Elizabeth Castillo

Portland

@OPBTOL producer | alum: @CalMatters, @djnf, @politico, @NPR #nextgenradio, @nsprnews, @ChicoNR, @ChicoJourpr ✉: ecastillo(at)opb(dot)org

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Articles

How tariffs are affecting Oregon’s seafood industry

2 weeks ago | opb.org | Elizabeth Castillo

The West Coast seafood industry is caught in the crosshairs of tariff uncertainty. Among other things, the United Kingdom is a major buyer of pink shrimp processed off the Oregon coast. International orders have been canceled, which impacts Oregon workers. Industry leaders and Oregon’s Democratic Congressional delegation have asked the US Department of Agriculture to step in. Lori Steele is the executive director of the West Coast Seafood Processors Association.
Oregon doctor speaks out against proposed Medicaid cuts

2 weeks ago | opb.org | Elizabeth Castillo

Congress is considering cuts to Medicaid that would affect millions of Americans. Under a current proposal, nearly half of the Oregonians enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan would be required to prove they’re working or volunteering 80 hours a month to keep their coverage. In Oregon, some fear changes to Medicaid could hit health care in rural communities especially hard. Evan Saulino is a family physician providing clinical care in the Columbia River Gorge.
Local newspaper Malheur Enterprise closing after 115 years

3 weeks ago | opb.org | Elizabeth Castillo

In this undated supplied photo, Les Zaitz, at the office of the Malheur Enterprise. The 116-year-old newspaper was purchased by Zaitz and his wife Scotta Callister in 2015, and is set to close operations on May 31. Courtesy of Malheur EnterpriseThe owners of the Malheur Enterprise are retiring. After offering the community news for more than 115 years, the newspaper is closing. Its online service will end on May 31. Les Zaitz is the retiring publisher of the Malheur Enterprise.
Oregon lawmakers grapple with transportation policy

1 month ago | opb.org | Elizabeth Castillo

FILE - A bicyclist, a bus, and personal vehicles share the road on SE Hawthorne Boulevard in Portland, Ore., July 9, 2024. Hawthorne was changed to include parking protected bike lanes and a bus and turn lane in summer 2021. Transportation funding is a priority for Oregon lawmakers this legislative session. The Democratic proposal includes a gas tax hike and other new taxes. The Republican plan puts less money toward public transportation, biking and pedestrian infrastructure.
Grants Pass grapples with how to balance needs of community, both housed and unhoused

1 month ago | opb.org | Elizabeth Castillo

A live audience of Grants Pass community members joined Dave Miller at the Performing Arts Center at Grants Pass High School on April 29, 2025. Guests included Scott Nelson, the board president of MINT and Susan Clark, the executive director of Mid Rogue Foundation. For the last year, Grants Pass has been at the center of a national conversation about where people who are homeless can stay.
Portland showcase highlights the power of protest songs

1 month ago | opb.org | Elizabeth Castillo

Songs of Power & Protest is a songwriter showcase that’s happening in Portland on April 26 at the Cravin’ Gravy Social Club at 8 p.m. Jordan Sings and are Portland musicians that will perform at the event. They join us to talk about the showcase and the power of music to express dissent. Songs of Power & Protest is happening in Portland on April 26.
Depoe Bay business owners win award from the US Small Business Administration

1 month ago | opb.org | Elizabeth Castillo

Tadd Mick, Noelie Achen and Chris Schaffner are the owners of Tradewinds Charters in Depoe Bay. They recently won a statewide award from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The national winner of the Small Business Person of the Year award will be announced in May. Mick is the president of Tradewinds Charters, and Achen is the vice president. They’ll head to Washington, D.C., next month to receive their award. Achen and Mick join us to share more about their business.
Yamhill County is getting families with children out of homelessness. Here’s what’s working.

1 month ago | opb.org | Elizabeth Castillo

The Yamhill Community Action Partnership has reached “functional zero” for unsheltered families with children. That means more people in that group are exiting homelessness than are entering it in Yamhill County. The organization has invested in a liaison who works with landlords and clients to get people into rentals and stay housed. It also expanded emergency shelter capacity in Newberg and has focused on getting vulnerable populations into homes. Alexandra Ball is the executive director of YCAP.
In Washington, how has ‘Joel’s Law’ been working?

2 months ago | opb.org | Elizabeth Castillo

Joel’s Law in Washington allows a guardian, conservator or loved one to petition a court to force treatment for people who suffer from serious mental illness. Some supporters of the law have called it a lifeline for family members desperately seeking care for a loved one, but others have concerns about stripping away a person’s civil liberties. The law has been in place for about a decade. InvestigateWest, the Kitsap Sun and Gig Harbor Now recently co-published a deep dive into the law.
Oregon economist examines the future of ODOT

2 months ago | opb.org | Elizabeth Castillo

A semi rolls down U.S. Highway 30 near the northern boundary of Portland. March, 2024Brooke Herbert, Brooke Herbert/OPB / OPBPortland economist Joe Cortright says ODOT’s projects have a history of costing much more than initial estimates. He points to proposals like the I-5 Rose Quarter project which has been in the works for nearly a decade and is estimated to cost around $1.9 billion. The estimate in 2017 was $450 million.