Us All 38:16

29d ago38:16

38:16

Listeners producer Kristen Mico speaks with Fiona Conneely and Shelley Sculer about how food hubbing models offer solutions to small farms, markets and food assistance programs. At a time when programs that support access to fresh food and livelihoods of small farmers have been dramatically cut, and food assistance benefits like SNAP are also being…

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At Work With: Cannon Beach head lifeguard and fire lieutenant keeps calm and respects the ocean 7:45

1M ago7:45

7:45

Our latest At Work With interview with Cannon Beach's head lifeguard Koa LyuBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Bend quietly considered pulling funding for sole Juneteenth event over Facebook post 3:40

1M ago3:40

3:40

The city of Bend considered holding back funding for Juneteenth over a Facebook post on the personal page of an organizer.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Hawthorne Bridge Murals 5:07

1M ago5:07

5:07

The third phase of the Viaduct Column painting project is now complete with new murals painted under the Hawthorne Bridge. It's part of a larger, long-term initiative lead by Portland Street Art Alliance.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Portland Consent Decree 5:24

1M ago5:24

5:24

The Portland Police Association is criticizing city leaders and staff, accusing them of trying to pit police and behavioral health first responders against each other in the wake of a man’s recent death in police custody.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Parking Reform 4:16

1M ago4:16

4:16

Removing excess parking spaces could help build more affordable housing.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Oregon’s wildfire bill cut landowner costs, but didn’t raise funds for fighting large fires 5:14

1M ago5:14

5:14

The total wildfire budget for the next two years is less than the state spent last year alone. In some cases, costs that used to be borne by insurance plans and private landowners are now the responsibility of all Oregonians.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Salem Approves Emergency Declaration Over Drinking Water 5:00

1M ago5:00

5:00

The Salem City Council unanimously approved an emergency declaration Monday night to help it prepare for a potential drinking water shortfall next year due to the drawdown of the Detroit Lake Reservoir.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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US Rep. Cliff Bentz touts GOP budget wins as protests continue outside in Eastern Oregon 5:14

1M ago5:14

5:14

During his first visit to his district since voting for federal budget cuts, the state’s lone Republican congressperson spoke of his “incredible power” to influence national policy.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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A clean start that makes a big difference for Portland’s unhoused communities 5:00

1M ago5:00

5:00

The Wash House is providing free laundry services to people in need and getting clean, useable clothes and textiles back into the community.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Trump is back in the White House — but Portland isn’t sure how to respond 5:33

1M ago5:33

5:33

Portland officials are weighing how to navigate a new federal landscape without sacrificing the city’s valuesBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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#26 More Than Words: Language and Belonging in Rural Oregon 20:56

1M ago20:56

20:56

For this episode, we invite listeners into the realities of rural Oregon, where questions of identity, belonging, and resilience are part of everyday life. In this episode, Kristina Path and Leif Olsen travel to Monmouth to meet Amanda Laister, a longtime high school Spanish teacher, whose classroom reflects the challenges and hopes of a changing c…

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Oregon Americorps members reflect on a chaotic term and possible end of program 7:57

1M ago7:57

7:57

From food banks to disaster planning, Oregon small towns relied on national service members—until the federal funding vanished overnight.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Diphtheria and tetanus shots not necessary in vaccinated adults 4:53

1M ago4:53

4:53

New research by OHSU says adults who were vaccinated against diphtheria and tetanus as kids don't need regular boosters.By Oregon Public Broadcasting