How Oregonians can stay safe from wildfire smoke

Oregon Esperanto speakers share a universal language

Languages have evolved over time, but it is rare when one is just created. Nearly 140 years ago, a Polish linguist did just that. Esperanto was made with the intent to be a universal second language for international communication. It is difficult to measure just how many people speak the language, but it does have speakers across the globe.   In the Pacific Northwest, speakers will gather next month for the 45th anniversary of the Northwest Regional Esperanto Conference in Seattle. We're joined by three members of the Esperanto Society of Portland: Izaak Zawyrucha-Moore, Alaine Warfield and Bruce Sherwood. They share why they've chosen to learn this language and what it has meant for them.

Rage rooms: where customers pay money to smash bottles, electronics and more

Portland entrepreneur Mark Maher says it was around March 2025 when he and his family got to experience firsthand the thrill of smashing ceramic plates, glass vases, TVs and other electronic devices. That experience took place at a friend’s rage room in Boise, Idaho, where customers book sessions to don goggles, gloves and other safety equipment to obliterate objects in a controlled, safe environment.    Soon after, Maher opened Rage Room Portland [https://rageroomportland.co/], which celebrated its one-year anniversary this month by opening its second location inside Stickmen Brewing Company in Tualatin.      Business is also booming at OutRaged Rage Room [https://www.outragedroom.com/aboutoutragedragroom], which opened in Vancouver in 2019. Owner Tera Gale says her three themed rage rooms are usually booked back to back on the weekends, with individuals or groups of up to 15 people paying to smash not only electronics and glassware but also personal objects they might find cathartic to destroy, such as a wedding dress from a failed marriage.    Gale and Maher join us to share what they think is behind the appeal of rage rooms, where the adage, “you break it, you buy it,” is taking on new meaning.

How Oregonians can stay safe from wildfire smoke

Oregon’s wildfire season has been severe, resulting in smoky air in communities all over the state. Central Oregon now ranks among the worst air quality in the nation, with wildfire smoke significantly affecting the region. We’ll hear from Crook County Public Health Director Katie Plumb about how people can help keep themselves safe from the smoke.

What the Seattle Supersonics relocation can teach us about the Trailblazers

NEARLY 20 YEARS AGO, SEATTLE LOST ITS NBA TEAM, THE SUPERSONICS. A COMBINATION OF NEW OWNERSHIP WITHOUT LOCAL TIES, AN OUTDATED ARENA AND POLITICAL DECISION-MAKING SAW THE SONICS LEAVE AFTER 41 YEARS IN SEATTLE.   SOUNDS FAMILIAR DOESN’T IT?   AMIDST THE DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN PORTLAND CITY OFFICIALS AND BLAZERS MANAGEMENT, SEATTLE TIMES REPORTER TIM BOOTH JOINS US TO DISCUSS WHAT LED THE SUPERSONICS TO RELOCATE FROM SEATTLE, AND HOW THAT RELATES TO THE ISSUES PORTLAND CURRENTLY FACES WITH THE BLAZERS.

Proposed data center in Salem stalled

THE SALEM CITY COUNCIL HAS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO BEGIN THE PROCESS [https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2026/08/04/salem-city-council-votes-in-favor-on-moratorium-on-ai-data-centers/91098961007] OF ADOPTING A DATA CENTER MORATORIUM. OREGON GOV. TINA KOTEK HAS FORMED A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP STATEWIDE REGULATIONS [https://www.opb.org/article/2026/08/04/oregon-data-centers-advisory-committee-to-propose-statewide-regulations/] FOR THESE FACILITIES, AND SHE RECENTLY CANCELED THE SALE OF A PIECE OF STATE-OWNED LAND THAT THE VERRUS COMPANY WAS SLATED TO PURCHASE AS PART OF THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A DATA CENTER [https://www.cityofsalem.net/Home/Components/News/News/2169/15] ON THE PROPERTY.   KOTEK RELEASED A STATEMENT ABOUT THE CANCELLATION [https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/GOV/Posts/Post/governor-kotek-directs-state-to-withdraw-land-for-proposed-salem-data-center-site]. “THIS DECISION IS ABOUT MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE STATE ACTIONS REFLECT OREGON’S VALUES AND SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST,” SHE SAID. “I BELIEVE IN GROWING OREGON’S ECONOMY AND WELCOMING NEW INVESTMENT, INCLUDING IN THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR. BUT GROWTH HAS TO MAKE SENSE FOR THE COMMUNITY, FOR OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, AND FOR OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.”   VERRUS [https://www.verrusdata.com/] CEO NELSON ABRAMSON ARGUES HIS COMPANY'S DATA CENTERS ARE DIFFERENT THAN MOST — HE MAKES THE CASE THAT PROJECTS SHOULD BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY, SUPPORT CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE, AND PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES. HE SAYS THE COMPANY’S FACILITY WOULD FULFILL ALL THOSE GOALS, UNLIKE OTHER SIMILAR FACILITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY. ABRAMSON JOINS US TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT.