Épisodes

  • 'Your City Could Be Better': Meet Nashville's Rogue Bench Builders — Presented By City Cast Portland

    'Your City Could Be Better': Meet Nashville's Rogue Bench Builders — Presented By City Cast Portland
    Apr 26 2026
    Are DIY urban projects the key to improving the infrastructure in cities like Portland? The grassroots group To Nashville, With Love has built and installed 60 benches at bus stops around Nashville, all without government approval. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Nashville podcast host Marie Cecile Anderson about what this guerrilla campaign is doing, why it’s gotten pushback from the city, and where Nashville’s Tactical Urbanism program fits into all this. Plus, the unique challenges of Nashville tourism. Mentioned on the show: "Who Put Benches at Nashville Bus Stops — and Why Did the City Remove Them?" (City Cast Nashville) "Guerrilla Public Service Redux" (99% Invisible) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.
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    25 min
  • Why Police Are Saying No to Mask Ban, Controversial City Shelter to Close, and Updates on Home Forward Drama

    Why Police Are Saying No to Mask Ban, Controversial City Shelter to Close, and Updates on Home Forward Drama
    Apr 24 2026
    Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about the closing of a controversial overnight shelter in the Pearl District. We have an update on the CEO of Portland’s Housing Authority, Home Forward, taking extravagant vacations on the public’s dime. And we’re breaking down why a citywide law enforcement ban on masks isn’t gaining any traction. Joining me today are Oregonian homelessness and mental health reporter Lillian Mongeau Hughes and Willamette Week’s City Hall reporter, Sophie Peel. Discussed in today's episode: Portland looks to close controversial Pearl District overnight-only shelter [Oregonian] Home Forward Cannot Produce Details of CEO’s 2024 Trip to Hawaii for Insurance Conference [Willamette Week] Seven Months In, Councilor’s Police Masking Ban Remains Stuck [Willamette Week] It’s our spring membership drive! Get more from City Cast Portland when you become a City Cast Portland Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/portland. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 24th episode: Discover Newport International School of Portland PaintCare City of Tualatin
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    38 min
  • Looming City and County Budget Cuts and a Case for the City’s Arts Tax

    Looming City and County Budget Cuts and a Case for the City’s Arts Tax
    Apr 23 2026
    We’re talking about the city and county’s proposed budgets, what’s getting cut, how many jobs are on the line, and the pushback they’re receiving. Plus, a new exhibit at the Portland Art Museum featuring Portland Public School students might prove the Arts Tax isn’t so bad. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week reporter Brianna Wheeler and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Discussed in today's episode: Portland Budget Listening Sessions [Portland.gov] Public County Budget Hearings [Multco.us] Portland Mayor Keith Wilson proposes cutting jobs and city programs to balance budget deficit [OPB] Multnomah County District Attorney Crusades Against Proposed Budget, Again [Willamette Week] More Than 100 PPS Student Art Pieces Are on Display at the Portland Art Museum This Summer [Willamette Week] It’s our spring membership drive! Get more from City Cast Portland when you become a City Cast Portland Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events, and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/portland. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 23rd episode: Discover Newport International School of Portland PaintCare City of Tualatin
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    27 min
  • Higher City Taxes for Roads, Urban Foraging in Portland, and Oregon's Best Weekend Getaways

    Higher City Taxes for Roads, Urban Foraging in Portland, and Oregon's Best Weekend Getaways
    Apr 22 2026
    Today, we’re talking about City Hall’s plan to raise taxes and fees to address our crumbling roads. We also have tips for urban foraging this spring and ideas for the best late-spring and summer trips to take in our region. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are Bryan M. Vance of Stumptown Savings and Norther Emily of Wild Solitude Guiding. Discussed in today's episode: Portland leaders begin push to raise millions for street repairs. Here’s who will pay [Oregonian] Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Circles in the Sand Discover Oregon’s Desert It’s our spring membership drive! Get more from City Cast Portland when you become a City Cast Portland Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/portland. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 22nd episode: Discover Newport International School of Portland PaintCare City of Tualatin
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    37 min
  • Intel + Elon, Catholic School Handles Racist Slur, and Measles Grows Stronger in Oregon

