City Cast Portland

Today, we’re revisiting a conversation with Noa Rubin, a community organizer for the paddle-boarding group SUP PDX. Noa has also been kayaking and paddling on the Willamette for over 13 years. She’s here to share tips for the best routes and how to stay safe out on the river. This episode originally aired on August 8, 2023 Routes discussed in today’s episode: George Rogers Park Ross Island Loop Wi...

The city is changing the way it permits and regulates our street trees, the results of the Boeing door plug investigation are in, and the future of the Preschool for All tax is in question. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are senior producer Giulia Fiaoni and KBOO news director Althea Billings. Discussed in Today's Episode: Lawmakers’ Ambush of Preschool for All Gives...

Portland is a vegan food haven, with all sorts of vegan-only spots as well as omnivore restaurants with plenty of vegan options. Today, vegan food enthusiast Sara Bahmanyar is sharing her picks of the best spots in town for an easy communal eating experience to satisfy vegans and meat eaters alike. Mentioned in today's episode: Wajan Chelo Rangoon Bistro Thai Hot Pot Heaven The Uncanny Obon Shokud...

The potential name for Portland’s new WNBA team is already stirring up controversy, and the state has a new plan to pay for wildfire prevention as fire season kicks off early. Senior producer Giulia Fiaoni joins executive producer John Notarianni for the midweek news roundup. Discussed in today's episode: Portland’s WNBA Owners Had One Job: Don’t Name the Team After the Disaster Destroying Our Sta...

With organized bike rides happening every day throughout the summer, one could feel a little left out if they don’t have a bicycle. But how do you choose? How much should you be prepared to spend? And how the heck do you find one that fits? Today on City Cast Portland we’re revisiting a conversation with cycling expert Leah Benson. As the former owner of the dearly-missed Gladys Bikes on Alberta S...

"Tilt," the debut novel by Portland writer Emma Pattee imagines the aftermath of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. As a journalist, Pattee has reported on the danger that Portland schools' unreinforced masonry buildings pose during an earthquake. Today, we're talking with Pattee about the book, the real science behind it, and how she still finds joy living in Portland while acknowledging the...

City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what’s happening in our communities. So Claudia Meza and all 12 other hosts sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about creative local problem solving that might work in your hometown too and to commiserate about stressors affecting most of our cities, from unaffordable housing to bike lanes. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode: Bab...

School is out for the summer, which means it’s time to figure out how to keep the kids entertained — ideally outside. Whether you have your own or are hosting young visitors, it's hard to know what outdoor activities would actually be fun for them. Today, resident outdoor expert, Norther Emily of Wild Solitude Guiding, has a variety of low-stress outdoor hangs for kids — and some tips on how to ge...

There's nothing better than strolling past overflowing produce stands on a weekend morning, with live music drifting through the air while neighbors catch up over fresh berries and breakfast burritos. Today we're talking with Bryan Vance of Stumptown Savings about which farmers markets you should check out to find the best deals, the best vibes, and — of course — the best local produce. Discussed...

As the giant bill to address our state's transit infrastructure crises faces an uncertain future in Salem, it's important to remember how rural areas rely on our roads and bridges every day. Today, we’re revisiting a conversation with OPB’s Lillian Karabaic who earlier this year travelled all over Oregon using only public transportation, learning about the struggles rural communities are facing al...

This week in Portland, schools are struggling to manage extreme summer heat, a bill aimed at protecting local ownership of doctors' offices and clinics was signed into law, and a new locally owned outdoor store is opening today. Joining executive producer John Notarianni on this week’s Friday news roundup are Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler and senior producer Giulia Fiaoni. Di...

Summer is hands down the best time for live music in Portland. Today on City Cast Portland, host Claudia Meza is talking with Portland Mercury music editor Nolan Parker about local outdoor shows they're excited about: from dreamy experimental sets tucked into botanical gardens to sweaty queer dance parties along the waterfront. Discussed in this episode: TWIRL: A PDX Queer Disco, June 15 & July 20...

Today's lightning round of news includes Portland Public Schools' plan for incoming K-12 campus seismic upgrades, a new $900,000 fence to prevent homeless camping near I-405, millions of wildfire recovery dollars the state has failed to spend, and much more. Host Claudia Meza and senior producer Giulia Fiaoni give their microdose of news and dive into our mailbag to hear from listeners on the midw...

