OPB Audio

Oregon is one of seven states that uses prison labor to fight wildfires. Incarcerated firefighters make significantly less money than other firefighters but face the same safety risks. Still, it's among the most sought-after jobs in prison.

The annual Oregon State Fair in Salem wraps up on Labor Day. The multi-day event features live music, food, demonstrations, carnival rides and competitions that showcase excellence in Oregon art, livestock, agriculture and more. From the tallest sunflower grown to blue ribbons awarded for beef and dairy cattle, the fair is also an opportunity to honor the hard work of future farmers, ranchers or h...

The weather pattern known as El Niño is still gathering strength, and climatologists say it could be one of the biggest on record. The phenomenon is caused by rising surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The weather pattern is expected to bring big impacts to Oregon come winter. State Climatologist Larry O’Neill says that’s likely to mean warmer and wetter weather...

The Trump administration is trying to loosen regulations around development projects on historic and culturally significant land. Proposed changes to the National Historic Preservation Act would make it optional for federal agencies to consult with Native American nations about these projects, as reported locally in Underscore Native News. The proposal would also change the definition of a histori...

Oregon lawmakers passed the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) in 2021. It was the first law of its kind, putting much of the responsibility to reduce waste on producers and manufacturers. California, Washington, Colorado and a handful of other states have now passed similar laws. The Oregon law took effect July 1, 2025 and the state began collecting fees from producers to exp...

In 2021, the city of Portland officially legalized living in mobile dwelling units on private property. MDUs include recreational vehicles and tiny homes on wheels, which are different from accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. According to a recent survey reported in Sightline Institute, MDUs have been seeing an increase in popularity since 2020. Kol Peterson conducted the survey, owns Accessory Dwe...

The largest known source of lead emissions is leaded aviation fuel, most commonly used for small aircraft in small, regional airports. A new study from Oregon State University has found that this fuel leads to more lead pollution in surrounding urban areas and neighborhoods, which can affect human health through poor air quality and soil contamination. The study looked at air quality surrounding r...

Kimberly Lining remembers calling the information number on a flyer for a missing Indigenous woman and learning that the photo on the flyer didn’t even belong to the missing woman. The frustration born in that moment led Lining to launch the MMIW Search and Hope Alliance, a group of volunteers she mobilizes to help look for missing Indigenous women and girls. Lining partners with the Oregon State...

In Culver, a Central Oregon food desert, residents say they’re tired of the 40-minute round-trip drive to buy fresh produce, so the city is trying to attract a grocery store.

Oregon State University's master gardener program has been running for 50 years and provides advice for gardeners in all but nine counties in Oregon. It has evolved since its 1976 conception to include plant clinics, an internet helpline and counsel for gardening questions via phone by a master gardener who lives and gardens in your county. But what is the evolving role and importance of this kind...

After more than a decade, a new facility that aims to spur the development of wave energy technology opened last week off the Oregon Coast. AP first reported the opening of PacWave, which features two sites in the open ocean near Newport where companies can test devices they’re building to convert energy from waves into electricity. Oregon State University developed PacWave with $140 million in fu...

More than 2,500,000 acres have burned so far during Oregon’s record-breaking wildfire season. Earlier this summer, smoke from the wildfires led to air quality advisories being issued across most of the state, including in Southern Oregon. John D. Sutter, an independent climate journalist and assistant professor of environmental media at the University of Oregon, traveled to the region in July for...

As Oregon's school year begins, leaders look beyond instructional hours to other challenges like quality of instruction and high absenteeism rates.

Since 2015, almost every year a child in the faith-healing sect Followers of Christ in Idaho have died from a treatable condition. That’s according to new reporting from ProPublica. In Oregon, where Followers of Christ are also present, lawmakers have previously removed faith-healing protections that Idaho has. Authorities in the state say this has led to a reduction of these kinds of incidents as...

How do climate-driven events like wildfires affect tourism in communities like Bend? That’s one of the questions the Oregon State University Sustainable Tourism Lab is trying to answer. A recent analysis examined how wildfire smoke impacted visitor demand. It found that while one or two smoky days may not affect travel plans, people are more likely to reschedule or cancel their trips during prolon...

A recent study from Portland State University assessed the likelihood of environmental hazard risks, identifying many “multi-hazard hotspots” — areas that are at risk of overlapping climate hazards — along I-205. The study looked at four climate risks, including fire, urban heat, flooding and landslides. The researchers note that these hotspots for climate hazards are the same areas that have deal...

Cascadia Tech's Maritime program is kicking off its second year at the Port of Vancouver. High school juniors and seniors are learning skills that will land them industry jobs right after graduation. The program is part of a broader effort around the state to meet a growing demand for maritime workers as the industry braces for a serious shortage.

Cancer survivors say crewing a dragon boat together helps them deal with diagnoses.

The band Orquestra Pacífico Tropical has had at least 19 different members over the years, and at any given time there are at least 10 people playing on stage. David (Papi) Fimbres, who founded the band with Carlos Segovia, has been a drummer in a number of Northwest bands over the years and an essential part of Portland’s music scene. We talk to Fimbres and hear band members perform cumbia music...

The impact of the new changes on frequent riders range from minor inconveniences to changing commutes.

An inspection contractor found a chemical tank at a Washington state paper mill “not fit for continued service” 10 months before it failed in May, killing 11 in one of the deadliest U.S. workplace disasters in recent decades.

The band Orquestra Pacífico Tropical has had at least 19 different members over the years, and at any given time there are at least 10 people playing on stage. David (Papi) Fimbres, who founded the band with Carlos Segovia, has been a drummer in a number of Northwest bands over the years and an essential part of Portland’s music scene. We talk to Fimbres and hear band members perform cumbia music...

This weekend, Portlanders can enjoy food, music, dancing and more with ties to Jewish culture. The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is putting on its first Jewish cultural festival at Zidell Yards on Sunday. Marc Blattner is the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. He joins us to share more on what attendees can expect and why this event is important to have.

For nearly 50 years, the Clinton Street Theater in Portland, Ore. has hosted weekly screenings of the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show starring Tim Curry. After news of Curry's death, a impromptu memorial for the actor was held with more than a hundred attendees. Fans brought flowers, dressed in drag and shared stories of the impact Curry and his work has had on them.

Oregon State University will play its first game of the new college football season next Saturday. The Beavers will also be competing this year in an expanded Pac-12 Conference that features six other football teams joining OSU and Washington State University. Gonzaga is also now a member of Pac-12, competing in basketball and other sports. The Pac-12’s new roster brings some relief for the future...