Willamette Wake Up

Braver Angels talks with Marla Estes, founder and leader of Building Bridgers, about building a civil society by reducing polarization through viewpoint diversity. Estes describes ways to make bridging efforts successful, including by looking within and noting how language can trigger polarization.

Conservation Spotlight highlights how Elderberry Wisdom Farm, in Marion County, provides opportunities for Indigenous youth to strengthen their traditional Native American ties to the land, and the farm's efforts to acquire organic certification.

Urban League Unpacked digs into housing and homelessness across the Willamette Valley. From rising rents to shrinking safety nets, they unpack systemic barriers that keep families on the edge, and explore community-driven solutions. Jimmy Jones, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency and Katrina Holland, Urban League join the conversation. 

Policy for the People explores how corporations avoid taxes and the need for tax transparency, with Jason Ward, Center for International Corporate Tax Accountability & Research; and, Spandan Marasini, Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. 

Elephant in the Room continues the discussion of environmental impacts of Coffin Butte landfill, with Ken Ecklund, former chair of Benton County's Solid Waste Advisory Committee and Mason Levitt, Beyond Toxics. This episode examines environmental hazards from leachate, other regular impacts on neighbors of the landfill, and the public process happening now to engage residents in decision making.

Brian Hines, blogger on Salem issues, spoke about the Oregon Ethics Commission's findings concerning a complaint he lodged last winter, on the process used by Mayor Julie Hoy, and involved five sitting councilors, that led to the resignation of City Manager, Keith Stahley.  Hines addresses statements in the commission's findings and shares his observations of what it may mean for future trust by S...

Join hosts Xavier and Allie as they welcome their first guest Sarah Arbuckle, Chief of Staff to Oregon State Representative, Hòa Nguyễn, (HD 48). Hear how Sarah is building, sustaining and advocating for people in the Willamette Valley since 2019, through Salem-Keizer School District, Black Joy Oregon, and Brown Girl Rise. The extended cut of the episode will be available on The Willamette Block P...

Elephant in the Room explores the environmental impacts of methane gas emissions from Coffin Butte landfill and other issues related to the management of this landfill in Corvallis OR, with Ken Ecklund, former chair of Benton County's Solid Waste Advisory Committee and Mason Levitt, Beyond Toxics. This is part one of a two-part program. 

Holla for Labor talks with Oregon State Representative Travis Nelson regarding his new appointment to the National Democratic Party and as the Treasurer of the Congressional Black Caucus. 

Punx in the Park is a concert and resource fair for at risk youth in Marion County.  Hear the report about the purpose and activities from this year's event on August 31st with KMUZ volunteer, Sophie Martin.  (The original and longer version of this report aired on The Forum Sept 19th.)

Monmouth Monthly talks with Barbara Cronin about the city's Senior Center and its programs; and, how it serves as a "third space" for Monmouth residents. 

Conservation Spotlight talks with Eric Hammond, Council member for the City of Silverton, who explains the conservation events and programs in his community, including the upcoming annual OAKtober event.

Monmouth Monthly talks with the curators of "The Wall that Heals" - an exhibit coming to the City of Independence Sept 18 - 22. A replica of the Vietnam Memorial traveling throughout the U.S. Hear former Mayor of Independence, John McArdle and Vietnam veteran and community volunteer, Billy Whisenant talk about the exhibit and a story about a fellow serviceman who has been close to heart for more t...

Happy Labor Day!  Hear how City of Salem employees serve residents and the value of an organized workforce with AFSCME Local 2067 President Steve Hall.

In this first episode of Willamette Block Party, program hosts Xavier Hudson, Allie Saunders and Ray White explain how this monthly program will center Black voices, highlight local leaders, and spotlight stories and events shaping the future of the mid-Willamette Valley. They introduce themselves and the purpose of this program.

Keeping Oregon Oregon explores farm & forest land preservation with Nellie McAdams, fifth generation hazelnut farmer, executive director of Oregon Agricultural Trust, and board Chair of 1000 Friends of Oregon.

Policy for the People talks with Nathaniel Hudson-Hartman and Joe Jackson, rideshare drivers and organizers with Drivers Union Oregon. They discuss the essential nature of their work, the low pay and lack of protections that come with the job, and their union's effort to improve working conditions. 

Urban League Unpacked shines a light on how Urban League of Portland is building pathways to economic prosperity across Oregon. Hear how the Workforce & Small Business Development programs support job seekers and aspiring entrepreneurs throughout the state - whether navigating career transitions, pursuing living-wage work, or launching a new venture. 

Holla for Labor talks with Graham Trainor, president of the Orgeon AFL-CIO, on the rising interest in workers unionizing and how labor is pushing back against federal initiatives from the Trump administration. 

Expungement helps Oregonians move past arrests or convictions in this state by erasing their records. Marion County recently opened a monthly expungement clinic to help people navigate the process. Chris Symeonides and Heather Enderle, with the Public Defenders of Marion County, discuss the expungement process and how the clinics work.

Braver Angels talks with Rachel Weinstein about her journey into "bridging" the political divide through the Braver Angels organization. Find out how she, raised in a "blue" community, is engaging with people from "red" communities, and what she's learned about how we create wedges through language and misinformation. 

Conservation Spotlight talks with Nikita Vincent and Erubiel Valladares, about the Cultural Harvest Collective and the Mid-Willamette BIPOC Farmers Co-Op, and how these efforts build resilience in Polk County Oregon.

Monmouth Monthly talks trash, once again, with Josh Brandt of Brandt’s Sanitary Service. Find out how haulers are adjusting to the  Recycling Modernization Act passed by the Legislature several years ago, how recycling is expanding, and the best thing to do with cardboard boxes.

Jimmy Jones, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, examines the history of addressing homelessness in this country - from criminalizing people who are homeless, shifting to providing low barrier services, and back.  He reviews the progress made in the Salem area since 2019, and his concerns for the future with changing political winds.

Meet Vicky Falcón Vázquez, Director of Radio Poder, a local community radio station in Woodburn OR serving people who speak Spanish and other indigenous languages from the Americas. Hear about the birth of the station, news about its expansion, and its critical link to the Latino/Latina community. Hear the station at 98.3 FM or stream from turadiopoder.org.