City Cast Portland

With so many city, county, and state jurisdictions overlapping in Portland, keeping track of who does what in our regional governments can sometimes feel like an impossible task. That's why today, senior producer Giulia Fiaoni is stepping in as unofficial quiz master to test host Claudia Meza and executive producer John Notarianni on their knowledge of local governments. Do you really know the dif...

Today's lightning round of news includes Governor Tina Kotek eyeing the kicker for wildfire costs, TriMet's new idea to curb fare evasion, an Oregon coast train ride for stargazing, and more. Host Claudia Meza and executive producer John Notarianni give their microdose of news and dive into our mailbag to hear from listeners on today's midweek roundup.  Discussed in Today's Episode: Chaotic Admini...

Portland's food and drink scene is constantly changing, with restaurants closing and exciting new ones opening. There's usually a burst of new spots to check out during the spring and summer, so today we're talking with Meg Cotner of Bridgetown Bites about all the new food and drink spots to check out this season. Discussed in today's episode: Bar Hollywood Parkrose Coffee Shop Souvlaki Queen 3 Do...

For over 20 years, Portland’s premier summer bike festival, Pedalpalooza, has organized events for people to participate in a variety of bike-related activities all summer long. Today, we're talking with Lillian Karabaic, host of OPB's "Weekend Edition" and long-time Pedalpalooza ride organizer. She’s filling us in on the festival’s growth, the name change to Bike Summer, and giving us a little pr...

The county’s updated tent distribution policy, the new grim forecast of our state budget, and a lightning round of four news headlines in under four minutes. Host Claudia Meza joins executive producer John Notarianni and KBOO news director Althea Billings on this week's Friday news roundup. Discussed in Today's Episode: Oregon Lawmakers Have $500 Million Less To Spend, As Economic Uncertainty Reig...

Even though Portland's housing crisis has led to rising rents and limited affordable housing access, plenty of residential and commercial properties remain vacant throughout the city. That's why the City Council's Homelessness and Housing Committee is looking for ways to fill vacant properties. Today we're talking with Portland City Councilor Jamie Dunphy, who's leading efforts to explore how a va...

Today we're talking about Multnomah County's upcoming May 20 special election. Host Claudia Meza joins executive producer John Notarianni to discuss the gigantic Portland Public Schools bond, the school board elections, and other ballot items. They also break open our mailbag to hear from you, our listeners! Discussed in Today's Episode: Late to the Party? Here’s What You Need To Know About Portla...

It's one of the most beautiful times of year to take a hike — when wildflowers are in bloom. But what are the best hikes to really take it all in? Today on City Cast Portland, Norther Emily of Wild Solitude Guiding is sharing her expert tips for peak wildflower season — from flowers you can eat to the ultimate wildflower road trip.    Discussed in Today's Episode: Forest Park Powell Butte Columbia...

The Portland Business Journal’s latest project explores how federal executive orders, tariffs, and funding cuts are affecting daily life across Oregon. They’re sharing stories from all of Oregon's 36 counties, showing how these policies are reaching people in urban centers, coastal towns, and rural communities alike. Today, we’re talking with editor Suzanne Stevens about what her team uncovered in...

Today on the news roundup, we’re talking about a city councilor’s proposal to plug our city's budget hole, the Portland Public School’s failure to deliver on promises made to the local Black community, and why backyard beekeeping might start gaining more scrutiny. Joining host Claudia Meza are executive producer John Notarianni and founder and executive director of the nonprofit Word is Bond — and...

Southeast Portland’s Richmond neighborhood spans two of the city's busiest commercial corridors — SE Hawthorne Blvd and SE Division St — with countless restaurants, bars, and shops lining its streets. And today we're continuing our neighborhood guide series where we talk with Portlanders about the good, bad, and ugly of where they live. Joining executive producer John Notarianni is Greg Raisman, G...

Mayor Keith Wilson released his city budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year this week. Producers John Notarianni and Giulia Fiaoni talk about what's being proposed to be cut, what's being prioritized, and where the funding will come from in the mayor's attempt to address Portland's massive upcoming budget shortfall.  Discussed in Today's Episode:  Portland Mayor Keith Wilson Looks To Slash P...

Portland's bar scene has grown and changed in several ways over the decades, but one thing that's stuck around is our happy hours. From insane deals at low-key neighborhood bars to discounts at some of our city's finest restaurants, there are plenty of places worth stopping in for a quick cocktail or a glass of wine in between your daily to-do's. Today, executive producer John Notarianni talks wit...

As we all come down from the high of this weekend’s 503 Day block party (thank you to everyone who attended), we wanted to spend a bit more time in the neighborhood by revisiting our guide to Old Town Chinatown. Portland Mercury culture editor Suzette Smith lived in Old Town for nearly a decade and has plenty of reasons why many people have pegged the district all wrong.  This conversation first a...

Local cannabis business owners are taking issue with a new Oregon labor law. Forest Park faces the threat of a devastating wildfire. And there’s conflict over the future of the Multnomah Safe Rest Village. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Plus, we have a bonus c...

Whether you’re chasing reservations at Portland’s best seasonal restaurant pop-ups or hitting the streets on a new custom skateboard, May offers plenty of excuses to step outside and enjoy our city's sunniest 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 sig...

City Cast Portland's 503 Day block party is just three days away! This Saturday, we’re celebrating everything great about our city in Downtown's Ankeny Alley. Also, today's the deadline to enter the Portland Icons Costume Contest, where you dress up as the most iconic Portland person, place, or thing. Which got us thinking: who and what are the most recognizable Portland icons? Producers Giulia Fi...

The West Burnside corridor is home to a bustling mix of local businesses, cultural organizations, and social service providers, but the area is facing big questions about its future, as it will be largely cut off from Portland's East Side for five years while the Burnside Bridge is rebuilt beginning in 2028. Today, Better Block PDX managing director Ryan Hashegan talks about the Bridgeless to Bett...

Painted without any approval on a public wall in 1982, the so-called "Art Fills the Void" banana mural has become a beloved icon in the Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood. But after nearly 40 years, the banana is now under threat. Today, executive producer John Notarianni talks with Willamette Week arts and culture reporter Rachel Saslow about that giant banana, Portland's long history of street art,...

A city councilor threatens to withhold funds for a Portland State University project. The city is possibly repaying a local business owner for over $100,00 in sidewalk improvements. And we dig into the latest city audit tackling our crumbling infrastructure. Joining host Claudia Meza on today's Friday news roundup are Oregonian City Hall reporter Shane Dixon Kavanaugh and our very own executive pr...

For many years, Portland's Bureau of Emergency Communications, or BOEC, has struggled for years with long hold times, made worse by post-pandemic burnout and staffing shortages. At one point our county’s 911 hold times averaged four times longer than the national standard. But they're trying to turn things around. Today we're talking to the Director of BOEC Bob Cozzie about how things are going to...

City Cast Portland has been campaigning to make May 3 a totally real holiday celebrating our city, and this year, the City of Portland will issue an official proclamation for 503 Day. (You’re all invited to a massive block party downtown!). But since this is a relatively new holiday, we’re still figuring out the traditions. Today on City Cast Portland, we’re revisiting last year’s episode where pr...

When it comes to good pasta in Portland, the options are competitive. There are so many restaurants offering different styles and levels of rustic authenticity. And lucky for us, many of these places pride themselves in making it all by hand, some forgoing machines altogether and only using the power of a roller and a knife. Today on City Cast Portland, producers Giulia Fiaoni and John Notarianni...

Portland is facing a serious housing crisis, but at the same time, over 30% of office space in the central business district sat vacant at the end of 2024. Now many people are eyeing those empty buildings for conversion into housing. But it's not easy. Today, Sara Edwards of the Portland Business Journal is talking to executive producer John Notarianni about two big commercial-to-residential renov...

Old Town’s possible new shoe manufacturing campus moves ahead. International students at Oregon universities are being targeted by the Trump administration. And Multnomah County is using a new data-driven approach to better serve our homeless population. Host Claudia Meza joins Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni, on today's Friday Ne...