Think Out Loud

Oregon Public Broadcasting•www.opb.org

News

Arts

Society & Culture

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

Last refreshed: July 8th, 2025 at 12:55 AM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Black rodeo photo project launches Portland ‘8 seconds Juneteenth Rodeo’

Portland photographer Ivan McClellan said the first time he went to a Black rodeo, it made an indelible impression on him. He says, “It was like Black culture combined with Western culture in a way that I never, never could have imagined existed.” That visit sparked his multi-year project of photographs called “8 Seconds,” which became the basis for the creation of a new Portland rodeo, centering the experiences of Black cowboys and cowgirls. Participants from all over the country are expected t...

Jun 15, 2023•18 min

One last ride for Cycle Oregon

After 35 years, Cycle Oregon will no longer be offering its 7-day bike ride. Facing a number of challenges, the organization has decided that this year will be the final year. Steve Schulz is the executive director of Cycle Oregon. He joins us to share more on what led to this decision and plans for the future.

Jun 15, 2023•19 min

How the U.S. Forest Service is prepping for fire season in the Pacific Northwest

As fires in Canada continue to rage, the U.S. Forest Service has dispatched firefighters to combat the flames. When local crews aren’t actively fighting fires in the Pacific Northwest, they’re often sent elsewhere to help. We check in with the U.S. Forest Service on how they’re preparing for the summer fire season in the Pacific Northwest and what their work looks like elsewhere. Our guest is Alex Robertson, the U.S. Forest Service’s director of fire, fuels, and aviation for the Pacific Northwes...

Jun 15, 2023•15 min

Portland’s Mt. Tabor Park named first ‘Urban Quiet Park’ in the U.S.

Mt. Tabor Park in southeast Portland was recently named the nation’s first “Urban Quiet Park” by Quiet Parks International, a nonprofit that aims to “save quiet for the benefit of all life.” The organization has recognized nine other Urban Quiet Parks around the world, including Hampstead Heath in London, Yangmingshan National Park in Taipei and Parc del Montnegre i el Corredor in Barcelona. Jacob Schmidt is a volunteer technician with Quiet Parks International. He took audio measurements in Mt....

Jun 14, 2023•23 min

Portland State University researchers look at the effects of Measure 110 on law enforcement, public safety

In November 2020, Oregon became the first state in the nation to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs with the passage of Measure 110. The measure also directs money from cannabis tax revenues to expand drug treatment and recovery services. Researchers at Portland State University are now studying the effects of Measure 110 with a three-year study funded by the National Institute of Justice. They interviewed 23 police officers from 10 different agencies in rural and urb...

Jun 14, 2023•15 min

Salem police aims to hire more officers despite city’s funding woes

Last month, the Salem Reporter revealed that the city’s police chief, Trevor Womack, wants to hire 15 additional police officers and launch a new community policing program. As of early May, the department is facing nearly two dozen vacancies and has shifted resources in recent years in response to reduced staffing levels. City leaders are proposing to fund the new positions by raising monthly utility fees and adding a new payroll tax which would cost workers an average of $42 a month.The city c...

Jun 14, 2023•16 min

At Great Circle Recovery, the doors are open to anyone seeking addiction treatment

Fentanyl has taken over the illegal drug market largely due to its low cost and abundant supply. It’s fueling rising addiction rates, and those in need of treatment often have no options. Enter the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde’s Great Circle Recovery program. Great Circle runs two clinics in Portland and Salem, as well as a mobile clinic. It serves not just tribal members, but anyone who’s struggling with addiction and wants help. We hear more about the nonprofit’s mission and how the...

Jun 14, 2023•53 min

Pacific Northwest photographer documents all federally recognized tribe in the United States

In 2012, photographer Matika Wilbur sold everything in her Seattle apartment and set off to document the 562 federally recognized indigenous tribes in country. Over a decade and hundreds of thousands of miles later, she has released a new book called “Project 562.” We talk to Wilbur about her journey, her book, and her mission to provide Native Americans images that are more "useful, truthful, and beautiful."

Jun 13, 2023•30 min

Multnomah County chair Jessica Vega Pederson outlines priorities

Last week, Multnomah county commissioners approved a $3.5 billion budget for the next fiscal year. County chair Jessica Vega Pederson joins us to discuss the role that the county will play in addressing homelessness, behavioral health, and other challenges facing the region.

Jun 13, 2023•23 min

Documentary by Northwest filmmaker focuses on Black soldiers

After the ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1868, many Black men enlisted in the military as a way to earn both income and respect in U.S. society. Despite facing many barriers within the military, Black soldiers fought in many wars and conflicts, both at home and abroad. A new documentary from Vancouver-based filmmaker Dru Holley explores the complicated legacy of Black soldiers, particularly their role participating in the subjugation of Indigenous peoples. We talk to Holley about “Buffalo...

Jun 12, 2023•24 min

Parents of severely disabled children in Oregon say end of funding program represents a ‘caregiving emergency’

The longest legislative walkout by Oregon Senate Republicans in state history had meant the death of any number of bills. Now that legislative leaders have reached a framework for a possible deal to bring lawmakers back to the capitol, some may have new life. But the fate of one caregiving proposal was unclear even before the partisan boycott: a bill to allow parent caregivers of severely disabled children to continue to be paid for their work. Advocates say the program, which began in the pande...

Jun 12, 2023•17 min

Tentative framework reached to end longest legislative boycott in Oregon state history

Although voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional measure last year to prevent boycotts from grinding legislative work to a halt, that didn’t stop Republicans from staging a walkout in early May, which stretched into the longest one in state history. Without enough Republicans to form a quorum, Democrats haven’t been able to pass any bills since May 3. GOP leaders had said they would return at the end of the month to pass only budget bills, just before the session ends June 25. The walkout ...

Jun 12, 2023•12 min

← Prev

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android