Best Oregon Public Broadcasting Podcasts (2025)

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Riding along with a "Bike Bus" 5:27

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5h ago5:27

5:27

Today we're At Work With a parent who's not just getting her own kid to school — she's leading a joyful, pedal-powered parade to the classroom - a bike bus.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Trump upends historic Columbia River Basin agreement 6:00

20h ago6:00

6:00

President Donald Trump has pulled the federal government out of what Northwest tribes have hailed as a historic agreement to recover salmon in the Columbia River Basin.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Indigenous youth prepare for the first descent down the Klamath River after dam removal 4:59

20h ago4:59

4:59

On Thursday, dozens of young kayakers from a variety of Indigenous tribes will embark on the first source-to-sea descent of the Klamath River since the country’s largest dam removal project was completed last fall.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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When will Robotaxis arrive in the Pacific Northwest? 5:56

21h ago5:56

5:56

After years of talk and testing, autonomous vehicle deployment seems to a reality. Daimler promises autonomous trucks by 2027. Waymo’s fleet of autonomous ride hail vehicles are open for business in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin. Zoox is testing in the Bay Area and Las Vegas. But news of Robotaxis on streets in the Northwest is st…

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Rowena Fire grows to 3,500 acres; investigators say it was human-caused 5:40

1d ago5:40

5:40

A wildfire that started Wednesday afternoon near Rowena, Oregon, grew to an estimated 3,500 acres by Thursday morning. OPB's Kristian Foden-Vencil saw the Rowena Fire firsthand.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Out of state, out of mind. Again. 4:17

3d ago4:17

4:17

Six years ago, the public learned that Oregon child welfare officials were sending children placed in foster care to facilities in other states. After widespread stories of abuse -- kids being restrained and assaulted -- Oregon largely stopped the practice. But now, as Lauren Dake reports, lawmakers are considering changing the law to once again ma…

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LA protests prompt concern, preparation among Oregonians scarred by 2020 4:58

4d ago4:58

4:58

OPB reached out to local and state officials in Oregon, as well as Portlanders who protested in 2020, to find out what they learned from the federal law enforcement deployment during that time — and what it might mean if tensions rise locally.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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OHSU pediatric physician says he’s healed by the sick kids he treats 7:57

5d ago7:57

7:57

Dr. Robert Macauley of OHSU is one of the few pediatricians in the U.S. who is certified in palliative medicine. His memoir is called, "Because I Knew You: How Some Remarkable Sick Kids Healed A Doctor's Soul"By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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How one OHSU science program is being affected by Trump Administration research cuts 5:28

5d ago5:28

5:28

Scientific research programs across the nation are being impacted by Trump administration policies… and Oregon’s no different. The National Institutes of Health has gotten rid of grants for training programs that help young scientists from underrepresented communities. It’s a move advocates say will mean losing out on future leaders and scientific …

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Newport Lighthouse Renovation 4:49

7d ago4:49

4:49

Newport’s historic Yaquina Bay Lighthouse expected to reopen this fall after renovationBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Job Corps Uncertainty in Astorai 4:50

7d ago4:50

4:50

Tongue Point is one of 99 Job Corps centers facing closure, after the Department of Labor announced the abrupt pausing of the program last week.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Billie McBride-O'Neel on ice 4:12

8d ago4:12

4:12

Billie McBride-O'Neel transitioned in 1985 after a career as a professional figure skater. She stayed in the closet for four decades, until trans youth were threatened.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Once a band nerd, always a band nerd with the One More Time Around Again Marching Band 4:05

8d ago4:05

4:05

Once a band nerd, always a band nerd with the One More Time Around Again Marching BandBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Portland city councilors build teamwork with paddles 4:30

8d ago4:30

4:30

Portland city councilors build Teamwork with paddlesBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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How Growing Gardens helped Lewis & Clark students uncover the ethics in everyday data 4:49

12d ago4:49

4:49

Philosopher Devin Fitzpatrick designed his new course, “Data for Good,” to challenge students to get their hands dirty — both in messy datasets and in the soil, through a partnership with a gardening-focused nonprofit.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Special education makes a big difference -- when it's available 4:44

12d ago4:44

4:44

Special education makes a big difference -- when it's availableBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Data for Good puts a human spin on numbers 4:52

12d ago4:52

4:52

Data for Good puts a human spin on numbersBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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At Work With: Oregon tattoo artist helps people heal from trauma with tattoos 8:51

14d ago8:51

8:51

For the latest installment of OPB’s ‘At Work With’ series, we get to know Oregon tattoo artist Ruby Gore. She specializes in helping people cover up scars with tattoos, and taking a trauma-aware approach to tattooing.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Newport is expanding its paid parking 4:40

15d ago4:40

4:40

Newport is expanding its paid parkingBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Oregon's fishing industry weathers tariff uncertainty 4:56

15d ago4:56

4:56

Oregon's fishing industry weathers tariff uncertaintyBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Nicky Young aged out of foster care without a family but started her own business 5:51

16d ago5:51

5:51

How one former Oregon foster youth used financial literacy training to launch her own clothing businessBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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College students see greater success when their basic needs are met 4:02

