PODCAST

Think Out Loud

Oregon Public Broadcasting

OPB"s daily conversation covering news, politics, culture and the arts. Hosted By Dave Miller.

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21:00

How ship noise impacts endangered Alaska beluga whales

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/18

From humpbacks to orcas, whales and dolphins are renowned for their underwater vocalizations, whether it’s to impress a mate, find prey or strengthen social bonds. But beluga whales are especially vocal, with a complex language of whistles, chirps and rhythmic calls that have led to them being called the “canaries of the sea.” For the first time, a team of scientists has documented the unique vocalizations of Cook Inlet belugas, a critically endangered

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11:31

How Lane County is recovering from extensive winter...

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/18

Lane County was hit particularly hard by the recent winter storms that left many areas of western Oregon without transportation or power. Ice and snow led to downed trees, closed roads and extensive power outages in the county. Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency on Tuesday to help county officials access “critical federal resources to aid in reconstruction and recovery efforts.” That’s after the county Board of Commissioners declared its own state of

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52:19

Making the rounds with Oregon Zoo veterinarian Carlos...

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/17

Doctor Carlos Sanchez has an unusual and challenging caseload of patients. For one thing, they have scales, feathers, horns and fur, and can’t really say where it hurts. But it’s his job to oversee the medical care and treatment of more than a thousand animals (not including fish) as the head veterinarian at Portland’s Oregon Zoo. In our latest installment in our series on professions, we accompany Dr. Sanchez as he makes his daily rounds to check up on some of

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19:29

Oregon brewers hit hard by falling draft beer sales,...

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/16

Oregon’s storied craft brewing industry suffered one of its worst years in 2023, with depressed draft beer sales and rising costs creating more pressure than some of the state’s businesses could bear. According to the Oregon Brewers Guild, the state is home to about 400 breweries, brewpubs and taprooms, with 50,000 jobs and generates nearly $9 billion in economic output. But the state lost around 30 of those businesses last year and even more have contracted or are

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19:40

How some Oregon schools are grappling with students...

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/16

In a recent state report card, 3.9% of students in Oregon are experiencing homelessness. There are a number of challenges facing these students, including meeting their basic needs. According to the report card, a little more than 80% of Oregon students graduate in four years, for students who are unhoused that number drops down to 58.6%. Mark Osburn is the McKinney-Vento liaison for the Oakridge School District as well as their Youth and Transition Coordinator. Jamie Klebe is

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13:28

Region braces for more winter weather impacts

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/16

Tens of thousands of Oregon homes and businesses were still without electricity early Tuesday, as the National Weather Service warned of more challenging conditions to come. Portland Public Schools, Salem-Keizer, Eugene 4J and many other districts canceled classes on Tuesday. Portland warned that its sewer system is strained, and the MAX service remains shut down. At least four deaths may be linked to the weather. The National Weather Service is forecasting freezing rain across

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53:46

Black liberation through revolution and fashion

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/15

From the Black Panthers to hip hop, the Shakur family stands out as leaders of Black political thought and activism in this country. Journalist Santi Elijah Holley chronicles the history of this family in his new book “An Amerikan Family: The Shakurs and the Nation.” Holley describes a group of people committed to resisting the exploitation and persecution of Black people, and creating a space of self-determination through activism, care, violence, and art

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18:05

Oregon’s largest universities partner to address...

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/12

Oregon State University, the University of Oregon and Portland State University have come together to form the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. The center was created by the state Legislature last year, as data breaches of the Oregon Health Plan and Department of Motor Vehicles exposed millions of Oregonians’ information, and ransomware attacks shut down the Curry County government. The center will help local governments, state agencies, tribal governments,

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16:15

Oregon cities are struggling to find revenue for...

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/12

Throughout Oregon, cities are dealing with budget deficits. And for some, the new year has meant cuts to services. Libraries are facing cuts in multiple cities, including Salem. And officials elsewhere are scrambling to cobble together funds to keep some services afloat. Melanie Kebler is the mayor of Bend, and Chris Hoy is the mayor of Salem. They join us with details on what their cities are facing and what the new year means for services.

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17:58

How Oregon's transportation agency is preparing for...

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/12

Inclement weather is in the forecast for much of Oregon this weekend, with almost all counties under a winter storm watch or warning. The Oregon Department of Transportation has been clearing roads and responding to closures since late Monday, when the first round of storms hit the state. ODOT received $19 million last month from the Legislature to shore up winter maintenance services in the wake of its budget shortfall. The money will allow the agency to remove overtime

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24:47

Running low on space and funds, Columbia Gorge animal...

