The Oregon Tale

How did Portland become Rip City—and what did it take to bring the Trail Blazers to Oregon? FOX 12 Oregon’s Joe Vithayathil sits down with Oregon Historical Society Executive Director Kerry Tymchuck to trace the team’s unlikely beginnings, from promoter Harry Glickman’s push for an NBA franchise to the story behind its name, iconic pinwheel logo and Bill Schonely’s legendary “Rip City” call. Then, relive the 1976–77 championship run, including the comeback against the 76ers and the moment that helped make Portland a major-league city. It’s a story of big personalities, defining moments and a team woven into Oregon’s identity.

It was the most ferocious weather event in modern Pacific Northwest history — the 1962 Columbus Day Storm.

At the turn of the 20th century an Oregon boomtown went wild with saloons, rival factions, and gun-toting city officials who answered to no one. To take it back, the governor sent the most unexpected law enforcer in state history. Catch the latest episode of The Oregon Tale as Joe Vithayathil and Kerry Tymchuk break down the unbelievable true story of the Copperfield standoff and the remarkable woman who brought the town to its knees.

Yeehaw! In this episode of "The Oregon Tale," FOX12 Oregon host Joe Vithayathil sits down with Good Day Oregon anchor Kim Maus to explore the rich and captivating history of rodeo in Oregon. From the legendary Pendleton Round-Up to the historic St. Paul Rodeo, they dive deep into the cultural impact and wild origins of these celebrated events. Kim shares her lifelong passion for the sport alongside fascinating stories of early rodeo pioneers. Discover the incredible life of Jackson Sundown, courageous rough stock riders like Bonnie McCarroll and George Fletcher, and the infamous Sharkey the Bull. This episode offers a thrilling look at a true slice of Pacific Northwest Americana. Let ‘er buck!

Before the Portland Thorns, the Portland Fire, or the rise of Title IX, one tough Oregon congresswoman was working behind the scenes to change American history. On this episode of The Oregon Tale, Joe Vithayathil and Kerry Tymchuck discuss the incredible legacy of Edith Green, the trailblazing representative who championed the Equal Pay Act and paved the way for generations of women in sports and higher education. 

In this episode of The Oregon Tale, host Joe V bellies up to the bar with Kerry Tymchuck, the Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society. Together, they take us on a wild, centuries-long journey tracing Oregon’s liquid gold—from the diaries of Lewis and Clark to the birth of the modern India Pale Ale (IPA).

In this episode of The Oregon Tale, host Joe V sits down with FOX12’s Pete Ferryman to explore a rare 1959 TV interview (archived by the Oregon Historical Society) featuring then–U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy during his Oregon campaign trail. Joe and Pete discuss how JFK’s Catholic faith affected his voter turnout, and how JFK’s eloquence and constitutional framing helped him confront the issue head-on.

Watch the full episode now on the FOX 12 Streaming app for Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV.

In this episode of The Oregon Tale, host Joe Vithayathil and Oregon Historical Society director Kerry Tymchuk explain how Oregon went from a massive U.S. territory to official statehood in 1859. From the 'Land Donation Act’s push to attract white settlers, to the political pressure of the slavery debate, Joe and Kerry confront Oregon’s “good, bad, and ugly” history - like how politicians of the early territory agreed to ban slavery — while simultaneously passing exclusion laws to keep black people out of Oregon for decades.  In this episode you'll hear a few surprising historical letters from Oregon’s first senators, and a look ahead to Oregon’s first presidential election in 1860 amid a nation on the brink of Civil War.

Welcome to The Oregon Tale! In our first episode, Joe Vithayathil is joined by Kerry Tymchuck, Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society. Joe and Kerry explain how Oregon went from an area untouched by Europeans and Americans to eventually becoming part of the United States. Among the many topics discussed: the relationship between the area’s indigenous people and white settlers, the struggle for control between Great Britain and the USA, and the establishment of The Oregon Territory. The Oregon Tale is an informative and entertaining exploration of Pacific Northwest history. Every episode is a conversation that focuses on a different facet of our history: from the first people who lived here to the trailblazers and quirky characters of today. No topic is too big (or too obscure) for us to explore- come learn and laugh with us on The Oregon Tale!