SOU Hosts Queer Indigenous Gathering
Apr 17, 2025
Show notes(Southern Oregon University)
Discrimination has been common against both indigenous people and people who identify as LGBTQ or queer. Imagine the challenges for people who identify with both groups.
Southern Oregon University's curriculum includes a course in Queer Indigenous Studies, which culminates in the annual Queer Indigenous Gathering, the 5th of its kind, on March 11th. Course instructor Brook Colley and Veronica Green visit with details of the event and what it represents.
Dark Sky Week: The world's largest Dark Sky Sanctuary is in Oregon
Apr 17, 2025
Show notes
Dark Sky International’s world-wide celebration of dark skies and the need to preserve them from light pollution, known as Dark Sky Week, is April 21-28.
Bob Hackett, Executive Director, Travel Southern Oregon, and JPR Host Mike Green.(JPR Senior Producer Natalie Golay)
Joining the Exchange to discuss places in Oregon for Dark Sky viewing is Bob Hackett, Executive Director of Travel Southern Oregon.
Southern Oregon has two premiere Dark Sky places, as certified by Dark Sky International. Lake County is home to the largest Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world, the Oregon Outback Dark Sky Sanctuary, certified in March 2024. And the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve has become the Northwest’s first federal park to designated a Dark Sky Park (February 2025).
Travel Southern Oregon has been leading the way, with Travel Oregon and Dark Sky Oregon, in elevating the conversation about this unique regional resource.
This Dark Sky map timeline compares the changes in light pollution at night since the 1950s.
SOU offers new resource for students experiencing gender-based violence
Apr 17, 2025
Show notes
Southern Oregon University has a new resource to support students and employees who have experienced gender-based violence such as stalking, sexual assault and domestic violence between intimate partners. Community Works, a Medford nonprofit, is offering free on-campus sessions two days per week with a specially trained confidential advocate.
SOU and Community Works recently signed a memorandum of understanding to make the advocacy services available, as required by state law.
Joining the Exchange are two guests:
Dawn Burks is the Community Advocacy Services Manager at Community Works.
Hannah Neudorfer is the Sexual Assault Lead Advocate at Community Works
Dawn Burks (L) and Hannah Neudorfer (R) from Community Works, join JPR host Mike Green in the studio on April 17, 2025.(JPR Senior Producer Natalie Golay)
“We are only in our first few weeks of this partnership, so only a small handful of individuals have been referred – but we certainly hope it will make a difference for the campus community. (The confidential advocate’s) services are open to any member of the SOU community – student, staff and faculty.”
Hannah Neudorfer is available to meet with students or employees on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the Dean of Students Office, at Room 321 of the Stevenson Union. Hannah can also be reached during business hours at (541) 951-3406 or hneudorfer@community-works.org.
All incidents of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct should be reported via online form to SOU’s Office of Equity Grievance and Title IX. Members of the university’s Equity Grievance Team will respond to and manage all such reports, contacting involved parties and enforcing university policies.
SOU has a long history and national reputation for effectively addressing instances of sexual harassment and violence through its Office of Equity Grievance. The university also offers a wide range of in-person and remote counseling options for both students and employees.
The Dean of Students Office offers a website full of resources for survivors of sexual violence. Counseling for any mental health crises or other concerns is available to students through the La Clinica Student Health & Wellness Center; in-person or remote sessions can be scheduled through the online health portal or by calling the SHWC at (541) 552-6136.
On-demand, no-appointment sessions by phone or chat are available to students at any time through SOU’s affiliation with TELUS Health Student Support, at (866) 743-7732. Assistance is also available from the SOU Care Coordinators Office.
SOU employees can seek guidance through SOU’s employee assistance program, Canopy (formerly Cascade Centers), by calling (800) 433-2320 or visiting the organization’s website.
Under terms laid out in the memorandum of understanding, Community Works will also help with training and prevention programming at SOU. The university will help prepare the organization’s confidential advocates to support clients through potential campus processes, in addition to their typical work with supporting clients through criminal proceedings.
Title IX – a federal law that in part prohibits exclusion or harassment based on sex – applies to all educational institutions, both public and private, that receive federal funds.
Earth Day Weekend Restoration at Yreka Creek seeks volunteers
Apr 16, 2025
Show notes Pictured next to flyer: Christy Wheatley, the Yreka Watershed Stewards Program Corpsmember.( Christy Wheatley)
There's a tiny creek in Yreka that has a huge responsibility in the ecosystem: it is a spawning ground for Coho Salmon. The babies leave the creek and make their way to the ocean. Then they make the journey back as adults to spawn. But the creek has fallen into ecological trouble. Efforts to restore it are underway.
Joining the Exchange is Christy Wheatley. She's the Watershed Stewards Program Corpsmember for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Yreka.
(Yreka Watershed Corps)
ABOUT The Watershed Stewards Program, CDFW, and California Trout are hosting a volunteer restoration day at the Lower Yreka Creek Side Channel Project.
Volunteers will plant native species and pull invasive plants on April 19th from 10am to 2pm. This work will benefit native biodiversity, salmonids, and water quality. For directions, more information, and to RSVP, visit YrekaCreek.Eventbrite.com.
Surprisingly the Yreka Creek is a spawning ground for anadromous (go to the sea and come back) like the Coho Salmon. Restoring the creek will provide additional habitat, for juvenile coho salmon in the summer and good spawning grounds for mature Salmon. Travel to and from the ocean from the creek via the Shasta and Klamath rivers. The creek and other tributaries provide safer and more sheltered spawning areas than the larger rivers, especially when there is a lot of rain. The fish go up the creek as far as they can to find gravel, which can have good places to leave eggs etc. Restoring the creek will also benefit other fish and animal species as well as humans.
