One of the more interesting stories in Oregon is playing out in Morrow County. It includes a nonprofit internet provider, a handful of local politicians and… Amazon – one of the world’s most powerful companies.

On the latest episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian, we chat with business and technology reporter Mike Rogoway.

We talked about his three part series examining Amazon’s role in Morrow county, the unusual arrangement that put many local politicians and civic leaders on all sides of the decision and boosting carbon emissions – and how Oregon’s decades old program to give local governments the ability to hand out massive property tax breaks has transformed into a windfall for some of our nation’s most prominent companies.

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Thousands of wind turbines soar toward the sky along the Columbia River gorge. Earlier this year, a blade came cascading down. No one was hurt, but the failure was more than just a one-off.

As America increasingly moves to wind, solar and other renewable energies, who maintains that infrastructure and keeps it safe – and who holds the industry accountable is a big unanswered question.

On the latest episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian, we chat with investigative reporter Ted Sickinger.

We talked about when he first caught wind of this story, why Oregonians should care, what has gone wrong out at Biglow Canyon in the gorge and much more.

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There’s something of a beer explosion going on in the Portland area. And I don't mean an over carbonated beer explosion – I'm talking about new and exciting breweries and taprooms opening left and right. 

On the latest episode of Beat Check, we chat with our beer writer and newsletter editor, Andre Meunier.

We talked about this latest beer boom, what it means, some of his recent beer travels to Eugene and Bend and much more

Related:

Bend's best patios

Eugene's hot spots

Grand Fir Brewery to open

Entre Compas

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Seemingly out of the blue, an obscure Oregon government agency was suddenly in the limelight for big issues and big drama.

Never heard of the Office of Public Defense Services? You’re probably not alone. But it’s an agency with an important mission and many of its issues aren’t new.

On the latest episode of Beat Check, investigative reporter Noelle Crombie discusses the dustup between the top official at that agency and the state’s chief justice, why Oregon has so many people waiting for a public defender, and much more.

A programming note – we recorded this interview before Stephen Singer was fired by a new 9-member state commission. He likened the state’s chief justice to an autocrat like Vladimir Putin during his last meeting as leader. But the larger issues are all still relevant.

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Numbers – data – are vital to our understanding of our society. But they don’t make sense in a vacuum. That’s where reporters – and journalism come into play

On the latest episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian, we chat with investigative editor Brad Schmidt.

We talked about the past year of data-driven journalism Schmidt and others spearheaded – including detailed and illuminating stories on the use of roundup in parks, the number of marijuana stores per capita across the state and so many other topics.

We also talked about another initiative designed to quiz readers on their knowledge of the news.

Related reading:

Data Points

News Quiz

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe 

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Another weekend in the books, another heat advisory for the Portland metro area.

Census figures estimate that 78% of Portland metro residents have air conditioning, but that means 22% don’t. And those people are still suffering.

On the latest episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian, we chat with breaking news reporter Austin De Dios, who covers public safety issues and diversity, equity and inclusion issues for the Oregonian and OregonLive.

We talked about his recent reporting trip to a mobile home park, why people are still thinking about last year’s deadly heat dome, which killed nearly 100 people across the state, how things have improved a bit this year in terms of government outreach but why there’s so much work to be done.

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Last week was a momentous one for President Biden – a major bill moved through Congress that directed billions of dollars toward intel and other chip manufacturers.

So why is Intel stock plummeting?

On the latest episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian, we connect with Mike Rogoway, who covers business and technology for the Oregonian and OregonLive.

We talked about the CHIPS Act passing with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, what it may mean for Intel, why the company’s stock is in free fall and much more. On the second half of the show we discussed the latest state audit of the Employment Department.

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World records fell. American records fell. Legends grew bigger or were born in Eugene at the new Hayward Field.

So how exactly did Eugene fare, and what was the reception locally and from TV sets and computer screens around the world?

On the latest episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian, we chatted with sports editor Joel Odom about the World Athletics Championships in Eugene.

We talked about Sydney McLaughlin and Noah Lyles, the big takeaways from the meet, what it looked like inside and outside the stadium and much more.

Coverage on OregonLive

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A single block of NE Portland has, for years, been a microcosm for all the issues Portland and other cities face: homelessness, drug use, sex trafficking and rampant crime from homicides to property crime. It has seen the killings of four people in just eight months. People who live in and around the area are looking for answers, but no one seems to have any.

This week on Beat Check with The Oregonian, you’ll hear from Savannah Eadens, a breaking news reporter with the Oregonian, who spent months reporting on the intricacies of Portland’s deadliest block.

Savannah's stories:

Portland’s deadliest block: ‘People are getting murdered here on a regular basis. Why?’

Mayor Ted Wheeler calls for special patrol of Portland’s deadliest block

Support local journalism and read stories like Savannah's by subscribing to The Oregonian/Oregon live at oregonlive.com/podsupport

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For the first time in two decades, the Oregonian has a new sports columnist.

On the latest episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian, we chat with Bill Oram.

We talked about his extensive experience covering the Los Angeles Lakers, why he wanted to come home to Oregon, what he thinks of some of the major stories in the sports landscape today and much more.

A quick programming note – we talked right before – like minutes before – Damian Lillard signed a max contract extension, but the questions about the franchise’s future are still relevant.

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