President Donald Trump has spent his first six months back in the White House using broad executive orders and aggressive raids and deportations to overhaul longstanding immigration practices. The unpredictability of these actions has stoked fear and confusion among immigrant communities across the country – and in Oregon. On this week’s OPB Politics Now, reporters Conrad Wilson, Troy Brynelson and Alex Zielinski help us understand how federal immigration policies under this administration are i...
Jul 24, 2025•20 min
For months, there has been speculation that U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley would not seek re-election. But we learned last week that one of the U.S. Senate’s most outspoken progressives will indeed seek a fourth term. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we’ll break that down and dig into the latest rumblings about a possible special legislative session in Salem.
Jul 15, 2025•16 min
Oregon lawmakers have finished their more than five-month session, where they debate, pass laws and approve a budget for the next two years. The session ended with drama, intrigue and one major political failure by the majority party. On this week's OPB Politics Now livestream, political reporters Dirk VanderHart, Bryce Dole and Alex Zielinski help us understand why the transportation package failed and what it may mean for your commute. They also discussed new gun laws, changes to how the state...
Jul 03, 2025•39 min
The past few days of the legislative session have produced a lot: drama, vetoes, people removed and added to a key committee. The mad dash to sine die continues. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we discuss the major events of the week. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Jun 26, 2025•29 min
Oregon lawmakers have less than two weeks left in this year’s legislative session. What have they done to tackle the state’s lagging education system? I’m Bryce Dole. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we dive into the major education topics in Salem this session. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Jun 19, 2025•32 min
Oregon is rarely a major player on the national political scene, but the Trump administration’s Big Beautiful Bill could play an outsized role in the Beaver State. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, politics editor Andrew Theen and reporters Amelia Templeton and Dirk VanderHart discussed what the bill might mean for people who depend on the Oregon Health Plan. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Jun 12, 2025•33 min
On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake, Bryce Dole and Dirk VanderHart discussed the major things happening in Salem, as lawmakers race to a conclusion in the coming weeks. This episode was available live on OPB.org/livestream or on OPB's YouTube page. They discussed the transportation package, gun legislation, foster care bills, the budget, the overall tone of the session and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts....
Jun 05, 2025•30 min
An issue that once prompted a Republican legislative walkout and derailed two legislative sessions is back. On this week’s OPB Politics Now, we’ll discuss why a controversial climate proposal has suddenly re-emerged and what happens next. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.
May 29, 2025•21 min
The Oregon Legislature is racing toward a conclusion in the coming weeks. On this week's episode of OPB Politics Now, we’re going to bring you a special episode from our OPB colleagues and friends at The Evergreen podcast. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at what our lives are like down at the state Capitol in Salem. Usually, OPB Politics reporter Dirk Vanderhart is bringing you the news on this podcast. This week, you’re going to get a glimpse into how he finds it. Enjoy the show!
May 22, 2025•25 min
Oregon’s most important revenue forecast, the one that lawmakers used to write the two-year budget, was released this week. It showed that the state is expecting more money to roll in, but significantly less than the amount predicted just three months ago. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Alex Zielinski discuss the revenue outlook, what it says about the state political situation and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts....
May 15, 2025•21 min
During his campaign to be Portland’s next mayor, Keith Wilson had an idyllic pitch for the city’s future. Now the mayor is up against his first major challenge: balancing the budget. With a huge funding gap, how does Wilson hope to confront the city’s problems? On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Bryce Dole and Alex Zielinski discuss Wilson’s plans, the political tradeoffs and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
May 08, 2025•16 min
Oregon lawmakers are increasingly relying on bills that are not what they initially seem. Lawmakers this session filed a record number of placeholder bills, which are often just empty vessels of legislation that morph into something more significant later in the legislative process. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss the rise of placeholders, why lawmakers use them and why transparency advocates and citizens are concerned. Find the show a...
May 01, 2025•24 min
Portland lost one of its most active and knowledgeable advocates for police accountability earlier this month. Dan Handelman spent decades of his life keeping track of the actions of the Portland police bureau, and pushing for reform. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we discuss Handelman’s life, death and what happens when an institutional watchdog is no longer there. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Apr 25, 2025•19 min
Tariffs have been one of the dominant themes of the first few months of the Trump administration. And Oregon businesses are feeling the pinch, and the uncertainty. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we discuss how Oregon businesses are responding to the tariffs and what it could mean for consumers. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.
