Today on the podcast, we're talking about why shockingly few Portlanders think city government is effective, and why some tenants of Home Forward, the City of Portland’s housing authority, could face rent hikes of more than ten percent. Plus, the owner of a roadside zoo in Bandon, Ore., is being sentenced to seven years in prison for animal neglect and other charges. Joining host Claudia Meza are Stumptown Savings founder Bryan M. Vance and Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel.

Discussed in today's episode:

Former Oregon zoo owner to be sentenced for severe animal neglect, drug offenses [Oregonian]

Survey: Portlanders don’t feel represented by newly representative form of government [OPB]

Facing Budget Shortfall, Home Forward Plans to Increase Portion of Income Most Clients Pay on Rent [Willamette Week]

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 [email protected], 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 September 9th episode:

Portland Bureau of Transportation

We're talking about some newly opened restaurants to try out and a locally made game that is taking inspiration from our Portland foods scene. Plus, water rates are rising again, and this time it’s Gresham’s fault. Joining host Claudia Meza are food and culture reporters Brooke Jackson-Glidden and Alex Frane. 

Discussed in today's episode:

⁠Drawn Hungry⁠

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 ⁠[email protected]⁠, 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 September 8th episode:

⁠Portland Bureau of Transportation⁠

⁠Grand Central Bakery⁠

Do you know what kind of surveillance technology is being used in Portland? In Nashville, the city government has blocked numerous measures to install and use it. From license plate readers to drone cameras, the technology is routinely rejected by the Metro Council and mayor, and locals are somewhat split on if that’s for the better. City Cast Nashville host Rachel Iacovone joins “Your City Could Be Better” to walk through all the measures that the Nashville government has reviewed and rejected, why people have reason to fear the tech, and what the city may lose by saying no to surveillance.

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.

City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza is talking with Portland Chief of Police Bob Day about everything from repairing community trust to stats pointing to a sharp decrease in homicides. We’re also tackling the perception of a “blue flu” regarding increasing response times on high-priority calls. Chief Day started with the Portland police bureau in 1990 after serving with the Oregon state police and has over 29 years of law enforcement experience. He retired as deputy chief of the Portland police bureau in 2019, but much like Michael Corleone, just when he thought he was out, they pulled him back in — he’s been our chief of police since 2023. 

Discussed in today's episode:

‘We are failing in many areas’: Portland police report finds response times average 20 minutes [Oregonian] 

Portland sees sharp declines in shootings, homicides in recent years  [KGTV]

Complaints against Portland police rise in 2025, including 42% jump from within bureau [KATU]

Portland ranks No. 7 among U.S. cities for its investments to prevent and reduce gun violence [Portland.gov] 

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 [email protected], 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 September 4th episode:

Rose City Comic Con

Montavilla Jazz

Salishan Coastal Lodge use promo code CITYCAST

Portland Bureau of Transportation

Today we're talking about the opposition that's gathering against Portland's fall participatory budgeting ballot initiative and the latest on potential cuts and school closures at Portland Public Schools — and why, despite it, the superintendent is getting a raise. Plus, we're cracking open our listener mailbag. Joining executive producer John Notarianni are Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler, and Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel.

Discussed in today's episode:

Participatory Budgeting Measure Faces Organized Opposition, Including From the Mayor [Willamette Week]

Portland School Board Will Weigh Contract Extension for Its Superintendent That Includes a Raise [Willamette Week]

Portland Public Schools weighs raise for its superintendent as it faces budget cuts, school closures [Oregonian]

In the Shadows: Records Show Labor Leader’s Campaign to Influence City Councilors [Portland Mercury]

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 [email protected], 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 September 3rd episode:

Rose City Comic Con

Montavilla Jazz

Salishan Coastal Lodge use promo code CITYCAST

We all know Portland is a vegan food haven with all sorts of vegan-only spots, but what about when friends of all dietary preferences want to go out and share a meal? Today on City Cast Portland, vegan food enthusiast Sara Bahmanyar is sharing her picks with host Claudia Meza of the best spots in town for an easy communal eating experience to satisfy both vegans and meat eaters alike.

