It's been less than two years since Chief Bob Day took the reins at the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), but he says the city has made meaningful progress in that time on some of its most pressing issues, with substantial declines in homicides, gun violence and car thefts, even as public safety remains a top-of-mind issue.

Serving as chief was an unexpected new chapter for Day; he had retired in 2019 after nearly three decades with PPB, having worked his way up to the role of deputy chief. But he agreed to come back in late 2023 when former Mayor Ted Wheeler asked him to serve an interim replacement for former Chief Chuck Lovell.

He was initially only supposed to hold the role until June of this year, to give Wheeler's successor the chance to select the next permanent chief, but last year, Wheeler changed his mind and made Day's appointment permanent. New Mayor Keith Wilson still had the option to make a change but chose to keep Day in the top job.

Day returned as a guest on this week's episode of "Straight Talk," where he discussed Portland's ongoing crime and public safety challenges, drug recriminalization, camping enforcement, a new wave of anti-Trump protests, the impact of Wilson's tighter proposed budget and PPB's priorities for the next year.

The Trump administration's cuts to USAID have dramatically impacted international aid groups, including Portland's Mercy Corps, affecting global health diplomacy.

Oregon Rep. Cliff Bentz defends the Trump administrations federal cuts, immigration and tariff policies.

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong addresses the district's alarming financial state and federal policy scrutiny.

The growth of artificial intelligence has become one of the most talked-about trends in recent years as the technology has become more commonplace. It started with the launch of Open AI's Chat GPT in 2022 and the industry quickly exploded, with many of the world's biggest technology companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft and Apple releasing AI models.

This week's episode of Straight Talk features two guests to help break down the complicated and fascinating world of AI. Dr. Ramon Alvarado is an assistance professor of philosophy at the University of Oregon and an expert in the areas where the philosophies of science, technology and ethics intersect, particularly when it comes to AI.

And Dr. Jon Down is a business school professor at the University of Portland who is spearheading the college's Ethical AI Steering Council, which provides guidance on incorporating AI into many different majors and disciplines at UP.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson marks 100 days in office with an ambitious promise to end unsheltered homelessness within a year. But will the city's $93 million budget deficit get in the way.

Ex-National Parks Service director talks impacts on US parks due to workforce cuts, campgrounds and visitor centers closures, and staffing challenges.

Vancouver considers annexation to become Washington's second-largest city to better accommodate growth.

Gov. Kotek warns of "devastating" impacts to Oregon Health Plan if Trump's proposed $2 trillion cuts happen. Over 1.4 million Oregonians rely on Medicaid coverage.

Fifty years ago professional soccer came to Portland — now the dedicated Timbers Army and Rose City Riveters — help fuel a $187 million soccer economy in the city.