KGW’s Straight Talk

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson talks Moda Center negotiations, why he won't endorse police abolitionists, and the city's homeless shelter crisis.

In just over six weeks, voters in Washington County will choose their next county chair in a runoff race, triggered after no candidate cleared the 50% threshold in May's primary. Sitting commissioners Nafisa Fai and Pam Treece advanced to the runoff, and they each were a guest on this week's episode of Straight Talk as they make their cases to voters in an election where a booming tech-forward economy, immigration enforcement and land use issues are major topics in the county.

Portland Police Chief Bob Day came out of retirement nearly three years ago to take the helm of a police bureau and a city facing some significant challenges. Since then, Portland has seen progress in some key areas like crime and public safety, but the bureau continues to struggle with staffing, response times and other issues. Day was a guest on this week's episode of Straight Talk to discuss his priorities and how his tenure has gone so far.

The November election is just a few months away, and while the national midterms tend to grab most of the headlines, the election will also have a big impact in the Oregon Legislature with 75 seat up for grabs. One of the more interesting contests is the race for Oregon House District 32 on the north coast, where incumbent Rep. Cyrus Javadadi is running for the first time as a Democrat after winning two previous elections as a Republican and then switching parties last year. Javadi and his Republican opponent, Max Sherman, were both guests on this week's episode of Straight Talk. Javadi lives in Tillamook, where he owns a private dental practice. He's previously serviced as a commissioner for the Port of Tillamook, dental director for the Tillamook County Health Department and in leadership roles with the Oregon Dental Association. Sherman has spent 35 years teaching agriculture, welding and biology at Tillamook and Canby high schools, mentoring students in technical and agricultural careers. He's also served in leadership roles with Oregon FFA and the Tillamook Farm Bureau.