City Cast
City Cast Portland
City Cast Portland captures the one-of-a-kind creative spirit of this place and tackles who we are and where we’re going — from big deals, like equity and livability, to tiny delights, like the city's most wonderful doughnut. Host Claudia Meza is so over the notion that ‘Portland is over.’ On the show, she’ll revive your civic pride and stir you to help create local change — through conversations with neighbors, newsmakers, artists and entrepreneurs about our ever-changing city. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter at portland.citycast.fm.
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Budget Power to the People, 700 Homes Nobody's Buying, and Portland's Yo-Yo Champion 10.07.2026 30:46
We're talking about an incoming ballot measure aimed at giving the public more say in city budget matters, City Hall's newest efforts to increase affordable housing ownership. And the surprising championship a Portlander just won. Joining host Claudia Meza are OPB city politics reporter Alex Zielinski and Bryan M. Vance, the founder of Stumptown Savings, your friendly food economy newsletter. Disc...
PGE Sticks It to Data Centers and Surprising Results on Education Report. Plus, Mailbag! 09.07.2026 29:44
We're talking about massive rate hikes coming for data centers across our state, where our Oregon students are lagging and where they are thriving. Plus, we're opening our mailbag to hear from you, our listeners! Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler and our very own executive producer John Notarianni. Discussed in today's episode: A...
Does Portland Need More Cops? Plus, Hidden Library Perks and PDX's Billion-Dollar Glow-up 08.07.2026 36:09
We're talking some of the best hidden perks you can get with your library card, the proposed ballot measure that would redirect money from the city's climate fund to the police bureau, and what to expect now that the decade-long $2 billion renovation is finally finished at PDX. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are KBOO news director Althea Billings and City Cast Portland senior produce...
Portland's Ultimate Summer Date Spots 07.07.2026 29:53
Today on City Cast Portland, we're embracing the dreamy summer weather we're having by revisiting a conversation host Claudia Meza had with Eden Dawn, author of The Portland Book of Dates, about planning the perfect summer date. Whether in town, on a day trip, or an overnighter somewhere magical — with a friend, lover, or anything in between — she's got plenty of date ideas, from picnicking to hor...
Oregon Wine Loses a Legend, Picks For Your Next Beach Read, and Best Frozen Dessert Spots 06.07.2026 33:20
Today we're talking about the legacy of one of the winemakers who helped put Willamette Valley on the map. We also have recommendations for the best summer reads and cool treats that are not technically ice cream (but are delicious). Joining host Claudia Meza are local food and drink reporter Alex Frane and senior artistic director at Literary Arts, Amanda Bullock. Discussed in today's episode...
'Your City Could Be Better': The Ultimate USA Trivia Battle. How Much Do You Know? — Presented By City Cast Portland 03.07.2026 25:01
See if your Portland knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds of q...
Why We're Losing Over 1,000 Shelter Beds, a Psilocybin Pioneer Is Pivoting, and More of Portland's Pettiest Gripes 02.07.2026 33:31
Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about how over a thousand Portland-area shelter beds are closing before the end of the year and what that means to our Mayor’s efforts to end unsheltered homelessness, why a leading psilocybin therapy center is no longer treating patients. Plus, we’re weighing in on Portland’s pettiest gripes. Joining host Claudia Meza are Oregonian homelessness reporter...
Your Guide to July 2026 in Portland 01.07.2026 34:42
Whether you’re watching fantastical kinetic sculptures race each other, catching some live music, or slurping down a slushie, July is when our Portland summer hits its peak. And to help you have the most memorable July ever, the team at City Cast Portland has rounded up their top picks in food, entertainment and everything in between. Discussed in today's episode: Stumptown Savings Farmers Market...
Why Councilor Angelita Morillo Is Prepared To Lose the Blazers. Plus, City Hall Drama and Saving City Jobs 30.06.2026 37:50
We're talking with District 3 Portland City Councilor Angelita Morillo about the interpersonal dynamics of City Council, the Moda Center renovations, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and much more. Councilor Morillo is the youngest councilor currently serving in Portland and is also part of the six-member City Council progressive caucus known as Peacock. Discussed in today's episode: Avatar: The Last A...
The Best Summer Food Events, Portland Vs. Chicago Dining, and Clackamas County's $200K Scandal 29.06.2026 32:51
A Clackamas County official is accused of stealing over $200,000 of tax payer money. Plus, we have picks for the best summer food events and a highly scientific comparison of the Portland and Chicago dining scenes. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are local food reporters Brooke Jackson-Glidden and Alex Frane. Discussed in today's episode: Fired pest control official accused of steali...
'Your City Could Be Better': How Denver Is Fixing Its Sidewalks — Presented By City Cast Portland 28.06.2026 27:14
Just how good are the sidewalks in Portland? The state of a city’s sidewalks can be a good indicator of how healthy that city is — and pedestrian safety is just the beginning. In Denver, voters approved a new fee a few years ago to fund much-needed sidewalk repairs, and after a lot of back-and-forth, those repairs are finally underway. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast...
Why Portland’s Affordability Is Tanking, and the Moda Center Deal Is Getting Rockier. Plus, 911 Operator Response Times Improve! 26.06.2026 41:07
We're talking about improved wait times for emergency calls, what happened at the big Moda Center renovation business summit, and why it’s getting more and more expensive to live in Portland. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel and Oregonian City Hall reporter Shane Dixon Kavanaugh. Discussed in today's episode: Portland 911 call wait ti...
Land Back in Northeast Portland, Grocery Digital Price Tag Fears, and Some Truly Portland Missed Connections 25.06.2026 31:17
A Portland church is giving its land back to a local indigenous organization, and why consumer advocates are concerned about digital price tags hitting our grocery stores. Plus, we’re sharing the most Portland missed connections we could find on the internet. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler, and the founder of Stumptown Savings,...
Portland’s Best Neighborhood Bars 24.06.2026 38:26
We’re revisiting a conversation about the essential neighborhood bars holding our city together. These community hubs are our third spaces, our therapist offices, and our quick bite options when we don’t want to cook dinner but can’t really decide on where to eat. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza to discuss their and our listener’s favorite neighborhood bars are producers John Notarian...
Portland's Unwanted Roommate Grant, County Contractor Blew Millions, and Your Pettiest Gripes Judged 23.06.2026 32:31
A homeless services provider on the verge of shutting down could owe Multnomah County millions of dollars, and Mayor Keith Wilson’s home-sharing pilot program that pays Portland homeowners to take on roommates is surprisingly not popular. Plus, we weigh in on Portland’s pettiest gripes. We also remember a fantastic reporter and frequent guest, Zane Sparling. Joining City Cast Portland host Claud...
A Park for a Portland Legend, Tracking Your Councilor's Travel Spending, and Downtown’s Pop-Up Program 22.06.2026 38:15
We're talking about a new downtown park honoring a local icon, the deep dive a city reporter made into our City Councilors’ travel expenses, and a program that’s empowering Portlanders to start their own small businesses. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel and Madam Cooper Hays, owner of Madam Cooper's Parlor. Discussed in today's episod...
OHSU's Messy CEO Firing, Wildfire Emergency Declared, and Portland Home to Best Bar in America 18.06.2026 33:52
We're talking about big leadership changes coming to our major health providers, Gov. Tina Kotek declaring a wildfire emergency, and the Portland winners at this year's James Beard Awards. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are local food reporter Alex Frane and Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler. Discussed in today's episode: Portland pools open Thursday with same adult...
Oregon State Hospital Scandal, the Bottle Bill Is Unraveling, and an Unusual CSA 17.06.2026 34:05
We're talking about why Oregon is now considered to have the worst state hospital in the nation, and why our leader’s best laid plans for the Oregon Bottle Bill are unraveling. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are our very own City Cast Portland producers Giulia Fiaoni and Rachel Monahan. Discussed in today's episode: Copihue Farms A Tomato-Only CSA Is Here for BLT Lovers [Portland Me...
Moda Center's Funding Fight Continues, PCC’s Ethics Scandal, and Listeners Weigh In 16.06.2026 38:38
We're talking about the latest concerning public funding for the Moda Center, as well as the state ethics investigation into former PCC president Adrien Bennings. Plus, we’re diving into the mailbag to hear from you, our listeners. Joining host Claudia Meza are KBOO news director Althea Billings and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Discussed in today's episode: State Ethics Commi...
How To Fix Portland’s Worst Traffic Jam, the Council Impasse That Could Cost 100 Jobs, and Why’s Oregon So Old? 15.06.2026 35:56
Today, we're talking about ideas to bring down the state’s median age, why Portland City Council can’t seem to agree on how to fund about 100 city jobs, and the headache we’ve all experienced: getting delayed by trains in the Central Eastside. Joining executive producer John Notarianni are Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel and Garrett Andrews, Willamette Week contributor and adjunct p...
'Your City Could Be Better': Why Every Region Needs A Park Map Tool Like Salt Lake’s — Presented By City Cast Portland 14.06.2026 32:56
Do you know how many parks Portland has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta set out to catalog them all. Over the course of two years, she visited all 511 parks in the county, seeking to record their amenities (e.g., bathrooms, playgrounds), write helpful summaries, and track down the people in charge. The...
How To Have the Best Portland Summer Ever 12.06.2026 37:33
We're talking about our best summer hacks for eating, lounging, adventuring, and cooling off. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are producers Giulia Fiaoni and John Notarianni. Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here. Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208...
Portland’s Affordable Housing ‘Cleanup Guy’ on Why Things Are So Effed 11.06.2026 32:31
City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza is sitting down for a one-on-one with Home Forward’s interim executive director, Michael Buonocore, to dig into major challenges facing affordable housing providers right now. Buonocore has led both Home Forward and the Portland Housing Bureau — two agencies at the forefront of our city's affordable housing crisis. Discussed in today's episode: Interim Leader o...
The County’s Tick Warning, and PGE Wants Data Centers to Pay More. Plus, Mailbag! 10.06.2026 29:52
We're talking about the uptick in ticks in Portland, according to Multnomah County health officials, and a proposed 29% electricity rate increase for data centers. Plus, we’re diving into our mailbag to hear from you, our listeners. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are Stumptown Savings founder Bryan M. Vance and our very own senior producer, Rachel Monahan. Discussed in today's episod...
Portland's $3.6M Pothole, Cuts to County Homelessness Programs, and Travel Oregon Gets a Cheaper Boss 09.06.2026 35:34
Today, we're talking about a record-breaking payout for damage caused by a Portland pothole, the deep cuts in Multnomah County’s $4 billion budget, and Travel Oregon’s new executive director. Joining host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler and KBOO news director Althea Billings. Discussed in today's episode: Like ‘an explosion’: Driver hits pothole, secures what m...
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