Rachael McDonald

The White Bird Clinic provides free or low cost health care for people with low incomes in the Eugene area. They've also been taking care of people's mental and physical health at the Oregon Country Fair since the first fair in 1969. 

The Oregon legislature is still mopping up after a rancorous session, the Eugene Police Auditor has released a report that paints a not-so-positive picture of the EPD, Oregonians can get a Smokey Bear licence plate, and Jazzercise turns 50 this year along with the Oregon Country Fair. 

Darrell Grant is a jazz pianist, composer, and professor of music at Portland State University. The Territory, his 2013 composition about the geographical and cultural history of the state of Oregon, will be performed on Friday July 12 at the Soreng Theater in Eugene. The concert is part of the Oregon Bach Festival.

This June marked the 50th anniversary of an exercise program that makes most people think of leotards and leg warmers. But, Jazzercise still has a loyal following and is going strong all over the world. We visited a class in Eugene.

Instead of incarcerating refugee children from countries like Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, Oregon Democratic Representative Peter DeFazio says the U.S. should invest in those countries to reduce violence and poverty. 

The Republican boycott of climate legislation continues in Salem. We get an update and analysis on the situation that has brought national attention to Oregon. 

Oregon's Senate Republicans walk out to avoid voting on a Cap and Trade bill. It's the 2nd time they've wallked out this session. 

21 youths suing the government over climate change were in court this week in Portland. We discuss that lawsuit, firefigher health, the heavy grass pollen in the Willamette Valley, the latest from the Oregon legislature and more in this week's podcast. Join KLCC News Director Rachael McDonald, Morning Edition Host Anni Katz, and reporters Brian Bull and Chris Lehman.

Note: The Northwest Passage will be off the week of June 11th - 14th. 

Oregon’s Willamette Valley has a dubious distinction right now. It’s top-ranked nationally as the worst for allergies, according to pollen.com. 

A 3-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in a lawsuit brought by 21 youth against the federal government over climate change Tuesday in Portland. The government is trying to keep it from going to trial.

On Tuesday, a panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in a lawsuit against the federal government over climate change. The 21 young people who are suing the government hope to get their case to trial.

For National Get Outdoors Day this Saturday, McKenzie River Trust is opening its largest protected property to the public. The thousand acre site is just north of the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. KLCC’s Rachael McDonald went to the property and took a walk with McKenzie River Trust Executive Director Joe Moll.