City Cast Portland

Today we’re looking into the last legal battles over Trump's troop deployments and Zenith Energy. We also dig into a potential strike at New Seasons, the consequences for a former Alaska Airlines pilot who endangered 83 lives, and the surprise closures of a legacy craft beer brand. Joining host Claudia Meza on this midweek roundup is our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Discussed in T...

Our city's food scene is widely praised, but that wasn't the case even just 25 years ago. Today, we're talking with the editor-in-chief of Portland Monthly, Brooke Jackson-Glidden, about the 25 restaurants that shaped our food scene over the past 25 years. We're breaking down the trends, cultures, and approaches that shape the way we enjoy food in our city today. Become a member of City Cast Portl...

The ⁠Portland Art Museum’s new Rothko Pavilion⁠ is opening this week. This means the entire museum’s collection will be under one roof for the first time since it opened in 1932. The pavilion represents the last 20 years of executive director Brian Ferriso's vision and direction: unifying the institution, focusing on community experience, and creating a more inclusive and accessible space. That ma...

This week, we’re looking into how a Supreme Court decision regarding Mississippi’s elections could impact Oregon and a potential ballot initiative hoping to reallocate 25% of city climate tax revenues to hiring more police officers. Plus, there’s a City Hall proposal to ban rent-setting algorithms from being used in Portland. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are KBOO ne...

Today we're talking with Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez about the state of Portland: Does he have a strategy to address the threat of federal interference? With the camping ban back in effect, does his office even have the resources to prosecute those cases? And from his legal point of view, are we really a war-torn hellhole? Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all...

A few recent moves in national politics are affecting everyday Portlanders this week. From a federal judge permanently banning the deployment of National Guard troops in our city to reopening the government without a healthcare deal, and some movement toward finally releasing the Epstein files, a lot is happening. So today on City Cast Portland, Sen. Ron Wyden joins us to talk through these headli...

Tomorrow, Nov. 12, is one of the most iconic days in Oregon history. It's the 55th anniversary of exploding whale day — when officials in Florence, Ore. decided to clear a beached whale carcass by blowing it up with dynamite. And it's the 55th birthday of Portland legend, figure skater Tonya Harding. So today on City Cast Portland, we're celebrating this holiday with help from local comedian Jay F...

Whether you’re stocking up on groceries, gifts for the holidays, or just looking for something to do on a Saturday morning, the Portland State University Farmers Market has so much to offer. Some stands only open up for the fall and winter, so you do not want to miss out on all the seasonal goodness. Today on City Cast Portland, we’re touring Portland’s largest, year-round farmers market with food...

Today we’re looking into the massive parks levy Portland voters just passed, the fire that nearly burned down the already strained relationship between our City Council and the police bureau, and the city's long-anticipated enforcement of the camping ban. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are Oregonian City Hall reporter Shane Dixon Kavanaugh and our very own executive p...

Oregon has a reputation in popular culture for its long and weird history with cults. Whether it was for the cheap abundant land, mystic moody vibes, or just the lack of competition from organized religion, many groups have come to our state and set up new eyebrow-raising belief systems. Today, we’re revisiting a conversation with Kick Ass Oregon History podcast host Doug Kenck-Crispin about the i...

It's no secret our city is full of book lovers of all kinds. From graphic novels to dense texts on niche interests, there's a reason we're home to the biggest independent bookstore in the country. But that's not all; we also have our own Portland Book Festival, featuring over a hundred authors and thousands of attendees who take over downtown every year. Today on City Cast Portland, Literary Arts...

Few things generate more civic pride than our beloved airport PDX. Earlier this year, the Washington Post ranked Portland International Airport the best airport in America. Today, we're rounding up our favorite hacks that make any trip to PDX a breeze, from where to eat and drink, to ways you can chill out before boarding during the hectic upcoming holiday travel season. Become a member of City Ca...

Whether you’re taking a class to learn about electronic music at Synth Library Portland or spending a rainy day on the water in your own rented crabbing boat, November offers many ways to stay active as the rainy season sets in. City Cast Portland has picked the best of the month’s food, entertainment, and community happenings to help you narrow down your plans for this month — like planning a dat...

