OPB's Think Out Loud

Oregon business and tech leaders expressed shock and sadness at the sudden death of Elemental CEO Sam Blackman. He died over the weekend from cardiac arrest at the age of 41. Oregonian/Oregonlive business and technology reporter Mike Rogoway joins us to remember Blackman.

Documentary filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick preview their new 10 part series about the Vietnam War. General Merrill McPeak joins the conversation as well.

The Oregon Supreme Court recently decided to lower the score required for prospective lawyers to pass the state bar exam. Oregon’s “cut score” was previously the third highest in the nation and the change comes after strong advocacy by three law school deans, including Lewis and Clark Law School Dean Jennifer Johnson. Johnson joins us to discuss the change and what it means for aspiring Oregon lawyers.

RAND Corporation senior economist Kathleen Mullen joins us to talk about what she says is the first comprehensive survey of American Workers. A similar survey of workers in Europe has been conducted regularly since the 1990s. We’ll hear how many workers report job satisfaction and advancement opportunities, and how many endure hostile working environments, schedule unpredictability and more.

The City of Portland’s 2016 ordinance banning new fossil fuel infrastructure within city limits was struck down by the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals in late July, and proponents are fighting back. The city has filed an appeal of the Land Use Board decision, which rendered the ordinance in violation of the United States Constitution’s commerce clause. Lewis and Clark law professor William Funk offers us his take on challenges faced by the city’s case.

Oregon’s junior senator, Jeff Merkley, joins us to talk about his recent trip to the Korean peninsula, his take on President Trump’s plans for the war in Afghanistan, and more.

We’re joined by Kevin Mannix, Barbara Dudley and Christopher McKnight Nichols to discuss some of the big stories of the week on our news roundtable.

Eugene Weekly reporter Kaylee Tornay joins us to talk about the new “community court” program in Eugene to try to help people arrested for crimes associated with homelessness in the downtown area.

A Portland bookstore has been hosting Drag Queen Story Time events, inviting local drag queens to read books to children and send a positive message about diversity. Their next event is coming up this Saturday. We learn more today from Green Bean Books employee Robin Anderson, and drag queen Clare Apparently (also known as TransActive Gender Center employee Kit Crosland), who read at a July event.

We talk with Portland Parks and Recreation director Mike Abatte and hear listeners’ questions about the future of Portland parks. How do you use the parks near you? What changes would you like to see?

It’s official: Oregonians will get a tax rebate next year thanks to a unique law known as the “kicker.” Where does the money come from? How much will you get? What is this wacky kicker law anyway? OPB reporter Chris Lehman has the scoop.

Some irrigators who depend on water that flows through Columbia and Snake River dams have called for the so-called “God Squad” to be convened to settle conflicts over salmon habitat and agricultural needs. Lewis & Clark Law professor Dan Rohlf joins us to explain what the “God Squad” is and how likely it is to be called into action in this case.

Governor Brown has been exchanging letters with US Attorney General Jeff Sessions about Oregon’s marijuana market. Rob Bovett, Legal counsel for the Association of Oregon Counties, who has been involved in crafting Oregon’s legal policy around marijuana, joins us to explain what the state is doing to make sure cannabis grown for the medical market doesn’t make its way onto the black market.

A new grant-funded program from Catholic Community Services is providing low-cost legal assistance for immigrants in the Eugene area. We hear from Lise Colgan, the organization’s Immigration Legal Services Intake & Outreach Specialist, about the program and the need it’s filling.

Last week we heard from Chris Trejbal, chair of Portland’s Overlook Neighborhood Association, about the association’s relationship with the Hazelnut Grove homeless camp. Today, we get a perspective from Hazelnut Grove resident Marvin Ross and co-founder Vahid Brown, who serves as the camp’s liaison to the city of Portland. We’ll also hear from Jamey Duhamel, policy director for Portland City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly.