OPB Politics Now

Host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB Senior Political Reporter Jeff Mapes, News Director Anna Griffin, and Austin Jenkins, Olympia Correspondent for the Northwest News Network dig into presidential politics, new polling on Oregon races, and some fascinating ballot measures in Washington. This special episode of OPB Politics now was recorded in front of a live audience of OPB donors.

This week is all about Portland city politics. Host Geoff Norcross along with Senior Political Reporter Jeff Mapes and reporter Amelia Templeton dig into the Portland Police union contract that sparked protests earlier this week when the City Council voted to approve it. You'll also hear about one of the more interesting local races on the 2016 ballot between City Commissioner Steve Novick and challenger Chloe Eudaly. And we'll end with some news of the weird with our "That's So Oregon" segment.

OPB's Dave Miller and Jeff Mapes discuss Thursday night's debate in Eugene between three candidates for Oregon governor: incumbent Democrat Kate Brown, Republican Bud Pierce, and Independent Party candidate Cliff Thomason. Domestic violence, health care, and the very unpopular idea of a sales tax all came up.

On this special Monday edition of the podcast, host Geoff Norcross is joined by OPB News Director Anna Griffin and Senior Political Reporter Jeff Mapes to talk about some controversial comments on domestic violence that came up in Friday's gubernatorial debate at the City Club of Portland.

Host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB Senior Political Reporter Jeff Mapes and Salem Reporter Chris Lehman. We analyze the ads trying to convince voters to reject or approve the corporate tax measure on Oregon's November ballot. We hear why Donald Trump's lone paid staffer in Oregon is leaving for Michigan and what that says about where the presidential race stands here.

Senior political reporter Jeff Mapes and Statesman Journal state government reporter Gordon Friedman join guest host Julie Sabatier to talk about Oregon Republican candidate for governor Bud Pierce — what he’s like as a person, as a first-time politician, and why he says he’s no longer supporting Donald Trump. (We’ll take a similar in-depth look at his opponent, Governor Kate Brown, in a future episode.) This week, we also talk about Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley’s role in grilling Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf on Capitol Hill. And, as always, we have a little fun at our state’s expense with our “That’s So Oregon” segment at the end of the show.

Host Geoff Norcross talks with OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes, OPB Capital reporter Chris Lehman, and Laura Gunderson, editorial pages editor at The Oregonian. We discuss the $100 million settlement between Oracle and the state over Cover Oregon and a shakeup in staffing for Governor Kate Brown's reelection campaign. We hear about the possible impact of the Motor Voter law on the election. And we have a little fun at our state's expense, with our "That's So Oregon" segment.

Host Geoff Norcross talks to OPB Senior Political Reporter Jeff Mapes, Education Reporter Rob Manning and EO Media Group/Capital Media Group Reporter Paris Achen. We'll look at new polling on the races for president and governor in Oregon. We'll hear why Portland voters won't decide on a school funding bond this year, despite protests from students and principals. And we dig into some quintessential Oregon stories of the week with our "That's So Oregon" segment.

This week, OPB Senior Political Reporter Jeff Mapes and News Director Anna Griffin join host Geoff Norcross to discuss Donald Trump's recent visit to Washington state and dig into the policies designed to address the increasingly difficult homelessness problem in Portland. We also look at who is donating to presidential and gubernatorial campaigns in Oregon and talk about why a state senator refused to meet with a constituent who was part of the armed occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge earlier this year. And, of course, we make fun of the state we love with our "That’s So Oregon" segment.

Host Geoff Norcross is joined by OPB senior political reporter Jeff Mapes, state political reporter Chris Lehman, and news director Anna Griffin. This week, we discuss some new information about which Oregon Republicans are – and aren’t – supporting Donald Trump. We’ll explore the cross-state tension inspired by U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer’s support for designating the Owyhee National Monument. And our "That’s So Oregon" segment includes a rooster, rap music on school buses, and how Oregonians are like Usain Bolt when it comes to voter registration.