City Cast Portland

Today, we’re updating you on all that’s happened since we last checked in, including waiting on troop deployment court rulings, an emergency naked bike ride, our airport refusing to play a Department of Homeland Security video, and much more. We’re also hearing from you, our listeners. Joining host Claudia Meza on this midweek roundup is our very own senior producer, Giulia Fiaoni. Discussed in To...

For a lot of Portlanders, fall means two things: rain and mushrooms. But mushroom foraging isn’t just about tromping through the woods and getting lucky; there’s a whole culture, etiquette, and even a kind of intuition behind it. Today we’re talking with Norther Emily, founder of Wild Solitude Guiding and a seasoned mushroom forager. We’ll get into the art of mushroom hunting, a few that you can e...

Today, we're continuing to closely follow the latest developments surrounding Trump’s federal troop deployment, the aftermath of  U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit to our city, and what comes next. Plus, some good news regarding city parks and vendors. Joining host Claudia Meza on this Friday's news roundup are the Oregonian’s City Hall reporter, Shane Dixon Kavanaugh, and our v...

Downtown Portland is full of potential, and Pivot Property Management wants your ideas to bring it back to life. In this sponsored episode, City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza talks with Rose Anderson and Victoria Boyle from Pivot about their new contest inviting locals to dream up creative uses for five vacant downtown spaces. From historic stables near the waterfront to a 20,000-square-foot bla...

With over 30 farms, wineries, and restaurants, spread along a scenic drive through the Hood River County countryside, the Hood River Fruit Loop is a magical place for the perfect fall outing. Today, Bryan Vance of Stumptown Savings is sharing his well-researched guide to getting the most out of a day trip through the Fruit Loop. Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and...

Today, we’re catching you up on what happened this weekend and where we are now with Trump’s push to deploy federal troops to our city. We’re also hearing from you, our listeners. Joining host Claudia Meza on this midweek news roundup is our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Discussed in Today's Episode: Federal Judge Bars Trump Administration From Sending Any National Guard Troops to...

If the stress of the headlines over the past week has brought you fantasies of sitting in a hot sauna or soaking pool, you’ll be pleased to know that Portland has an endless array of options. Today we’re revisiting a conversation with Oregonian life and culture reporter, and self-proclaimed spa expert, Lizzy Acker. She has a look inside our area’s best saunas and soaking pools — from clothing-opti...

In the first few weeks since Portland area students have been back in school, a lot has been happening: There’s been rising anxiety after an ICE detention near César Chávez K-8 School, and tough conversations ahead about enrollment changes, blended classrooms, and looming budget decisions. Today, we're talking with Oregonian education reporter Julia Silverman to learn more on what's happening insi...

Today we’re talking about what the government shutdown means for our city and checking in on Trump’s federal troop deployment. Plus, we have dispatches from City Cast colleagues in three other cities who’ve gone through their own threats of deployment or actual occupation. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are KBOO news director, Althea Billings, and our very own executi...

Whether you’re taking a class at the relaunched Portland Underground Grad School or clearing space in your closet to donate to one of the city’s homegrown nonprofits, October is all about leaning into the PNW’s fall rhythms. City Cast Portland has handpicked the best of the month’s food, entertainment, and community happenings to help you narrow down your plans for this month — or even to simply i...

Today we're breaking down the timeline for federal troops arriving in Portland, the legal challenge that could stop them, and why Portland's best defense against an invasion might be a dance party. Plus, we'll hear from readers and listeners on how you're processing the week's shocking news. Joining host Claudia Meza on the midweek news roundup is executive producer John Notarianni. Discussed in t...

Northeast Portland's Rose City Park might be the perfect neighborhood for you if you love snacking and being besties with your neighbors. Today we’re continuing our neighborhood guides — where we talk with Portlanders about the good, bad, and ugly of where they live — with longtime Rose City Park neighborhood resident (and City Cast's chief marketing officer) Gillian Kennedy. Discussed in today's...

