86: The Kids Are All Right

The courts can legally take the money aspect out of fossil fuel production.

Since 2015, 21 young people have been engaged in the ongoing battle to sue the United States government for denying their constitutional right to life and liberty by supporting and prioritizing profiting enterprises over the right to life and liberty. Juliana v. United States, which transcends political party lines, has the potential to change the course of climate activism, by deinstitutionalizing the support of fossil fuels on public lands.

Originally aired on November 1, 2023 on KPOV’s Open Air

84: Epidemic Of Apathy

Clifford converses with people he doesn’t agree with in a civil manner.

Having a title within city government means nothing unless you practice what you preach, fulfill your duties and walk the walk. It is so important during this “epidemic of apathy” for community members to engage with active managing bodies in a civil, respectful manner. Economic pressure, disagreements, lawlessness, gun threats, poor health habits; can we slow down enough to focus on the importance of what we’re putting into the hearts and minds of our children?

Originally aired on October 5, 2023 on KPOV’s The Thursday Point

83: Oath To Growth

Some barriers to builders include a shortage of construction workers and restrictive state land use laws.

Steadfast growth in Central Oregon is continually demanding the attention of city leaders, permitting agencies and area developers, but the issue remains that housing is completely unaffordable by even median level income earners. How can we be a model for growth when the supply and demand chains are so out of balance, and there is nowhere for people to live?

Originally aired on September 15, 2023 on KPOV’s The Friday Point

78: Whistleblowin' In The Wind

Historically, the MIT culture was unconsciously stacked against women.

Subtle discrimination is much more widespread than egregious sexual assault, and it’s very easy to overlook the unconscious bias facing women in the workplace. Affirmative action, of course, demands equality, but it is not enough just to ‘open doors’ to women. So The 16 were born, and their pursuit to bring justice to the science department at MIT made them heroes.

Originally aired on August 16, 2023 on KPOV’s Open Air

77: Old Habits Die Hard

Every person has an environmental impact that needs rethinking.

Our own carbon footprint could be one of the hardest things for us to alter or rethink since we are creatures of habit, but it is of the utmost importance that we all do so to the best of our abilities to create lasting change on planet Earth. The Environmental Center advocates reducing, reusing, recycling and composting, in that order, and they continue to educate people on how to fix their broken items to slow the cycle of human waste.

Originally aired on July 13, 2023 on KPOV’s The Thursday Point

72: For You, For Me, For We

COBLA creates free and easy process for landowners to have racially biased language removed from their deeds.

Since the murder of George Floyd, Central Oregon Black Leaders Assembly has adopted the mission to build an equitable community, taking on the fight to remove racist language from Oregon's land covenants. The archaic language discriminating against the sales of property to certain racial groups holds no actual legal weight anymore, but unification of our word is what's important for all to truly move forward.

Originally aired on April 4, 2023 on KPOV’s The Tuesday Point

69: Dead On The Doorstep

Redmond Police are looking for the perpetrator of an extreme act of outlaw behavior.

A terribly heart and law breaking hate crime occurs in what feels like not such a small town in Oregon anymore, in an investigation that is still underway. A still unknown perpetrator left a raccoon carcass at the steps of the mayor’s law office labeled with his name and that of the only black city councilman currently serving in Redmond. This leaves them to wonder whether a person who would go to this extreme to send a message would possibly take the next step with human life.

Originally aired on June 15, 2023 on KPOV’s The Thursday Point

68: Vegans For Planetary Evolution

Veganism is a huge leap for your own development, but that’s not where the fight ends.

After vividly dreaming of merging into full understanding with animals, Gwenna Hunter began a vegan community that continues to grow and realize its own strength and purpose. The fight for freedom continues beyond animals into human rights, social justice and encouraging people from all different backgrounds to actively engage in the conversation. When there is access and exposure to wholesome choices, we can choose to heal ourselves and the planet.

Originally aired February 14, 2023 on KPOV’s All Things Vegan

60: Show Me The Money

How are large donations allocated throughout a nonprofit entity?

Habitat For Humanity does everything they can to provide as much quality housing to as many deserving families as they are able in as convenient a time as possible. Their funding is provided largely through city and state municipalities and private donors, but, in reality, how is this money spent? In a time when many businesses are being investigated for embezzlement, fraudulent spending and embellishing company records, this discussion zeros in on exactly how these donations are allotted at this well-known, worldwide nonprofit.

Originally aired on November 30, 2022 on KPOV’s The Wednesday Point

58: Through Black Lenses

Continuing to share real-life perspectives provides an avenue for understanding and lasting change.

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we can use to create understanding and compassion, and this is Kenny Adams’ main focus with his documentary Blend: On Being Black in Bend. By creating a film that provides an unfiltered look at lived experiences, he hopes to be an agent of change, urging that we all carry this burden together, and we need to actively coach each other’s behaviors in order to move forward and embrace the unity we all deserve.

Originally aired on February 21, 2023 on KPOV’s The Tuesday Point

53: Look Up, People

Solar Radiation Management (SRM) aims at limiting the amount of sunlight reaching Earth in order to cool the planet.

