Elephant in the Room explores forest health with Ben Deumling of Zena Forest Products, and how this wood products business is pivoting to address the challenges of a changing climate. Deumling serves on the Oregon Board of Forestry and explains policy initiatives to incentivize forest protections.

Oregon State Representative Tom Andersen (HD 19) reviews the work of the 2024 Legislative Session.  He highlights a bill that makes exceptions to the land use planning system to make way for affordable housing. Then he reviews his legislative priorities, including a bill to make the state pay the City of Salem for its use of the city's public safety services.

Meet Salem's new Deputy Chief Debbie Aguilar. Learn about her journey in law enforcement, what it’s like being a woman in a male dominated profession, how the SPD is recruiting more women, and what her new job entails. 

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month.  Kyle Tarr, Liberty House and Vanessa Nordyke, CASA of Marion County talk about child abuse, how their organizations help disrupt abuse and a car parade to bring awareness to the greater community.

Behind the Business shines a light on the heartbeat of our local economies – our local businesses. In this episode, Emily McNulty, owner of MaMere’s Guest House talks about the challenges and triumphs of owning a small business in Monmouth. 

Conservation Spotlight explores Oregon's state mammal. Jakob Shockey, Executive Director of Project Beaver, shares the history of beavers in the Willamette Valley, their importance to watershed health, and how humans can live with them in harmony. 

Meet Salem's new librarian, Bridget Esqueda, and learn how she became passionate about libraries in her home state of Arizona, the data behind shortening library hours and ways the community can support the library going forward.

Monmouth Monthly chats with Eden Olson and Lindsey Darling - the force behind Lucky Crow Farm and the Eat Crow Supper Club. Eden shares the benefits of a CSA (community sponsored agriculture) and Lindsey explains the Supper Club's return March 28, 2024.

Policy for the People examines two bills that passed the recently adjourned legislative session: one to protect Oregonians from unfair debt collection practices and another that appropriates significant resources to Employment Related Day Care - a state sponsored child care program. Hear the details from Chris Coughlin, Oregon Consumer Justice and Candice Vickers, Family Forward Oregon

Jimmy Jones, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, reviews what's going on to reduce homelessness in Marion & Polk Counties - from recent legislation to the opening of new housing facilities to impacts of Salem's Navigation Center.