KGW’s Straight Talk

In this week’s episode of Straight Talk, we examine the impact COVID-19 is having on Oregon’s prisons, and calls to release inmates to reduce the risk of transmission. We also take a look at how the pandemic is affecting food insecurity. KGW anchor Maggie Vespa fills in for Laural Porter.

No child care. No economic recovery. That's the bottom line for Oregon first district Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici when it comes to reopening the economy and recovering from the pandemic.

Bonamici was a guest this week on KGW's current affairs show, "Straight Talk," along with pre-school teacher, Caitlin Curtis.

Bonamici told show host, Laural Porter, access to high quality affordable child care is essential as counties reopen.

"Parents are stressed and struggling. They can't go back to work with confidence and dedicate themselves to work, if they can't find child care," she said.

In this week's Straight Talk with Laural Porter, Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley addresses George Floyd's death, the protests across the country and the coronavirus pandemic. He's proposing a bill that would create a national database to keep track of police officers for misconduct.

On this week’s Straight Talk with Laural Porter, Multnomah County District Attorney-elect Mike Schmidt discusses reform he would like to see in the criminal justice system and reacts to the death of George Floyd. Then, Laural shifts to the passage of a homeless services tax in the Portland metro area. She is joined by Angela Martin, the interim executive director of Here Together, the coalition that crafted the measure, and Katrina Holland, the executive director of JOIN, a nonprofit that supports efforts of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to transition into permanent housing.

Oregon's primary is on May 19. One of the big races is the Democratic primary for Oregon's fifth congressional district. Rep. Kurt Schrader is seeking reelection but faces challenger Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba. The two make their case to voters on this week's Straight Talk with Laural Porter.

The non-profit, Prevent Child Abuse Oregon, a chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, is working to try to help stabilize and support Oregon families, and protect children at risk for abuse and neglect during the coronavirus pandemic.

The PCAO executive director, Pamela Heisler, and board member, Karmen Fore, joined KGW Straight Talk host, Laural Porter, to talk about ways the community can help.

This week, former congressional candidate Jamie McLeod Skinner joins host Laural Porter to talk about her qualifications for Oregon Secretary of State, which is next in succession to the governor. McLeod Skinner is one of three democrats vying for the position. The others, Shemia Fagan and Mark Hass, joined Straight Talk last week.

One of the most competitive races in Oregon’s May 19 primary is the Democratic race for secretary of state. Three candidates are vying for the chance to take on the winner of the Republican primary in this November’s general election. State Sen. Shemia Fagan and state Sen. Mark Hass are this week’s guests on Straight Talk with Laural Porter as they make their pitch to voters. The third Democratic candidate, Jamie McLeod Skinner, will be a guest on the show next week.

This week’s guests with Laural Porter are Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden and Oregon Education head Colt Gill. Wyden talks about what he and Congress are doing to help people and businesses get through this economic downfall, and why he thinks it’s time for the US to “COVID-proof” its election system. Gill praises the efforts school districts have gone to make distance learning productive and defends the pass/incomplete grading system.

The leaders of the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Association of Hospitals are pleading with Oregonians to continue to stay home and social distance. Pat Allen of OHA and Becky Hultberg, CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems discuss the continued challenges facing Oregon and what is necessary for businesses to be reopened.