Willamette Week Podcast

As we kick off 2022, let's reflect on 2021. We are joined by Willamette Week news editor Aaron Mesh as we talk about the biggest moments from 2021. We hand out some overdue awards and go over some possible takes for what Portland can expect in the upcoming months. It's been great to talk to you for a year, but 2022 can't come soon enough. Join us, won't you?

What’s up with the big one? You know, that massive earthquake that is supposed to place downtown Portland at the center of a subduction zone? In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Ashley Streig - a seismologist from Portland State University. She tells us all about what to expect from the west coast tectonic plates that are creating a time bomb under the Rose City.

Thank you for listening, see you next year!

Is nightlife back? Has covid left the downtown Portland party scene? Suzette Smith went to bars all over our city to answer the question: "what does the future of nightlife look like in Portland?" 

We are also joined by Tess Riski as she helps us break down the biggest news stories of the week, including more drama in the Portland Police office.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown has the lowest poll numbers among any Governor in America. Why is that? We discuss theories behind Brown's record popularity with Willamette Week reporter Rachel Monahan.

We also break down the biggest stories of the week. Thanks for listening.

In this episode of the Dive Podcast, reporter Sophie Peel takes us behind the scenes of the Portland "trash wars." The city employees responsible for moving your trash are trying to prevent a private company from entering the market. The startup Ridwell offers a subscription product that allows you to recycle things like batteries and lightbulbs - stuff the city garbage handlers will just throw in a landfill. Portland trash haulers say this isn't fair. We break it all down. 

We also hit you with the biggest news stories of the week.

Join us, won't you?

In this episode of the Dive Podcast, we talk to the man behind one of the biggest restaurant phenomenons in Portland this year. Jared Benedetto opened Jerry's Pizza during Covid and ever since then tens of thousands of people come to his website each week trying to claim one of his 200 pizzas a week. We talk to Jerry about the last year, his process, his secrets, and what's next for him. 

Thanks for listening and happy Thanksgiving :)

If you're from Portland, you probably have strong emotions about the Lloyd Center Mall. Well, that same mall is set to foreclose in the coming months. Have no fear though. Journalist Anthony Effinger is on the case, bringing us the most likely options of what will come of the space. 

Before we bring you in on this exclusive interview, we also get you all caught up on the biggest stories of the week. It's quite a ride, per usual. Thanks for listening :)

In this week's episode, we debreif Willamette Week's cover story which is an interview with one of the biggest names to ever run for public office in Oregon. Nick Kristoff - New York Times Columnist and best selling author - is pitching himself for the position of Governor of Oregon and Aaron has some reflections on his sitdown interview with WW.  We also update you on the biggest local news stories of the week!
Thanks for listening :)

In this episode of the Dive Podcast, we talk to reporter Nigel Jaquiss about one of the biggest mysteries in the state: a leading figure in Oregon politics is in a coma after being poisoned twice. Who are the suspects? What are the motives? Listen to the show. No spoilers.

In this Episode of the Dive Podcast, Hank sits down with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. In December, Wyden and his colleagues will be voting on whether or not to raise the debt ceiling. We ask Wyden about the repercussions of this vote and how not raising the debt ceiling would affect Oregonians. We also talk about Oregon politics and bring you the biggest stories of the week.

Thanks for listening :)