KGW’s Straight Talk

No child care. No economic recovery. That's the bottom line for Oregon first district Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici when it comes to reopening the economy and recovering from the pandemic. Bonamici was a guest this week on KGW's current affairs show, "Straight Talk," along with pre-school teacher, Caitlin Curtis. Bonamici told show host, Laural Porter, access to high quality affordable child care is essential as counties reopen. "Parents are stressed and struggling. They can't go back to work with confidence and dedicate themselves to work, if they can't find child care," she said.

In this week's Straight Talk with Laural Porter, Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley addresses George Floyd's death, the protests across the country and the coronavirus pandemic. He's proposing a bill that would create a national database to keep track of police officers for misconduct.

On this week’s Straight Talk with Laural Porter, Multnomah County District Attorney-elect Mike Schmidt discusses reform he would like to see in the criminal justice system and reacts to the death of George Floyd. Then, Laural shifts to the passage of a homeless services tax in the Portland metro area. She is joined by Angela Martin, the interim executive director of Here Together, the coalition that crafted the measure, and Katrina Holland, the executive director of JOIN, a nonprofit that supports efforts of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to transition into permanent housing.

Oregon's primary is on May 19. One of the big races is the Democratic primary for Oregon's fifth congressional district. Rep. Kurt Schrader is seeking reelection but faces challenger Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba. The two make their case to voters on this week's Straight Talk with Laural Porter.

The non-profit, Prevent Child Abuse Oregon, a chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, is working to try to help stabilize and support Oregon families, and protect children at risk for abuse and neglect during the coronavirus pandemic. The PCAO executive director, Pamela Heisler, and board member, Karmen Fore, joined KGW Straight Talk host, Laural Porter, to talk about ways the community can help.

This week, former congressional candidate Jamie McLeod Skinner joins host Laural Porter to talk about her qualifications for Oregon Secretary of State, which is next in succession to the governor. McLeod Skinner is one of three democrats vying for the position. The others, Shemia Fagan and Mark Hass, joined Straight Talk last week.

One of the most competitive races in Oregon’s May 19 primary is the Democratic race for secretary of state. Three candidates are vying for the chance to take on the winner of the Republican primary in this November’s general election. State Sen. Shemia Fagan and state Sen. Mark Hass are this week’s guests on Straight Talk with Laural Porter as they make their pitch to voters. The third Democratic candidate, Jamie McLeod Skinner, will be a guest on the show next week.

This week’s guests with Laural Porter are Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden and Oregon Education head Colt Gill. Wyden talks about what he and Congress are doing to help people and businesses get through this economic downfall, and why he thinks it’s time for the US to “COVID-proof” its election system. Gill praises the efforts school districts have gone to make distance learning productive and defends the pass/incomplete grading system.

The leaders of the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Association of Hospitals are pleading with Oregonians to continue to stay home and social distance. Pat Allen of OHA and Becky Hultberg, CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems discuss the continued challenges facing Oregon and what is necessary for businesses to be reopened.

In this week's Straight Talk with Laural Porter, House Speaker Tina Kotek reassures Oregonians that state lawmakers are listening to their concerns and fears about the future created by the coronavirus crisis. Also, representatives from Hazelden Betty Ford treatment centers talk about how the pandemic is breeding ground for addictions and the resources that are available for people to overcome their addictions.

This week's guests on Straight Talk with Laural Porter are Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury and Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle. They talk about how the agencies they oversee are handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this week’s episode, Laural Porter talks with Andrew Hoan, the executive director of the Portland Business Alliance, about the impact the coronavirus has had on Portland’s economy. Laural also speaks with an organizer from Street Roots and a woman who is homeless in Portland to find out how the public health crisis is affecting them.

The coronavirus outbreak is sending far-reaching shockwaves through our communities. But the CEO of the Oregon Food Bank said the organization is determined it will meet the need of those hurting in this crisis. Also, we get an update on U.S. census collection. Since field operations have been suspended, crews are using social media, texting, and phone calls to contact people now, with hopes they'll be able to get out in the field later.

Jules Boykoff, a political scientist who studies the Olympics, wrote an op-ed in the New York Times in March 2020 about why the Summer Games should be canceled amid a coronavirus pandemic.

The full economic impact of COVID-19 is still unknown, but the executive director of the Portland Business Alliance, Andrew Hoan, said it's already had significant impact on the traded sector, the hospitality industry, and everything in between. Those ominous headwinds come at a time the region has been surging economically. Hoan said the Portland metro area has been in uncharted waters with an 11-year economic expansion, the longest in history. But no one knows what lies ahead.

Congressman Kurt Schrader (D), who is being challenged by Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba in the Democratic primary, talks about why he should continue to represent the 5th District. He also discussed a coronavirus case reported in his district, climate change and health care.

According to the Oregon Food Bank, one in nine people in Oregon and Washington face food insecurity. Oregon Food Bank CEO Susannah Morgan hopes there comes a time when her job is no longer necessary.

Local experts explain how trees can help us prepare for a warming climate. Laural Porter is joined by KGW Meteorologist Matt Zaffino, Reed College Professor Dr. Aaron Ramirez, and Portland State University associate professors Dr. Paul Loikith and Dr. Todd Rosenstiel.

Investigative reporter Cristin Severance, and photojournalists Gene Cotton and Kurt Austin, are spending the school year telling stories about Woodlawn Elementary's students, staff and parents. It's a project providing insight into not only education in Portland, but also the community's history and a glimpse at where it might be headed.

Tiffany Hill was shot and killed by her estranged husband in front of her children in November 2019. Now, Washington lawmakers and victims’ advocates are working together to stop what happened to Hill from happening to anyone else. Laural Porter is joined by Vancouver Police detective Tanya Wollstein, Washington State Rep. Sharon Wylie (D-Vancouver) and victims advocate Michelle Bart.

Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick and Senate Minority Leader Herman Baertschiger Jr. join Laural Porter to discuss the upcoming legislative session, and why Democrats think their new version of the Cap and Trade Bill could pass this session.

Laural Porter is joined by Becky Jones, the executive director of the Oregon Network of Child Abuse Intervention Centers, Rep. Anna Williams (D-52), and Hood County Sheriff Matt English. The experts discuss how children's advocacy centers are changing the way we respond to abuse, and what laws the Oregon legislature is considering to offer more support to victims.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown talked with Laural about reviving the cap-and-trade bill, the possibility of another Republican walkout and goals for the upcoming legislative session.

Portland Commissioner Nick Fish passed away after a battle with abdominal cancer on Jan. 2, 2020. He was a frequent guest on Straight Talk, and a long-time public servant. Laural Porter is joined by guests: Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury, the executive director of the Latino Network Carmen Rubio, and KGW political analyst Len Bergstein.

We're joined by Eco Northwest President John Tapogna, Executive Director of PNW International Trade Association Maria Isabel Ellis, and Executive Director of Port of Portland Curtis Robinhold to talk about the health of imports/exports in Oregon, including agriculture and the industry-leading companies like Intel.

Heidi Wallace and Carrie Bates from the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation join Laural Porter to talk about addiction and recovery. The holidays can be a difficult time for people who struggle with substance abuse. Heidi and Carrie talk about the importance of treatment and offer resources for those who need help. Carrie also discusses her own personal journey from gold medal-winning Olympic swimmer to alcoholic, and how treatment and recovery has changed her life.

Laural Porter is joined by Oregon State Rep. Tiffany Mitchell, a living kidney donor, and Leslie Brock, executive director of Donate Life Northwest. They discussed Mitchell's donation, as well as how a new law in Oregon could make it easier for others to become living donors.

Ebony Clarke, the new director of Multnomah County's Mental Health and Addiction Services Division, says her goal, as she takes over leadership of the department, is to rebuild trust, morale and transparency.

Commissioner Vega Pederson and Director of Oregon's Early Learning System Miriam Calderon talk about Oregon's expensive childcare and preschool programs. A recent study recently found every Oregon county is considered a child care desert for newborns through 2-year-olds.

KGW's Kyle Iboshi explains how robocalls work and if there's anything we can do to stop them. He also goes over some tips for aging parents and grandparents to avoid impostor scams. More info on robocalls here Follow Laural Porter on Facebook

Child advocates say the state of Oregon is woefully under funding services to prevent and treat child abuse. We're joined by Becky Jones, the executive director of the Oregon Network of Child Abuse Intervention Centers and Ted Davis, the CEO of Airstream Adventures NW.

Three scientists from Portland State University along with KGW's Chief Meteorologist Matt Zaffino discussed the impact climate change is having on the Pacific Northwest.

Student loan debt in 2019 is at the highest points its ever been. Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and talks about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and is joined by Kristen Fouts, currently working as a teacher who was one of the few to get her student loan forgiven through the program.

Lines for Life CEO Dwight Holton and Lines for Life YouthLine Crisis Line Director Emily Moser discuss the crisis, resources for prevention and erasing the stigma of suicide. This episode originally aired on KGW News on April 7, 2019.

For the first time in more than a decade, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith made a join appearance. The Republican and Democrat were in town for the Gordon and Sharon Smith New Freedom Award dinner sponsored by the Oregon chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.