Preschool for All’s Cash Overflow, Ringside’s Sudden Closure, and Michael Hurley’s Legacy
On today's midweek roundup, we’re talking about the nearly half a billion dollars of unspent money from Multnomah County’s Preschool for All program, the kitchen fire that closed a beloved steakhouse, the death of an iconic Portland folk singer, and the most recent battles to keep Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge safe for all the animals that inhabit its wetlands. We’re also hearing from you, our listeners! Joining host Claudia Meza is our very own executive producer, John Notarianni.
Discussed in Today's Episode:
- Preschool for All Had $485 Million Left in Its Coffers After Fiscal Year 2024 [Willamette Week]
- RingSide, Portland’s Oldest Steakhouse, Is Closed After a Kitchen Fire [Eater Portland]
- The Apple of Portland’s Eye, Michael Hurley Passes Away at 83 [Portland Mercury]
- Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge Faces Off With an Amusement Park Ride and New Sellwood Apartments [Willamette Week]
Join City Cast Portland at the 503 Day Block Party, Saturday, May 3, at downtown Portland's Ankeny Alley!! Details and RSVP here.
Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here.
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 April 16th episode:
- Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off
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
‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Is Pittsburgh’s Airport the Gold Standard? — Presented By City Cast Portland
The Portland airport definitely has a lot going for it, but what it doesn’t have is its own electrical grid, like Pittsburgh’s does. For...

PPS Could Close Up to 20 Schools, Safer Portland Hires a Trump Lawyer, and Home Forward's Ex-CEO Scandal Deepens
We’re talking about why the state is leading an ethics investigation into the travel spending of Home Forward's previous leader. Plus, th...

Why a Third of Portland's Shelter Beds Are Vanishing. Plus, Oregon's Shadiest Sheriff, and a Burlesque Tribute to Dolly Parton
We’re talking about why Portland area leaders are undoing a homeless shelter system they just developed — as well as the surprising and h...

A Secretive Push To Privatize Oregon Liquor, City Council Candidate’s Embarrassing Website Mix-up, and Portland’s Pettiest Gripes
Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about why there’s a secretive effort to privatize Oregon liquor sales and what it would mean f...

Are Home Kitchens the New Food Carts? Plus, Portland Fire’s New Mascot and the Rise of Portland’s Tabletop Gaming
We're talking about Portland metro’s growing home-based food scene, from donuts to birria to supper clubs — as well as the rise of Portla...

Mayor Wilson Snubs Progressive Council, Elephants Deli Won't Return to Goose Hollow, and Portland Bridges for Cats
We're talking about two Portlanders going all out for their cats, Mayor Keith Wilson picking favorites in the upcoming City Council elect...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Portland Made Its River Cool
Have you ever swam in the Willamette? Kayaked? Tiki toured? There are tons of opportunities to get in the river, yet lots of locals still...

Why a Portland Cop is Suing a 76-Year-Old Woman. Plus, the Portlanders Using the Most Water and Another Wild City Audit
We’re talking about the police officer suing an elderly woman for falling off her steps, the Portlanders being accused of using the most...

Wildfire-Safe Camping Spots, Portland's Shrinking Population, and Mailbag
We're talking about why our city is getting older, not figuratively but quite literally. We also have updates on the Grasshopper Wildfire...

Why Portland's Chain Restaurants Are Cooler Than Most Cities
Today on City Cast Portland we're rating local chains: which are our favorites, our guilty pleasures, and even the specific Portland loca...

