City Cast Portland

We’re talking about the decrease in crime and murder rates in Portland and the increase in personal attacks against City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez. Plus, we’ll hear some hot takes on food influencers and a bit of gossip surrounding a cafe closing in Southeast Portland. City Cast Portland producer Giulia Fiaoni and host Claudia Meza round up the midweek news. Stories Discussed in Today’s Episode:...

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. If you’re having trouble deciding on where to take your sweetheart, you’re in luck: Today on City Cast Portland, Eater Portland editor Brooke Jackson-Glidden is sharing her recommendations for the most romantic, date-worthy restaurants and bars in town.   Restaurants and Bars in Today’s Episode: sousòl Libre Driftwood Room The Box Social Heavenly Creatur...

Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking about the federal investigation into McMenamins’ tip-sharing practices, the new potential site for an MLB ballpark, and this week’s declaration of a 90-day fentanyl state of emergency. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are comedian Julia Corral and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Stories Discussed in Today’s Ep...

City Cast Portland producers Giulia Fiaoni and John Notarianni join host Claudia Meza for our guide for the month of February in Portland. It’s our top picks in food, entertainment, and everything in between: Do you want to know where in town you can actually celebrate Mardi Gras, eat a chopped Italian sandwich, or maybe pose with a sorta-infamous ax? We’ve got you covered. Our Picks for February:...

Central City Concern is one of our city's largest nonprofits providing care for Portlanders struggling with homelessness, mental health challenges, and drug addiction issues. Today we’re talking with their CEO, Andy Mendenhall, about how he thinks our city is making progress on some of these issues and what more we could be doing.  Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an emai...

We’re talking about the largest-ever alleged heist against a single person in Oregon and ancient birds with deadly feces taking over the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Plus, we’re diving into our listener mailbag to hear what you thought about last week’s episodes. Executive producer John Notarianni and host Claudia Meza round up the midweek news. Stories Discussed in Today’s Episode: Why Officials Keep W...

Oregon’s short legislative session is getting underway. Even though it’s just a few weeks long, there are some key bills on the table: Lawmakers will consider weakening a major piece of Measure 110 (and make drug possession a crime again). The governor is also introducing a significant housing bill. Today on City Cast Portland, OPB’s state politics and government reporter Dirk VanderHart is here t...

Today we’re talking about all the trees falling during the storm, and how current city codes might work against homeowners. We’re taking a look at a few more city incentives hoping to breathe some life into downtown. Plus, there’s a new mobile addiction treatment program by Portland Fire & Rescue. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are Willamette Week City Hall reporter S...

Southeast 82nd Avenue is one of Portland’s most diverse areas, with an endless array of exciting food options spanning a variety of cultures. It’s also the home to the Jade District, a neighborhood known for its predominantly Asian community and businesses. Today Eater Portland editor Brooke Jackson-Glidden is sharing some of her favorite places to eat in the Jade District and the surrounding area...

Now that we’ve had our first giant winter storm of the year, a lot of us are torn between wanting to get out of the city and not wanting to freeze. Lucky for us, Oregon is full of natural hot springs. But don’t make the mistake of going to the wrong site. Today on City Cast Portland, Norther Emily of Wild Solitude Guiding is sharing her picks of the best hot springs in Oregon and explaining why re...

We’re talking about the aftermath of the debilitating week of ice and snow, as well as yet another suspected arson that anarchists are taking responsibility for online. Plus, we’ll hear some hot takes on the Fair-Haired Dumbbell building as we open up our listener mailbag. Producer Giulia Fiaoni and host Claudia Meza round up the midweek news. Stories Discussed in Today’s Episode: City Constructio...

This weather is letting us all know it’s time to focus our attention on indoor activities, like picking a favorite tune and singing it with your friends. So we’re revisiting a conversation with Yoni Wilson, a karaoke jockey— or KJ — at Portland karaoke mecca The Alibi. He’s got tips on how you can put on your best show and is also sharing a few unspoken rules to help you navigate a fun night out s...

Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking about extreme weather’s devastating impact on small businesses, the possible political act of arson against Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, and yet another low moment for our city’s commercial real estate. Joining host Claudia Meza for this week’s news round-up are Portland Mercury arts and culture editor Suzette Smith and our very own executive producer, Joh...

Nike’s one of the largest local employers and has turned our area into the sneaker capital of the world. But the company has been having a rough time recently: Their shoes have been losing market share, the company is facing discrimination lawsuits from ex-employees, and late last year they announced a restructuring that could slash more than a thousand jobs. Today we’re talking with Oregonian bus...

We’re talking about the winter storms that battered us this week and the scandal that embroiled a former hero of the Portland Fire Bureau. Plus, we’ll look at rumors of owl attacks as we open up our listener mailbag. Executive producer John Notarianni and host Claudia Meza round up the midweek news. Stories Discussed in Today’s Episode: Thousands of Oregonians Remain Without Power, With Ice Storm...

Portland’s dance scene is a lot like our city — friendly, welcoming, and weird in a good way. Whether you want to dance to 60s soul music played exclusively on 7-inch records or learn bachata with strangers, Portland’s got you covered. Our producer Giulia Fiaoni has spent a lot of time tracking down the best places to dance in town. She’s sharing her top picks and tips on how to make the most out...

Today we’re talking about why police walked away from a person in crisis on the Marquam Bridge, how there’s a lack of reliable data tracking where our money for the homelessness tax is going, and if it’s still safe to fly Boeing. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s news round-up are Oregonian reporter Nicole Hayden and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Stories Discussed in Tod...

Since Oregon voted a decade ago to legalize recreational cannabis, the industry has gone through cycles of boom and bust. Recently, large harvests have oversupplied the market, causing a drop in prices, and illegal cannabis farming continues to negatively impact Oregon’s legal market. Meanwhile, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is considering rescheduling the drug, which could change the cannabis...

Many people use the month of January to take a hard reset on their relationship with alcohol, which can be tough in a city with such a strong bar culture. For everyone who’s doing “Dry January,” a designated driver, pregnant, or otherwise skipping the booze, we’re diving into Portland’s zero-proof drinking scene with Cliff Seminerio, bartender at Bar Casa Vale & Canard and founder of the alcohol-f...

Scientists say we’re long overdue for a devastatingly large earthquake. They predict it could be big enough to bring down most of Portland’s bridges and cut off electricity and water for weeks. Today we’re talking with science journalist Erin Ross. She’s updating us on experts’ latest Cascadia earthquake predictions and sharing tips on how to keep you and your family safe. Preparedness resources:...

A long-discussed plan to build a skatepark under the west end of the Steel Bridge is finally moving forward with $15 million in city funding. It’s a development that would have never happened without the support of Portland’s grassroots skateboarding community. Today we’re revisiting a conversation with Sara Campos, co-founder of Queer Skate PDX, who makes the case for Portland needing more inclus...

Today we’re talking about the Multnomah County Jail refusing to fully comply with last year’s audit, more finger-pointing among our city leaders on who’s responsible for a supposed crime wave, and ODOT’s stark winter warning about stranded drivers and hazardous roads. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s news roundup are KBOO news director Althea Billings, and our very own executive producer,...

We’re not saying that Portland is a town full of know-it-alls, but we DO have a lot of trivia nights in this city. And today is National Trivia Day! So in honor of this holiday, we’re talking with Beau Bohanan, the co-founder of Untapped Trivia (which was voted the best trivia night in Portland both in 2022 and 2023). Beau is telling us about what sets our city’s trivia scene apart, and sharing a...

This is shaping up to be a transformative year for political leadership in Portland: By the end of 2024, we’ll have a new mayor, a new City Council, and even a whole new form of government. Today Shane Dixon Kavanaugh of the Oregonian is joining executive producer John Notarianni to make some predictions about what we might see happen this year in city politics. Who would you like to hear on City...

Happy January! As we settle into 2024, we’re all beginning to make plans for the month. But because January is also officially Portland Music Month, PDX Presents founder J. Pinky Jansen is joining host Claudia Meza and executive producer John Notarianni in sharing their top music-related happenings in and around town this month. Events discussed in this episode: Jan 2: Black Flag at the Bossanova...