City Cast Portland
City Cast Portland captures the one-of-a-kind creative spirit of this place and tackles who we are and where we’re going — from big deals, like equity and livability, to tiny delights, like the city's most wonderful doughnut. Our home is teeming with creativity and controversy, natural beauty and impossibly good food and drink. Host Claudia Meza is so over the notion that ‘Portland is over.’ On the show, she’ll revive your civic pride and stir you to help create local change — through conversations with neighbors, newsmakers, artists and entrepreneurs about our ever-changing city.
Episodes
This week, Mayor Wilson asked Portlanders for donations to help with his new overnight shelters. Also, national consulting firm HR&A rescinded its offer of free services to Portland City Council, and the city Elections Division has proposed hiking candidate filing fees to discourage non-serious candidates from running for office. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are Willamette Week City Hall Reporter Sop...
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September 11, 2025 • 19 mins
For decades, Portland has prided itself on being a model city for biking, but that reputation has slid a bit in recent years. Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking with Toby Hodges, who recently helped coordinate a tour with Sunrise Movement PDX of some of the bizarre and dangerous intersections that keep people from biking and walking around town. He’s sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly of a few of Portland's most notori...
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September 10, 2025 • 24 mins
Arnold Creek sits at the far southwest edge of Portland. It’s a neighborhood that feels like living in the forest, with houses that feel a little more spread out and nature trails nearby. As part of our neighborhood guide series, we’re talking with KBOO news director and Arnold Creek resident Althea Billings about what makes this quiet, wooded pocket of the city unique.
Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the deta...
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September 9, 2025 • 35 mins
Portland's never been much of a late-night food city. But our senior producer Giulia Fiaoni insists there are still plenty of great late-night options if you know where to look. Today, she’s sharing her list of the best late-night food spots in town that are quickly becoming cornerstones in our city's growing nightlife.
Discussed in today's episode:
Slim's
Sit Tite
Tulip Shop Tavern
Alberta Street Pub
Keys Loung...
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September 8, 2025 • 23 mins
Today we’re revisiting a conversation with Rachael Harms Mahlandt, co-founder of the Sidewalk Joy Map. It's a neighborhood guide documenting everything from mini-libraries to pottery and keychain exchanges that represent the best of our city — like our love of art, sharing, and unexpected joy. She's walking us through some of her most favorite joy spots in town and tips on where to find some of these hidden gems.
This conversat...
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September 5, 2025 • 35 mins
This week, Fred Meyer’s exit from Portland’s Gateway neighborhood is raising doubts about Prosper Portland’s $88 million investment in the community. The Pearl District is bracing for change as 44 storefronts hit the market after a major investor’s exit. And West Coast governors are launching their own vaccine alliance as the CDC stalls on updated guidance. Joining host Claudia Meza on the Friday news roundup are Word is Bond execu...
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September 4, 2025 • 29 mins
Portland Street Response launched in 2021 to ease pressure on police and firefighters by sending unarmed responders to nonviolent crisis calls. After years of struggles with staffing and resources, the program got a major boost this year: Mayor Keith Wilson expanded its scope and City Council made it an equal branch of public safety with a goal of 24/7 service. Today, we’re talking with two key PSR officials, April Roa and Caroline...
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September 3, 2025 • 18 mins
This week in Portland, the biggest news from the ongoing special legislative session, a push to end vote by mail in Oregon, a much-loved steakhouse reopening after a blaze, and so much more. Plus, we’re diving into our listener mailbag! Joining host Claudia Meza on this midweek roundup is executive producer John Notarianni.
Discussed in Today's Episode:
Oregon Lawmakers Convene Friday To Take Up Road Funding. Here’s What You ...
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September 2, 2025 • 29 mins
Whether you’re cycling downtown through car-free streets during Sunday Parkways, or checking out a brand-new music festival in St. Johns, September gives you plenty of chances to soak up the last stretch of summer. City Cast Portland has handpicked the best of the month’s food, entertainment, and community happenings to help you narrow down your plans for this month — like grabbing dinner at a just-opened restaurant.
Plus, a bonus...
