News For Reasonable People

How did Oakland's city officials manage to miss out on securing millions in state crime-fighting funds amidst an escalating crime rate impacting local businesses? It's a head-scratcher that has left residents and small business owners frustrated and demanding answers. In this episode, we don't hold back in criticizing the government's failure to seize this crucial funding oppor...

What happens when a city teeters on the precipice of a drug crisis and the powers that be are embroiled in a debate that potentially fuels the myth of black criminality? Welcome to Seattle's reality, a city trying to navigate the murky waters of public drug use. This episode finds us deep in conversations with the city's top brass – a Democratic Mayor and City Council, working tirelessly...

Bold Statement: Crime in Philadelphia has reached such unprecedented levels that even iconic establishments like Jim's West Steaks feel the need to arm themselves for protection. An alarming testament to the city's deteriorating state of safety, this episode underscores the chilling reality of businesses forced to adopt martial security measures just to keep their doors open. We break do...

Ever wondered why, despite increasing safety concerns, major cities struggle to staff their police forces adequately? This episode unfolds the realities of San Francisco where, despite Mayor London Breed's strong advocacy, a recent police academy class graduated a mere six new officers. We dissect the challenges of police recruitment in urban areas, the implications for public safety, and the...

What happens when a local resident takes it upon themselves to fell trees in a public park? Can we just stand by or does it raise some piercing questions about the mental health and safety of our neighborhoods? Our host ventures into the streets of Seattle's Ballard neighborhood to understand the curious case of a man dragging and cutting down trees from a local park, creating quite a stir. W...

Brace yourselves, LA's new zero bail policy is stirring up a storm and we're here to assess the aftermath. We'll walk you through the potential impact of this groundbreaking policy on law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the pulse of criminal activities. Cast a critical look at various release protocols in play and their efficacy in curbing or boosting crime rates.  Tur...

Is crime creating our food deserts or is it a deeper challenge of community disinvestment? Either way, Mayor Brandon Johnson seems ready to tackle these issues head-on. Brace yourself for a thought-provoking episode where we take a hard look at Chicago's struggle with food deserts and how it's affecting historically underserved communities. We critically assess Mayor Johnson's bold...

Imagine witnessing a pop-up bar, lounging areas, and even rentable tents for prostitution, all set up amidst a homeless encampment in the heart of Denver! Sounds unbelievable, right? Yet, this is the reality we're exploring this week, offering you a front-row seat to a gritty and controversial side of urban life. We take you on a journey through these makeshift communities that have become sp...

What if we told you that Oregon's drug decriminalization experiment has generated results opposite to what was intended? Or that a trip to Portugal by Oregon's leadership could alter the course of Oregon's drug crisis? Today's episode takes you on a journey through Oregon's struggle to implement Portugal's drug decriminalization model and the unanticipated challenges...

Ever heard of a pirate hijacking a Fire and Rescue boat in Portland for a 40-mile joyride? Buckle up for a thrilling journey as we unravel this audacious tale. We dissect the electrifying series of events – a suspect braving the Willamette River, commandeering a rescue vessel, and creating a spectacle that ended with law enforcement towing the commandeered vessel back to land. We probe into the su...

As we pull back the curtain on Washington State's massive spending on the ballooning homelessness crisis, you'll discover the harsh reality of Seattle's homeless encampments. Join us as we recount Governor Inslee's visit to the infamous Myers Way encampment, highlighting the outcomes of the $150 million Right of Way Initiative. The clock is ticking with these funds set to run d...

Imagine a city, Seattle, where officials decide to create a 'no-cop zone' and key city figures wipe out thousands of text messages, all during a time of protest. Today, we peel back the layers of this real-life scenario, examining the fallout from these deleted messages and the alleged lack of accountability by those in charge.  We'll focus on two whistleblowers who cried foul, shed...

Boldly tackling the heart of American retail, we're examining a litigation storm that's brewing between American Eagle and Westfield Mall owners. If you thought shopping venues were just about buying and selling, think again. Today, we're taking a good, hard look at the high stakes issues emerging from this lawsuit. From safety concerns to increasing crime rates, deteriorating malls...

