OPB Audio

Kelly Ma has two children in PPS. She speaks some English but has needed the help of a Chinese language specialist for her oldest. Ma’s son, who goes to Woodstock Elementary School, is on the autism spectrum. Ma was still trying to understand the U.S. education system when she realized her family needed help.

Trang Nguyen has two children in PPS. For her, having the help of a Vietnamese language specialist was invaluable when her son was struggling with his speech. But Trang considers herself one of the lucky ones — she got support when her children were still little. She and other parents who’ve worked with the LAS team are worried about what might happen to new families.

When Nancy’s family moved from Mexico to Oregon, she barely spoke any English. So when the youngest of her three sons was identified with a disability, she needed help. That’s when Nancy began working with a Spanish language specialist for Portland Public Schools’ Language Access Services team. But in the most recent round of multi-million dollar budget cuts, PPS eliminated that team.

Insurers love to cut costs — but they’re also looking at what happens after a medication is used. In some cases, paying more upfront can reduce emergency care and hospital bills later. A life-saving - and talking - allergy injector helps explain the economics.

The West Linn-Wilsonville school board will take up a vote this week to move forward with a school closure plan.

PPS dismantled the Language Access Services team last year amid millions of dollars in budget cuts. They say needed services are still provided, but some argue vulnerable families are worse off.

Women’s sports could be an economic win for Portland

Assaf Mevorach is planning an unusual way to help start the Hanukkah season, a black light rave on Saturday ahead of the first night of Hanukkah.

At Work With an Oregon state park forest ranger, Rhett Wilkins, at Tryon Creek State Natural Area.

An exploratory lithium mining project and a federal push for energy dominance could hurt sage grouse conservation efforts.

Oregon’s two oldest private universities say their plan to consolidate will benefit students, the state’s workforce and help future-proof the institutions.

What to know about the Interstate Bridge Replacement’s rising price tag

F. H. Steinbart’s is closing after more than a century in Portland.

East Portland councilors unveil $21 million proposal to address homelessness

The ornaments at The Grotto are one of many examples showcasing the high-level tech work coming out of a Northeast Portland school.

State officials aim to buy providers homes to house vulnerable children. Advocates say it may help provide more stability for Oregon’s foster kids.

After a sudden drop in returning salmon on the Coquille River, a new Oregon law allows old-fashioned hatchboxes to return.

Behind the curtain of The Benson Hotel’s 54th gingerbread castle

Oregon struggles to land federal counterterrorism money as Trump orders troops to stop ‘terrorists’ hindering ICE

Legal experts say theses contradictory actions may have violated protesters’ rights.

If you ask Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, he has met his goal to open 1,500 new shelter beds by Dec. 1. But only 890 of those 1,500 beds are currently open for use.

Preservationists worry Portland State University’s plan to build for the future could erase the past

In a Portland kitchen, a nonprofit cooks up a small-scale solution to Oregon’s big hunger problem

QA with producer Kami Horton about Uncovering Boarding Schools

Indigenous chefs are training the next generation of culinary students