A highly controversial topic, the existence of contrails or chemtrails in the skies above and a current government program designed to alter planet Earth’s climate, is brought to light in this fringe conversation. A group of climate activists questions and spreads awareness about dangerous and multifaceted weather control technology and its use of toxic nano-materials linked to several life-threatening conditions.

Originally aired on February 14, 2023 on KPOV’s Curiosity Lab

50: Each One Teach One

Everyone is trying to live their best lives.

A true innovator and interpreter of the local landscape takes an interesting look at the current components in the school system that are meant to support yet hinder students to reaching their full potential. We must first fully acknowledge, as a society, that there is a problem and that students do fall short, not because of their own downfalls but because of the weaknesses of the system as a whole. By providing flexibility with scheduling and leaning into students' interests, the school system can be more open to the change and growth it’ll take to teach these kids.

Originally aired on February 22, 2023 on KPOV’s The Wednesday Point

49: Achievable Housing For All

Homelessness is a symptom of larger societal issues and current services merely a safety net.

Homelessness has increased at an amazing rate in recent years in Central Oregon, and the available homeless services don’t come close to serving this incredibly under-counted population of struggling community members. It is going to take full commitment to engaging diverse perspectives, having open ears and focusing on a solution-oriented attitude to understand the vastness of this issue and offer housing to all. No complicated problem can be solved today, but we can all be warm tonight.

Originally aired on January 11, 2023 on KPOV’s The Wednesday Point

48: Realities Of Race

It is when we take a stance on race that we can challenge the current status quo.

How do we raise children to be racially responsible and what does this mean in our ever-changing social world structure? At the collegiate level, sociology professor Tom Barry recognizes and teaches the sometimes unpleasant realities of our collected times in order to understand the present situation with honor and respect for the past. Here we discuss the link between white supremacy and capitalism, the origins of the second amendment and the biological imprint we are working to shift to have a healthier society for everyone to live their fullest expression.

Originally aired on August 5, 2022 on KPOV’s The Friday Point

35: Dignity Is My Lens

Habitat For Humanity and Mellissa believe in a world where everyone has the right to a home.

Presenting part three of our series examining the housing crisis in Central Oregon, featuring Mellissa Kamanya, Grants Director for Bend-Redmond Habitat. She shares her own family’s struggles with housing instability and the programs and promise of Habitat for Humanity as one solution to our community’s difficulties. Infusing hope and enabling transformations makes this organization a community gem.

Originally aired on November 17, 2022 for KPOV’s Critical Conversations

34: The Couple's Conversation On Racism

No place is exempt from racism.

A swath of such challenging experiences from Virginia to Central Oregon, as told by interracial couple KPOV DJ Teryl Young, and his wife, Kim, have truly put them through the wringer. These are real stories from real people in our community who are confronting real issues on racism right now. Stereotyping, white supremacist ideals, racial targeting, superficiality, microaggressions, whitewashing; with conversation comes progress.

Originally recorded on August 8, 2022 for KPOV’s Critical Conversations

33: Future's So Bright, Gotta Buy Shades

Part 2 of our in-depth interview series with Bend-Redmond Habitat For Humanity and the examination of the housing crisis in Central Oregon.

After the life-changing opportunity to own her own home came to fruition through the support of Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity, Jodie is glowing. All she ever wanted was stability for her children to thrive and was able to access custom support to make it a reality; and through the sweat equity program, community builds community. She now makes her living as a real estate agent and helps pass the torch for others to shine brightly into their futures.

Originally aired on November 10, 2022 on KPOV

29: That Which Does Not Happen Here

“This should be a wakeup call that racism is alive and well in Central Oregon.” - Josie Stanfield, activist/resident in Prineville, Oregon

This emotional interview takes place within days after Barry Washington Jr. was murdered in downtown Bend, Oregon. KPOV Station Manager, Bruce Morris, and Josie Stanfield have an exploratory discussion into the circumstances surrounding Barry’s final evening, what constitutes a hate crime and how microaggressions and fears propel deeply-rooted white supremist behavior.

Originally aired on October 19, 2021 on KPOV’s The Thursday Point

27: When Activism Runs In The Family

Juniper grew up wanting to be like and admiring her role models.

In the Rook family, activism is a civil duty passed down between generations. Juniper, and her mother, Kelsey, share trials and tribulations of leading such a bold, yet vulnerable life, giving insight into some of the impacts and challenges of using their voices to push for social and political change. Juniper reads her letter to the Redmond School Board in which she pleas for safer schools.

Originally aired on March 22, 2022 on KPOV’s The Tuesday Point

22: Property Of The Armed Forces

It takes one to know one; Veterans healing together at Central Oregon Veterans Ranch.

These women are strong, flexible, adventurous and have a passion for their country, yet share misogynistic stories from their time in the service that completely dismantle equal opportunity propaganda. Major Kara Kelly and Alison Perry, both military veterans with rank, never reported the sexual abuse they experienced out of fear of the wrath of over-powering male figures. It is out of these experiences that led Alison to open Central Oregon Veterans Ranch to heal and transmute emotions of retired soldiers who feel they have nowhere else to turn.

Originally aired on March 21, 2018 on KPOV’s The Wednesday Point