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/11

According to the national database Shelter Animal Counts, the number of dogs and cats awaiting adoption at animal shelters grew by nearly 250,000 last year. Meanwhile, the rate of adoption for dogs has decreased, with nearly 60% of shelter operators reporting requests from owners to surrender their dogs. As reported in Columbia Gorge News, Hood River Adopt a Dog and Home At Last Humane Society in The Dalles are emblematic of the challenges animal shelters are currently facing,

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15:44

Oregon needs more money to combat wildfires, but...

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/11

The projected costs for wildfire protection and response for the state this year stand at about $136 million. Two democratic lawmakers have different proposals on how to fund combat wildfires. Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, D-Portland, wants to charge property owners in the state an additional $10 dollars to help address costs. Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, wants a voter measure to go to Oregonians that, if passed, would place a tax on the value of timber harvested on private land. Alex

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13:13

More than 300 people experiencing homelessness died...

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/11

At least 315 people died in Multnomah County while experiencing homelessness in 2022, according to a recent report. In 2021, that number was 193. Nearly half of the deaths in the most recent report were found to be accidental - often relating to drug overdoses. The report also shows that people experiencing homelessness were killed in traffic accidents at a rate that is 45 times higher than the overall population. Kaia Sand, executive director of Street Roots, joins us to share

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21:04

Threatened Oregon chum salmon get help

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/10

A hundred years ago, a million adult chum salmon would return each autumn to spawn in tributaries and creeks along the Columbia River. But, like other varieties of salmon, overfishing, dams and loss of habitat decimated their numbers in Oregon and Washington. Columbia River chum salmon were listed as threatened nearly 25 years ago under the Endangered Species Act. A team of biologists at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has been leading efforts to reintroduce chum

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22:19

What a $15M skatepark could mean for Portland’s Old Town

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/10

After decades of discussion, a new skatepark is now in the works for Portland's Old Town. Advocates have eyed the project since the early 2000s, and Portland Parks and Recreation department recommended it in the 2008 Skatepark System Plan. Parks and Recreation is expected to begin work on the more than 30,000 square feet of skate space in spring 2024. Jessie Burke is the chair of the Old Town Community Association. Howard Weiner is the owner of Cal Skate Skateboards. They both

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9:59

Audit finds gaps in Fire Bureau management

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/10

In the last few years, Portland has tried a number of different tactics to make responding to 911 calls more efficient and faster. Not all of them have worked. In 2021, the Fire Bureau added the Community Health Division to shift its response, so that not every 911 call gets a full engine and ambulance. Though the Community Health Division and its Community Connect program have since been eliminated, a new audit of the program reveals much about how the bureau can best support

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22:16

Neurodivergent educators reflect on teaching in the...

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/09

Teachers with ADHD or autism are able to understand and advocate for the specific needs of their students. But, they can also face challenges when seeking resources to teach those same students. And, it can be difficult to get accommodations that help neurodivergent teachers do their best work at school. Alex Newson is a doctoral candidate in special education at the University of Oregon. Kathy Paxton-Williams is an English as a Second Language teacher in Portland. Madeline

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11:45

Lessons from California floodplain restoration

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/09

The West continues to be shaped by water issues. In Oregon, some floodplains affected by human interference are being restored to manage climate issues. And restoration projects are happening in California too. Dos Rios Ranch Preserve is a restored floodplain in the state’s Central Valley. The region has been affected by drought and flooding, but the restoration is helping to mitigate the effects of extreme weather on the landscape. Jake Bittle is a staff writer at Grist

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18:32

What 2024 may hold for the Portland Thorns

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/09

The Portland Thorns have a new owner. Meritt Paulson sold to RAJ Sports, the sister and brother company that owns other franchises, including a stake in the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. The sale was more than a year in the making and came after years of investigations and reports of sexual harassment and abuse in the National Women’s Soccer League and the Thorns specifically. Other changes for the Portland team are in the offing, with the seasonal draft just around the

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18:12

A half-century of protection under the Endangered...

Think Out Loud ·

2024/01/08

On December 28, 1973, President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act. The landmark law has prevented 99% of animals and plants listed as threatened or endangered under its protection from going extinct, including the bald eagle, humpback whale and Florida manatee. But despite its success as a conservation tool, the ESA is not without its limitations and no longer has the bipartisan level of Congressional support it once enjoyed decades ago. Michelle Nijhuis is a

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