Episodes

  • Portland Monthly’s Shaky Future, Our 911 Dispatchers Among Best in World, and Free Stuff To Do

    Portland Monthly’s Shaky Future, Our 911 Dispatchers Among Best in World, and Free Stuff To Do
    Apr 13 2026
    We're talking about what the sale of Portland Monthly means for local news coverage and the people working there, how our city's 911 dispatchers are being recognized internationally, and some fun free ways to enjoy Portland — and maybe even meet some new people this month. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are food and drink reporter Alex Frane and Willamette Week arts and culture reporter Rachel Saslow. Discussed in today's episode: Hour Media Purchases Portland Monthly Magazine [Willamette Week] Portland 911 dispatchers weathered a crisis — now, they're among the best in the world [KGW] 22 Free Ways to Connect with Your Fellow Portlanders [Portland Monthly] 20 Ways to Make a Difference in Portland [Portland Monthly] Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here. Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and be sure to follow us on Instagram. Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. If you enjoyed our interview with Kat Applegarth, the Marketing & Communications Director of the International School of Portland, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 13th episode: Discover Newport OMSI Cascadia Getaways Cascadia Community Energy
    Show more Show less
    38 mins
  • 'Your City Could Be Better': Why Portland’s Considering Hiring a Night Mayor

    'Your City Could Be Better': Why Portland’s Considering Hiring a Night Mayor
    Apr 12 2026
    Nightlife is a huge economic driver for cities, but city offices are often closed when those businesses need help. That’s why Portland is considering hiring a Night Mayor. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Portland podcast host Claudia Meza about what this new position would do, and if it is the answer to the pandemic’s enduring negative impact on walkability, small businesses, and nightlife in cities everywhere. Plus, should your city be weirder? Mentioned on the show: "Can a Night Mayor Revive Downtown Portland?" (City Cast Portland) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.
    Show more Show less
    26 mins
  • Mayor Wilson vs Reality, a Vision for the Waterfront, and a Controversial City Leadership Pick

    Mayor Wilson vs Reality, a Vision for the Waterfront, and a Controversial City Leadership Pick
    Apr 10 2026
    Today we’re looking into how the city and county are fighting (once again) over the state of our ongoing homelessness crisis and talking about a controversial Prosper Portland leadership pick and why it was revoked. Plus, there are some exciting new projects that are transforming our waterfront. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are Oregonian homelessness and mental health reporter Lillian Mongeau Hughes and Willamette Week’s City Hall reporter, Sophie Peel. Discussed in today's episode: Behind Portland’s homelessness data, a familiar political fight emerges [OPB] Prosper Backtracks on Committee Facilitator After Controversy Over Pick [Willamette Week] 12 projects that could transform development along the Willamette River [Oregonian] Eight Ways to Get Portlanders Back on the Willamette River [Willamette River] Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here. Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and be sure to follow us on Instagram. Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 10th episode: D'Amore Law International School of Portland YMCA of the Columbia Willamette Neo Home Loans
    Show more Show less
    40 mins
  • Why Sports Teams Oppose Raises for Uber Drivers, New E-Bike Discounts, and our Mailbag

    Why Sports Teams Oppose Raises for Uber Drivers, New E-Bike Discounts, and our Mailbag
    Apr 9 2026
    Today we're talking about a new city e-bike rebate you might qualify for, why almost all of our sports teams are against a city ordinance to raise the wages of Uber and Lyft drivers, and we’re diving into our mailbag. Joining host Claudia Meza are Willamette Week reporter Brianna Wheeler and our very own senior producer, Rachel Monahan. Discussed in today's episode: Southeast Portland Trader Joe’s Reopens After Asbestos Closure [Willamette Week] Portland e-bike rebates cruise out to qualified residents [OPB] Blazers, Timbers, Business Chamber and Performance Groups Urge Council to Kill Ride-Hailing Proposal [Willamette Week] Sticker Shock: Volume 1 [City Cast Portland] Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here. Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and be sure to follow us on Instagram. Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 9th episode: D'Amore Law International School of Portland YMCA of the Columbia Willamette Neo Home Loans
    Show more Show less
    37 mins
  • East Portland Needs More Grocery Stores, Rene Gonzalez Sues the City, and Fun Wildflower Hikes

