A weekly deep-dive into politics and social issues with KGW’s 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.
