KGW’s Straight Talk

For over a week now, Oregonians have already been casting their ballots to decide who will lead the state for the next four years. Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek is asking voters for a second term after nearly four years in office, facing big challenges on the cost of living, homelessness, public safety and the overall economy. Kotek was a guest on this week's episode of Straight Talk to discuss her f...

Oregonians are less than two weeks away from choosing their next governor in the 2026 General Election. The rematch between incumbent Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and her Republican challenger, state Sen. Christine Drazan, comes as the state faces big questions about the cost of living, homelessness, public safety and the economy. Drazan has been a prominent critic of Kotek's first term, and she was...

Multnomah County says it's making significant progress helping people move off the streets and into permanent housing, but homelessness remains one of the region's biggest and most visible challenges. So, what's working, and what isn't? And can the county turn those successes into meaningful reductions in homelessness? Nathaniel VerGow, the county's new director of homeless services, was a guest o...

Washington voters will cast their ballots next month to decide the fate of Initiative 645, a measure targeting the new "millionaires tax" passed by the state legislature in March and signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson. The law imposes a 9.9% tax on income above $1 million beginning in 2028. The money generated — about $3 billion per year at the start — would fund childcare, K-12 education an...

What does success look like in year one? For the Portland Fire, it starts with 19,000 people packing the Moda Center. Then it's the buzzer-beaters, the big nights and a fanbase that just keeps growing. The team's 17-27 record is the second best inaugural season for a WNBA expansion team since 2000 and put the Fire at ninth in the league, just shy of making the playoffs. Even without a playoff bert...

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson talks Moda Center negotiations, why he won't endorse police abolitionists, and the city's homeless shelter crisis.

In just over six weeks, voters in Washington County will choose their next county chair in a runoff race, triggered after no candidate cleared the 50% threshold in May's primary. Sitting commissioners Nafisa Fai and Pam Treece advanced to the runoff, and they each were a guest on this week's episode of Straight Talk as they make their cases to voters in an election where a booming tech-forward eco...

Portland Police Chief Bob Day came out of retirement nearly three years ago to take the helm of a police bureau and a city facing some significant challenges. Since then, Portland has seen progress in some key areas like crime and public safety, but the bureau continues to struggle with staffing, response times and other issues. Day was a guest on this week's episode of Straight Talk to discuss hi...

For more than four decades, Metro has played a key role in how the Portland metro area grows and plans for the future. It’s the only directly elected regional government in the country, and its work crosses city and county lines. Back in June, Metro Council President Juan Carlos Gonzalez told KGW’s Blair Best he wanted to get the region back on track, and a few months later, he was a guest on this...

A PSU political science professor breaks down why the five-month Iran war has stalled — and what it could take to finally bring it to an end.

Portland's $573 million Moda Center deal, compared to Salt Lake City, OKC, San Antonio & more. Is this a fair price for a small NBA market?

Tim Gordon speaks with state Sen. Kate Lieber, a supporter of the proposed public funding for Moda Center renovations, and Edan Krolewicz, a critic of the plan.

Washington's 3rd District's "purple" reputation makes it one of the most closely watched House races as parties fight for control of Congress.

In a little over two weeks, voters in Southwest Washington will select the top two candidates they want to represent them in the U.S. House, with the winner to be decided in a General Election runoff in November. The race for the state's 3rd Congressional District is drawing national attention, and is shaping up to be one of the most competitive House races this year. The district covers much of S...

Data centers now use 11% of Oregon's power. The Oregonian's Mike Rogoway breaks down the tax breaks, water use, and backlash driving the debate.

Oregon's Prosperity Council co-chairs break down their 10 recommendations to boost jobs, cut red tape, and fix the state's tax code.

Oregon's fire marshal breaks down the drought, heat and human-caused risks fueling what could be a dangerous wildfire season.

Sen. Jeff Merkley criticizes the Iran war, saying it's strengthened hardliners, hurt reformers, and bypassed Congress's constitutional war powers.

Providence Health Plan exits Oregon's insurance market in 2027. What it means for your coverage, your doctors and what to do before open enrollment.

Focusing on the deadly industrial disaster that struck Longview this week, an expert in community grief shares how communities mourn and support each other.

Oregon voters crushed a highway gas tax by a historic 83%. Rebecca Tweed and Julia Shumway explain what it means for November.

Oregon hasn't had a Republican governor since the 1980s. Can Ed Diehl or Chris Dudley finally change that? They sat down to make their case.

Oregon's Secretary of State Tobias Read appears as a guess on "Straight Talk" to discuss the upcoming primary election and mail-in voting