Best Oregon Public Broadcasting Podcasts (2025)

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Final day of National Guard trial begins in Portland 4:55

Play Pause

12h ago4:55

4:55

A federal trial wrapping up Friday could determine whether President Donald Trump can legally deploy the National Guard in Portland.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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A worker on the front lines of helping Oregonians losing SNAP benefits 5:51

14h ago5:51

5:51

The state offices are seeing a surge in calls as families prepare to have food benefits lapse starting Nov 1.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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A look at how a generation of COVID students is faring in Oregon 4:51

19h ago4:51

4:51

A look at how a generation of COVID students is faring in OregonBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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At Work With an Eastern Oregon Rancher 5:30

1d ago5:30

5:30

At Work With Dean Defrees, a fourth-generation rancher in the Sumpter Valley.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
‘This community is not the enemy’: Hillsboro teachers form neighborhood ICE watch 4:57

1d ago4:57

4:57

Federal immigration officials arrested a parent near Eastwood Elementary School last Monday. Teachers and parents have been patrolling the neighborhood every morning since.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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As NW faces rolling blackouts, study says renewable energy may not be enough 4:34

3d ago4:34

4:34

Oregon and Washington are falling so far behind on upgrades to the electrical grid that the states could start seeing rolling blackouts during extreme weather as soon as next year.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Trial over National Guard deployment in Portland begins 5:54

3d ago5:54

5:54

A federal trial in Oregon that could determine whether President Donald Trump can legally deploy the National Guard to the city of Portland is set to get underway Wednesday.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Oregon earns ‘Accessibility Verified’ status 4:19

6d ago4:19

4:19

Oregon is the first state in the nation to be considered “Accessibility Verified” by Wheel the World, a nonprofit for travelers with disabilities.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Federal appeals court temporarily bars Portland troop deployment 5:35

7d ago5:35

5:35

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said Friday it wanted more time to decide whether to rehear arguments on the matter.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Portland author Sam Saldivar on her new sapphic sports romance 5:25

7d ago5:25

5:25

In her new novel, “Play You For It,” Portland author Sam Saldivar shares a romance about finding your place on and off the court.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Boeing settlement offer | No Kings | Madison federal workers | General strike? | Chicago teachers fight back | EEOC sued | Immigrant worker loss 29:02

7d ago29:02

29:02

Machinists on strike at Boeing in the St. Louis area have a federally-mediated agreement that will be voted on by members on October 26, the national No Kings march takes place in Madison with labor support, federal workers who have been shut out from work rally outside the Madison-area Social Security office, national flight attendants union leade…

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Oregon Democratic Sen. Merkley on his marathon speech in protest of Trump's policies 5:01

8d ago5:01

5:01

Oregon Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley held the Senate floor this week with a marathon speech to protest President Donald Trump – and what he sees as the administration’s threats to democracy. He spoke for more than 22 hours.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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The art of debate is thriving in one unlikely place: prisons 3:33

9d ago3:33

3:33

An Oregon penitentiary is showcasing its inmates and their debating skills. They make arguments, speak to others' perspectives, and resolve disputes amicably — all of which can have a huge impact on their lives inside prison and out.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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How Oregonians are bracing for potential cuts to food stamps 4:06

9d ago4:06

4:06

Funding for the federal government has been on hold for more than three weeks – but many people in the Northwest may not feel affected much so far. That could change on November 1st, when food stamp benefits end for 750,000 Oregonians.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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A new chapter for Portland’s long-standing outdoor store, Next Adventure 4:50

11d ago4:50

4:50

The iconic outdoor store will keep two locations open with new ownership and an eye on community engagement. A third location in Scappoose was purchased by a local couple and rebranded as The Paddle Shack" this month.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says she’s made progress on major issues. Even some fans are skeptical 4:50

11d ago4:50

4:50

As the governor prepares to launch a reelection bid many believe will succeed, she may need to address the sense that she has underwhelmed.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Portland police rejoin TriMet’s transit police for the first time since 2020 3:30

