Think Out Loud

Oregon Public Broadcasting

4.5 (260)
NEWS
UPDATED DAILY

OPB's daily conversation covering news, politics, culture and the arts. Hosted By Dave Miller.

12 HR. AGO

Portland musician Hannah Glavor performs new songs

Hannah Glavor’s music used to lean toward singer-songwriter folk. But her newly released single, “Otherside,” shows an indie rock side to the Portland musician. She writes about loss and hope, and about darkness and the light on the other side. Glavor joined us in March 2024 for an interview and performance of songs from her then-upcoming album, “Hold On, Hold Tight,” which was released in September.

33 min
12 HR. AGO

Abortion providers in Oregon prepare for possible federal changes

Oregon has among the strongest protections for abortion rights and the fewest limits on the procedure of any state in the nation. Could Republican control of the presidency and both chambers of the U.S. Congress make things harder for abortion providers and seekers in Oregon, despite protective state laws? OPB health reporter Amelia Templeton fills us in.

7 min
12 HR. AGO

New audit shows PBOT falls short of safety goals

The Portland Bureau of Transportation is falling short of meeting some of its safety goals, according to a new city audit. Vision Zero is an international effort to completely eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The city of Portland adopted this philosophy in 2016, and while traffic deaths declined soon after, in 2021 they reached the highest they’ve been in the past three decades at 64. In 2023, those numbers are expected to be even higher, with early data standing at around 69 deaths. KC Jones is the audit services director for Portland. He joins us to share the details of the new audit. Dylan Rivera is the public information officer for PBOT. He also joins us to share the changes the agency will be making in response and the challenges of reaching Vision Zero.

12 min
1 DAY AGO

Checking in on the Portland Trail Blazers amidst a win streak

The Portland Trail Blazers are coming in hot with a three-game win streak after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves twice and another against the Atlanta Hawks. Their record now stands at 6 wins with 8 losses, moving them up in power rankings. Mike Richman is the host of the Locked on Blazers podcast. He joins us to break down the wins, losses and the hope for the future of Rip City’s beloved team.

20 min
1 DAY AGO

UW researchers develop more effective light therapy for seasonal affective disorder

With the days getting shorter and the rain setting in, many Pacific Northwesterners are already feeling the effects of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. The disorder is thought to be caused by the body’s internal clock being disrupted by a lack of sunlight in autumn and winter months. Treatments include antidepressants and exposure to bright lights that mimic sunlight. As covered in OPB’s “All Science. No Fiction.,” researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new type of light therapy that could more effectively treat the symptoms of SAD. Jay Neitz is the Bishop Professor of Ophthalmology at UW. He co-authored the study and joins us with more details.

16 min
1 DAY AGO

Coalition threatens legal action to block the sale of Grant County’s only sawmill still operating

A legal fight is brewing in Eastern Oregon where a coalition of timber interests is trying to block the sale of the only sawmill still operating in Grant County to Iron Triangle, a logging company in John Day. The Malheur Forest Fairness Coalition filed a federal lawsuit last year against Iron Triangle and the sawmill, Malheur Lumber, alleging that the two companies were conspiring to stifle competition. Although the suit was dismissed in September, it is currently being appealed, with the coalition threatening further legal action if the sale is pursued. As first reported in The Blue Mountain Eagle, Malheur Lumber, announced in July it was shutting down after more than 40 years. It cited a range of factors that led to the decision, including difficulty hiring reliable workers and a lack of housing to recruit them. The company’s financial woes are emblematic of the state of the timber industry in Oregon where seven mills announced their closures this year. Bennett Hall is the editor of the Blue Mountain Eagle. He joins us to share his reporting on this issue and how federal assistance could once again offer a lifeline to timber operations in Grant County and the region.

16 min
2 DAYS AGO

Salem City Council censures two members, including Mayor-elect Julie Hoy

The Salem City Council recently voted to censure two of its members, Councilor Deanna Gwyn and Mayor-elect Julie Hoy. The two potentially violated Salem’s city charter by participating in a land use vote involving a developer who donated to both of their campaigns. Sitting Mayor Chris Hoy brought the motion to censure, saying the councilors should have recused themselves from the vote after disclosing the financial relationship. Gwyn and Julie Hoy have said the censure is nothing more than an attempt to create division on council, while other councilors have said their failure to recuse themselves has created a conflict of interest. Whitney Woodworth is a city reporter for the Statesman Journal. She’s been covering the censure and joins us with more details.

13 min
2 DAYS AGO

How nurse navigators are helping improve EMS response in Southwest Washington

Nurse navigation programs have been proposed as one solution to overburdened emergency services systems. Instead of sending an ambulance, dispatchers direct low-level 911 calls to a team of nurses who can give advice or help callers set up an urgent care or telehealth appointment. The idea is to provide patients with the appropriate level of care while freeing up EMS resources to respond to life-threatening calls. Clackamas County recently launched a nurse navigation program, and Clark County has been operating its program in Southwest Washington for more than a year. Rocco Roncarati is the regional director for ambulance provider American Medical Response’s operations in Southwest Washington. Marlow Macht is the medical program director for Clark County EMS and an emergency physician at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center. They both join us to talk about how the nurse navigation program is going in Clark County

21 min

See All (999)

4.5

out of 5

260 Ratings

Vaccine Skeptics

09/12/2023

DrDK2

I love your podcast. You ask great probing questions of your guests. I also have a great deal of respect for Dr Hassan, but as an Oregon pediatrician who specializes in caring for children with autism, the thoroughly debunked association between vaccines and autism is still very much alive. As you know, a Democratic Presidential candidate RFK Jr is STILL spreading that disinformation. And a recent survey of dog owners showed 50% believed rabies vaccine causes doggie autism! The anti-vaccine, anti-science, “do your own research and believe your own facts” mentality is VERY much alive in Oregon.
Dave Miller is the best!

08/04/2023

verdedafloresta

We’re so lucky to have Dave Miller at OPB. His way of speaking to the guests, the choice of topics, the depth, the variety- it’s all top notch. No part of the state is ignored; so many communities are included. Thanks Dave and team!
Great local coverage of topics that matter

01/06/2023

Jack Richpark

This is a stellar program and I promote it every time I get a chance. Having local Oregon journalism is important and Dave Miller and the “think out load” team do an incredible job. My only complaint is there aren’t more oregon news podcasts.
Great local media

04/24/2022

anti-racist politics

Having a daily , in-depth radio program is such a great resource. I’m really appreciating the one-on-one interviews with candidates, and the street reporting. Hearing directly from unsheltered folks makes it clear that there are no simple solutions. Thanks Dave Miller.