Kids Selling Fentanyl, City Abandons The Regional Arts and Culture Council, and Portland's Hottest Blocks
Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking about the latest developments in downtown’s open-air drug markets, heat mapping the east side, and the city’s decision to stop funding the Regional Arts and Culture Council. Joining host Claudia Meza for this week’s news roundup are Willamette Week’s “Dive” podcast host and "Potlander" column author Brianna Wheeler and our very own lead producer, John Notarianni.
Headlines featured this week:
- On Portland’s Fentanyl Corner, a Dance With Death Sells for $20 [Willamette Week]
- Heat Mapping Campaign to Identify Neighborhoods Most Vulnerable to Extreme Heat [Oregonian]
- City of Portland Will Stop Funding the Regional Arts and Culture Council Next Summer [Willamette Week]
Learn more:
- Oregon Rental Home Heat Pump Program
- Multnomah County’s 2023 Heat Vulnerability Index
- Share Your RACC Story
Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448.
Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Portland and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One Oregon City is Lowering Energy Costs — Presented By City Cast Portland
What’s a seemingly small project in Portland that’s made a big difference? About 12 miles away in the Oregon suburb of Tualatin, a drinki...

Round 2: Why These 3 Portlanders Want To Represent District 3
Today we’re finishing up our Portland City Council interviews for our fall election coverage with the second panel of candidates for Dist...

The City’s Campaign Finance Watchdog Is Also a Lobbyist? Plus, What To Do With 20 Empty School Buildings, and Mailbag!
We're looking into why a city campaign finance officer was lobbying city leaders in her free time — and just what might happen to roughly...

Round 1: Why These 3 Portlanders Want To Represent District 3
Today we’re continuing our coverage of the city's fall election with the first panel of candidates for Portland City Council District 3....

The Massive Energy Suck of Oregon Data Centers, a Tense Standoff Outside the Sports Bra, and a Fantastically Popular New Bookshop
Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about a new book shop that’s drawing hundreds of people to Hillsboro, and the mounting tension...

The Fruit Loop’s Doom Loop, Portland's Indie Theaters Go Full Horror Mode, and Dolly Gets Her Own Day
Portland City Hall is giving Dolly Parton her own day — and that's only the beginning of this chaos rodeo. Host Claudia Meza is joined by...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Philly Is Reducing Violence With Parks — Presented By City Cast Portland
Would Portland be better with fewer vacant, blighted lots? In Philly, the answer is overwhelmingly yes, with significant drops in crime a...

A Fentanyl Vaccine, City Council Implodes Over Zenith, and the Portland Book Festival Is Almost Here
We're talking about how Northwest researchers are developing vaccines that could prevent opioid overdose deaths, and how things are shaki...

Washington County’s Viral Middle Finger, Portland Schools' Messy Laid-Off Teacher Recalls, and Councilor Green's Spicy Police Rants Resurface
A Washington County board meeting turned into a viral moment when County Chair Kathryn Harrington silently flipped off Commissioner Nafis...

What City Councilors Spent Their Office Budgets On, More River Pig Saloon Drama, and Portland’s Pettiest Gripes
We're talking about the $2.2 million city councilors spent on pet projects — as well as how a Pearl District bar owner who once complaine...