11d ago3:30

3:30

Portland police rejoin TriMet’s transit police for the first time since 2020By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
9th Circuit rules that National Guard can deploy to Portland, but legal questions loom 7:15

11d ago7:15

7:15

The appeals court overturned the ruling of a lower court judge in Oregon, which could pave the way for President Trump to deploy the National Guard to Portland.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Protesters show up for No Kings Day across the Northwest 3:32

11d ago3:32

3:32

Thousands across the Pacific Northwest took part in the national "No Kings 2.0" protests Saturday. Demonstrations happened in nearly every major city in the region and in many small towns, including in places that voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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CTUIR Food Carts 3:56

14d ago3:56

3:56

Casino and resort operations have brought some prosperity to the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Eastern Oregon. But tribal officials say a lot of that money doesn’t stay on the reservation. Now they’re looking to change that.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Hood River’s Fruit Loop 4:45

14d ago4:45

4:45

Hood River’s Fruit Loop has everything from grape harvests to U-Pick pears and packaged goods, all basking in the glory of fall colors.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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GHC meeting | Union reaction to Trump RIF | Lower H2A visa base wage | Wisconsin green jobs | Elder care and immigrants | Texas prof fired | No Kings 29:21

14d ago29:21

29:21

A membership meeting at Group Health Cooperative in Madison cheers a push for unionization with SEIU, Trump announces that some federal workers won't return after the government shutdown and American Federation of Government Employees members talk to Labor Radio about the White House onslaught against federal workers, as ICE deports farm workers th…

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After finding forever chemicals in its drinking water, this Eastern Oregon city stopped testing for them 4:59

15d ago4:59

4:59

PFAS turning up in Oregon cities remain unregulated by federal clean water laws.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Julian Brave Noisecat is part of the tradition of surviving “while laughing and smiling and crying about it” 8:12

17d ago8:12

8:12

Julian Brave Noisecat’s new book ‘We Survived the Night’ blends personal memoir and indigenous history.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Portland author Daniel H. Wilson’s new thriller combines Indigenous knowledge with science fiction 5:24

17d ago5:24

5:24

Portland author Daniel H. Wilson’s new thriller combines Indigenous knowledge with science fictionBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Right-wing influencers shape nation and Trump’s understanding of Portland protests 3:54

18d ago3:54

3:54

Social media personalities, conservative media outlets and the Trump administration itself are blending online content to serve the administration’s policies.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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How Oregon’s only monastic brewery keeps the faith in craft beer 5:21

20d ago5:21

5:21

The Benedictine Brewery at Mount Angel Abbey brews beer in a centuries-old tradition.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Rocky Horror Picture Show turns 50 4:24

20d ago4:24

4:24

Rocky Horror Picture Show turned 50 years old this year, and for nearly as long it's been shown at Portland's Clinton Street Theater.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Lett'er bus or Lett'er fly? 6:36

21d ago6:36

6:36

Taxpayers subsidize a thrice-daily small plane from the Pendleton to the Portland airport through the Essential Air Service program. Would it be more efficient to provide bus service instead?By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Mercy Health East strike rally | Boeing strike boss stall | Federal workers | Anodyne Coffee votes union | PLEDGE WEEK 29:43

21d ago29:43

29:43

The strike at Mercy Health East Clinic in Janesville enters its 100th day and UAW Local 95 holds a solidarity rally, Boeing is ignoring striking Machinists and training scabs as the strike near St. Louis enters its third month, Labor Radio speaks to a local president of a federal employees union about how the US government shutdown is being used to…

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Farmworker Overtime 4:36

22d ago4:36

4:36

It’s been three years since Oregon legislators passed a law requiring employers pay overtime to farmworkers. But as OPB’s Alejandro Figueroa reports, some farmworkers say they’re making less money, not more. And growers say they can’t afford to pay the overtime.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Many Oregon GOP lawmakers silent as Trump seeks National Guard deployment to Portland 4:31

22d ago4:31

4:31

OPB emailed every Republican state lawmaker in Oregon on Monday to ask whether they support the deployment of National Guard members to the Rose City. Two responded.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Soil and Water Conservation District 4:38

