Willamette Wake Up

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. 

Keeping Oregon Oregon talks with Aaron Nichols of Stoneboat Farm, who is leading the fight to save prime farmland in the area of North Plains, Oregon from development. Nichols' group, Friends of North Plains Smart Growth, oppose legislation (HB 4026A) which, if passed, prevents final land use decisions from being subject to a voter referendum and reviewable exclusively by the Land Conservation and Development Commission. At this writing, the bill has passed the Oregon House and is up for a public hearing in a Senate committee.

Elephant in the Room talks with John Kaufmann, a retired policy analyst with the Oregon Department of Energy, on the current status of the climate crisis. 

City Budget Challenge Series: A look into Keizer with Mayor Cathy Clark and City Manager Adam Brown. They explain how a property tax limitation passed by voters in the mid 1990s plus state mandates challenge local governments to provide basic services. And, the need for a better informed citizenry on how cities operate.

Salem Health Talks explores heart health and education & support services provided by Salem Health's Community Health Education Center (CHEC) with health educator, Alyssa Gaiser.

Behind the Business talks with Seth Halligan, owner of Make it Known Media and Seth David Films. He shares how a life event was the catalyst for starting this business and his love of storytelling, the power of “why” and the struggle with work-life balance.