Willamette Wake Up

Oregon Sen. Deb Patterson, SD 10, shares plans for a multi-service center in downtown Salem, plus the Senate Health Committee's work on exploring the "corporatization" of healthcare and policies needed to untangle the web for a lower cost, more transparent system of care.

Learn about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library - a program to get books in the hands of families with very young children, and how it’s being rolled out in Oregon. Margie Lowe, Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub, shares the benefits and how the program works.

Salem Health Talks explores a variety of sleep disorders and possible treatments with Dr. Thye Schuyler, Director of the Salem Sleep Clinic, a part of Salem Health Hospital & Clinics.

We often hear about people who are homeless - from advocates, public officials, housed people affected by homelessness - but not from them. In this program, we hear from Chris, Jenny and Jeff who share their lived experience about what led to them living in public spaces, and how they are turning their lives around.

Holla for Labor talks with the African Youth Community Organization about how they provide culturally relevant mental health services and assist African youth in Oregon feel welcome and connected.

Conservation Spotlight explores Salem Harvest with Elise Bauman who explains how this nonprofit gets fresh fruits and vegetables to everyone, and keeps crops from going to waste in the Mid-Willamette Valley. 

Invisible People talks with Jimmy Jones, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, about the ramifications of an on-going U.S. Supreme Court case concerning the right of people to sleep in public spaces when there may be no alternatives. Plus, he shares his observations, in response to our host's question, about why some believe the City of Salem and Marion County aren't working well together to address homelessness in the Capital City.

Policy for the People explores the economic benefits that immigrants bring to Oregon with Anthony Capote, Immigration Research Initiative, through a report titled Immigrants in the Oregon Economy: Overcoming Hurdles, Yet Still Facing Barriers. Also, Kathy Lara of the Oregon Center for Public Policy talks about the latest figures on labor activity in Oregon, as well as the challenges that workers seeking to form a union continue to encounter.

Edie Buchanan, President of the Association of Salem Keizer Education Support Professionals (ASK-ESP), responds to the Salem Keizer Public Schools proposed budget.  Buchanan addresses recent successful contract negotiations, need for a plan to managed increased workloads proposed in the budget and a desire for the greater community to be involved in schools.  ASK-ESP represents classified professional employees who are not licensed teachers.

KMUZ is committed to civic engagement and informing voters so you can make an informed decision on May 21st. Here is a candidate conversation with Lyle Mordhorst, running for re-election to Polk County Commission.