Willamette Sewage Spill, Dangerous Train Crossings, and Approved Camping Ban
Today we’re talking about updates on the daytime camping ban now that it’s passed, the growing wait times at train crossings, and the sewage spill in Lake Oswego that ended up in the Willamette River. Joining host Claudia Meza for this week’s news roundup is Portland Mercury news editor Courtney Vaughn and City Cast’s director of newsletters, Bryan M. Vance.
Stories discussed in today’s episode:
- City Council Approves Daytime Camping Ban; Legal Challenges Could Arise [Portland Mercury]
- Freight Train Pain: City Will Study Solutions for Frequently Blocked Eastside Railroad Crossings [Portland Mercury]
- 500,000 gallons of treated sewage spills into Willamette River [KPTV]
Helpful guide to avoid train traffic delays at the SE Portland crossing (on foot or bike).
Previously aired episodes mentioned:
How Safe Is It ACTUALLY to Swim in the Willamette River??
We’re doing a listener survey so we can make City Cast Portland an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 5 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card!
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, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Portland and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
The Moda Center Funding Fight, TriMet To Cut Routes, and Where To Eat Next in Beaverton
Today we’re talking about why our city council is fighting over whether Portlanders should pay for a Moda Center renovation, and some maj...

'Your City Could Be Better': Meet Nashville's Rogue Bench Builders — Presented By City Cast Portland
Are DIY urban projects the key to improving the infrastructure in cities like Portland? The grassroots group To Nashville, With Love has...

Why Police Are Saying No to Mask Ban, Controversial City Shelter to Close, and Updates on Home Forward Drama
Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about the closing of a controversial overnight shelter in the Pearl District. We have an updat...

Looming City and County Budget Cuts and a Case for the City’s Arts Tax
We’re talking about the city and county’s proposed budgets, what’s getting cut, how many jobs are on the line, and the pushback they’re r...

Higher City Taxes for Roads, Urban Foraging in Portland, and Oregon's Best Weekend Getaways
Today, we’re talking about City Hall’s plan to raise taxes and fees to address our crumbling roads. We also have tips for urban foraging...

Intel + Elon, Catholic School Handles Racist Slur, and Measles Grows Stronger in Oregon
Today on City Cast Portland, we’re talking about a possible collaboration between Elon Musk and Intel, a Catholic high school’s decision...

Our Mayor’s Surprising Sunday Routine, Kotek Blocks Shorter School Years, and Portland's Best Pizza
Today, we're looking into how the mayor’s Sunday routine often involves literally cleaning up Portland, and why Gov. Kotek is squaring of...

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Seattle Gives Every Voter $100 — Presented By City Cast Portland
Could public financing get more Portlanders involved in local elections? For the last decade, the City of Seattle has issued $100 in vouc...

Affordable Housing Leader Under Fire, Lowering Bar for Forced Treatment, and Best New Thai Food
We're talking about how the CEO of Portland's housing authority, Home Forward, spent more than $100,000 in taxpayer dollars on travel, a...

Music Millenium’s AI Backlash, State Abortion Law Ruled Unconstitutional, Plus Mailbag!
We’re talking about how AI landed a beloved local record store in hot water and why our state’s abortion coverage law is being ruled unco...

