Because It Matters

I take very seriously my duty to provide you with news, information and stories about things that matter.  Every Friday morning, I’m responsible for 90 minutes of what we broadcast from this radio station.

And getting to use this medium is both a privilege and an important duty.  It’s a privilege because not everyone gets to do it.  And it’s a duty because you the listener control ultimately whether we succeed at what we’re supposed to be doing.

We work hard to broadcast stories that are interesting and entertaining but we also want to broadcast stories that are important.  And by important, we mean stories that affect how people are being treated or whether things are being done right or wrong.

The special presentation you're about to hear is a collaboration between the Public Radio Exchange (PRX) and the Center for Investigative Journalism. It's their first foray into investigative journalism, looking at the drug-prescribing practices of the Veterans Administration's hospitals and the fund-raising practices of many charities.

And how good is what you're about to hear?  It won a Peabody Award, broadcasting's Academy Award for excellence.  This is what we believe radio is supposed to be all about.  Enjoy.

Our least auspicious holiday has to be Tax Day - April 15.

Many of you may object to Tax Day being called a holiday, but it's certainly become a day that most of us "observe" and "commemorate," even though it often involves writing a check to the IRS.

But how did it get decided that Tax Day would be April 15?  After all, it's not hard to understand why Independence Day is celebrated on the 4th of July and no one gets confused about New Year's Day.

Did something historic or memorable happen on April 15?  And what event would want to be honored by being known as Tax Day?

You've found the right place for the answer to those questions.  And better yet, the right place for a little more information about the interesting history of our tax system and its holiday, Tax Day.

Thanks for stopping and giving me a read and a listen.  Let me know what you think.  Better still, nominate a question for a future episode of "Now You Know."

Ron interviews Oregon's 32nd Governor, Victor Atiyeh, as he reminisces about his 28 years of public service, including two terms as Governor during an economic downturn that rivaled the Great Depression. He discusses his across the isle leadership and dedication to bettering the quality of life for all Oregonians.

Ron interviews Dick Etulain, Pulitzer Prize nominated historian who has written and edited over 50 books, specializing in the American West and the life of President Lincoln. He discusses Lincoln's connections to and involvement in Oregon politics as the Civil War neared.

Ron interviews Dennis Jenkins, a U of O archeologist, who won international acclaim when he discovered the oldest evidence of human settlement in North America. He discusses the moment of discovery in the Paisley Caves near Fort Rock in South Central Oregon when he turned conventional wisdom upside down.

Ron interviews Greg Nokes, NW Historian, discussing Slavery and racial diversity as Oregon entered the Union. He describes a slave father's struggles to win freedom, despite overwhelming odd, for his children.

Ron chats with author Linda Tamura, author of "Hood River Nisei" about the treatment of Japanese Americans during WWII.

Ron's guest is Diane Gardner, and they discuss her book: Inside Oregon State Hospital: A History of Tragedy and Triumph.

Ron interviews Bill Borucki about the "NASA Kepler Mission". Bill was a space scientist working at the NASA Ames Research Center, joining NASA in 1962.

Mina Carson joins Ron to discuss her biography of Ava Helen Pauling, American human rights activist and wife of Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling.