The Bridge by OR360

The Bridge by OR360

By Alex Titus, Ben Bowman, & Reagan KnoppNewsEducationGovernmentPolitics
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The Bridge by OR360 episodes

  • The unsolved murder of an Oregon state agency leader | EP 110
    Michael Francke, then the head of the Oregon Department of Corrections, was murdered at work in 1989. The case is both fascinating and disturbing. We know that Francke uncovered corruption within the agency. We know that he was scheduled to testify before a key legislative committee the next morning. We know that Frank Gable, who was prosecuted and convicted of the murder, has been exonerated--and that Francke's family believed Gable was innocent all along. But, three decades later, we still don't know who killed Michael Francke--or why they did it. 
     
    In this episode, we talk to three guests who are experts on the case: Kevin Francke (Michael's brother), Phil Stanford (a journalist who covered the story for decades), and Lauren Bright Pacheco, the host of "Murder in Oregon" about the case. We cover the basics of the case and jump into the controversy, intrigue, characters, and the many unsolved mysteries. Importantly, we discuss why this case still matters today--and why we should all care about justice for Michael and the Francke family. Finally, we talk about what should happen next. 
     
    We highly recommend the "Murder in Oregon" podcast, a twelve-episode series that features interviews with Nigel Jaquiss, former Oregon State Treasurer Jim Hill, former State Rep. Chuck Sides, journalist Jim Redden, and many more. You can listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
    1 hr 7 min
  • What politicos need to know about psilocybin with Nate Howard | EP 109

    Nathan "Nate" Howard is an entrepreneur, activist, and political strategist. Having cut his teeth as Deputy Campaign Manager and then a Senior Advisor to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, Nate has also worked on some of the most influential ballot measures in Oregon history to include Measure 109 and Measure 110. Measure 109 made Oregon the first state in the country to legalize and regulate Psilocybin services for medical purposes -- an experiment that pro and anti legalization policy wonks are watching closely.  Nate walks us through his background in further detail, the ins-and-outs of psilocybin, and where he sees the ballot initiative taking the state including the ups and downs. 

    58 min
  • How do we restore a sense of safety in Portland? Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt | EP 108

    Mike Schmidt is an accomplished attorney and public servant currently serving as the District Attorney of Oregon. With a strong commitment to justice and fairness, Schmidt has made significant contributions to the legal system throughout his career.

    Born and raised in Oregon, he possesses an intimate understanding of the community's needs and has dedicated himself to creating a safer and more equitable society. Having earned his Juris Doctor from Lewis & Clark Law School, where he developed a deep passion for criminal justice reform, Schmidt recognized the systemic flaws within the legal system and sought to address them through innovative approaches and progressive policies. Before assuming the role of District Attorney, Mike was a TFA teacher in New Orleans, and then worked as a prosecutor in the District Attorney's office before staffing the Judiciary Committee, and becoming the Executive Director of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. This experience provided him with invaluable insight into the challenges faced by marginalized individuals and the pressing need for criminal justice reform.

    As the District Attorney of Oregon, Schmidt has spearheaded a groundbreaking approach to criminal justice that emphasizes restorative justice and community engagement. He understands that the traditional punitive methods of prosecution often perpetuate cycles of crime and fail to address the underlying causes. Instead, Schmidt seeks to implement programs that prioritize rehabilitation, reducing recidivism rates, and giving individuals the opportunity to reintegrate into society successfully.

    Schmidt has actively worked towards fostering trust and transparency between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, and has implemented measures to increase police accountability, promote racial equity, and minimize the unjust targeting and prosecution of marginalized communities, and is recognized as a progressive leader within the legal community.

    to learn more about his campaign for 2024 visit: https://mikeschmidtforda.com/

     

    55 min
  • Who will be the next Secretary of State? | EP 107

    The Oregon politics community is abuzz with questions and theories about the vacancy in the Secretary of State’s office. In this episode, we discuss the role and its significance in state government. We discuss the complex political dynamics of the vacancy and the process for how the position is filled (and the requirements for who can fill it). We also cover the potential candidates and the public statements that have been made by the Governor and other political leaders. Finally, we offer some historical context of how previous vacancies have been filled—and what that might say about this vacancy.

    39 min
  • The role of effective communication in Oregon politics with Kristina Edmunson | EP 106

    Kristina Edmunson is a seasoned communications professional with a wealth of experience in the field. She is best known for her role as the former Communications Director for Oregon's Attorney General, Ellen Rosenblum. Throughout her tenure, Kristina demonstrated exceptional skills in strategic communication, media relations, and public affairs, contributing significantly to the successful implementation of the Attorney General's agenda.

    With a keen understanding of the complexities of legal matters and their impact on communities, Kristina played a pivotal role in shaping the public image of the Attorney General's office. Her expertise in crafting clear and compelling messaging helped to effectively communicate the office's initiatives, priorities, and accomplishments to various stakeholders, including the public, media outlets, and government agencies.During her time as Communications Director, Kristina demonstrated an unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability. She skillfully navigated challenging issues and crisis situations, working closely with the Attorney General's team to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information while maintaining public trust.

    Kristina's ability to forge strong relationships with journalists and media professionals proved instrumental in securing positive media coverage for the Attorney General's office. Her strategic media outreach efforts ensured that important legal developments, consumer protection initiatives, and other key announcements received the attention they deserved.

