Think Out Loud Oregon Public Broadcasting

Gun sales in Washington have dropped significantly this year as new gun safety laws have taken effect. The drop follows a spike in sales last year that happened when buyers scrambled to purchase guns as lawmakers debated legislation. David Gutman recently wrote about this for The Seattle Times. He joins us with more on Washington’s gun laws. 

On Monday, April 22nd, the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments on a case out of Oregon that could have national implications on homelessness policy. The question at the heart of Grants Pass v Johnson is whether cities can regulate where and when people can sleep outside, especially if there isn’t shelter space available. Jeremiah Hayden, a reporter for Street Roots Newspaper, tells us about the oral arguments, and the case in Grants Pass that started it all.  

We revisit a conversation we first aired in April 2023 which was the first installment of our series on people’s professions. We’ll learn what it takes to do different kinds of jobs and how these professions change us.

David Beer is Portland’s Squeezebox Surgeon. He has studied the inner workings of accordions in Italy and at A World of Accordions Museum in Wisconsin. He operates on all different kinds of free reed instruments. He shares with us how he got into this business and gives us an inside look of how accordions work and what it takes to get them singing again.

Two Republican candidates are hoping to win their party’s nomination to upset the Democratic incumbent Congresswoman Val Hoyle in ORegon’s 4th District. Amy Ryan Courser is a consultant and former Keizer city council member. One her campaign website she says she’s a mom, wife, mom, friend and Patriot, and describes her priorities as “America first.” Her primary opponent, Monique DeSpain, a 30-year Air Force veteran and attorney, declined OPB’s invitation for an interview or candidate debate. We talk with Amy Fryan Courser about making her case to Oregon voters in the 4th district. 

Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood is closed until further notice following a fire Thursday night. The surrounding Timberline ski area is also closed Friday. Clackamas Fire officials have reported that everyone evacuated from the building safely. We get more details on the fire and the extent of the damage from John Burton, director of marketing and public relations for Timberline Lodge.

The award winning poet, writer and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s genius lies in making connections between the astonishments of the natural world and the particular wonders of her own - and all of our - lives. Nezhukumatathil is the author of four collections of poems, including “Oceanic, and her latest book, a bestselling collection of essays, is called “World of Wonders.” Nezhukumatathil is a professor of English at the University of Mississippi, and joins us in front of an audience of students at McDaniel High School.