The St. Charles Hospital System, based in Bend, is the only acute care facility for a huge stretch of rural Oregon. Officials at the hospital have been preparing for an influx of coronavirus patients by canceling elective surgeries and freeing up available staff. We talk to Joe Sluka, president and CEO of St. Charles Health system, and Dr. Jeff Absalon, Chief Physician Executive.

St. Charles Hospital System Prepares

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The award winning poet, writer and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s genius lies in making connections between the astonishments of the natural world and the particular wonders of her own - and all of our - lives. Nezhukumatathil is the author of four collections of poems, including “Oceanic, and her latest book, a bestselling collection of essays, is called “World of Wonders.” Nezhukumatathil is a professor of English at the University of Mississippi, and joins us in front of an audience of students at McDaniel High School.

Poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil on ‘World of Wonders’

Scientists at the University of British Columbia may have identified a new population of orcas, also known as killer whales, feeding in the deep waters between Astoria and Southern California, according to a recently published study. The researchers reviewed photos, videos and descriptions made by fishermen, NOAA scientists and a whale-watching tour operator during multiple encounters with the marine mammals over a span of nearly 25 years. Their distinctive appearance and feeding behaviors - including a penchant for hunting sperm whales – are some of the ways they’re unlike other killer whales that forage off the West Coast of North America. Joining us to share more details about this mysterious pod of orcas is Andrew Trites, director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit and professor at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia, and a co-author of the study.  

Scientists may have found a new population of orcas off Southern Oregon coast

Oregon’s second largest city has an open seat for mayor. Incumbent Eugene mayor Lucy Vinis announced last year she would not be seeking a third term of office, and she promptly endorsed architect and housing expert Kaarin Knudsen, the first to declare her candidacy. Educator Shanaè Joyce-Stringer joined the race later, as well as Stefan Strek, who does not appear to have a campaign website but who was included in a recent mayoral candidate forum hosted by the Eugene City Club. KLCC’s Rebecca Hansen-White moderated that event and has been covering the race. She joins us with more about the candidates and the most pressing issues the city is facing.

Candidates for Eugene’s open mayoral seat address crime, environmental protection, homelessness and housing

At this point, many of us have probably encountered someone in the midst of a drug, alcohol or mental health-related crisis in a public place. And you may have wondered: What can I do for that person? Where could that person go so as not to be disrupting public space? In Multnomah County for the last four years, the answer has been: nowhere. Central City Concern’s Sobering Station closed abruptly in December 2019, and a lengthy effort to reopen a new center fell apart two years later. Now, Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards has led an effort to propose a new center which is backed by state funding. Brim-Edwards joins us to explain the final proposal.

Multnomah County proposes new sobering center

If your weekends aren’t complete without watching a tight spiral arc, you can catch the Oregon Ravens as they are starting their season in the Women’s National Football Conference. We talk to two players about the joys of playing one of America’s favorite sports on a team dedicated to women and nonbinary players: Chris Landers is defensive tackle and offensive guard and has been playing with the Ravens since 2019. Kola Shippentower is in her first season as a linebacker and running back. We talk to them ahead of their first home game against the Las Vegas Silver Stars on April 27.

St. Charles Hospital System Prepares

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