    Prior to her role with the Attorney General's office, Kristina honed her communication skills in various positions within the public and private sectors. Kristina holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies, with a focus on strategic communication and public relations. She continues to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in the field, recognizing the ever-evolving nature of effective communication in today's digital age.

    In this episode we take a deeper dive into the role of communications in Oregon's political climate and the threats currently being posed to the field of journalism and the impact that can have on the democratic process.

    42 min
  • What political leaders need to know about childbirth and maternal health, with Rebecca Grant
    Rebecca Grant is a freelance journalist based in Portland, Oregon, who covers reproductive rights, health, and justice. She recently published a book called "Birth: Three Mothers, Nine Months, and Pregnancy in America" that follows three women in Oregon through the course of their pregnancies. Grant's work has appeared in NPR, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and many other other publications. She has received grants and fellowships from the International Women’s Media Foundation, the International Reporting Project, and The Investigative Fund. 
     
    While abortion often dominates the political discourse on reproductive health in the United States, there are many other critical facets. In this episode, we talk about maternal health outcomes, racial disparities in medical treatment, the tension between OBGYNs and midwives, why hospital births are so dominant (compared to birth centers and home births), and how miscarriages became stigmatized--and why that might be changing. 
     
    Links:
    • Learn more about "Birth" (signed copies available at Powell's!)
  • Rebecca Grant's website
    • 55 min
  • Why the 1990 election changed Oregon forever, with Jeff Mapes | EP 104
    Jeff Mapes is a legendary Oregon political reporter. He spent over 30 years with The Oregonian and retired working for Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). He covered dozens of gubernatorial, congressional, and legislative elections in Oregon and had a front row seat to the changing political dynamics of this state. He also wrote and produced an acclaimed podcast called "Growing Oregon" about land use planning in Oregon. If you enjoy The Oregon Bridge, we highly recommend Growing Oregon. 
     
    In this episode, we talk about Jeff's storied career as a reporter: how he got started, how the state and political parties have changed, and key figures who made an impact along the way. We talk about land use planning, both historically and in the context of today's political debates.
     
    We spend the bulk of the episode talking about one of the most impactful and fascinating elections in Oregon political history. In 1990, Barbara Roberts shattered Oregon's glass ceiling by becoming the first woman ever elected governor, defeating moderate Republican Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer, and independent candidate Al Mobley, who ran as a staunch conservative. We talk about what made the race so unique, and two other election issues in 1990 that still reverberate today: Measure 5 (property tax limits) and the spotted owl.
    1 hr 3 min
  • What’s next in criminal justice justice reform, with Justin Low | EP 103
    Justin Low is an investigative researcher for the Oregon Justice Resource Center (OJRC). OJRC is an organization focused on promoting civil rights and improving legal representation for historically underserved communities; they have been major proponents for criminal justice reform in Oregon.
     
    Justin grew up in Oregon City and was raised in an immigrant Filipino-Chinese household. He attended the University of Portland and graduated with a BA in Political Science and Psychology. After college, Justin went on to work as a paralegal/litigation assistant, a campaign manager for state and local races, and a legislative assistant in the Oregon State Legislature. He recently earned his master's degree in Criminal Justice from USC. 
     
    In this episode, we talk about some important issues in criminal justice reform in Oregon that are likely to be hot topics--and why they matter to advocates.
    43 min
  • How a Pro-Gun Group Stopped Oregon’s Measure 114 | EP 102

    Monte Bowen is the Pacific Regional Director for Gun Owners of America (GOA), an influential gun-rights organization based in Washington, D.C., with a presence across the country.  Monte served in law enforcement for 30 years and has extensive experience with the criminal justice system, firearm training, and police tactics. He joins us to talk about GOA's lawsuit that effectively halted Measure 114 after it was passed by Oregon voters via ballot measure in 2022. We also dive into other topics such as school safety, hand-gun bans, background checks, and open carry laws and rules.


    Want the other side of the debate as well?

    Check out our episode below with Moms Demand Action.

    1 hr 3 min
  • Jules Bailey on the future of Portland--and why the bottle bill still matters | EP 101
    Jules Bailey is a former Oregon State Representative and former Multnomah County Commissioner. He currently serves as the President and CEO of the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC). Bailey ran for Portland Mayor in 2016 and remains a civic leader through his role at OBRC and as board chair for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and a board member for the Portland Business Alliance. 
     
    In this episode, we talk about why he ran for office and his time in the legislature (and some of his colleagues at the time, including Arnie Roblan and Peter Buckley). We cover his stint as a Commissioner (including the challenges/limitations of that role) and why he decided to run for Mayor of Portland in 2016 against Ted Wheeler. We ask Bailey what he thinks about the state of Portland today and get his thoughts on Portland's new form of government. Finally, we cover Bailey's work today with OBRC. We talk about the origin of Oregon's innovative, nation-leading bottle bill, how it's changed over time, and why it still matters today. 
     
    For more information about OBRC, check out their website: https://obrc.com/
    55 min

About The Bridge by OR360

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OR360 Media presents The Bridge, a podcast hosted by Alex Titus, Ben Bowman, & Reagan Knopp.