Why did Oregon State’s spring game on Saturday leave both Bill Oram and Brenna Greene of KOIN feeling a little underwhelmed? There are plenty of reasons, including the lack of participation among the Beavers’ few recognizable names and a missed opportunity to ramp up the fan experience. What other takeaways did they have from the Spring Showcase? T…

As many by now know, Oregon ranks miserably when it comes to addressing residents’ mental health needs compared to the rest of the U.S. Especially troubling: Our state is dead last — the absolute worst in the nation — in balancing the prevalence of youth mental illness with access to care. That’s left many families with a teen in crisis or struggli…

Big move on the coaching front: the Portland Thorns are moving Mike Norris into the front office and Rob Gale into the interim coach role. How will the global search for a permanent gaffer play out? On this episode, which was recorded on Friday, April 19, Chris and Ryan discuss the Thorns’ move, and look back on a compelling contest for the Timbers…

The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses the franchise’s offseason following a 21-61 season. Plus, why the Blazers retained coach Chauncey Billups, why GM Joe Cronin plans to remain on the development path and what to expect this offseason and next season. Learn more about your a…

The Blazers' current roster is not good enough to win next year, and the front office appears ready to go all in on its youth movement. So is losing next year the best path? The answer is almost undoubtedly yes, but will fans put up with it? And what moves does general manager Joe Cronin need to make to set the franchise up for long-term success an…

The Oregonian/OregonLive is in the midst of its annual update of the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System beneficiary database. Last week, we published an update that showed nearly 6,000 retirees tapped into the pension benefit system in 2023. In a week or so, we’ll have our database fully updated and available so readers can lookup all current…

It’s been a trend all season: one good half, one rough half for the Portland Timbers. Saturday’s 3-3 draw with SKC was a nice turnaround, but how can Portland put together a complete performance? Chris Rifer and Ryan Clarke break it down on this week’s Soccer Made in Portland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Ducks Confidential is back! After a few weeks off, co-hosts Ryan Clarke and James Crepea break down what they’ve seen and heard at Oregon football spring practice, and look back on a magical run for Oregon men’s basketball. Plus, plenty to talk about in the transfer portal carousel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Oregonian's Bill Oram and KOIN 6's Brenna Greene break down the issues facing Oregon State and try to answer why there has been so much apathy toward this Blazers season. Also, a look back at a historic NCAA Tournament. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBởi The Oregonian/OregonLive

The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses rookie Scoot Henderson’s growth during the team's recent road trip, as well as what we've learned about the young forwards and what we hope to learn during upcoming exit interviews following the end of the season. Learn more about your ad …

Many homeowners in Oregon are feeling the impacts of higher electricity bills and facing the prospect of yet another rate increase next year. As electricity bills have skyrocketed, causing widespread anger and frustration, many people have begun to question how and why utilities recoup money from their customers. Last month, the Oregon Citizens’ Ut…

The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, takes a look at Chauncey Billups getting elected into the Hall of Fame, how the Blazers ended their 10-game losing streak with a "bad win" and if any signs of hope for the future have been on display. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon…

Ever since Soccer Made in Portland co-host Ryan Clarke left for a vacation to South Korea and Japan, it’s been rough sailing for the Portland Timbers and Thorns. This begs the question: is it his fault? On this week’s episode, Ryan returns to join co-host Chris Rifer in reflecting on three straight losses for the Timbers, and evaluating a Thorns te…

In February, elected leaders of a small town in Marion County took the extraordinary step of firing its top cop amid a series of troubling allegations. Gervais Police Chief Mark Chase’s removal has since touched off a feud between the chief’s defenders and officials in the quiet community about 15 miles NE of Salem. Chase, it turns out, is no stran…

Coming into her senior season, Lake Oswego’s Mia Brahe-Pedersen already has the things many of her Oregon high school peers are seeking. She’s already a 12-time state champion (three each in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 4x100-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay), a two-time Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year, an 11-time national champion and a…

It’s time for another episode of Beaver Banter, an Oregonian Sports podcast about Oregon State sports. Veteran reporters Nick Daschel and Joe Freeman discuss the Beavers’ march to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, Travis Bazzana’s remarkable hot streak, the players who have entered the men’s basketball transfer portal and more…

Oregon’s largest corporate employer has been one of the biggest boosters calling for an infusion of taxpayer dollars into U.S. manufacturing of computer chips. Last week, Intel got its wish: an $8.5 billion check from the federal government. Mike Rogoway, who covers the chip industry for The Oregonian/OregonLive, spoke with business editor Elliot N…

The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses rookie Scoot Henderson’s recent struggles, forward Kris Murray’s potential, and coach Chauncey Billlups’ future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBởi The Oregonian/OregonLive

Oregonian Sports Podcast co-host and KOIN reporter Brenna Greene recently suggested that Selection Sunday might be the very best sports day of the year. Really? We had to discuss that and rank our top five contenders for that title as March Madness begins. The Oregon men and both the Oregon State and University of Portland women are all in their re…

Basketball gave him the hope to keep going during the nearly four years he spent in prison, but Brett Hollins said he has not picked up a ball since his final game as a senior captain at Southern Oregon University. The 29-year-old joined Oregonian columnist Bill Oram, who recently profiled Hollins in the three-part series, “The Baller’s Conviction,…

It’s time for another episode of Beaver Banter, an Oregonian Sports podcast about Oregon State sports. Veteran reporters Nick Daschel and Joe Freeman take a look at the Beavers’ bracket in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, spring football, OSU pro day and the baseball team’s continued excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph…

Environmentalists notched what they consider a major win in the 2024 short legislative session. The COAL Act directs the state to drop about $1 billion in coal investments and to cease new investments in companies that mine and burn coal. Proponents say the legislation aligns the state’s public pension investments with Oregon’s existing climate goa…

The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss Deandre Ayton’s dominant play and react to his comments to Fentress about his transformation into becoming a dominant force for the Blazers. Also, Ayton talked about that whole situation with the ice strom. Plus, Scoot Henderson and when is …

Women’s basketball is having quite a moment both nationally and in Oregon. Oregon State and the University of Portland women’s teams are awaiting Selection Sunday results — with a possible in-state matchup on the other side. On this week’s episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast, Bill Oram and Brenna Greene of KOIN talk about the two local teams lo…

It’s officially Thorns o’clock, Rose City. The Portland Thorns open their season on Saturday at the KC Current. This week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland has a full season preview. Plus, co-hosts Ryan Clarke and Chris Rifer recap last weekend’s dramatic 2-1 victory for the Timbers over NYCFC thanks to some guy named Evander Golazo. Learn more …

A lack of funding and the passage of Measure 110 dealt a double whammy to Oregon drug courts. Even as fentanyl became a scourge, one of the best tools to help addicts largely faded away. Programs in Deschutes, Benton, Polk and Multnomah counties shut down in recent months or years and others have been hit with funding problems. But in this short le…

Is silly season extending into the actual season? The Portland Timbers are reportedly hot on the trail of Argentine striker Germán Berterame with a $15 million bid, but is the deal going to get done? And what of the apparent other option, Jonathan “Cabecita” Rodríguez? On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, co-hosts Ryan Clarke and Chri…

It’s over. 14 losses in a row capped a rough finish to the 2023-24 season for Oregon women’s basketball, who lost 79-30 to Colorado on Wednesday in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament. On this week’s podcast, Ryan Clarke and James Crepea break down what went wrong for Kelly Graves and company this season, and look ahead to the final weekend of…

This episode of Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reviews the team's 2-1 weekend with a focus on Anfernee Simons, the team's young forwards and if Dalano Blanton is a keeper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

It’s time for another episode of Beaver Banter, an Oregonian Sports podcast focused on Oregon State sports. Veteran reporters Nick Daschel and Joe Freeman take a look at spring football practice and the battle for the starting quarterback job, the return of Raegan Beers and the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament and the continued success of the b…

Utility customers in Oregon have seen steep rate increases in the past two years – and more are in the works. What gives? Portland General Electric customers saw their bills go up by 18% in January, in addition to a 14.8% rate increase in 2023. Pacific Power customers saw bills increase by 21% at the start of 2023 and by another 12% in January. Pac…

The Phil Neville era with the Portland Timbers is off to a great start on the field. A 4-1 win over the Colorado Rapids in the opener showed plenty of quality, but can the Timbers bottle that up and keep it rolling against D.C. United in game two? On this week’s episode of Soccer Made in Portland, an Oregonian Sports podcast, Ryan Clarke and Chris …

Eleven losses in a row tie a program record for the Oregon women’s basketball team. Can they break the trend and avoid history on Thursday vs. Cal? On this week’s episode of Ducks Confidential, an Oregonian Sports podcast, reporters Ryan Clarke and James Crepea discuss Kelly Graves’ squad and reflect on the games gone by for the men’s team as well.…

Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reacts to the Blazers’ horrible loss Sunday night to the Charlotte Hornets and what it means big picture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBởi The Oregonian/OregonLive