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August 29, 2025 • 35 mins
This week, the Portland Bureau of Transportation is ignoring its own policies to enforce historic parking meter rate hikes, and in a special session, the state Legislature is debating how to fund our roads. We’re also diving into the city’s program reuniting unsheltered people with friends and family from out of state. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are Oregonian City Hall reporter Shane Dixon Kavanaug...
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August 28, 2025 • 18 mins
Today we're talking with Portlander Scott Whipple, who's one of the only people on record to have walked all 94 neighborhoods in our city. He's got tips on the best neighborhood walks and insight into how walking all of Portland changed his view on the city as a whole.
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Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland...
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August 27, 2025 • 21 mins
Intel is Oregon’s largest private employer, but it’s facing major uncertainty. After layoffs and widespread concerns about its core business, President Trump announced the U.S. Government will buy a 10% stake in the company. Today, we’re talking with Oregonian reporter Mike Rogoway about what this means for Intel, for Oregon, and for the global chip industry.
Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sig...
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August 26, 2025 • 34 mins
There is no shortage of options when it comes to dining out in Portland, but it can be tough to find a meal that is affordable, filling, and also delicious. So today, our host Claudia Meza is joined by Stumptown Savings founder Bryan M. Vance and our very own senior producer Giulia Fiaoni to talk about the best cheap eats across Portland that don't compromise on quality or flavor.
Discussed in today's episode:
Hong Phat
G...
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August 25, 2025 • 21 mins
Denser housing is key to solving our city's ongoing housing crisis, but Portland's full of single-family homes. Ever wondered why? Today, we’re revisiting a conversation with urban planner and author Max Podemski. He wrote the book "A Paradise of Small Houses,” which examines why distinctive housing types have evolved in certain cities, including Portland.
*This episode originally aired on July 29th, 2024*
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August 22, 2025 • 37 mins
This week, Portland’s coffee prices are continuing to rise. Governor Tina Kotek is doubling down on Oregon’s sanctuary laws amidst federal pressure. And local taxes might need restructuring. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news round-up are Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler and our executive producer, John Notarianni.
Discussed in Today's Episode:
More Expensive Than Lobster? Portland’s Coffe...
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August 21, 2025 • 29 mins
A new law went into effect recently that's intended to make recycling easier statewide, but it means the rules here in Portland are changing yet again. Today we're talking with Metro's Waste Prevention outreach manager, Jennifer Powers, for tips. She'll explain why our recycling rules are so finicky, help break down the new rules, and also let us know what you now can — and can’t — recycle here in Portland.
Mentioned in today's ep...
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August 20, 2025 • 22 mins
Today, we’re talking about the prospective sale of the Portland Trail Blazers and the concerns regarding the deal. Also, some are worried that the Moda Center’s needed renovations could eventually still push the new owners to relocate the team out of Portland. Joining host Claudia Meza on this midweek round-up is executive producer John Notarianni.
Discussed in Today's Episode:
What to Know About the Portland Trail Blazers’ N...
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August 19, 2025 • 25 mins
No matter how long you’ve lived in Portland, someone’s always been here longer — and swears the city used to be better. But is Portland really “over”? Today we’re digging into that question with comedian Jay Flewelling and some of the city’s sharpest comics — many of whom you can see live this Friday at Kickstand Comedy in the Park, presented with City Cast Portland!
Join us at Kickstand Comedy in the Park, hosted by Julia Corral ...
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August 18, 2025 • 26 mins
Portland thrift store owner Owen Gail recently went viral for his ongoing adventures — kicking a rock through the city in hopes of smoothing off the hard edges and turning it into a sphere. His fun and quirky efforts have drawn attention from all over the world as the rock has gotten more round, while Oregonian readers recently crowned his shop, Shirtzenpantz, the best thrift store in town. Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talkin...
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August 15, 2025 • 36 mins
This week, we’re breaking down the ongoing text thread among certain City Council members that was recently made public, the almost $4 million settlement against the Portland Police Bureau, and the house Portlanders can’t seem to stop crashing into. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week’s Friday news roundup are Willamette Week reporter Sophie Peel and senior producer Giulia Fiaoni.
Discussed in Today's Episode:
The Lawsuit ...
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