PODCAST

Think Out Loud

Oregon Public Broadcasting

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

news

All Episodes

16:38

Oregon doctor warns of rise in cannabis poisoning...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/21

The number of cannabis-related reports to poison control centers across the U.S. has risen greatly since 2009, according to new reporting from the New York Times. They also found a rise in cases where cannabis poisoning led to breathing problems and even life-threatening effects, especially among teens and adults. Rob Hendrickson is the medical director of the Oregon Poison Center at OHSU. He joins us to share what he’s seen in the emergency room in recent years.

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11:02

Oregon Secretary of State responds to Trump...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/21

Earlier this week, President Trump said he’s working on an executive order to end mail-in ballots and voting machines across the country. The administration cites corruption as the leading cause for action despite there being no evidence of widespread voter fraud from voting by mail. Oregon’s Secretary of State Tobias Read joins us to share his response and efforts to protect Oregon’s vote-by-mail system for elections.

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21:37

Wildfire crews are getting sick, dying and aren’t...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/20

Wildfire crews do important work managing wildfires, but that work is often done without masks. A recent New York Times investigation found many wildfire fighters are getting cancer, cardiovascular diseases and have died because of the toxic smoke they inhaled while on the job. Researchers at the U.S. The Forest Service have recommended wildfire crews be required to wear masks for decades, but the agency has refused. Hannah Dreier is an investigative reporter for the times and

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12:36

A look at Oregon’s new recycling program

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/20

Oregon recently launched a recycling program that aims to hold businesses accountable for the packaging waste they create. The Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) charges producers of paper, packaging and food serviceware for the products they distribute in Oregon. The goal is to fund recycling services in small communities through the fees that businesses pay into the program.The RMA was the first law of its kind to pass in 2021 and was followed by similar

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19:02

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute will get a $2 billion...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/20

Phil and Penny Knight have pledged $2 billion to Oregon Health & Science University for cancer research. The Knight Cancer Institute will become self-governed within OHSU and will have its own board of directors. In December, renowned cancer researcher Brian Druker announced his resignation as the institute’s CEO but said last week he will return as the inaugural president of the organization. He joins us with details about what this means for cancer care in Oregon.

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19:40

CareOregon will stop covering out-of-network...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/19

CareOregon, the largest Medicaid provider in the state, will soon stop covering mental health and substance use treatment from out-of-network providers. Coverage will end on Oct. 1 for Medicaid members and on Jan. 1 for members of Medicare Advantage. The decision will disrupt care for an estimated 15,000 patients, or about 15% of the organization’s members who use behavioral health services. The organization says the changes will bring it back into alignment with industry

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16:49

Tsunami scare exposes cracks in Oregon's disaster...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/19

The tsunami warning that hit the Oregon coast earlier this month triggered more than just alarms — it revealed deeper cracks in the state’s emergency response system. For two state representatives who are helping lead efforts to modernize how Oregon prepares for natural disasters, the incident underscored the gaps in Oregon’s disaster readiness, from outdated emergency notification systems to underfunded infrastructure and training.Rep. Paul Evans (D-Monmouth)

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16:42

Oregon Secretary of State opens investigation into...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/19

The Oregon Secretary of State’s office is investigating the Umpqua Public Transportation District in Douglas County over its response to the May election. The district’s CEO is refusing to accept the results of one of the races for a board seat and refusing to pay for the district’s share of running the election. The first meeting of the new board ended abruptly after an argument between board members and the CEO. Nigel Jaquiss has been covering this issue for

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11:28

Oregon secures new funding to remove abandoned boats...

Think Out Loud ·

2025/08/18

From small fishing boats littered across state ports to a massive 384-foot ship rusting in the Columbia River, Oregon’s waterways continue to be dotted with abandoned and derelict vessels. Now, a first-of-its-kind partnership between the BoatUS Foundation and NOAA is bringing fresh funding to tackle the problem. The effort aims to remove more than 300 abandoned and derelict vessels from local waters across six states — with Oregon set to clear dozens of its

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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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