Police Accountability Stalls, Schools Say No to Funds, and the Gorge’s Glamping Battle
Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking about the difficulties our city and the U.S. Department of Justice have had keeping the Portland Police Bureau accountable for their actions, the new threat some small towns along the Columbia River Gorge are facing, and why so many cash-strapped public school districts in Oregon are turning their noses up to state funding. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are KBOO news director Althea Billings and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni.
Discussed in Today’s Episode:
- Can Portland's New Independent Monitor Help Prevent Police Misconduct? [Portland Mercury]
- Portland Internal Affairs Found a 2022 Police Shooting Out of Policy. Top Brass Dismissed the Finding [OPB]
- A Glamping Company Meets Trouble in a Tiny Town in the Columbia River Gorge [Willamette Week]
- Oregon’s Education Department Has a New Program To Help Struggling School Districts Do Better. Some Say ‘Thanks, But No Thanks’ [Oregonian 🔒]
By focusing on the stories and issues shaping our neighborhoods, City Cast Portland bridges gaps and connects the dots in Portland. Become a member to support local journalism that connects.
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 Instagram.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
Learn more about the sponsors of this December 13th episode:
- Salishan Coastal Lodge - Book your stay at salishan.com with code CITYCAST to save 20%
- Habitat for Humanity Portland Region ReStores
- Profile Theatre
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Portland and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
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...

Round 2: Why These 3 Portlanders Want To Represent District 4
Today we have our second interview of the city's fall election with the second panel of candidates for Portland City Council District 4....

