Willamette Wake Up

Elephant in the Room highlights a proposed environmental rights amendment to Oregon’s constitution. Dr. Phil Carver, OCERA, explains what the amendment would do and how it would encourage actions that prevent environmental damage before damage is created; and, that OCERA is asking the Oregon legislature to put it on the ballot for a vote by Oregonians.

Restorative Justice is explored through the experiences of people who were formerly incarcerated, a victim of sexual assault, and a new program using restorative justice principles called Conflict Artistry. This program was presented to the community by Willamette University's Restorative Justice Council - a student club on campus - in November 2024. 

Paul Tigan was elected to represent Ward 1 in the City of Salem during May 2024 elections.  He starts his term Jan 13, 2025.  We talked with him in mid December about how he's been preparing, philosophy that guides his leadership and the key issues the new council faces. 

Shane Matthews was elected to represent Ward 3 in the City of Salem during May 2024 elections.  He starts his term Jan 13, 2025.  We talked with him in mid December about how he's been preparing, philosophy that guides his leadership and the key issues the new council faces. 

Dr. Irvin Brown was elected to represent Ward 5 in the City of Salem during May 2024 elections.  He starts his term Jan 13, 2025.  We talked with him in mid December about how he's been preparing, philosophy that guides his leadership and the key issues the new council faces. 

One Braver Angels' alliance in Oregon shares their work on bridging the "rural urban divide" with project coordinators, Elizabeth Christensen and Steve Radcliffe. They talk about the importance of understanding the issues that "divide", how they hope to create a better understanding of each other through facilitated dialogue, and their hope that the project's findings will be used by Oregon legislators. 

Conservation Spotlight talks with Lorelle Sherman, Forester for OSU Extension Service, about how her program supports woodland owners. She gives an update on Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and a new invasive insect, Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB). 

Monmouth Monthly looks back on Monmouth 2024 with Mayor Cec Koontz and City Manager Rochelle Roaden. They also talk about their vision for the future of Monmouth, the impact of Mayor John McArdle on the entire state of Oregon, and what we can expect as we enter 2025. 

In this episode of Policy for the People, we explore the policy known as guaranteed income, an idea whose time has come. First, we speak with Shafeka Hashash, at the Economic Security Project, about the experiments with guaranteed income that we’ve been seeing in communities across the country. Then we examine a guaranteed income pilot program in Oregon, with Brandi Tuck of Path Home, who says that cash programs have the power to lift families out of poverty for good.

Keeping Oregon Oregon brings back Mary Kyle McCurdy with 1000 Friends of Oregon. Mary Kyle discusses issues affecting Oregon's land use planning system that might come before the 2025 Oregon legislature.