Explore every episode of the podcast The Best Of Citizen Smith

Native Oregonian, Nicholas Kristof, is hanging up his columnist job at the New York Times to toss his hat as a Democrat in the candidates pool for governor of Oregon in 2022.

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The pandemic has proven people are happiest working less, and more productive. Let's scale back the work week hours, initiate a four-day work week. The industrial revolution is over.

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The NFL investigated emails by coach John Gruden and they weren't nice. Homophobic, misogynistic. What's the future hold for the coronavirus? Experts way in. Tech bonanza in Seattle is buying up remaining commercial leases -- is Portland, Oregon next?

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One thing we've all learned from the pandemic is that a little thing like a medical mask protects us from transmitting viruses. So, let's keep it going for doctor visits, dentist appointments, restaurant servers etc. Permanently!

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The summer surge of the Delta variant appears to be heading downward -- for now. That's good for hospitals. Cannabis -- good or bad. Let's talk about it.

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Frances Haugen, who worked for Facebook as a product manager, has a lot to say about how the company should be regulated and other issues the government should be concerned about with the social media giant.

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From South Dakota to Portland, one exotic dancer discusses her path to Portland and other topics away from the stage.

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The weekend is full of drama as MLB teams fight for the final wildcard spots. Tom Brady visits New England. And a great journalist, Jonathan Mirsky, who covered China from 1972 through the 80s, passed away.

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The US Fish and Wildlife Service has a new list of 23 species that are now extinct. More will follow if we don't start protecting more habitat and start living harmoniously with Mother Nature.

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The debt ceiling needs to be raised, but the government is waiting to the last minute -- again. US Sen. Elizabeth Warren opposes a second term for Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. And Republicans call for General Mark Milley to resign during a contentious Senate hearing.

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Gun violence and homicides in 2020 to the present continues an upward trend nationally, and Portland, Oregon facing a historic number of homicides. Instagram for kids is put on hold -- that's a good thing.

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Wildlife thrives in Oregon, and there are plenty of animals sharing space with us. It's the fattest bear finals at Katmai National Park this week -- what brown bear will be victorious? Birds have thrived in city parks across America during the pandemic -- with less people, there's more birds in the parks.

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Pete Lee was an employee of Enron in 2001 when the company filed for the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history. He shares his experience and insight into the largest scandal of the decade.

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The state of Alaska is experiencing the worst surge of Covid patients per capita of any state in the country and rural Native Alaskans are at greatest risk. Top colleges in America were listed in the Wall Street Journal's annual rankings -- where do Oregon colleges rank? 

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Money and marriage go hand in hand and that is the topic on today's show with author Roderick M. Givens and his book "The Most Valuable Wedding Gift."

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Haitian migrants crossing the border from Mexico to Texas are being whipped and run down by agents on horseback. Is this how we manage migrants entering America? It's time to get our act together and treat these people with dignity. Covid deaths surpassed the Spanish flu pandemic. Today's movie review: "Cry Macho".

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The US-Britain deal with the Aussies for nuclear-powered subs has France furious, but it's the right thing to do for the build up of security alliances in the Indo-Pacific. A coronavirus vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech is expected to be available by Halloween for kids 5-11 years of age -- the sooner the better.

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Oregon was the first state to allow an individual to choose to end one's life when suffering from terminal illness. Jeff Cogen, the executive director of End of Life Choices Oregon, is today's guest. 

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A "Crazy" man is in the White house, a leader on the brink of a nuclear strike, these are some of the alarming comments and discussions of General Mark Milley and Speaker Nancy Pelosi had as documented in a new book coming out "Peril" by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa. Australia is all in as an ally with the U.S. as it negotiates a historic deal for eight nuclear-powered subs

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The Republicans recall fiasco in California proved fruitless as Governor Newsom easily prevailed. Boston's mayoral race has two women city councilors, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George, facing off in a highly anticipated election. And a new book "Peril" by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, is a revealing look at the turmoil of Trump's last month's in office. Dave Dahl joins in on the discussion with a view from the right.

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Southern states are in a dire situation as ICU beds are filled with unvaccinated Covid patients, with other critically ill patients waiting in emergency rooms and even ambulances. Taxing the rich is on the table in Congress, those making more than $400,000 face upwards of 40 percent income tax, but billionaires remain unscathed.

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Kids are back in the classroom across the country, and that's a good thing as most have fallen behind in their studies after Covid shut down most in-classroom learning. Biden's push for booster shots for the general public runs into a roadblock after doctors and scientists conducted an FDA study that refutes the need for a booster to protect against Delta variant.

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Is Biden's announcement of vaccine mandates for federal workers and contractors, health care workers, and corporations with more than 100 employees unconstitutional? These and other topics will be discussed with guest host, sage and lifelong Portlandian, Pete Lee. 

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As the federal government moves forward with the $1 Trillion Infrastructure projects, there's a lack of skilled laborers. It's time to fund a training program for new construction workers -- let's start with men and women in prison release programs. Movie review -- Shang Chi.

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A revealing article in the Wall Street Journal documented the alarming statistics of an academic world where women now dominate college enrollment and young men are left behind-- especially white men from lower and middle income families. 

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Multi-vitamins, multi-minerals, vitamin supplements and organic food, it's a lot of what we need to stay healthy. Ryan Mauk shares his expertise as a nutritional health coach for Natural Grocers on today's show.

