City Cast Portland

Today we're discussing everything you need to know about how to vote in the upcoming election — including deadlines, how ranked-choice is going to work, and what to expect from Trump's incoming election observers. Plus, more possible school closures in the suburbs, and we're diving into our listener mailbag. Executive producer John Notarianni is joined by Multnomah Elections ranked-choice voting p...

We're talking about how hundreds of Portland city workers may go on strike as soon as next week. We’re also digging into the Las Vegas-based auto tycoon buying up downtown properties promising a better Portland. Plus, a few Portland etiquette conundrums. Joining host Claudia Meza are Oregonian housing reporter Jonathan Bach and Bryan M. Vance — the founder of Stumptown Savings, your friendly neigh...

Portland is famous for its music, coffee, craft beer, and a little sneaker brand called Nike — but our city and state’s influence goes far beyond that. Today on City Cast Portland, producers John Notarianni and Giulia Fiaoni join host Claudia Meza to talk about the history of some of the best and most surprising Oregon products.  This episode previously aired February 12, 2025. What’s a Portl...

Host Claudia Meza gets into the Halloween spirit with Matthew Trueherz, arts and culture editor at Willamette Week, and Alex Frane, food and culture reporter. They dig into the city's spookiest lore — from the CIA-tinged urban legend of the Polybius arcade game to the surprisingly haunting history buried beneath the Oregon Zoo — then round up the best Halloween parties happening across Portland th...

How prepared is Portland to deal with the effects of climate change? In a recent report, Chicago was ranked as the most climate resilient city in the world — the only U.S. city to make it into the top 10. What’s Chicago doing right? City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran is joining David this week to talk about how the city is adapting to face climate risks, its work in renewable energy, and other...

We're talking about how Portland could become one of the first cities to ban surveillance pricing — before it even hits local stores. Also, what do we know about the two City Council hopefuls’ ties to a controversial canvassing group? Plus, our (and your) hot takes on the newest addition to the Portland Stag sign. Joining host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel and the...

We're talking about the Trail Blazer owner’s image problem as well as the recent grand jury indictment of a cannabis business CEO for tax fraud. Plus, how the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) might have inadvertently helped create our city’s reputation for having stellar bar food. Joining host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler and food and culture rep...

Earlier this year, data showed fewer than half of Multnomah County residents were born in Oregon — meaning most Portlanders aren't actually from here. Some listeners have noted that building community can be challenging as a newcomer. So today on City Cast Portland, joining host Claudia Meza are two recent-ish transplants and friends of the show, ⁠Danielle Mangone⁠ and Chris Cary. Both have tips f...

We're talking about the lack of snow on Mount Hood and what it could mean for winter. We’re also reviewing Oregon’s gun control laws after last week's shooting at a Bend elementary school. Plus, the franchise expansion of The Sports Bra. Joining host Claudia Meza are Portland Business Journal reporter Malia Spencer and KBOO news director Althea Billings. Discussed in today's episode: Drought, heat...

We're continuing our fall election coverage by interviewing state Sen. Christine Drazan, who is running against Gov. Tina Kotek in a rematch of their 2022 race. A former Oregon House minority leader, Sen. Drazan wants to reignite our local economy and address the high cost of living in our state. She’s trying to become the first Republican governor in Oregon since the 1980s. Discussed in today's e...

How much ownership or responsibility do you feel as a resident of Portland? In Salt Lake City, people are being asked to “adopt a storm drain” to help keep city streets free of floods and trash — and to possibly slow the drying and pollution of the Great Salt Lake. City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta says it’s worth a shot. This week, she joins David to discuss how quick, periodic cleaning of a...

We're talking about City Hall squaring off against Amazon’s drone delivery. We're also breaking down recent updates on proposed local school closures, and looking into why Mayor Keith Wilson is putting our city’s economic and urban development agency, Prosper Portland, in the hot seat. Joining host Claudia Meza are Oregonian education reporter Julia Silverman and Willamette Week City Hall reporter...