Apr 18, 2025•16 min
Oregon’s legislative session is at the midway point. I’m Lauren Dake. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we discuss what the Legislature has accomplished so far, how the Trump administration has affected Salem and much more. Find the show where ever you get your podcasts
Apr 11, 2025•18 min
The Pacific Northwest’s rugged beauty - our mountains, forests, deserts and rivers - is a draw for many of us who call this region home. For decades, many of our most powerful rivers have been tamed - by dams. But in recent years we’ve seen some major dams come down. And it’s possible more big changes are afoot. Is that good? Bad? We’ll discuss the politics of dam removal on the latest episode of OPB Politics Now. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Apr 04, 2025•23 min
Democrat Melissa Fireside came out of nowhere in November to win a key election in Oregon’s third most populous county. But the Clackamas County commissioner’s sudden rise came with an even quicker downfall. It’s just the latest change on a county board that’s seen the political pendulum go back and forth many times in the past decade. Settle in and turn up your volume- it’s time for a Fireside chat. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Mar 28, 2025•12 min
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek stopped by the OPB studio this week for an extended interview with Think Out Loud. She talked about her housing policy, what she views as her role in responding to the Trump administration and much more. It was a meaty conversation. Here’s governor Kotek with OPB’s Dave Miller
Mar 21, 2025•53 min
Many Oregon students are struggling to pass tests and graduate. State lawmakers and Gov. Tina Kotek are trying to do something about it. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we talk about the state of Oregon schools and the policies proposed during this year’s legislative session. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Mar 14, 2025•33 min
Having trouble with your finances? Well, Multnomah County and the city of Portland feel your pain. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now we discuss the challenging budget cycle facing two of the state’s largest governments – and why the situation for state government is vastly different. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Mar 07, 2025•17 min
Oregon’s congressional delegation got an earful at recent town halls, and strong feelings seem to be growing. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we talk about the town halls, what constituents are saying about the Trump administration’s policies and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Feb 28, 2025•21 min
Lori Chavez-DeRemer returned to Washington D.C. this week. The Happy Valley Republican is no longer a member of Congress, but she may soon be a member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet as the nation’ labor secretary. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we dig into Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation hearing and what made it stand out from others. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Feb 21, 2025•16 min
The first month of the 2025 legislative session may have been overshadowed, a bit, by the flurry of federal action underway in Trump administration 2.0. But there’s plenty to dig into. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Alex Zielinski and Dirk VanderHart and Alex Zielinski discuss the first month of the session, what’s emerged and what hasn’t, and what to expect in the coming weeks. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Feb 14, 2025•17 min
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has been consistent about her priorities since entering the governor’s mansion: housing, homelessness and healthcare. That’s left some wondering where she stands on climate and environmental issues. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Monica Samayoa discuss Kotek’s priorities and vision on the climate beat. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Feb 07, 2025•16 min
What happens when the federal money faucet is turned off? Week two of the second Trump administration started with an effort to find out. On this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Lauren Dake, Dirk VanderHart and Bryce Dole discuss how the brief funding freeze played out in Oregon. Then, they also dive deep into the state’s growing eviction crisis and why Oregon continues to struggle to build enough housing.
Jan 31, 2025•18 min
What does the second Trump administration mean for the Pacific Northwest? In the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we get a sense of what people had to say in the days before the inauguration and what happens next. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts and read our full coverage about the new administration at OPB.org.
Jan 24, 2025•16 min
We are only a few days away from the 2025 long legislative session kicking off in Salem. State lawmakers' paramount duty is passing the next two-year budget. But they likely won’t stop there. On this week’s OPB Politics Now, we will dig into how the state will fund wildfires and ease the housing crisis. Plus, will there be new taxes? How will the legislative leaders get along in this new era? We’ll discuss. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts
Jan 17, 2025•23 min
New year, new government. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Alex Zielinski discuss the fascinating start of the new era of governance in Portland City Hall. They talked about the political fault lines emerging, the personalities on the council and much more. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.
Jan 10, 2025•16 min
Keith Wilson seemed to come out of nowhere. Until earlier last year, he was a trucking company president whose one previous attempt at elected office got paltry results. Then, suddenly, he was a frontrunner in Portland’s high-stakes mayoral race, with an audacious pitch to solve the city’s most difficult issue. Now, he’s the mayor. Given that swift turn of events, you might be asking yourself: Who is Keith Wilson? That's the topic of this week's episode of OPB Politics Now. Find the show anywher...
Jan 03, 2025•21 min
Earl Blumenauer is one of the longest-serving elected officials in Oregon history – if not the longest. He first won election to the Oregon House of Representatives in his early 20s, and over the course of five decades went on to serve on the Multnomah County Commission, Portland City Council and, most famously, for nearly 30 years representing Portland in Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District.In that time, Blumenauer has stood out for any number of reasons: his bow tie, his enthusiasm for bicycle...
Dec 27, 2024•33 min