Discussed in today's episode:

⁠Wajan⁠

⁠Rangoon Bistro⁠

⁠Thai Hot Pot Heaven⁠

⁠Obon Shokudo⁠ 

⁠Kate’s Ice Cream⁠ 

⁠Ice Queen⁠ 

⁠Orange & Blossom⁠ 

⁠222 Pastry⁠

⁠Akadi⁠

⁠Coffee Beer⁠

This episode previously aired June 26, 2025.

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 ⁠[email protected]⁠, 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 September 2nd episode:

⁠Rose City Comic Con⁠

⁠Montavilla Jazz⁠

⁠Salishan Coastal Lodge ⁠use promo code CITYCAST

Whether you’re picking apples by the gallon, listening to jazz on an extinct volcano, or sipping on a perfect Negroni, September is your gateway to fall while still squeezing out the last bits of summer. And to help you have the most memorable September ever, the team at City Cast Portland has rounded up their top picks in food, entertainment, and everything in between.

Discussed in today's episode:

⁠Montavilla Jazz Festival⁠

⁠Biggest Clothing Swap⁠

⁠Sunday Parkways⁠

⁠Beilke Family Farms⁠

⁠Skål! ⁠

⁠Negroni Week⁠

⁠AppleRankings.com⁠

⁠Get There Oregon⁠

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 ⁠[email protected]⁠, 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 September 1st episode:

⁠Rose City Comic Con⁠

⁠Montavilla Jazz⁠

⁠Salishan Coastal Lodge ⁠use promo code CITYCAST

A couple of years back, we had a conversation with the always delightful Jane Kim and her son Ed Kim — the duo behind the social handle The Korean Mama. The Kims have nearly two million followers across platforms, watching as they enthusiastically dine at Portland-area restaurants. We talked with The Korean Mama and The Korean Son about what it’s like being a mother-son food-influencer duo and asked for their top picks for where to eat in and around Portland. 

This episode originally aired August 29, 2024.

Editor’s note: Since this episode aired, Umma’s Korean Restaurant and K-Food Grill have permanently closed.

Discussed in today's episode:

KKoki Korean BBQ

Gabbiano’s

Prime Tap House

Mosaic Taphouse

Phở Nguyên

The Chinese Cowboy (f.k.a Warsugai)

Annam VL

Ganesh Indian Cuisine

Namaste Indian Cuisine

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 [email protected], 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 August 31st episode:

Rose City Comic Con

Montavilla Jazz

Salishan Coastal Lodge use promo code CITYCAST

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 the past few years, Pittsburgh International Airport has been generating on-site electricity, more than it needs even at peak operation, to fortify itself against the kind of power outages that hit airports (unsettlingly often) across the world. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris brings David into the little-known world of airport energy independence, showing how a one-time investment can bring the kind of peace of mind that both travelers and operators hope for every day.

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. 

We’re talking about why the state is leading an ethics investigation into the travel spending of Home Forward's previous leader. Plus, the team behind the Safer Portland initiative to hire more police officers using PCEF money have hired a lawyer that’s represented the Trump administration in court. And we're also covering what is known so far about local public school closures and consolidations heading into the new school year. 

Discussed in today's episode:

Home Forward’s Ex-CEO Did Not Get Authorization for Her Travel Spending—Including a Trip to a Portland Waterfront Hotel [Willamette Week]

Portlanders Suing Local Elections Officials Hire Former U.S. Justice Department Attorney [Willamette Week]

Which Portland Public Schools buildings could be candidates for closure? Early clues are emerging [Oregonian]

Lake Oswego Modern Home [airbnb]

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 [email protected], 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 August 28th episode:

Rose City Comic Con

Northwest Children's Theater - Use code SUMMERSALE for 20% off tickets

Stacked Piercing - take 20% off your first booking with code CITYCAST20

Montavilla Jazz

Grand Central Bakery