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
What City Councilors Spent Their Office Budgets On, More River Pig Saloon Drama, and Portland’s Pettiest Gripes
We're talking about the $2.2 million city councilors spent on pet projects — as well as how a Pearl District bar owner who once complaine...

Round 2: Why These 3 Portlanders Want To Represent District 4
Today we have our second interview of the city's fall election with the second panel of candidates for Portland City Council District 4....

Round 1: Why These 3 Portlanders Want To Represent District 4
Today we're kicking off our interviews for the city's fall election with the first panel of candidates for Portland City Council District...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Las Vegas Is Handling Record-Breaking Heat — Presented By City Cast Portland
It may not feel like it right now, but extreme heat is coming for Portland, and Las Vegas might have the answers you need. An already siz...

Why the County Chair Race Needs Your Attention. Plus, I-5 Carmageddon Starts Tonight, and Electricians Are Leaving Oregon
With a two-mile stretch of southbound I-5 shutting down tonight, a county chair race that could reshape Portland's entire social safety n...

The Political PAC Winning Over Local Restaurant Owners. Plus, Are Hot Dogs at Bars a Recession Indicator? And Listener Mailbag!
We're talking about the connection between a conservative PAC and some local chefs, as well as the new trend of local bars serving hot do...

Low Marks for City Hall, Affordable Housing’s Rent Hike, and Oregon’s ‘Tiger King’ Goes To Prison
Today on the podcast, we're talking about why shockingly few Portlanders think city government is effective, and why some tenants of Home...

3 New Restaurants To Check Out This Fall. Plus, Why Gresham Made Your Water Bill More Expensive
We're talking about some newly opened restaurants to try out and a locally made game that is taking inspiration from our Portland foods s...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Nashville Is Beating Flock — Presented By City Cast Portland
Do you know what kind of surveillance technology is being used in Portland? In Nashville, the city government has blocked numerous measur...

Police Chief Bob Day on ‘Blue Flu’ Accusations, High-Priority Call Response Times, and Needing More Police Officers
City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza is talking with Portland Chief of Police Bob Day about everything from repairing community trust to...

