U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley joins Mike for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of the Senate, institutional trust, and what comes next — plus the debut of a new segment, “In the News,” with first-ever Schmidt Show correspondent Elinor Jones!

In the News with Elinor JonesA look back at three cultural giants lost this week — Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, and Peter Cullen (the voice of Optimus Prime) — including the surprisingly dark origin story of Dollywood, a brief history of celebrity theme parks, and a case for reviving the Rocky Horror midnight-screening tradition as an afternoon one.

Senator Jeff Merkley

* His old nickname, “Smash,” and how he unwinds back home in Oregon

* Favorite hidden-gem spots in Oregon, including the Oregon Treasure Quest

* The Senate then and now: from a 30% approval rating in 2009 to a historic 10% low today

* Ringing the alarm bells to recognize and fight the rise of fascism

* Growing inequality, being locked out of power across all three branches, and the case for “fighting fire with fire”

* The real mechanics of restoring trust: insider stock trading on Capitol Hill, Supreme Court ethics, and the influence of Citizens United

* ICE and the record-setting 50,000+ arrests in July

* Advice for the next generation of leaders following in the footsteps of Edith Green, Mark Hatfield, and Jeff Merkley himself

Lightning RoundFavorite Dolly Parton song, whether there’s a blue wave coming in November, election security, Mitch McConnell’s status, gardening, Reagan-era tax rates, and more — straight from listener-submitted questions.

Links mentioned

* Ring the Alarm Bells: The Ten Rules of Trump’s Authoritarian Playbook

* Oregon Treasure Quest

* Crystal Crane Hot Springs (Burns, OR)

* Carnivorous bog boardwalk (Florence, OR)

* Elinor Jones’ “Trash Report” at the Portland Mercury

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