Think Out Loud

Scientists at the University of Washington placed GPS collars on dozens of bobcats and coyotes and tracked their movements and behaviors in Northeast and Central Washington. The animals moved from areas uninhabited by humans into rural communities to escape being killed by wolves and cougars with whom they compete for food. But the strategy ultimately proved lethal, as the bobcats and coyotes were three to four times more likely to be killed by people than by those apex predators. Laura Prugh is an associate professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Washington and the lead author of this study which was published last month in the journal, “Science.” She joins us to talk about the research findings and what they say about the so-called “human shield effect” on predator-prey relationships observed in Yellowstone and other national parks.

The grant making program Community 101 has been funding projects around Oregon for 25 years. What’s different about it is that all the funds are allocated by high school students who learn real world skills by giving out real dollars to various causes. In Wallowa county, student-led projects have included arts and mental health programs for teens, a summer lunch program and a new skateboard ramp at a local park. The ramp replacement effort ended up sparking a campaign to fund the refurbishment of the entire skate park. We talk with Christian Morris who graduated high school in 2021 and helped bring that project to fruition. And we’re also joined by alternative education teachers Maria Weer and Ron Pickens, who integrate the Community 101 program into the health curriculum there.

Scientists have documented five cases, worldwide, of people being cured of HIV through stem cell transplants. But researchers aren't entirely clear on how the method works. New research from Oregon Health & Science University is helping to explain the mechanics behind the potential cure.

A nonhuman primate study recently found that transplanted stem cells help kill HIV-infected cells by recognizing them as foreign invaders, much like they do for certain types of cancer. Researchers also found that HIV leaves the body in a series of stages, which could explain why some patients appear to be cured, but then experience a recurrence. OHSU professor Jonah Sacha led the study and joins us with more details on what the findings could mean for human patients.

Oregon’s Willamette Valley is renowned for producing award-winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and other varietals popular with wine connoisseurs. But the region is also home to a small but intrepid group of farmers who are cultivating olives, a crop more associated with the Mediterranean climate and hills of Tuscany than the hills of Tualatin.

Paul Durant is an olive farmer and wine maker whose family has been growing olives and making oil at their mill in Dayton since 2008. In April, Durant Olive Mill won three gold medals and a silver medal at the New York World Olive Oil Competition. Beth Wendland is the owner and operator of Coyote Hill, a third-generation family farm in the Tualatin Valley where three acres of different olive varieties are being grown. Olea, a project started in 2017 by Oregon State University, has been helping advise farmers like Durant and Wendland on olive cultivation methods and soil suitability. Scientists at Olea have also planted more than 100 varieties of olive trees to see which ones might best be suited to survive winter freezes. Heather Stoven is a community horticulturalist and small farms extension agent at OSU conducting research for Olea. They join us to talk about the pitfalls and potential for growing olives in Oregon.

Amtrak can be a helpful tool to help reduce transportation emissions since it’s more energy efficient than driving or flying. But weather events like wildfires, flooding and
landslides can seriously impact passenger service. Earlier this year, the Coast Starlight, a route that runs between Los Angeles and Seattle, was disrupted by track flooding in California. The damage affected the route for nearly a month. Issues like coastal erosion and heat waves have affected service too. Mounting disasters have closed or impacted Amtrak routes across the country. L.V. Anderson has been covering the issues facing Amtrak for Grist. She joins us with details of her reporting.

Last week, Portland City Council heard testimony on a proposal that would ban daytime camping from 8AM to 8PM on public property, as well as impose stricter rules on camping during all hours. More than a 100 city residents shared their thoughts and concerns with commissioners. The council will vote on the ordinance on Wednesday, June 7. Katie O’Brien is the executive director of Rose Haven, Portland’s only daytime shelter serving women, children and gender-diverse Portlanders. Sandra Comstock is the executive director of Hygiene4All, a nonprofit providing showers, laundry service, first-aid and other services to people experiencing homelessness in the city. They both join us to share their thoughts on the proposal and the potential impact it would have if passed.

Tourism all over Oregon saw a big jump last year, both from in-state and out-of-state visitors. And in some categories, activities reached new highs. That’s according to a recent report released by Travel Oregon, the state’s tourism commission. We talk with CEO Todd Davidson about what this means for Oregon communities, and the agency’s strategy to support sustainable growth in the industry over the next decade.

The movie theater industry is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Ticket sales are rebounding and onlookers have high hopes for summer blockbusters. We hear from Thomas Baham, owner of the Rio Theater in Sweet Home. He shares more on what movie theaters mean to smaller communities in Oregon, his plan to reopen the only movie theater in Silverton and how the industry is faring in Oregon.

Downtown Portland has seen better days. Its recovery from the pandemic's economic downturn and resulting vandalism has been uneven at best. The area continues to grapple with high numbers of homeless campers. In some areas, open drug use and gun violence threaten the survival of some local businesses. We’re joined in studio by Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell to discuss how strained local law enforcement officers are trying to stay on top of the high demand, and his plans for responding to crime downtown more broadly.

Patrick Radden Keefe has made a career of finding out about people who don’t want to talk to him. In 2021 he published “Empire of Pain,” a nonfiction account of the Sackler family, noted philanthropists and purveyors of the opioid OxyContin. He has also taken on the Troubles in Ireland in his book “Say Nothing,” and CIA maneuvering during the Cold War in his podcast “Wind of Change.” Patrick Radden Keefe joins us in front of an audience of high school students at Lincoln High.