It’s time for another episode of Beaver Banter, an Oregonian Sports podcast looking at Oregon State sports. Veteran reporters Nick Daschel and Joe Freeman dish on last week’s lost opportunity — and this week’s big game against Stanford — for the women’s basketball team, an impressive start by the baseball team and a rare road win for the men’s bask…

There is trouble at one of the most beloved natural attractions in Oregon and all of the Pacific Northwest.Busted buildings. Hazardous spills. Injuries and allegations of sexual assault. Years of mismanagement by Crater Lake Hospitality, a subsidiary of Aramark, the corporate behemoth hired by the National Park Service in 2018 to operate concession…

The Oregonian Sports podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and KOIN 6′s Brenna Greene, tackles the new Moda Center lease proposal, the Blazers returning from the break with Scoot Henderson out, why Ionescu vs. Curry stole the otherwise boring All-Star weekend, Oregon State women's hoops rollin; Timbers back in action and a l…

It’s that time again! Oregon baseball and softball’s 2024 seasons are underway. Ducks Confidential, an Oregonian Sports podcast, has you covered on the diamond. Plus, co-hosts James Crepea and Ryan Clarke break down the latest for men’s and women’s basketball as their seasons wind down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Oregon State women’s basketball team is rolling, the Beavers’ baseball team had an opening weekend to remember and the men’s basketball team ... well ... that’s another story. Veteran reporters Nick Daschel and Joe Freeman dive into that and more in the newest episode of Beaver Banter, an Oregonian Sports podcast. Learn more about your ad choic…

It’s hard to escape the fentanyl problem in Oregon. The use of fentanyl is evident on the streets of Portland and provides added fuel to Oregon’s homelessness crisis. The decriminalization of the drug and others is at the heart of a debate in the Oregon Legislature over Measure 110. The Oregonian/OregonLive recently published two in-depth articles …

It’s getting real, folks. The Portland Timbers’ 2024 season starts next week, and Soccer Made in Portland has you covered with all the latest ahead of Portland’s Feb. 24 season-opener at home against the Colorado Rapids. Plus, co-hosts Chris Rifer and Ryan Clarke (a.k.a the Podfather) discuss the latest transactions for the Portland Thorns, project…

Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reviews the team's inactivity at the trade deadline, what GM Joe Cronin said regarding feeling good about where the team is headed and what teams in the NBA are worse off than the struggling Blazers. Learn more about your ad choices.…

The latest episode of Beaver Banter, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring senior sports writer Joe Freeman and Beavers beat reporter Nick Daschel, talks about their recent conversations with head football coach Trent Bray, Oregon State's basketball success, plus a look ahead to baseball season and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega…

The Oregon Legislature’s 2024 session is underway, and even though lawmakers’ work is constitutionally limited to just 35 days, they plan to take on some of the state’s biggest issues. On this week’s episode of Beat Check with The Oregonian, state government reporter Carlos Fuentes runs down lawmakers’ top priorities and how a state Supreme Court r…

Tim Brown of The Oregonian/OregonLive.com and his BFF, John 'Heavy J' Holland, discuss Super Bowl LVIII making some predictions about the game, sharing some of their favorite prop bets and other wagers on the eve of this showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City. Here's a look at what we talked about: -Was this the best possible Supe…

The Ducks Confidential podcast is back! As we flip the calendar to 2024, beat reporters James Crepea and Ryan Clarke discuss an impressive recruiting period for Oregon football, including a highly-rated Class of 2024 and several talented transfers. Plus, Ryan and James check in with the Oregon men’s and women’s basketball teams as their Pac-12 sche…

The Oregonian Sports podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and KOIN 6′s Brenna Greene, examines the Trail Blazers' potential moves by Thursday's trade deadline. Also, Brenna is thoroughly enjoying covering her first Super Bowl. We have game predictions and some Taylor Swift talk. Finally, should the Lakers explore trading Le…

In January, the Portland metro area was encased in a week-long ice, snow and wind storm that shut down the region. The storm toppled hundreds of massive trees, which in turn crushed cars, felled power poles and lines and split people’s homes in half. The devastation left many people traumatized and anxious – and reexamining their relationships with…

Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, returns to Wednesday night's epic atmosphere during the Portland Trail Blazers’ win over Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks. Also, trade talk, what to expect in the second half from these Blazers and the evolution of Anfernee Sim…

Oregon has long been awash in cash when it comes to state elections and political races. One big reason? It’s among just a small handful of states that do not limit how much money candidates can accept from individuals, political groups, corporations, unions or any other entity. But that could change this year, as Oregon voters will likely face a p…