Can hiring ex-convicts to patrol troubled streets be the magic bullet Portland needs to tackle its rising street-level issues? Join us as we dive into Mayor Ted Wheeler's bold and controversial proposal. We're pulling back the curtain on Urban Elkummy, a San Francisco-based company with a questionable past, that has been entrusted with this sensitive task. But that's not all. A shoc...

Imagine a city where homicides outnumber new police hires. Welcome to Seattle, where defunding the police movement has resulted in dire consequences. This episode shines a light on this shocking reality, and the startling statistic that 669 officers have resigned since 2019. We track the story through the lens of the Seattle Police Department, hearing from their president about the dwindling polic...

Prepare to sail into uncharted waters. This episode is a remarkable deep dive into the unexpected upsurge of pirate crimes in Oakland, California, following a drastic decision to defund the police. We navigate the murky realities of modern day piracy, as audacious thieves pillage vessels in Oakland's marinas. Hear firsthand stories from local boat owners as they militarize their boats to prot...

Why are businesses and major conferences fleeing from San Francisco? Find out as we uncover Google's recent decision to move a significant technology conference out of San Francisco, a move that reflects a broader trend of businesses and events distancing themselves from cities plagued by increasing crime rates, rampant drug use, and a growing homelessness crisis. We dissect the challenging e...

The pendulum of belief swings wildly when personal experiences come into play. Today we tackle the story of a Minnesota Democrat and anti-cop activist, whose violent encounter has her reevaluating her stance on law enforcement. A horrifying incident led to a paradigm shift, as she grapples with the reality of crime and the necessity for justice and public safety. Join us as we unravel the threads...

Ready for a jarring look at the intersection of security, city policy, and the humanitarian crisis of drug addiction? You'll want to stick around for this episode. We're diving head-first into our hard-hitting analysis of the security upgrades at the San Francisco Federal Building, including the introduction of cutting-edge fence technology. We're peeling back the layers of the unne...

Ever wondered about the wider implications of a global brand like Nike closing a Community Store? This episode promises to take you on a journey through the ripple effects of such a decision and how it impacts the local community of Northeast Portland. Join us as we throw light on the city's predicament of being unable to provide dedicated police officers for the store's security due to...

Crises come in all shapes and sizes, but what happens when a crisis takes over an entire city? Brace yourselves as we journey into the heart of Casper, Wyoming, where homelessness and drug addiction have transformed the city into a refuge for the dispossessed, an epidemic that continues to spiral out of control. Mayor Bruce Nell, our guest on the show, paints a vivid picture of the devastation cau...

Have you ever wondered why Portland's Safe Rest Village for RVs is still under-occupied, despite being home to over 80 qualified residents? Ever pondered the intricacies of establishing a structured, drug-free community amidst an existing one that operates under completely different rules? We unpack these unexpected challenges the Salvation Army faces and shed light on the tug of war between...

Imagine stepping onto your usual bus or train only to find yourself enveloped in an invisible cloud of illicit drugs. Not just a hypothetical scenario, but a shocking reality revealed by a recent University of Washington study. In this unsettling episode, we confront the disconcerting findings of this research, which tested air and surface samples from 30 local transit buses and trains. The reveal...

Are our sanctuary cities under siege? Picture this: 10,000 illegal asylum seekers flooding into New York City each month, schools bursting at the seams, and a looming $12 billion deficit. Today, we’re unpacking this harsh reality as we explore Mayor Eric Adams’ contradicting stance; a champion for the sanctuary city status, now in the throes of managing a migration crisis. We’ll be discussing why...

Are you ready to face the harsh reality of California's housing affordability crisis? Strap in as we pull back the curtain on the startling truth that a mere 16% of Californians can afford to buy a median-priced home. We'll journey through the top five least affordable counties, shedding light on how even in the most affordable county, a paltry 30% of residents qualify for a home purchas...