16d ago4:02

4:02

College students see greater success when their basic needs are metBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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‘Like a jail cell’: Family of six detained at Washington state border facility for more than three weeks 4:58

17d ago4:58

4:58

A pregnant mother-of-four is raising concerns about their detention in a single room for 24 days.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Danger lurks in the summer sun 4:25

19d ago4:25

4:25

Danger lurks in the summer sunBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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The Void Fest puts the focus on tatoo artists 4:28

22d ago4:28

4:28

The Void Fest puts the focus on tatoo artistsBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Portland tattoo festival aims to uplift artists 4:13

23d ago4:13

4:13

A pair of Portland tattooers are hoping to fill a gap in the market with a new tattoo convention that focuses on the artists themselves. The three day event will also focus on inclusivity and education.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Oregon Republican Podcast Explosion 5:32

23d ago5:32

5:32

Oregon Replublican's are PodcastingBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Prosecutor in a Beaverton cold case murder contradicted DNA experts in closing argument 5:06

25d ago5:06

5:06

Robert Atrops was convicted last month for the cold case murder of his wife. Statements made during the trial showcased the flexibility attorneys have in their closing arguments to interpret the evidence.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Trail Blazers up for sale 6:40

29d ago6:40

6:40

The Portland Trail Blazers are officially for sale. Who could buy them and for how muchBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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What Oregonians should think about as they vote in local school board races 5:54

30d ago5:54

5:54

An in-depth guide to help voters navigate their local school board races on the May 20 ballot.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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How proposed Medicaid cuts could impact health care in Oregon 4:35

30d ago4:35

4:35

A bill that passed a key committee vote in Congress this week would add a work requirement for some on Medicaid and would jeopardize billions in Medicaid funding for Oregon.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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After 28 years, Next Adventure is closing its doors. 5:41

1M ago5:41

5:41

Next Adventure will be shutting its doors this fall, closing four retail locations and its online business.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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The Portland Trail Blazers are for sale 4:53

1M ago4:53

4:53

The estate of the late Paul Allen has begun the formal process to sell the franchise and direct all proceeds to philanthropic causes. We speak with Mike Richman, host of the "Locked on Blazers" podcast about the team's future.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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How the Pacific Northwest’s dream of green energy fell apart 5:24

1M ago5:24

5:24

Oregon and Washington passed aggressive goals to decarbonize their power supply — but left it to the Bonneville Power Administration to build the transmission lines needed for wind and solar. The agency hasn’t delivered.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Beloved tree nearing the end of its life 4:40

1M ago4:40

4:40

Beloved tree nearing the end of its lifeBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Chinook tribe continues to fight for federal recognition 4:37

1M ago4:37

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Chinook tribe continues to fight for federal recognitionBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Rural transit funding caught in lawmakers' tug of war 5:12

1M ago5:12

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Rural tansit funding caught in lawmakers' tug of warBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Transit funding caught in lawmakers' tug of war 5:13

1M ago5:13

5:13

Transit funding caught in lawmakers' tug of warBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Once rare, ethnic grocery stores are opening in Central Oregon 4:14

1M ago4:14

4:14

Once rare, ethnic grocery stores are opening in Central OregonBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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The Oregon nonprofit that has helped cultivate new Spanish-speaking farmers for two decades. 3:48

1M ago3:48

3:48

The Oregon nonprofit that has helped cultivate new Spanish-speaking farmers for two decades.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Astoria-raised author Jaysea Lynn on her new fantasy book created from a TikTok series 5:13

1M ago5:13

5:13

Author Jaysea Lynn share details about her new novel about a Pacific Northwest woman who finds family and romance in the afterlife.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Portland business owner can’t get his products into the country because of tariffs 5:17

1M ago5:17

5:17

President Trump’s tariff policy is hitting two medium-sized businesses in Oregon hard. Showers Pass makes rain gear, mainly for cyclists. Its products are manufactured in China, Taiwan and Vietnam. Vvolt makes electric bikes, manufactured in mainland China.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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As ‘placeholder’ bills surge in Salem, what you see isn’t always what you get 5:20

1M ago5:20

5:20

In the last decade, Oregon lawmakers have increasingly relied on a tool that risks cutting out public participation in lawmaking.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Portland drum group connects Native people to culture as medicine 4:36

1M ago4:36

4:36

Portland drum group connects Native people to culture as medicineBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Forest service begins evicting homeless campers ahead of management project 3:35

1M ago3:35

3:35

Forest service begins evicting homeless campers ahead of management projectBy Oregon Public Broadcasting

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Invasive emerald ash borer could wipe out Oregon’s ash trees. Here’s how you can help. 6:08

1M ago6:08

6:08

The invasive emerald ash borer beetle has killed millions of ash trees across the country. Experts say the easiest way to slow the spread of this beetle is to avoid moving firewood more than 10 miles.By Oregon Public Broadcasting

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DEQ’s statewide email included ‘dangerous link’ — but it didn’t warn the public 4:34

1M ago4:34

4:34

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality internally warned its staff about a 'dangerous link' in its statewide press release. The message came ahead of the agency's public announcement about a massive cyberattack.By Oregon Public Broadcasting