OPB Politics Now

Oregon Public Broadcasting

4.7 (216)
POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

"OPB Politics Now" is a weekly podcast that takes a deep dive into the hottest political topics in Oregon and the Northwest. Every Friday, OPB’s political reporters and special guests offer in-depth analysis, discussion and insight into candidates, events and issues.

5D AGO

Portland's camping ban, suburban ICE raids and election recap

On the latest live stream edition of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart, Alex Zielinski and Holly Bartholomew discuss a range of political topics. Portland is finally enforcing its ban on homeless camping. How is that playing out? Plus, a rise in Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity is shaking the Willamette Valley. We discuss what that looks like in suburban communities. Also, we hit on some election results. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

23 min
OCT 31

Food assistance and health insurance stuck in government shutdown limbo

Hundreds of thousands of Oregonians who help fill their pantries thanks to the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could be cut off from the program. I’m Lauren Dake. On this week’s OPB Politics Now we will take a deeper about what will happen to some of the most vulnerable as the government shutdown continues. Find the show wherever you get your podcasts.

21 min
OCT 23

Talking Tina Kotek: The National Guard, reelection and her first term

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says she’s making progress on some of the state’s most pressing problems. But even some of her most ardent supporters seem skeptical and the Democrat is eyeing a likely reelection effort. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart and Lauren Dake discuss their recent reporting on Kotek. They talked to dozens of people about how she’s doing. Republicans and Democrats. Lawmakers and lobbyists. And an interesting theme emerged, it seems most everyone thinks she will win another term, but not as many are sure she deserves one. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

21 min
OCT 16

Portland’s ICE protest brings frogs, naked cyclists and right wing streamers

Oregon is still waiting for a court to decide whether or not President Trump can send National Guard troops into Portland. But as that battle plays out in court, the fight for Americans’ hearts and minds continues in South Portland. On one side are conservative media personalities and streamers, who’ve been granted eye-popping access to Trump administration officials as they broadcast a vision of ongoing protests as violent and dangerous. On the other: protestors who are actively lampooning that narrative with nudity and frogs – and a lot more. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, reporters Dirk VanderHart, Alejandro Figueroa and Erik Neumann discuss those competing visions.

27 min
OCT 10

OPB Politics Now: President Trump's push for the military in U.S. cities ramps up in courts, streets

From Portland to Chicago to Texas - President Trump's pushes for military forces in American cities is ramping up in the courts and in multiple American cities. On the latest episode of OPB Politics Now, we talk with public media reporters in Chicago and Houston about the situation there. WBEZ's Arcaceli Gómez-Aldana and The Texas Newsroom's Lucio Vasquez join us to discuss the situation in their communities, how immigration is at the center of it all and what the politics are from their two states.

31 min
OCT 2

President Trump targets Portland

If you weren’t in front of a computer or on the Internet, it was truly spectacular in Portland last weekend. It was clear and sunny, but not too warm. People were out and about. Running errands, doing yard work or just hanging out with friends and family. But meanwhile in the background, President Trump was taking aim at the city.. We are still piecing together what it all means, what might happen next and when National Guard troops may arrive in the Rose City. We’ll discuss what we know and what we are learning and maybe take some questions along the way. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.

38 min
SEP 25

Inside one of Portland’s new homeless shelters

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson sailed into City Hall this year on the back of an ambitious pledge to end unsheltered homelessness. That plan relies heavily on swiftly opening a bunch of overnight-only shelters across town. We’re now nine months into Wilson’s term, and quickly approaching his self-imposed deadline to get everyone off the streets. So let’s check in on the system and its progress. Join us on the latest episode of OPB Politics Now.

23 min
SEP 18

Who needs shots? Vaccines drive a wedge between Oregon and the feds

It’s been five years now since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Oregon and a global pandemic shook our lives and our politics.The virus is now endemic. A permanent feature of life. Causing less destruction and loss than it did, but still capable of sending people to the hospital and worse.This is the time of year when boosters for COVID and the flu are typically available. But this year, those boosters have been caught up in fights at the Centers for Disease Control and allegations the agency’s scientists are being sidelined by politicians. The controversy has prompted West Coast states like Oregon to create their own COVID-19 vaccine guidelines. All of that has rekindled a simmering political debate around the effectiveness of these vaccines. What could this mean for Oregon’s role in health care? We discuss all that and more on this week’s episode of OPB Politics Now.

24 min

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4.7

out of 5

216 Ratings

Oregon Timber

Aug 22

Windy13007

Oregon is a beautiful state and the people are hospitable and generous in deed and thought BUT I honestly do not feel any sympathy for the mostly Republican voters in the Oregon timber industry. Trump told you outright (twice) he wanted to gut federal funding to states and sell off public lands for profit, stop public land management, end federal funding of forestry, emergency funding and management, and gut education, gut medicaid, and sell all the gold in Fort Knox, etc... Trump’s administration wrote it down for you in a big book! Did you read it? We did! Republican’s, still holding on to hope for your one big beautiful bill or are you waiting for Trump to sell off parts of Oregon public lands to foreign real estate investors before you open your eyes and walk towards the light!? We’re here for you when you’re ready. -DEMS
Must follow if you live in Oregon

Jul 20

mulderc

Fantastic show that is a must listen to if you live in Oregon.
Fantastic!

06/17/2023

PDX flipper

Great podcast on Oregon news and politics.
Disappointing

01/27/2024

Seize the coffee

Always assumes the left view is the only and right view.

"OPB Politics Now" is a weekly podcast that takes a deep dive into the hottest political topics in Oregon and the Northwest. Every Friday, OPB’s political reporters and special guests offer in-depth analysis, discussion and insight into candidates, events and issues.