The Best Of Citizen Smith

Native Oregonian, Nicholas Kristof, is hanging up his columnist job at the New York Times to toss his hat as a Democrat in the candidates pool for governor of Oregon in 2022.

The pandemic has proven people are happiest working less, and more productive. Let's scale back the work week hours, initiate a four-day work week. The industrial revolution is over.

The NFL investigated emails by coach John Gruden and they weren't nice. Homophobic, misogynistic. What's the future hold for the coronavirus? Experts way in. Tech bonanza in Seattle is buying up remaining commercial leases -- is Portland, Oregon next?

One thing we've all learned from the pandemic is that a little thing like a medical mask protects us from transmitting viruses. So, let's keep it going for doctor visits, dentist appointments, restaurant servers etc. Permanently!

The summer surge of the Delta variant appears to be heading downward -- for now. That's good for hospitals. Cannabis -- good or bad. Let's talk about it.

Frances Haugen, who worked for Facebook as a product manager, has a lot to say about how the company should be regulated and other issues the government should be concerned about with the social media giant.

From South Dakota to Portland, one exotic dancer discusses her path to Portland and other topics away from the stage.

The weekend is full of drama as MLB teams fight for the final wildcard spots. Tom Brady visits New England. And a great journalist, Jonathan Mirsky, who covered China from 1972 through the 80s, passed away.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has a new list of 23 species that are now extinct. More will follow if we don't start protecting more habitat and start living harmoniously with Mother Nature.

The debt ceiling needs to be raised, but the government is waiting to the last minute -- again. US Sen. Elizabeth Warren opposes a second term for Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. And Republicans call for General Mark Milley to resign during a contentious Senate hearing.

Gun violence and homicides in 2020 to the present continues an upward trend nationally, and Portland, Oregon facing a historic number of homicides. Instagram for kids is put on hold -- that's a good thing.

Wildlife thrives in Oregon, and there are plenty of animals sharing space with us. It's the fattest bear finals at Katmai National Park this week -- what brown bear will be victorious? Birds have thrived in city parks across America during the pandemic -- with less people, there's more birds in the parks.

Pete Lee was an employee of Enron in 2001 when the company filed for the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history. He shares his experience and insight into the largest scandal of the decade.

The state of Alaska is experiencing the worst surge of Covid patients per capita of any state in the country and rural Native Alaskans are at greatest risk. Top colleges in America were listed in the Wall Street Journal's annual rankings -- where do Oregon colleges rank? 

Money and marriage go hand in hand and that is the topic on today's show with author Roderick M. Givens and his book "The Most Valuable Wedding Gift."

Haitian migrants crossing the border from Mexico to Texas are being whipped and run down by agents on horseback. Is this how we manage migrants entering America? It's time to get our act together and treat these people with dignity. Covid deaths surpassed the Spanish flu pandemic. Today's movie review: "Cry Macho".

The US-Britain deal with the Aussies for nuclear-powered subs has France furious, but it's the right thing to do for the build up of security alliances in the Indo-Pacific. A coronavirus vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech is expected to be available by Halloween for kids 5-11 years of age -- the sooner the better.

Oregon was the first state to allow an individual to choose to end one's life when suffering from terminal illness. Jeff Cogen, the executive director of End of Life Choices Oregon, is today's guest. 

A "Crazy" man is in the White house, a leader on the brink of a nuclear strike, these are some of the alarming comments and discussions of General Mark Milley and Speaker Nancy Pelosi had as documented in a new book coming out "Peril" by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa. Australia is all in as an ally with the U.S. as it negotiates a historic deal for eight nuclear-powered subs

The Republicans recall fiasco in California proved fruitless as Governor Newsom easily prevailed. Boston's mayoral race has two women city councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George, facing off in a highly anticipated election. And a new book "Peril" by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, is a revealing look at the turmoil of Trump's last month's in office. Dave Dahl joins in on the discussion...

Southern states are in a dire situation as ICU beds are filled with unvaccinated Covid patients, with other critically ill patients waiting in emergency rooms and even ambulances. Taxing the rich is on the table in Congress, those making more than $400,000 face upwards of 40 percent income tax, but billionaires remain unscathed.

Kids are back in the classroom across the country, and that's a good thing as most have fallen behind in their studies after Covid shut down most in-classroom learning. Biden's push for booster shots for the general public runs into a roadblock after doctors and scientists conducted an FDA study that refutes the need for a booster to protect against Delta variant.

Is Biden's announcement of vaccine mandates for federal workers and contractors, health care workers, and corporations with more than 100 employees unconstitutional? These and other topics will be discussed with guest host, sage and lifelong Portlandian, Pete Lee. 

As the federal government moves forward with the $1 Trillion Infrastructure projects, there's a lack of skilled laborers. It's time to fund a training program for new construction workers -- let's start with men and women in prison release programs. Movie review -- Shang Chi.

A revealing article in the Wall Street Journal documented the alarming statistics of an academic world where women now dominate college enrollment and young men are left behind-- especially white men from lower and middle income families.