This week, we’re looking into the latest court maneuvering over troop deployments to Portland and the government shutdown's impact on SNAP benefits in Oregon. We’re also breaking down the arguments for and against the Portland parks ballot measure, as well as checking in on endorsements it’s racked up. Joining host Claudia Meza on this midweek roundup are Stumptown Savings founder Bryan M. Vance a...

The Portland City Archives are home to a paper trail capturing every major and minor movement of our city’s history, from mayoral memos to hand-drawn maps. They like to say they have the receipts for everything the city has ever done, in public or private. Today we're talking with City Archivist Madeline Moya about what’s inside this archive, and how it helps hold local government accountable. To...

This week in Portland, the legal challenges over Trump's troop deployment continue to fly. A fire severely damages a City Councilor’s home. A familiar face enters the 2026 governor's race, and so much more. Plus, we’re unveiling the finalists of our downtown design contest with Pivot Portland! Joining host Claudia Meza on this midweek roundup is executive producer John Notarianni. Discussed in Tod...

Portland is a city full of engaged and concerned citizens; it's not uncommon to talk with your neighbor about a growing pothole on your street or what actually goes in the recycling bin. But sometimes some issues seem far too complicated to resolve, and you just don't know where to start. Today, senior producer Giulia Fiaoni is talking with John Dutt, a longtime supervisor for the City of Portland...

The Oregon Renaissance Faire draws over 75,000 visitors and generates millions each year, but behind the scenes, workers have been sounding the alarm on unsafe working conditions. After whistleblowers filed OSHA complaints, inspectors found six safety violations, including head injuries and poor machinery training. Some workers also claim retaliation. Today, Willamette Week reporter Rachel Saslow...

This week in Portland, we're keeping a close eye on the ongoing threat of National Guard troop deployment to our city and the potential impact of another legal hearing later today. We're also discussing what we're seeing at Portland's ICE facility, why Mayor Wilson's emergency shelters are half empty, and the unexpected comeback of the beloved outdoor store, Next Adventure. Joining executive produ...

Every year around this time, more than 20,000 crows pour into downtown Portland. At night, they fill the trees, rooftops, and power lines. And honestly, we don’t fully know why they are here and where they come from. Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking with Gary Granger, one of the city’s leading crow experts. Though not an ornithologist, he’s spent nearly a decade walking the streets at ni...

Today, we’re talking about the 9th Circuit Court’s ruling in favor of the Trump administration and what that means right now for our city. We’re also hearing from you, our listeners. Joining host Claudia Meza on this midweek roundup is our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Discussed in Today's Episode: Appeals Court Sides With Trump on Troop Deployment to Portland ICE Building [Oregoni...

Today we're talking with Portland Monthly's associate editor of food and drink, Alex Frane, about the best fried chicken in town. From the classic style of the southern states, to additions like Korean snow cheese, Vietnamese fish sauce, and Thai curry— there's no shortage of styles to choose from. We've got picks to help you discover your new favorite spots. Discussed in today's episode: Reel M I...

Ever since the late ’90s, when specialty roasters like Stumptown started up, Portland has been known as a coffee town. But now that we have hundreds of shops to choose from, which ones are the best? Today we're revisiting host Claudia Meza's conversation with producers John Notarianni and Giulia Fiaoni about our city’s ultimate coffee shops — and sharing picks from our audience. This episode first...

This week in Portland, the latest court ruling surrounding Trump’s troop deployment into our city, a warning saying we’re building too many public high schools, and what a recent city audit says about the Portland Parks Bureau and their upcoming ballot initiative. Joining host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni....

Our local wine country has grown over the years, and recently, that's meant more substantial food offerings in the area. High-caliber chefs from Portland and Napa Valley are opening up eateries in the Willamette Valley and beyond — and fall is the perfect time to visit. Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking with Portland Monthly’s editor in chief, Brooke Jackson-Glidden, about some of the mos...