    Intel + Elon, Catholic School Handles Racist Slur, and Measles Grows Stronger in Oregon
    Apr 21 2026
    Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking about a possible collaboration between Elon Musk and Intel, a Catholic high school’s decision on how to handle a racist remark, and Oregon's first measles hospitalization of the year. Joining host Claudia Meza are Oregonian technology and economy reporter Mike Rogoway and KBOO news director Althea Billings. Discussed in today's episode: Intel says it’s joining Elon Musk’s ‘Terafab’ project [Oregonian] Racist slur prompts baseball team to forfeit games, Portland high school to cancel classes [Oregonian] Measles cases in Oregon are ticking up. Here’s what you need to know [OPB] First measles hospitalization reported in Oregon as cases jump [Oregonian] 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 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 21st episode: Discover Newport International School of Portland PaintCare City of Tualatin
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    29 min
  • Our Mayor’s Surprising Sunday Routine, Kotek Blocks Shorter School Years, and Portland's Best Pizza

    Our Mayor’s Surprising Sunday Routine, Kotek Blocks Shorter School Years, and Portland's Best Pizza
    Apr 20 2026
    Today, we're looking into how the mayor’s Sunday routine often involves literally cleaning up Portland, and why Gov. Kotek is squaring off with some of the most powerful education organizations in the state. Plus, we’ll share picks for the best pizza in town. Joining host Claudia Meza are food and drink reporter Alex Frane and our very own senior producer Giulia Fiaoni. Discussed in today's episode: ⁠Portland mayor’s Sunday routine: Pick up trash, report derelict RVs, repeat⁠ [Oregonian] ⁠Kotek order blocks Oregon school districts from cutting instruction time to patch budget holes⁠ [Oregonian] ⁠A Day at the Punk Rock Mall (aka Lloyd Center)⁠ [City Cast Portland] 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 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. If you enjoyed today's interview with Angel Stech, the Community Engagement Manager of Rose Haven, ⁠learn more here⁠. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 20th episode: ⁠Discover Newport⁠ ⁠International School of Portland⁠ ⁠PaintCare⁠ ⁠City of Tualatin⁠
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    39 min
  • 'Your City Could Be Better': Why Seattle Gives Every Voter $100 — Presented By City Cast Portland

    'Your City Could Be Better': Why Seattle Gives Every Voter $100 — Presented By City Cast Portland
    Apr 19 2026
    Could public financing get more Portlanders involved in local elections? For the last decade, the City of Seattle has issued $100 in vouchers to every voter to donate to the candidate of their choice in municipal elections. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Seattle podcast host Jane C. Hu about how these Democracy Vouchers work, how many people are participating, and what the impact on local elections has been. Plus, is the “Seattle Freeze” a real thing? Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.
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    33 min
  • Affordable Housing Leader Under Fire, Lowering Bar for Forced Treatment, and Best New Thai Food

    Affordable Housing Leader Under Fire, Lowering Bar for Forced Treatment, and Best New Thai Food
    Apr 17 2026
    We're talking about how the CEO of Portland's housing authority, Home Forward, spent more than $100,000 in taxpayer dollars on travel, a push to lower the bar for forced mental health and addiction treatment, and where to find the best Thai food in town. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel and local food reporter Brooke Jackson-Glidden. Discussed in today's episode: While Home Forward Struggled, Its CEO Spent More Than $100,000 on Taxpayer-Funded Travel Over Three Years [Willamette Week] Portland Lawmaker Wants to Turn Up the Dial on Forced Mental Health and Addiction Treatment [Willamette Week] Why Some Oregonians Have To Commit Crimes To Get Mental Health Treatment [City Cast Portland] A Guide to Portland’s Top Thai Restaurants [Portland Monthly] 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 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 17th episode: Discover Newport OMSI Cascadia Getaways Cascadia Community Energy
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    40 min