Think Out Loud

All-ages concert venue opens in North Portland

Many concert venues rely on alcohol sales for revenue, meaning people under age 21 are often left out of shows. Not so at The Off Beat [https://friendsofnoise.org/the-off-beat/]. Portland nonprofit Friends of Noise opened the venue [https://www.wweek.com/music/2025/10/14/friends-of-noises-new-all-ages-venue-opens-next-month/] in the Kenton neighborhood last fall and held a grand-opening show headlined by Team Dresch [https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/19/think-out-loudnorthwest-punk-band-team-dresch/] last month.   André Middleton is the executive director of Friends of Noise. Clara Kornelis is a musician and a booker for The Off Beat. They join us to talk about the importance of creating an all-ages space for young performers and live music fans.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office tests using drones for first responder emergencies

Last month, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office [https://flashalert.net/id/1128] began testing drones to respond to traffic crashes, crimes or other emergencies deputies might be dispatched to following a 911 call. Skydio, a California-based drone manufacturer, has provided the county with two of its drones and the “Drone as First Responder” [https://www.skydio.com/solutions/dfr] software platform that it markets to law enforcement agencies across the nation.     A team of sheriff’s deputies who are FAA-certified drone pilots have been assigned to work on Washington County’s DFR trial program, which is expected to end in mid-April. The pilots work in shifts listening to incoming emergency dispatch calls. A pilot can respond to a call by remotely launching a drone, which has a range of roughly three miles, from its base in Aloha to the scene of an emergency to collect evidence or assess a crash site minutes before the arrival of deputies or other first responders. The DFR drones have responded to more than 90 calls for service since Feb. 20.    Matt Frohnert, a lieutenant in the patrol division of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, joins us to share more details about the program.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office tests using drones for first responder emergencies

Last month, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office [https://flashalert.net/id/1128] began testing drones to respond to traffic crashes, crimes or other emergencies deputies might be dispatched to following a 911 call. Skydio, a California-based drone manufacturer, has provided the county with two of its drones and the “Drone as First Responder” [https://www.skydio.com/solutions/dfr] software platform that it markets to law enforcement agencies across the nation.     A team of sheriff’s deputies who are FAA-certified drone pilots have been assigned to work on Washington County’s DFR trial program, which is expected to end in mid-April. The pilots work in shifts listening to incoming emergency dispatch calls. A pilot can respond to a call by remotely launching a drone, which has a range of roughly three miles, from its base in Aloha to the scene of an emergency to collect evidence or assess a crash site minutes before the arrival of deputies or other first responders. The DFR drones have responded to more than 90 calls for service since Feb. 20.    Matt Frohnert, a lieutenant in the patrol division of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, joins us to share more details about the program.

OSU researchers work to track damages in Iran with satellite imaging

Researchers at Oregon State University are using satellite imaging to measure damage in Iran. The Conflict Ecology Lab [https://www.conflict-ecology.org/about]works to assess the effect peace and conflict have on land. The lab has previously done work around Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. Jamon Van Don Heok is an associate professor of geology and geopolitical sciences at OSU and leads the lab. He joins us to share more on what he’s seeing.

OHSU dermatologist explains Morgellons disease, what we know and don't

Morgellons disease is a rare skin condition described by intense itching, burning and crawling sensation underneath the skin. Many living with the condition also experience painful sores and, as a 2024 study found, have a lower quality of life. Oregon Health and Science University Dermatologist Jesse Keller is one of the authors of that study. He was also recently featured in an article about the condition in Undark. Keller joins us to share more on what Morgellons disease is and what he hears from the patients he treats.