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Utilizing a clever approach to upending the legal right to an abortion in Texas, the Supreme Court decides 5-4 to not restrict the new Texas law as the court rushes its decision via "shadow docket."

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Floods, massive power outages and record rainfall buries cars in streets as rain storms rage from Hurricane Ida in the Northeast. The NFL soon kicks off the season, but only a couple of teams so far are mandating masks, and one of them, New Orleans, requires Covid proof of vaccination. Will more teams follow?

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Covid vaccination cards or negative coronavirus test now required to attend outdoor sporting events in Oregon. Some other teams in the nation are also enforcing it -- does it become a national trend? China is enforcing regulations and limitations on kids under 18 online gaming and after school learning -- like English language schools. Oh, my.

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Portland's local union of the Nabisco factory are in the fourth week of their strike, Citizen Smith heads out on the street to talk to them, and in-studio guest Pete Lee, Vice-chair of the Oregon Democratic Party, weighs in on the issue.

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Jordy Trachtenberg, an expat living in Vietnam, talks about the Covid Delta variant surge and lockdown being enforced by the military throughout the country.

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Private animal shelters in Multnomah County need help -- but a lack of leadership and staff reductions in county animal services has created a crisis for abandoned dogs and cats. Amy Sacks, executive director of The Pixie Project, offers a candid and lucid discussion on this and other challenges private shelters must tackle during a pandemic

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Host Ken Smith welcomes Ray Lane who is the host of Half Cast into the studio as they talk about the groups causing issues in the city of Portland. Also check out the latest movie review, which is a doozy of a film, depending on how you look at it.

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Mike Richards leaves his job as the new Jeopardy host after controversial comments in a past podcast he co-hosted. Some researchers disagree with the CDC recommendation for the general public to get booster shots. And some colleges don't mandate Covid vaccines while others do as students return to campuses across America.

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Dan Harris is a successful screenwriter and director who now calls Portland his home. He also opened a popular store, Cult., in the Pearl District. It's a challenging time to start a new business in the Rose City. He talks about that and his movie career on today's show.

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Dianne Whelan is a documentary filmmaker and author who completed an epic 6-year trek through Canada's wilderness, and the first woman to do so. She talks about embracing solitude and survival in the wilderness, and learning the ways of the indigenous people of Canada. 

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President Biden spoke to the nation and now questions of competency and missteps ring loud from critics. Pfizer and Moderna Covid shots may not be enough to combat the Delta variant, so Biden is advising booster shots for most Americans 8 months after the second shot. High school star athletes are making big endorsements now and going pro.

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Rural communities are spiking in numbers of Covid cases from the Delta variant in Oregon as the unvaccinated refuse to get vaccinated. Afghanistan is a debacle and Biden's worst nightmare as commander in chief. The Census 2020 data was revealing with a growing Hispanic and Latino population and more interracial marriages.

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Alex Gonyaw, a fisheries biologist representing the Klamath Tribe, discusses the battle to save the sucker fish in Upper Klamath Lake. Removing outdated dams and reducing farming practices that are draining water sources are all in play to protect a once thriving Sucker fish population.

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Mask mandates are misguided decisions by the Governor of Oregon and the Multnomah County chair -- and unnecessary overreach by government leaders. These and other topics are discussed with guest Dave Dahl, providing a view from the right.

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Governor Kate Brown follows Multnomah County in ordering another period of mask mandates for the state as unvaccinated patients contract the Delta variant of Covid and fill hospital beds. And on and on it goes. The mask mandate could last into the New Year.

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Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury issued mask indoor requirements for all citizens. She also announced that a telephone number and internet site will be set up for neighbors to report on neighbors not wearing one. A fine of up to $1,000 then can be administered. Isn't that nice!

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The Olympic games have come to an end, as have the torrent of commercials. But an exceptional job by Japan given the Covid obstacles. Next up China and the winter Olympics. Actor Chris Levine joins the show to talk about the career of an actor working his way up the ladder and discusses his latest movie "Bad Bones" shot in Alaska.

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China, like America and other countries, is dealing with an outbreak of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. An interview with an expat living and working in Guiyang, Guizhou, China, provides an update on what's going on there.

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President Biden is pushing to phase out gas cars with half of all cars sold being electric by 2030. It's a push that should have begun 20 years ago -- better late than never. Some school districts across the country are starting to mandate mask wearing in the classroom, challenging state laws.

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Governor Kate Brown has directed school districts state-wide to enforce a mask mandate this fall, which doesn't sit well with some superintendents who feel the districts should make these decisions. New York governor Andrew Cuomo faces possible impeachment for alleged sexual harassment -- and another one bites the dust! 

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Street racing is an ongoing issue in the city of Portland. It happens everyday in the early morning hours as are drivers dangerously speeding down roads. First hand experience has taught this host to look both ways and walk carefully across the streets. It's time for more police enforcement! Where are city leaders like former Mayor Bud Clark?

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From swimmers to divers, track runners to equestrian riders The Olympic athletes are great to watch and inspirational!

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Greg Haller, Executive Director of Pacific Rivers, talks about the "River Democracy Act", legislation introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden to protect 4,700 miles of wild rivers in Oregon. And guest Trey Carskadon shares highlights of the Northwest Food Show at the Portland Exposition Center being held this Sunday and Monday.

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Simone Biles was a champion gymnast who should have retired after her first Olympics. Too much physical and mental strain is involved in her sport and that caught up with her. It's a lesson for other Olympic champions to learn from -- especially in gymnastics. 

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