We're talking about a recent surge in ICE patrols in Salem and the Portland metro area. Plus, how Gov. Tina Kotek is actually doing something about the new data center construction in our state. We’re also airing out Portland's pettiest gripes. Joining host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Discussed in today'...

We're talking about how an ad for a U.S. Senate race in Maine ended up in Oregon, and how a lawsuit could affect our city's curb and parking laws. Plus, why Multnomah County Circuit Court is ordering City Councilor Dan Ryan to preserve all of his phone records. Joining host Claudia Meza are Bryan M. Vance, founder of Stumptown Savings – your friendly neighborhood grocery economy newsletter — and o...

We're talking about how two local ice cream makers might be heading to court over Portland's version of the ChocoTaco.  We're also breaking down what exactly happened at Clarklewis, a Portland restaurant that got caught in the crossfires of a white supremacist group meetup and counter protestors. Plus, we have a little fall wine guide to Hood River. Joining host Claudia Meza are local food an...

Another Portland school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the surpr...

We're looking at the uproar over Portland Public Schools' plan to close up to 14 schools, breaking down the participatory budgeting ballot measure on your fall ballot, and asking: Are Oregon's yellow lights too short? Executive producer John Notarianni is joined by Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel and KBOO news director Althea Billings.   It's the final day of our fall memb...

Inspired by a recent Portland subreddit post, we're discussing our city’s unspoken rules — and how we here on the show break them —  to decide which one of us is Portland’s biggest sinner heading straight to Portland hell. Joining host Claudia Meza are City Cast Portland producers John Notarianni and Giulia Fiaoni. Discussed in today's episode: How to Zipper Merge Best Brunch Spots in Portlan...

We're talking about the two Portlanders who successfully sued CenturyLink over rising internet rates, and why Oregon has yet to install an EV fast-charging station even though the federal government gave them $52 million to do so. Plus, we’re diving into our mailbag and hearing from you, our listeners. Joining host Claudia Meza are Bryan M. Vance, founder of ⁠Stumptown Savings⁠, and our very own s...

We're talking about why the Eugene Police Department is charging millions for public records, plus ideas from Europe on how to get more out of our waterfront. We’re also looking at updates on the latest waterfront park currently in the planning stages and checking in on the Rose Quarter I-5 construction. Joining host Claudia Meza are KBOO news director Althea Billings and civic strategist and foun...

We're talking about the hiring and firing of a new Blazers broadcaster over some pretty heinous old tweets, and why the Portland Metro Chamber is suing the city. Plus, we're digging into some state level races, including the competitive governor's race. Joining host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel and Jake Weigler, local political strategist and partner at the consu...

When Portland looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City did in order to integrate flood mitigation into public housing. Inspired by places like Rotterdam, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) collaborated with other groups to give Queens a state-of-the-art, climate-resilient amenity — in this case, a basketbal...

We’re talking about an upcoming event hoping to bring attention to Portland’s bar scene. We’re also looking into some recent food news coming out of a small stretch of Southeast Hawthorne that involves fires and a heart-breaking closure. Plus, Portland has been crowned No. 2 once again as America’s foodie city, by a website that sells credit cards. Who’s number 1? You really won’t believe it. Join...

Whether you’re stuck in a corn maze, catching a local theatrical production, or drinking your weight in pumpkin cider, October is the start of the cozy season and we have some ideas for how to help you transition from the sun to the gray. To help you have the most memorable October, the team at City Cast Portland has rounded up their picks in food, entertainment and everything in between.  It...

Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about one nonprofit's mission to open a grocery store in Old Town, and how two city councilors are proposing an increase in our city’s existing CEO pay-gap tax. Plus, the story of Scout the hugging Golden Retriever. Joining host Claudia Meza  are Bryan M. Vance (the founder of Stumptown Savings, your friendly neighborhood grocery economy newsletter),...