As tailors, seamstresses decline nationwide, Oregon professionals share their thoughts on the industry

Reed College student body president on the college’s settlement of antisemitism complaints

Reed College recently settled [https://www.opb.org/article/2026/07/23/reed-college-education-portland-oregon-antisemitism/] a pair of complaints from former students who said they were targeted and harassed for being Jewish. The college agreed to update [https://www.reed.edu/president/resolution-agreement/] its discrimination policy, implement new training for students, faculty and staff and appoint a coordinator for Title VI civil rights complaints, among other changes.    For a student perspective on the settlement, we’re joined by Reed Student Body President Andrew Happy.

As tailors, seamstresses decline nationwide, Oregon professionals share their thoughts on the industry

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 18,500 professional tailors, dressmakers and seamstresses in 2024. That’s a 30% drop from a decade before. The median age for the profession is 54, and unlike other skilled labor industries, not enough young people are filling in for those who are retiring.   What are the challenges of this work and why don’t more young people want to do it? To answer these questions and more we are joined by two professional sewists in Oregon. Stephanie Mendes is the owner of Love Stephanie Apparel and is an instructor at the Portland Fashion Institute. Mackinley James is known as the Fibrarian and is based in Portland.

Big changes coming for people on Oregon Health Plan

In January of 2027, people on Medicaid will need to meet a slate of new requirements mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or HR1. Some people on the Oregon Health Plan will need to confirm that they are working, volunteering or attending school every six months. And everyone will need to renew twice a year, rather than once every two years. All this paperwork will be handled by the Oregon Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Oregon Health Authority. Both departments are working hard to make sure they are ready for the January deadline. Vivian Levy, Interim Medicaid Director for the Oregon Health Authority, and Nate Singer, Director of Eligibility Partnership at the Oregon Department of Human Services, join us to explain how Oregonians will be impacted.

How the Bench fire in Central Oregon is impacting the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

By Monday, the Bench fire [https://centraloregonfire.org/2026/07/27/bench-fire-july-27-2026/] burning in Warm Springs grew to more than 40,000 acres after combining with the Beachcomb fire. At least six homes and five buildings have been lost, according to state fire officials.    Hundreds of people are under Level 3 “Go Now!” evacuation orders, with more than a thousand others under lower evacuation levels.    Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Tribal Council Chair Dennis White III has issued a state of emergency declaration [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y1sk8QrgGaFLS-bc9aYknkeNbGF_lGds/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawTVCkRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFzQ25aYkQ4WE9mRkNkUkJ0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsRwjbdZBzuuK73cLJn_QAU9gWoVSqqsqymkbpsr60S2X5CheNfuUVKX67m4_aem_1hQu95y1uWo_E9uqvQ5ixA] that authorizes coordination with and seeks assistance from state, local and federal agencies to fight the wildfires threatening the reservation and taking a toll on tribal services. Tribal officials have now issued a water conservation order [https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1497599022395611&set=pcb.1497599239062256] and a boil water advisory [https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1497599035728943&set=pcb.1497599239062256]while announcing the closure of government offices on Tuesday.      Edward Henderson, Secretary-Treasurer/CEO of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, joins us to share more.

Trail Blazers relocation threat heightens, as Portland city officials approach Moda Center draft sheet deadline

Portland city officials are rapidly approaching the Aug. 12 deadline to begin negotiations for a Moda Center deal. With both city officials and Trail Blazers management firm in their stance, the threat of a Trail Blazers relocation has crept into NBA discourse.   NBA reporters Mike Vorkunov [https://www.mikevorkunov.com/] and Yaron Weitzman [https://www.yaronweitzman.com/]join us to discuss further about the possibility of a Blazers relocation, and what cities may be attractive suitors for the franchise.