Think Out Loud

Portland-based filmmaker has new documentary centering on local doctor’s experience in Gaza

Portland filmmaker Jan Haaken has a new short documentary called “SUMUD: A doctor’s report on genocide and survival in Gaza [https://jhaaken.com/films/sumud/].” “Sumud” in Arabic means “steadfast perseverance.” The film follows Oregon Health and Science University anesthesiologist Travis Melin as he provided volunteer medical care in Gaza in August of 2025. We’re joined by Haaken and Melin who share more about making the documentary -- and what effect they hope the stories in the film will have.

Gov. Tina Kotek announces funding for maternity care in rural hospitals, as some rural labor and delivery units close their doors

Ten of Oregon’s 34 rural hospitals have no labor and delivery units [https://chqpr.org/downloads/Rural_Maternity_Care_Crisis.pdf], and even more are at risk of shutting their doors [https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/17/baker-city-oregon-maternity-ward/]. This raises concerns for those seeking maternal healthcare in rural areas as residents face high drive times [https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/02/seaside-oregon-labor-delivery-unit-growing-rural-healthcare-challenge/] to the remaining providers, limiting their access to prenatal visits and increasing risk in cases of emergency.   Late last month, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced $15 million in funding [https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/Governor-Kotek-Secures-25-Million-for-OHA-and-Hospitals-to-Protect-Maternity-Care-1.20.2026.aspx] for maternity care in rural hospitals across the state. This will provide payments to rural hospitals with labor and delivery units that have “fewer than 50 beds and may or may not be within 30 miles of another hospital.”   Jeanna Romer is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande. Nora Hawkins is a direct-entry midwife in Wallowa County. They both join us to give us a sense of what that funding might mean, and the general state of obstetric care in Northeast Oregon.

The Portland-label celebrating Chicano Rock

Like many ideas, it started over a round of drinks. Musicians, Shorty Delgado, James Jones and Joshua Josué were discussing where they stood in the world of music, each of their sounds not classically Country music, Americana and having spanish thrown into the mix, doesn’t make them Tejano either. Thus, Electric Chololand Records was born. An indie-start up record label celebrating Chicano musicians, stories and heritage, with a specialty in Chicano Rock. Delgado is the head of the label, which launched in 2024. Josué is one of the artists under the label whose new album, “Broadcast to the Surf Ballroom,” is a tribute album made up of demos and unfinished songs from artists Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, two musical inspirations for Josué. Delgado joins us to share more on the record label and its creation. And Josué joins us to discuss his music and share a few songs, with performances from Ben Rice, Nick Skalberg, Marilyn Darrel and Yoshi Sheetz.

Clark County has highest number of evictions per capita in Washington state for 3rd consecutive year

The Columbian [https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/feb/02/basically-people-cant-afford-rent-clark-county-records-highest-number-of-evictions-per-capita-for-3rd-year-in-a-row/]recently reported that Clark County recorded the highest rate of evictions per capita in Washington state for the third year in a row. In 2025, Clark County landlords filed 2,275 cases to evict tenants, an increase of roughly 33% since 2023.    Washington has passed legislation in recent years to help tenants, including a new law Governor Bob Ferguson signed last May [https://governor.wa.gov/news/2025/governor-ferguson-signs-rent-stabilization-affordable-housing-bills] that limits rent increases  to no more than 10% in a year. In 2021, Washington became the first state in the nation to establish a right to free legal counsel for low-income tenants facing eviction. But amid growing need and rising caseloads, the Washington State Office of Legal Aid is seeking $3 million in supplemental funding [https://ocla.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-10/Appointed%20Counsel%20for%20Indigent%20Tenants%20A%20Proven%2C%20Cost-Effective%20Strategy%20to%20Prevent%20Homelessness%2020201029.pdf] from lawmakers for the next fiscal year.    Mia Ryder-Marks is a reporter for The Columbian covering homelessness, affordable housing and veterans. She joins us for more details.

Eugene equestrian brings traditional Japanese horseback archery to Oregon

Yabusame [https://yabusame.or.jp/english/on-yabusame/] is a form of Japanese horseback archery that dates back centuries. The sport has traditionally only been practiced in Japan, but in recent years, students outside the country have been allowed to participate — including in Oregon. As reported in Eugene Weekly [https://eugeneweekly.com/2026/01/08/the-reins-of-tradition/], Carey Norland participated in one of the first yabusame clinics outside Japan last summer. He then traveled from Eugene to Japan to compete in the World Yabusame Championships in October.  Norland [https://www.ridgelinemountedarchers.com/about-5] is now set to become one of the first certified yabusame instructors outside of Japan. He joins us to talk about bringing the sport and its spiritual practice to students in the Pacific Northwest.