The Southwest Portland neighborhood of South Burlingame is home to Fulton Park, Burlingame Park, and Capitol Hill School. But did you know it also has some of our city's most beautiful trails and happening cemeteries? Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking about South Burlingame with science journalist Erin Ross. Erin has lived in the neighborhood for more than five years, and she’s sharing wh...

Keith Wilson's first term as the mayor of Portland is off to a busy start: He's led the city through the transition to its new form of government, accounted for a $93 million shortfall in his proposed city budget — which will soon be finalized by City Council — and pushed for a big increase in spending on his signature issue of ending unsheltered homelessness in Portland. Today, we're checking in...

Portland’s City Council is looking to outside consultants for an internal reset. Crater Lake’s superintendent resigned ahead of a busy summer season. And ICE arrested an asylum seeker in the Portland federal courthouse this week. Joining host Claudia Meza are Oregonian City Hall reporter Shane Dixon Kavanaugh and executive producer John Notarianni to discuss all of this and more on the Friday news...

Both the latest federal point-in-time count and Multnomah County's own recent data on our area’s homeless population show that a serious homelessness crisis remains on Portland’s streets. Today, we’re talking with Oregonian reporter Lillian Mongeau Hughes to get caught up on where we are with solutions. We’re finding out what the latest numbers actually tell us, what every level of government is d...

Portland is home to one of the country's top cocktail scenes, with bars that make their own bitters, clarify their milk, and serve drinks that somehow taste like a sunburn. Today, Portland Monthly's associate editor of food and drink, Alex Frane, shares his picks for our city's best cocktail bars. Bars discussed in this episode: Teardrop Lounge Malpractice Angel Face Too Soon Expatriate Wilder The...

Portland, we talk a big game — about the food, the nature, the vibes. But how much of the hype actually holds up? Today, we’re celebrating ways that Portland actually lives up to its reputation with help from local comedian Jay Flewelling, our newsletter readers, and a few other sharp-tongued folks from our comedy scene. Comedians in today's episode: Jay Flewelling Brent Lowrey Dylan Jenkins Alex...

Portland’s relationship with the Willamette River has taken on many forms throughout history, from aiding the industrial boom to functioning as a literal sewer. And while many people see it every day, few realize just how much it’s shaped modern-day Portland. Today, we’re revisiting a conversation with our resident Oregon historian, Doug Kenck-Crispin, about the Willamette River’s wild past.  This...

New polls indicate a shift in what’s supposedly most important to Portlanders. Oregon legislators have approved changes to our historic Bottle Bill. And speculation is brewing over which billionaires might try to buy the Trail Blazers. Today on City Cast Portland, host Claudia Meza joins Stumptown Savings founder Bryan M. Vance and executive producer John Notarianni to discuss all of this and more...

Whether you’re celebrating the city at the Portland Rose Festival or learning to fish in one of Oregon's bountiful rivers and lakes, June offers plenty of ways to jump into Portland’s summer season. City Cast Portland has handpicked the absolute best of the month’s food, entertainment, and community happenings to help you narrow down your plans to this month’s must-dos — like biking through Northe...

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to advance President Trump's massive $3 trillion budget bill to the U.S. Senate. One of its most controversial parts is the plan to reduce federal spending on Medicaid by nearly $700 billion over a decade. Today we're talking with U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter, who represents Oregon's 3rd Congressional District and is a physician and member of...

Just last week, Portland City Council reallocated nearly $2 million to Parks & Recreation in their preliminary budget. Today on City Cast Portland, we’re revisiting a conversation taking stock of our favorite green spaces. Which are the best for a picnic with friends or an afternoon out with your dog? Host Claudia Meza talks about some of our favorite parks with long-time contributor and Stumptown...

It’s been a busy week for Portland’s government, with the City Council hosting a dramatic 15-hour meeting to balance its budget the day after the May 20 special election. Willamette Week’s Sophie Peel was in attendance and joins host Claudia Meza and senior producer Giulia Fiaoni to talk about the upshot of both these civic events, as well as details on the arrests in a string of local business br...