We're talking about an incoming ballot measure aimed at giving the public more say in city budget matters, City Hall's newest efforts to increase affordable housing ownership. And the surprising championship a Portlander just won. Joining host Claudia Meza are OPB city politics reporter Alex Zielinski and Bryan M. Vance, the founder of Stumptown Savings, your friendly food economy newsletter.

Discussed in today's episode:

Portlander spins to national Yo-Yo championship [Oregonian]

Portland ballot measure for more public say in city budget clears hurdle [OPB]

Portland councilors to consider lifting income limits for some affordable homes [OPB]

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 July 10th episode:

D'Amore Law

Grand Central Bakery

We're talking about massive rate hikes coming for data centers across our state, where our Oregon students are lagging and where they are thriving. Plus, we're opening our mailbag to hear from you, our listeners! Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler and our very own executive producer John Notarianni.

Discussed in today's episode:

⁠⁠Another Portland bar just closed. Are we in the midst of a new ‘barmaggedon’?⁠⁠ [Oregonian]

⁠⁠Oregon approves PGE’s 29.7% rate hike for data centers under landmark law⁠⁠ [Oregonian]

⁠⁠Oregon governor says state is a ‘cheap date’ for data centers⁠⁠ [OPB]

⁠⁠National report: Oregon great for giving kids health insurance, bad for teaching them how to read⁠⁠ [OPB]

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 July 9th episode:

⁠D'Amore Law⁠

We're talking some of the best hidden perks you can get with your library card, the proposed ballot measure that would redirect money from the city's climate fund to the police bureau, and what to expect now that the decade-long $2 billion renovation is finally finished at PDX. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are KBOO news director Althea Billings and City Cast Portland senior producer Giulia Fiaoni.

Discussed in today's episode:

⁠Planning a trip to an Oregon state park? Your library card might score you free parking⁠ [Oregonian]

⁠Controversial Portland proposal to redirect climate cash to cops moves closer to November ballot⁠ [Oregonian]

⁠Portland police response times are climbing to troubling levels⁠ [Oregonian]

⁠Increased police budget and staffing does not prove to decrease crime⁠ [Street Roots]

⁠Portland airport has finished its 11-year, $2.15B renovation. Here’s what it looks like now⁠ [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 ⁠⁠⁠[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 July 8th episode:

⁠D'Amore Law⁠

Today on City Cast Portland, we're embracing the dreamy summer weather we're having by revisiting a conversation host Claudia Meza had with Eden Dawn, author of The Portland Book of Dates, about planning the perfect summer date. Whether in town, on a day trip, or an overnighter somewhere magical — with a friend, lover, or anything in between — she's got plenty of date ideas, from picnicking to horseback riding on the beach.

This episode originally aired on July 21, 2025. Hug Point has been temporarily closed since the taping of this episode. You can check for updates here.

Mentioned in today's episode:

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Villa Catalana Cellars

Sauvie Island

Topaz Farms

Lost Lake

Hood River Fruit Loop

Tunnel Beach

Oswald West State Park

Short Sand Beach

Oysterville

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 July 7th episode:

D'Amore Law

Grand Central Bakery

Today we're talking about the legacy of one of the winemakers who helped put Willamette Valley on the map. We also have recommendations for the best summer reads and cool treats that are not technically ice cream (but are delicious). Joining host Claudia Meza are local food and drink reporter Alex Frane and senior artistic director at Literary Arts, ⁠⁠Amanda Bullock⁠⁠.

Discussed in today's episode:

⁠⁠Joe Campbell, co-founder of Elk Cove Vineyards, dies at 87⁠⁠ [Oregonian]

⁠⁠Phelp’s Creek Vineyards⁠⁠

Summer reads:

⁠⁠Scavengers by Kathleen Boland⁠⁠

⁠⁠Homebound by Portia Elan⁠⁠

⁠⁠Famous Men by Julie Buntin⁠⁠

Icy treats:

⁠⁠Kulfi⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠Cornet Custard⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠Ice Queen⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠Kate's Ice Cream⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠Pinolo Gelato⁠⁠

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 July 6th episode:

⁠⁠D'Amore Law⁠⁠

See if your Portland knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds of questions covering everything from The Declaration of Independence to the hottest college rivalries, and all 13 City Cast cities make an appearance. See how you stack up!

Mentioned on the show:

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. 

Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about how over a thousand Portland-area shelter beds are closing before the end of the year and what that means to our Mayor’s efforts to end unsheltered homelessness, why a leading psilocybin therapy center is no longer treating patients. Plus, we’re weighing in on Portland’s pettiest gripes. Joining host Claudia Meza are Oregonian homelessness reporter Lillian Mongeau Hughes and Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler.

Discussed in today's episode:

⁠Report Fireworks in Portland⁠

⁠More than 1,100 homeless shelter beds to close in Portland area by year’s end⁠ [Oregonian]

⁠In Change of Tack, Major Portland Psilocybin Service Center Closes⁠ [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 July 2nd episode:

⁠pFriem Beer⁠

Whether you’re watching fantastical kinetic sculptures race each other, catching some live music, or slurping down a slushie, July is when our Portland summer hits its peak. And to help you have the most memorable July 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:

⁠Stumptown Savings Farmers Market Directory ⁠

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.

We're talking with District 3 Portland City Councilor Angelita Morillo about the interpersonal dynamics of City Council, the Moda Center renovations, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and much more. Councilor Morillo is the youngest councilor currently serving in Portland and is also part of the six-member City Council progressive caucus known as Peacock.

Discussed in today's episode:

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Dueling Plans to Restore Public Safety Services and Jobs Emerge in City Council [Willamette Week]

Reporting Live: City Council’s Contentious Budget Meeting [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 June 30th episode:

pFriem Beer

A Clackamas County official is accused of stealing over $200,000 of tax payer money. Plus, we have picks for the best summer food events and a highly scientific comparison of the Portland and Chicago dining scenes. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are local food reporters Brooke Jackson-Glidden and Alex Frane. 

Discussed in today's episode:

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.