The PNW Podcast

The Oregon Ducks suffered a devastating and unexpected loss to Oklahoma State, falling 39-31 in Stillwater in one of the biggest upsets of the young college football season. On this episode of the PNW Podcast, we break down what went wrong for Oregon, from the struggles on both sides of the line to the Ducks’ inability to slow down the Cowboys when it mattered most.

But is Oregon’s season really in trouble? We look at the road ahead, the upcoming schedule, what the Ducks need to fix, and whether they can still put themselves in position to compete for a Big Ten title and potentially save their College Football Playoff hopes.

We also turn our attention to Corvallis and the Oregon State Beavers, who may have found a new star. True freshman wide receiver Jesse Legree exploded against Texas Tech with 8 catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns, putting himself on the national radar and generating plenty of excitement around the Beavers.

It’s a full Northwest college football conversation covering the Ducks, the Beavers, what went wrong, what comes next, and the players who could shape the rest of the season.

The NFL season is finally here! Drew and Marcus kick off the latest episode of the PNW Podcast by talking about the beginning of the football season, the teams and storylines they’re watching, and, of course, fantasy football. We also dive into the sometimes brutal—and occasionally hilarious—punishments that fantasy football losers have to endure.

Then we head around the Pacific Northwest for some truly bizarre and important stories. In Lake Washington, nearly 2,000 fish died after getting too close to a power line running along the bottom of the lake. In Central Oregon, there’s a plea for residents to turn off unnecessary lights at night to help migrating birds safely make their journey.

And finally, the battle to get kids to act responsibly on e-bikes continues, as communities across the PNW deal with concerns about safety, reckless riding, and how to keep young riders—and everyone around them—safe.

Football, fantasy punishments, dead fish, migrating birds, and e-bike chaos—it’s another wide-ranging episode of the PNW Podcast you won’t want to miss!

The Ducks survived! Drew and Marcus break down Oregon’s hard-fought win over Boise State at Autzen Stadium and what we learned about the Ducks along the way. Then things get a little wild as we talk about Portland’s growing skunk problem—yes, actual skunks—and what’s being done about the invasion.

Plus, we dive into the controversy surrounding fans at Providence Park and the Sports Bra after women wearing “Support Women’s Sports” shirts were reportedly asked to leave. What happened, why were the shirts considered offensive, and what does it say about the ongoing debate surrounding women’s sports?

Sports, skunks, and a whole lot of Portland drama—it’s another episode of the PNW Podcast you won’t want to miss!

College football is back, and Drew breaks down the opening weekend for both of Oregon’s biggest programs. The Ducks survived a tough Boise State team 34–27 behind a huge performance from Dante Moore, while also showing there’s plenty to clean up as the season moves forward.

The Beavers didn’t get the win, falling 33–20 to No. 23 Houston, but there were plenty of positives to take away from their first game of the season. New quarterback Braden Atkinson threw for 376 yards, while freshman Jesse Legree exploded onto the scene with 136 receiving yards and a touchdown. There may be some things to build on in Corvallis.

Then we turn our attention to Portland, where the I-5 southbound closure through the Rose Quarter begins Friday, September 11, and is expected to last about five weeks. Officials are warning that travel times could be two to three times longer than normal. So how are Portlanders supposed to survive this traffic nightmare?

Plus, the kids are finally going back to school! We celebrate that magical time of year when parents get their freedom back, the house gets a little quieter, and suddenly you remember what it’s like to have a few hours to yourself.

And finally, we tackle one of the most controversial subjects in the Pacific Northwest: the unwritten rules of Costco. How fast are you supposed to move? Can you stop in the middle of an aisle? How many free samples is too many? And why does everyone completely lose their ability to navigate a shopping cart the moment they walk through those doors?

It's sports, Portland traffic, parenting and Costco etiquette — basically, everything you need to know about life in the Pacific Northwest!

On this episode of the PNW Podcast, Drew and Marcus cover a little bit of everything happening around the Pacific Northwest! From Tiger Woods reportedly losing his license for five years following his latest DUI arrest, to the upcoming I-5 closure that could impact Portland traffic for the next five weeks, there’s plenty to talk about.

Plus, Marcus shares the story behind an exciting Oregon Ducks commercial he recently filmed that will be featured on the Jumbotron during Ducks games!

Catch the latest episode of the PNW Podcast and join us for the conversation about sports, news, and everything happening around the Pacific Northwest.

Oregon Ducks football is more than just a game in the Pacific Northwest—it’s a legacy filled with unforgettable moments, legendary players, iconic coaches, and some of the most passionate fans in college football.

On this episode of the PNW Podcast, I sit down with The Oregonian/OregonLive Oregon Ducks insider Aaron Fentress for a deep dive into the upcoming Oregon football season and what Ducks fans can expect when the team takes the field.

But we don’t stop there.

Aaron and I also take a trip through the history of Oregon football, looking back at some of the greatest moments, players, and coaches to ever represent the program. From the stars who helped put Oregon football on the national map to the coaches who transformed the Ducks into one of college football’s premier programs, this conversation is a must-listen for longtime fans and anyone who loves the history of the game.

We talk expectations, memories, legends, and what could be next for the Oregon Ducks.

Listen to the full episode of the PNW Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

How many burgers would you have to eat to find the ultimate burger in the Pacific Northwest? Burger Boy Jon is well on his way.

On this episode of the PNW Podcast, we sit down with Jon, who has reviewed more than 200 burgers in Oregon, Washington, and around the world in his quest to find the best burger out there.

Jon takes us behind the scenes of burger reviewing, breaking down the good, the bad, and the ugly of burgers from bars, restaurants, and burger joints across the Pacific Northwest. We talk about the spots that are absolutely worth a visit, the burgers that completely missed the mark, and some of the unexpected things that can go wrong when you're eating your way through the region.

If you're a burger fan—or just want to know where you should grab your next burger—this episode is for you.

🍔 Who has the best burger in the PNW? John is on a mission to find out.

This week on the PNW Podcast, we dive into some big issues impacting Oregon and Washington.

We break down the PEACE Act and the controversy surrounding a proposal that could have dramatically changed hunting, fishing, and farming in Oregon. What was actually at stake, and what could it have meant for people across the state?

We also talk about the wave of lightning strikes that sparked new wildfires across Oregon and Washington, putting even more pressure on already vulnerable forests and communities.

And with wildfire season getting worse, we debate what can actually be done to protect our forests in the future — including whether responsibly thinning overcrowded forests and removing excess trees should play a bigger role in wildfire prevention.

It's another wide-ranging conversation about the issues, outdoors, and events shaping the Pacific Northwest.

The PNW Podcast covers a big mix of stories this week. We celebrate the incredible life and career of Dolly Parton following her passing at 80, look back at the music, movies, and memories that made her an icon, and discuss her lasting impact.

On the sports side, the Portland Trail Blazers take a major hit with the news that Shaedon Sharpe will miss approximately six months with a torn meniscus. Plus, the Oregon State Beavers make an interesting quarterback decision, naming a starter from a small school and giving him a chance to make a big impact.

It's music, sports, and Pacific Northwest conversation all in one episode of the PNW Podcast.

Would you hang upside down for $250,000? On this episode of the PNW Podcast, we break down the story of two of the people who were stuck upside down on an Oaks Park ride and reportedly walked away with $275,000 each—and debate whether we’d do the same for that kind of payday. We also hear from Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson on the future of the Blazers, the Moda Center, and the importance of supporting Portland, its fans, and its teams. Plus, we fire off five speedy headlines from around the Pacific Northwest to get you caught up on what’s happening in your neck of the woods.