23d ago4:38

4:38

We vote for directors of soil and water conservation districts every couple years, but not everyone knows what they do. Kristian Foden-Vencil talked to one director, and a farming family in Troutdale, for a better understanding.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Colleagues say Oregon judge who blocked Trump troop deployment is ‘well-respected’ and ‘has no fear’ 7:16

23d ago7:16

7:16

Former colleagues describe Judge Karin Immergut as exceptionally qualified and not influenced by politics.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Funding changes fracture support for Washington County library levy among city leaders 4:48

25d ago4:48

4:48

By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Super Hot Rocks 4:18

25d ago4:18

4:18

By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Overnight Emergency Shelters 4:21

25d ago4:21

4:21

By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Senior Homelessness is on the Rise in Oregon 4:39

26d ago4:39

4:39

By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Trump Administration's Attempts to Deploy National Guard to Portland, OR. 5:45

26d ago5:45

5:45

By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
‘At Work With’: A traffic control supervisor on construction sites 4:55

27d ago4:55

4:55

For OPB’s “At Work With” series, which asks Pacific Northwesterners from different professions what it’s like to do what they do, we meet Elizabeth Figueroa Alvarez, a traffic flagger for construction sites.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
Starbucks union busting | Labor for Gazans | 1A union victory, judge warning | H2B visas | PLEDGE WEEK 31:14

28d ago31:14

31:14

UFCW Local 1473 president Jake Bailey talks to labor Radio about a worker victory in an NLRB ruling shows egregious union busting in 2022 by Starbucks during a 1473 organizing drive in Madison, the Sumud Flotilla is stopped as it tries to break Israel's illegal blockade of Gaza but workers in Italy and elsewhere strike in support of Palestine, a fe…

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Before Tom Dundon agreed to buy the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon accused the company he created of predatory lending 6:00

29d ago6:00

6:00

In 2020, the state sued Santander Consumer USA for allegedly preying on Oregonians through high-interest car loans they couldn’t afford in a case involving more than 265,000 borrowers nationwide.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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That derelict ship may be someone's home 4:40

30d ago4:40

4:40

That derelict ship may be someone's homeBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
After delays and missteps, Oregon Democrats pass road-funding bill 5:09

1M ago5:09

5:09

The proposal from Gov. Tina Kotek will hike gas taxes, registration fees and more.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
'Our Mr. Matsura' teaches us lessons for a "divided time" 5:35

1M ago5:35

5:35

JAMO showcases a half-year exhibit on Japanese American photographer Frank Matsura starting Sept. 27, and Vancouver's Kiggins Theatre will hold a screening of documentary Our Mr. Matsura on Matsura on Sept. 28.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

1
UAW 95 rally | UAW policy | Boeing strike | New Mexico childcare | Workers support Gaza flotilla | Rally for Texas prof | Shays' Rebellion 30:46

1M ago30:46

30:46

Unions and community supporters hold a rally for striking health care workers of Mercy Health East Clinic in Janesville, UAW members in California demand a sustainable industrial policy, striking Machinists at Boeing in the St. Louis area offer their own contract proposal absent movement from Boeing management, New Mexico is becoming the first stat…

1
How an old Gresham hotel shows one solution to community college housing problems 4:45

1M ago4:45

4:45

A nonprofit is offering low-cost apartments to students, even if they have no credit score or co-signer. This story comes to OPB from the education journalism nonprofit, Hechinger Report.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Energized candidates aim to change Clark County government 4:20

1M ago4:20

4:20

Energized candidates aim to change Clark County governmentBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Oregon police, forensics lab actions result in $14 million payout for Coos County man 5:19

1M ago5:19

5:19

The Oregon State Police forensic lab agreed to pay millions as part of a settlement after failing to disclose DNA evidence in the decades-old homicide of Leah Freeman.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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The aerospace company that calls Tillamook home 4:43

1M ago4:43

4:43

The aerospace company that calls Tillamook homeBy Oregon Public Broadcasting