Michael Dunne
Host of KLCC's Oregon On The Record Public Affairs Show and Oregon Rainmakers PodcastMichael Dunne is the host and producer for KLCC’s public affairs show, Oregon On The Record. In this role, Michael interviews experts from around Western and Central Oregon to dive deep into the issues that matter most to the station’s audience. Michael also hosts and produces KLCC’s leadership podcast – Oregon Rainmakers, and writes a business column for The Chronicle which serves Springfield and South Lane County.
Prior to his role at KLCC, Michael held extensive positions in public relations and marketing within the industries of banking, telecommunications, and technology.
Do you have a suggestion for a guest or topic? Email Michael at mdunne@klcc.org.
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A conversation with Holly Mar Conte, Childcare Sector Strategist for Onward Eugene and Amie Csiszer, with Oregon Veterinary Referral Associates about the crisis in affordable childcare in our region and possible solutions. -
Oregon On The Record talked with The Soromundi Lesbian Chorus of Eugene. The chorus is celebrating its 36th anniversary, and will perform at the Hult Center this weekend. Founded in a living room during a time when being openly lesbian was challenging. The chorus will perform 12 of 20 songs in their upcoming concert. The event will feature an art exhibit and a reunion of 35 members from across the country. Additionally, Kendra Schertell, KLCC's arts and culture reporter, highlighted various spring and summer events in the region, including festivals, concerts, and community gatherings. -
Oregon On The Record discusses Senate Bill 686, which aims to require tech giants like Google and Meta to pay news publishers and journalists for their content. Senator Khanh Pham explains the bill would allocate 90% of the collected revenue to news organizations and 10% to small publications. The bill addresses the impact of AI on news referrals, noting a 95% reduction. Pham highlights the closure of over a quarter of Oregon's news outlets in 20 years and the loss of 75% of journalism jobs. The bill has broad support from legislators and community members. In the second segment, Camilla Mortensen from the Eugene Weekly discusses the newspaper's recovery from an embezzlement scandal, emphasizing community support and the importance of print journalism. -
Oregon On The Record interviews Ada Limón, the U.S. Poet Laureate, about her role and recent projects. Limón discusses her signature project, "You Are Here," which includes an anthology of 50 poems and installations in seven national parks. She emphasizes the importance of poetry in education and its role in addressing complex environmental issues. Limón highlights her experience as the first Latina Poet Laureate and the significance of representation. She also shares her upcoming event in Cloverdale, Oregon, where she will engage with youth. The conversation underscores the interconnectedness of art and science, advocating for the integration of the arts in education. -
Oregon On The Record talks with Angela Ocana, Director of the Eugene Public Library, about the challenges faced by public libraries, including book challenges and budget cuts. -
Oregon On The Record interviews Jill Bond, the new editor of the Register Guard, about her return to Eugene and her vision for the paper. Bond, a University of Oregon journalism graduate, has a diverse background, including roles at the Herald and News, the Kokomo Tribune, and the Bloomington Herald-Times. -
Oregon On The Record talked with Republican Leader Christine Drazan about her caucus's transportation proposal, which aims to cut costs without raising taxes. The plan includes refocusing spending, eliminating vacant positions, and reallocating funds from non-essential programs, totaling $303.5 million. Then, we talked with Monica Samaya from OPB, who explained Senate Bill 88, which seeks to prevent utilities from passing on public relations and lobbying costs to ratepayers, noting ongoing debates over definitions and potential impacts on community engagement. -
On this edition of Oregon On The Record, Laura Lee, the new managing director of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, discussed her vision and strategies for the venue. With a background in managing theaters in Seattle and producing sports events, Lee emphasized the importance of community engagement and breaking down barriers to make the Hult Center a hub of Eugene's arts ecosystem. -
Oregon On The Record discusses the challenges faced by refugees in America due to the Trump administration's policies. Krish Vignarajah, CEO of Global Refuge, and Dave Duea, CEO of Lutheran Community Services Northwest, highlight the impact of the dismantled US Refugee Admissions Program, which has halted new refugee arrivals since January 20. They detail the legal challenges and the human toll, including canceled flights and the revocation of protections for families. Despite these setbacks, both organizations continue to support refugees, emphasizing the economic and social benefits of welcoming them. They call for community support and advocacy to help refugees. -
Michael Dunne discusses the Cascadia subduction zone's potential for a massive earthquake and tsunami, and a new threat of land subsidence causing flooding. Tina Dura, a Virginia Tech professor and part of the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center, explains that the Juan de Fuca plate is subducting beneath the North American plate, causing the land to drop up to six feet during earthquakes. This subsidence, combined with sea level rise, could significantly expand floodplains. Dura emphasizes the importance of preparedness and the challenges of communicating the risks due to Cascadia's seismic quietness. The conversation also touches on the potential for predicting earthquakes and the advancements in early warning systems.