    East Portland Needs More Grocery Stores, Rene Gonzalez Sues the City, and Fun Wildflower Hikes
    Apr 8 2026
    We're talking about how East Portland might be slowly becoming a food desert, the return of City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez — and this time he brought a friend— plus, some cool wildflower hikes you might want to check out. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are Stumptown Savings founder Bryan M Vance and our very own senior producer Giulia Fiaoni. Discussed in today's episode: ⁠East Portland has far fewer grocery stores than the rest of the city — and is slated to lose another one⁠ ⁠Rene Gonzalez sues City of Portland over campaign finance penalties⁠ ⁠9 Picture-Perfect Wildflower Hikes Within 90 Minutes of Portland⁠ Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up ⁠here⁠. Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at ⁠portland@citycast.fm⁠, or leave us a voicemail at ⁠503-208-5448⁠. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our ⁠morning newsletter⁠ and be sure to follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠. Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 8th episode: ⁠D'Amore Law⁠ ⁠International School of Portland⁠ ⁠YMCA of the Columbia Willamette⁠ ⁠Neo Home Loans⁠
    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • New State Law Banning Masked Officers, Amazon vs Morrow County, and the County’s Gift Card Problem

    New State Law Banning Masked Officers, Amazon vs Morrow County, and the County’s Gift Card Problem
    Apr 7 2026
    We're talking about how a new law banning law enforcement from covering up their face in Oregon will actually work, why Amazon is paying a multi-million dollar settlement to Morrow County, and what happened with Multnomah County’s inability to track how $150,000 worth of gift cards and cash incentives were distributed. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are KBOO news director Althea Billings and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Discussed in today's episode: 18 Oregon license plate designs, ranked [Oregonian] Will officers wearing masks get arrested in Oregon? Here’s how the state’s new legislation will work [Oregonian] Amazon will pay $20.5 million to settle Oregon data center pollution allegations [Oregonian] Multnomah County still can’t say where $150,000 in gift cards, other incentives went [Oregonian] Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here. Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and be sure to follow us on Instagram. Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 7th episode: D'Amore Law International School of Portland YMCA of the Columbia Willamette Neo Home Loans
    Show more Show less
    30 mins
  • Where To Buy the Cheapest Groceries, Forest Service Shakeup, and Some Fun Event Picks

    Where To Buy the Cheapest Groceries, Forest Service Shakeup, and Some Fun Event Picks
    Apr 6 2026
    Today, we're talking about surprising findings after tracking local grocery store prices for a year, the U.S. Forest Service closing Portland headquarters near wildfire season, and a few events to look forward to as the weather gets better. Joining host Claudia Meza are Stumptown Savings founder Bryan M. Vance and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Discussed in today's episode: Bruce Springsteen makes surprise visit to Southeast Portland record store [KOIN 6] For the Past Year, Bryan Vance Has Tracked Portland Grocery Prices. Here’s What He’s Learned. [Willamette Week] U.S. Forest Service to close Portland headquarters, research station, open Salem office [Oregon Capital Chronicle] A new weekly art market is coming to downtown Portland this summer [Oregonian] Turn! Turn! Turn! Lives! Lives! Lives! [Willamette Week] Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here. Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and be sure to follow us on Instagram. Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 6th episode: D'Amore Law International School of Portland YMCA of the Columbia Willamette Neo Home Loans
    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • 'Your City Could Be Better': Denver’s Bet on a Women’s Soccer Stadium — Presented By City Cast Portland

    'Your City Could Be Better': Denver’s Bet on a Women’s Soccer Stadium — Presented By City Cast Portland
    Apr 5 2026
    While both Portland. and Denver have a professional Women's Soccer team (go Thorns!), Denver is only the second city in the U.S. to build a stadium specifically for women’s soccer. Will betting on women’s sports drive Denver’s economy or will Denverites be left paying the price for another stadium? City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about why Denver has invested so much into having sports downtown, how Denver has capitalized on repurposing old industrial spaces, and how bad traffic gets when all your sports are downtown. Plus, is it better to have a Mayor with or without aims for a greater political office? Mentioned on the show: The $tadium Game: Inside the lucrative world of Colorado’s pro sports stadiums [⁠⁠⁠The Denver Post⁠⁠⁠] Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? ⁠⁠⁠Email David now! ⁠⁠⁠ We’re also on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@yourcitycouldbebetter⁠⁠⁠ Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? ⁠⁠⁠Check out our options⁠⁠⁠.
    Show more Show less
    28 mins