Willamette Wake Up

Sonja Somerville, Salem Public Library, talks about Salem Reads 2026 - the iconic month-long community book reading adventure. This year's book: "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt. We discuss the themes and February events that explore the book. 

Conservation Spotlight talks with Ashley Chesser, Wild Farm Alliance–Oregon, to explore the Farmland Flyways program. They explore how this innovative initiative helps farmers create vital bird habitat along migration routes—giving birds the resources they need while delivering real benefits back to the farm. From supporting biodiversity to providing natural pest control, Ashley shares how working...

Monmouth Monthly chats with Tori Stutzman, President of the Monmouth Business Association (MBA), about her path to owning a business, the work of the MBA, "Love Local", and the upcoming Accessibility Workshop in February. 

House Rep. Kevin Mannix shares his thoughts and perspectives on two big issues the state must address, plus two bills he's introducing during the legislative short session.

House Rep. Paul Evans shares his thoughts and perspectives on two big issues the state must address, plus two bills he's introducing during the legislative short session.

House Rep. Ed Diehl shares his thoughts and perspectives on two big issues the state must address, plus two bills he's introducing during the legislative short session.

Braver Angels' Elizabeth Christensen and Steve Radcliff update us on the Oregon Rural Urban Project which offers a strategy to bridge the gap between rural and urban Oregonians to find common ground. Plus, a peak into Braver Angels "legislative days" on Feb 16th.

We leave the mid-Willamette Valley on a journey to explore the implications of recent federal actions in Venezuela with Willamette University professor of history, Bill Smaldone.

In this episode we "unpack homelessness" with Jimmy Jones & Sara Webb (Mid Willamette Valley Community Action Agency). They discuss the various demographics of people who are un-sheltered, approaches that work to get people into housing, as well as success stories and barriers.

Policy for the People talks with Melissa Unger, SEIU 503 and David Madland, Center for American Progress about low-pay and tough working conditions of long-term care workers and those who care for elderly & disabled people.

In this brief report from a special meeting of the Salem City Council on January 7th, we recap the issues and actions taken by Council. The meeting concerned the re-appointment of Kyle Hedquist to the Community Police Review Board, as well as his initial appointment to the Civil Service Commission. The report summarizes changes council made to the overall process of appointing members of the publi...

Barry is a driver with both Uber & Lyft.  He shares his experience of community from where he sits: behind the wheel.  From a mystical & nomadic customer, to building a long term friendship, to some unpleasant moments...Barry shares his personal stories.

Keeping Oregon Oregon talks with  Mallory Phelan of Oregon Aglink regarding their mission to bring agriculture and community together, bridging the gap between urban and rural Oregonians.

Elephant in the Room talks with Matthew Shepherd, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, about his work to build pollinator conservation and the importance of our insect population for human survival.

Happy New Year! Join Willamette Block Party as they bring a holiday spirit to this episode and get tips from Rod Stanley, lifestyle interventionist and personal trainer, about staying healthy during the holiday. 

In this special episode of Elephant in the Room, AnnaRose Adams, formerly with the National Center for Atmospheric Research - a federally funded agency known for advancements in the study of weather - discusses how dismantling NCAR (announced by the Trump administration Dec 2025), would impact the health and safety of our country. 

Health, Thought & Transformation looks at the changing world of health care through the practice of Dr. Matt Hennings of Leading Edge Physical Therapy. Hennings explains how a concierge model of medicine offers better care for his patients; then he describes a workshop for golfers coming up in January. 

Holla for Labor talks with Salem resident Victoria Kelly about the work she does in our community through peer-support for people experiencing addiction, mental illness and isolation.

Conservation Spotlight explores how Tribal stewardship is revitalizing ecosystems and cultural connections with Jeremy Ojua and Joseph Ham from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde’s Native Plant Nursery. 

Monmouth Monthly talks with Patty Nevue, Director of the Ella Curran Food Bank. Patty chats with us about her tennis career, her pathway to Ella Curran, and a bit of history about who Ella Curran was and how she inspired a movement. 

In this episode of Policy for the People they break down the latest data on income inequality in Oregon. Oregon Center for Public Policy policy analyst Tyler Mac Innis explains that the gap separating the rich and everyone else remains vast. And going forward, the budget bill enacted by Congress earlier this year — a package containing tax cuts mainly benefiting the rich — threatens to worsen ineq...

On Nov 24th and Dec 1st, Salem City Council heard from the community about the impact of federal immigration agents in North East Salem. This brief, two-part report recaps community concerns and City Council's response.  The Council adopted a resolution to re-affirm its commitment to Oregon's sanctuary laws and a resolution declaring the city in a state of emergency and lists actions the city woul...

Willamette Block Party chats with Arjay Mendiola, a real estate agent in the Willamette Valley, who shares his journey and insights into helping first-time home buyers through his initiative, "Keys to Clarity". Arjay touches on his marketing ventures and the significance of creating safe spaces for community engagement. 

Keeping Oregon Oregon speaks with Christian Richmond, board member of the Henry Richmond Land Use Defense Fund, regarding the purpose and activities of this philanthropic farmland preservation foundation. 

Elephant in the Room explores humanity's relationship to our natural world with Dr. Kathleen Dean Moore, professor of philosophy at Oregon State University. Their conversation reminds us about the inter dependency between humans and our planet, and that we thrive as a species when Earth is resilient.