Portland is facing one of the worst housing crises in the county. City Council recently voted to study social housing, which means homes are publicly or nonprofit-owned, permanently affordable, and often mixed-income. Councilor Candace Avalos, who co-sponsored the resolution, joined a delegation to Vienna to see it firsthand. The trip drew criticism for its cost, but Avalos says it offered lessons...

This week, a lawsuit is complicating the sale of the Trail Blazers; owners of Portland TV stations are aligning themselves with the Trump Administration; and the state handed over Medicaid data to the federal government to keep funding. Plus, our city is gearing up to start handing out citations to people camping on the streets, and the Portland Public Schools board is taking a different approach...

Fall marks the beginning of what feels like Portland's hibernation season, but there’s still plenty happening in town, especially in our arts scene. So today on City Cast Portland, Suzette Smith, Portland Mercury’s arts and culture editor, is here to walk us through their recently-released fall arts guide. They’ve covered everything from the Portland Art Museum's shiny new pavilion to pro-wrestlin...

We often talk about Portland’s homelessness crisis in terms of the tents and encampments we see on our streets. But there’s another side of this crisis that’s far less visible: families with children. Today we’re talking with Brandi Tuck, executive director of Path Home. It's one of the only local nonprofits dedicated exclusively to serving families experiencing homelessness. We’ll talk about what...

Since 2020, when Oregon legalized psilocybin therapy, Willamette Week's Anthony Effinger has been one of the most rigorous reporters covering the industry. But recently he went on a different kind of reporting trip, he found the cheapest legal facilitator within our city limits and decided to experience a legal mushroom therapy  himself. Today, Effinger shares his personal experience using psilocy...

Today is the first day of fall, which means soon we'll all be craving hot soup and a warm piece of bread. A recent survey showed Portland has nearly 5,000 bakeries, making it the second-best city in the U.S. for easy access to fresh-baked treats. Today we're revisiting a conversation about our area’s best bakeries with food writer, chef, and host of the “Food Friends” podcast Sonya Sanford. She’s...

This week, city leaders are saying ICE may have violated city code and might revoke the federal agency’s permit to operate in South Waterfront. Also, the Oregon Senate has once again delayed their vote on Gov. Tina Kotek’s massive transportation package. And there’s a new oral history out about one of Portland’s most storied music venues. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundu...

Portland's award-winning food scene has been all over the national headlines recently: this summer we've caught the attention of food influencer Keith Lee, the New York Times, and even pizza critics all the way out in Italy. But is what outsiders are saying about Portland’s food scene true? Today we're talking with Portland Monthly associate editor of food and drink, Alex Frane, to break down what...

Today, we're discussing costly Oregon gas prices, whether the mass layoffs in our region indicate another great recession, our state’s legal battle with the federal government over the historic Columbia River agreement, and so much more. Joining host Claudia Meza on this midweek roundup is our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Discussed in Today's Episode: Oregon Gasoline Prices Soar D...

We only have a week of summer left, but that doesn't mean outdoor adventures are over. Fall offers plenty of great opportunities to explore, from fish-viewing at the Bonneville Dam to Halloween-themed hikes. Today we're talking with Karrie Carnes, a local adventurer and the Portland ambassador for Women Who Explore. She's got ideas for some outdoor seasonal activities for everyone to enjoy.   Disc...

Every September since the ’90s, Portlanders could look forward to Vaux’s Swift season, when tens of thousands of tiny birds came to roost in Chapman Elementary’s chimneys together and thousands of people gathered to watch them. But last year, the flock started avoiding the spot, and they haven't returned, instead dispersing to other sites.  Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking with Joe Liebe...

This week, Mayor Wilson asked Portlanders for donations to help with his new overnight shelters. Also, national consulting firm HR&A rescinded its offer of free services to Portland City Council, and the city Elections Division has proposed hiking candidate filing fees to discourage non-serious candidates from running for office. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are Wil...

For decades, Portland has prided itself on being a model city for biking, but that reputation has slid a bit in recent years. Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking with Toby Hodges, who recently helped coordinate a tour with Sunrise Movement PDX of some of the bizarre and dangerous intersections that keep people from biking and walking around town. He’s sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly...