Willamette Wake Up

Oregon State Representative Tom Andersen was in the studio to update listeners on legislative matters - with 3 weeks left to go.

Salem Health brought a unique opportunity to see and experience their robotic surgery technology on May 30, when the Thoracic Oncology Mobile Experience (TOME) truck came to the hospital campus. Take a tour of Salem Hospital's new cancer screening tool, the Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy system, and the da Vinci 5 Robotic Surgical system.

Elephant in the Room talks with Travis Williams of the Willamette River Preservation Trust about this nonprofit organization's mission to acquire remnants of intact ecosystems along the Willamette River to preserve in perpetuity.

Holla for Labor talks with Graham Trainor, president of Oregon AFL-CIO about the rise in popularity of labor unionizing efforts and labor's response to federal initiatives poised to weaken democracy. 

Salem's Safe Parking program offers a safe place for people who live in their cars to park overnight. Program participants also get case management, showers, laundries and mechanic services.  With loss of City of Salem funds, the program is in jeopardy.  DJ Vincent, Church at the Park, explains how the program works and what the general community can do to ensure the program continues.

Conservation Spotlight continues its "Meet the Farmer" series with the family-run Steenson Hazelnut orchard in Salem about how they use biodynamic farming practices to work with nature, not against it.

Monmouth Monthly celebrates Public Works with the city's engineer David Karr and wastewater specialist Darin Dornbusch. They share projects they've been working on, from rapid flashing beams across Highway 99 to the Sewer Camera Trailer. 

With federal cuts to safety net programs in local communities, Jimmy Jones, director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, sent a letter to elected officials and community partners about what federal cuts could mean to impoverished families in Marion & Polk counties. He reviews the impact of services provided by this organization in recent times and how the Trump administration...

Braver Angels is a national organization with local alliances, formed to bring people together with differing beliefs and a hope to build understanding and find common ground.  This month Braver Angels presents a conversation between Dimitra Giannakoulias (State Alliance Co-chair) and Zachary Elwood (People Who Read People podcast host) about how contempt destroys democracy and how to combat polar...

Keeping Oregon Oregon has a mid-legislative session conversation with Oregon State Representative Ed Diehl of HD 17 on proposed legislation regarding land use planning and agriculture. 

Elephant in the Room talks with Susan Smith, retired Willamette University environmental law professor, about the Trump administration's actions to roll back climate research, climate awareness, and environmental protection; and the legal and political tools that citizens and policymakers have to fight back.

Hear a conversation with Salem-Keizer School Board candidates from Zones 1 & 3. They answer questions and talk with each other about their values & beliefs and how that reflects decisions they would make as a school board director. This is a unique format that allows candidates to interact ... just like in real life!  Zone 1: Lisa Harnisch & Anthony Mitchell.  Zone 3: Angelo Baca &...

Rep. Tom Andersen updates listeners on what's been happening at the State Capitol in April and what is yet to be done. 

Hear a conversation with Salem-Keizer School Board candidates from Zones 5 & 7. They answer questions and talk with each other about their values & beliefs and how that reflects decisions they would make as a school board director. This is a unique format that allows candidates to interact ... just like in real life!  Zone 5: Karina Guzman Ortiz & Jason Krocker.  Zone 7: Mel Fuller &am...

 Don McIntosh, Northwest Labor Press, talks with Juan Carlos Ordoñez, Oregon Center for Public Policy on the state of labor in Oregon.  This special episode of Policy for the People was produced for International Workers Day, May 1st.

Election Coverage: Three people are running to represent Northeast Salem residents in Ward 6 in the May 20, 2025 election: Deanne Garcia, Logan Lor & Mai Vang.  Hear what shaped their values & beliefs, thoughts on Salem's budget crisis, and priorities for NE Salem in a conversation recorded on April 25th.

There's an election May 20. Be informed with an overview of the Polk County Fair Ground levy, with Polk County Fair Board chair, Tim Ray. Hear the needs driving the ask of voters and what it will cost. 

The election is May 20th. Be informed with an overview of the Dallas Police bond with Dallas city councilor, Larry Briggs and Friends of Dallas PD PAC, Rod Dunham. They discuss the need for a facility, cost to residents and why now is the time. 

Holla for Labor talks with Sherman Henry, the director of the Labor Institute for Advancing Black Strategists. They explore pathways for workers in the south to find ways to be more engaged with their workplace.

Braver Angels encourages people with opposing political views to have conversations that help identify common ground. In this episode, we examine how people can be stereotyped by the way they look. We hear Mile's story: how his upbringing shaped his beliefs, what it means to be conservative, and his experience being Black in Oregon. 

Conservation Spotlight talks with the staff of the Luckiamute Watershed Council (LWC). The LWC's mission is engage and assist landowners and communities in the voluntary protection, restoration and enhancement of the Luckiamute and Ash Creek watersheds. Listen in to find out how you can get involved and make an impact in watershed health.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month.  Monmouth Monthly shines the light on Melody Barrett & Sharon Oberst, volunteers for the Monmouth Arts and Culture Commission; and Dena Jones, volunteer for the Monmouth Public Library. Find out how these volunteers support their community, and other ways the city engages volunteers.

Policy for the People talks with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden about the Trump administration’s “budget blueprint” and how it would impact Oregonians. Then, they talk with the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, about "Federal Tax Policy: What Should It Accomplish?”

Sable House in Dallas Oregon serves victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Rochelle Juarez, executive director, talks about this type of violence and how Sable House has been assisting survivors with shelter, advocacy, and connections to social & legal services since 1993.

State Rep. Tom Andersen (House District 19) discussed legislative process, a typical day at the Capitol, and specific legislation affecting people in the mid-Willamette Valley and Oregon.