PODCAST

Think Out Loud

Oregon Public Broadcasting

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

news

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19:14

Development of male contraceptive pill should be a...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/18

For decades, scientists have been trying to develop a male contraceptive similar to the birth control pill that can be taken orally and is reversible, with minimal side effects. An oral male contraceptive could also be a more effective alternative to using a condom or undergoing surgery for a vasectomy, while helping to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies which account for nearly half of all pregnancies worldwide. Wei Yan is a professor and director of the Center for

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22:14

Youth in mental health crisis often spend days...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/18

Around one in 10 youth enrolled in Medicaid spent days stuck in the emergency room after being admitted for a mental health crisis. That’s according to a new study from Oregon Health and Science University. John McConnell is a professor in emergency medicine and the director of the center for health systems at OHSU. Rebecca Marshall is a professor in child and adult psychiatry with OHSU. She is also a practicing psychiatrist at Doernbecher Children's Hospital and

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16:52

What federal cuts would mean for the State Library of...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/15

The biggest impact of the $15 billion in federal cuts faced by the state of Oregon will fall on food assistance and medicaid. But these cuts will also affect the State Library of Oregon, who could lose 25% of its budget. The state library is responsible for providing accessible reading materials for people with disabilities and helping provide guidance and support for local, academic and public school libraries. Wendy Cornelisen is the state librarian. She joins us to share more

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16:45

Portland production of Palestinian play explores life...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/15

“Them,” written by Palestinian playwright Samah Sabawi, focuses on a young couple in a war zone as they debate whether to stay or leave. It captures the wrenching choices people are forced to make in wartime, as well as the humorous, joyful and mundane moments of everyday life that persist despite the violence. A production of the play will run through Aug. 23 at Portland Center Stage’s Ellyn Bye Studio.Malek Najjar, professor of theater arts at the

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18:53

Seattle health clinic provides care for people...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/15

A new study by researchers at the University of Washington shows support for an integrated model of health care that could be especially effective in improving access to care for people experiencing homelessness and their pets. One Health Clinic opened in 2018 in Seattle as part of UW’s Center for One Health Research. The center, which was created in collaboration with Washington State University, explores the connections between the health of humans and animals within

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16:20

How inaccuracies plague government data on in-custody...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/14

Under the Death in Custody Reporting Act, states who receive certain federal funds are required to report any death of someone who is detained, under arrest, in custody or incarcerated to the attorney general. The data is available to the public, but new reporting from The Marshall Project shows that this data is plagued with inaccuracies. Anna Flagg is a data reporter and helped cover this story. She joins us to share more on what is wrong with the data and some of the

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15:19

Oregon’s new recycling program faces lawsuit

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/14

Oregon just launched a new program that aims to hold businesses accountable for the packaging waste they create. The Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act charges businesses that produce or distribute paper, packaging and food serviceware based on the weight and sustainability of their materials.The act applies to companies that generate $5 million or more in revenue. The goal is to fund recycling services in small communities through the fees that businesses pay

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20:57

New study finds Oregon’s M110 not linked to overdose...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/14

A new study from Portland State University completes a three-year project looking at the impacts of several drug policy shifts - including Measure 110 - which decriminalized drug possession in Oregon. Among other things, this final study concluded that decriminalization had little to do with rising crime and overdose deaths. Instead, the study found that the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread emergence of fentanyl were the primary drivers behind a surge in drug-related deaths

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14:20

When cats scramble up towering trees in the Pacific...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/13

The Pacific Northwest is known for its towering trees. Douglas-firs rank as the second highest tree species in the world and can reach heights of over 300 feet, about as tall as the Statue of Liberty. Whether chasing a bird or escaping predators like coyotes, some terrified cats get stuck high up in trees. In Oregon and Washington, arborists aid cats crying for help. The nonprofit Canopy Cat Rescue helps cats throughout Washington. The Oregon Humane Society offers a list of

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13:07

In Oregon, some elite college athletes play multiple...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/13

Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher joined the University of Oregon as a baseball player. Liz Brenner, four-sport athlete, excelled at volleyball, basketball, softball and track at the University of Oregon. And Kendre Harrison recently played at Peach Jam, a prestigious high school basketball tournament. He plans to play basketball and football at the University of Oregon. We learn more about elite athletes and the power they hold at the college level from Lindsay Schnell, a

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17:06

Oregon State University study maps noise pollution in...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/13

xcess noise has been linked to a number of health concerns, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and sleep disorders. But noise pollution hasn’t been well studied in the U.S., due in part to a lack of federal oversight. The Environmental Protection Agency established its Office of Noise Control and Abatement in the 1970s, but the office has remained unfunded since the early 1980s.A new study from Oregon State University aims to better understand noise

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10:11

Oregon will lose $15 billion in federal money

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/13

Oregon stands to lose more than $15 billion in federal funding for health care, food assistance and other purposes in coming years, under the sweeping spending bill congressional Republicans passed earlier this year. That’s the preliminary conclusion by Gov. Tina Kotek’s office, which in recent weeks asked state agencies to crunch the numbers for what the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act might mean for their ability to provide services. OPB political reporter

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10:34

New leadership steps in at Oregon Youth Authority...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/12

The Oregon Youth Authority is under heightened scrutiny following a wave of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse and a culture of neglect in the state’s youth correctional facilities. The agency, which has faced criticism for mishandling abuse complaints, now has a new appointed leader — Michael Tessean — who takes over from interim director Jana McLellan. That's after Gov. Tina Kotek fired longtime director Joe O’Leary earlier this year over a backlog of

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18:28

Now in third year, PNW Survival Games in Molalla has...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/12

The third annual PNW Survival Games kick off this Friday at a campground in Molalla. Fifty people, organized into teams of two, will compete in a series of weekend-long challenges designed to test their outdoor survival skills, from building a fire and shelter to purifying water and building a raft from saplings and other foraged materials.Participants who register for the $495 event are first taught the basics of those skills by survival instructors, some of whom have

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24:02

Eugene OBGYN moved from Idaho to be able to provide...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/12

A recent paper published in JAMA shows that Idaho has lost approximately 35 percent of doctors specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, leaving many counties without any maternal or reproductive health care providers at all. That comes after the state passed one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Amber Nelson, executive director of the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare, says 85% of these

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15:14

Portland nonprofit Smashing Barriers aims to improve...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/11

The Portland-based nonprofit Smashing Barriers works with organizations including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Friendly House to offer free tennis clinics and organizes charity tournaments. Jiya Mehta and Rohan Shah, the co-founders, started the nonprofit while in high school. They aim to bring the organization to each state in the U.S. In addition to Oregon, the nonprofit already has chapters in Arizona, California and Texas. Shah and Mehta join us with more on how

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11:08

New transportation director shares vision for public...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/11

The Sunset Empire Transportation District has provided public transportation in Clatsop County for more than 30 years. In 2023, the district had to temporarily stop service and lay off workers after it ran out of money due to financial mismanagement. The district has since gone through several leadership changes — the most recent executive director, Craig Johnston, stepped down late last year for personal reasons.David Carr recently took over as executive director of the

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12:29

Interim sheriff Ty Rupert takes helm in Deschutes...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/11

After a turbulent year in Deschutes County law enforcement, newly appointed interim Sheriff Ty Rupert says the office is at a turning point. Sworn in Aug. 1, Rupert steps into the role after the resignation of Kent van der Kamp, whose tenure ended after an investigation and a lifetime law enforcement ban. With 15 months to stabilize the department before next year’s election, Rupert inherits a department facing challenges with morale, public trust, and employee retention

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15:20

How private equity investments and low-returns have...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/11

For the past decade, pension investments made by the state have leaned heavily towards private equity. As reported in the Oregon Journalism Project, this choice has cost the state billions as this form of investments continued to be made despite advice from experts to diversify Oregon’s portfolio. Jim Neff is the managing editor for OJP and reported on this story. He joins us to share why the state stood by private equity investments and what this choice means for

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6:11

Mailbag for August 8th 2025

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/08

Think Out Loud staff read audience feedback.

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