'License to Kill' - California reissues licenses to drivers responsible for multiple deaths
Apr 16, 2025
Show notes(<a href="https://calmatters.org/investigation/2025/04/license-to-kill/" target="_blank" link-data="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"0000016e-ccea-ddc2-a56e-edfe69b60000","_type":"ae3387cc-b875-31b7-b82d-63fd8d758c20"},"cms.content.publishDate":1744745828101,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"00000190-0d82-dd85-a79d-afae039b0000","_type":"6aa69ae1-35be-30dc-87e9-410da9e1cdcc"},"cms.content.updateDate":1744745828101,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"00000190-0d82-dd85-a79d-afae039b0000","_type":"6aa69ae1-35be-30dc-87e9-410da9e1cdcc"},"cms.directory.paths":[],"anchorable.showAnchor":false,"link":{"attributes":[],"cms.directory.paths":[],"linkText":"Photo Illustration","target":"NEW","attachSourceUrl":false,"url":"https://calmatters.org/investigation/2025/04/license-to-kill/","_id":"00000196-3af4-deb9-a1d7-3ffc76240000","_type":"ff658216-e70f-39d0-b660-bdfe57a5599a"},"_id":"00000196-3af4-deb9-a1d7-3ffc76230000","_type":"809caec9-30e2-3666-8b71-b32ddbffc288"}">Photo Illustration</a> by Gabe Hongsdusit and Larry Valenzuela / <a href="https://calmatters.org/investigation/2025/04/license-to-kill/" target="_blank" link-data="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"0000016e-ccea-ddc2-a56e-edfe69b60000","_type":"ae3387cc-b875-31b7-b82d-63fd8d758c20"},"cms.content.publishDate":1744745867457,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"00000190-0d82-dd85-a79d-afae039b0000","_type":"6aa69ae1-35be-30dc-87e9-410da9e1cdcc"},"cms.content.updateDate":1744745867457,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"00000190-0d82-dd85-a79d-afae039b0000","_type":"6aa69ae1-35be-30dc-87e9-410da9e1cdcc"},"cms.directory.paths":[],"anchorable.showAnchor":false,"link":{"attributes":[],"cms.directory.paths":[],"linkText":" Calmatters.org","target":"NEW","attachSourceUrl":false,"url":"https://calmatters.org/investigation/2025/04/license-to-kill/","_id":"00000196-3af5-d1e1-a59e-3bfd16250000","_type":"ff658216-e70f-39d0-b660-bdfe57a5599a"},"_id":"00000196-3af5-d1e1-a59e-3bfd15710000","_type":"809caec9-30e2-3666-8b71-b32ddbffc288"}"> Calmatters.org</a>)
The California DMV routinely allows dangerous drivers with horrifying histories to continue to operate on our roadways. Too often they go on to kill. Many keep driving even after they kill. Some go on to kill again.
Robert Lewis is a reporter on the CalMatters investigations team. He joins the Exchange to talk about the Calmatters investigative series titled "License to Kill" and offer insight into this ongoing systemic problem in California.
Example: Josh Daugherty has a driver's license. His record shows that a 16-year-old girl died in his vehicle after he lost control and flipped it. In a separate driving accident while under the influence of marijuana, his 25-year-old girlfriend was killed when he crashed again. Josh's story is indicative of many others in California who are still licensed to drive.
EXCERPT FROM THE SERIES "The cases we reviewed cut across demographics and geography. Defendants include farmworkers and a farm owner. They include off-duty police officers and people with lengthy rap sheets, drivers who killed in a fit of rage and others whose recklessness took the lives of those they loved most — high school sweethearts, siblings, children. The tragedies span this vast state. From twisty two-lane mountain roads near the Oregon border to the dusty scrubland touching Mexico. From the crowded streets of San Francisco to the highways of the Inland Empire. From Gold Country, to timber country, to Silicon Valley, to the almond capital of the world. So much death. More people than are killed by guns."
32 years old, Uncle Food's Diner still hosts free community meals in Ashland
Apr 15, 2025
Show notes Uncle Food's Diner is a program in Ashland hosting free weekly community meals for all comers(<a href="https://peacehouse.net/uncle-foods-diner/" target="_blank" link-data="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"0000016e-ccea-ddc2-a56e-edfe69b60000","_type":"ae3387cc-b875-31b7-b82d-63fd8d758c20"},"cms.content.publishDate":1744313925572,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"00000190-0d82-dd85-a79d-afae039b0000","_type":"6aa69ae1-35be-30dc-87e9-410da9e1cdcc"},"cms.content.updateDate":1744313925572,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"00000190-0d82-dd85-a79d-afae039b0000","_type":"6aa69ae1-35be-30dc-87e9-410da9e1cdcc"},"cms.directory.paths":[],"anchorable.showAnchor":false,"link":{"attributes":[],"cms.directory.paths":[],"linkText":"<bsp-line>Peace House / Uncle Foods Diner</bsp-line>","target":"NEW","attachSourceUrl":false,"url":"https://peacehouse.net/uncle-foods-diner/","_id":"00000196-2136-df15-a796-ef3722ee0001","_type":"ff658216-e70f-39d0-b660-bdfe57a5599a"},"_id":"00000196-2136-df15-a796-ef3722ee0000","_type":"809caec9-30e2-3666-8b71-b32ddbffc288"}">Peace House / Uncle Foods Diner</a>)
Each Tuesday, Uncle Food's Diner serves meals at Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Hall in downtown Ashland from 4-6 pm. In addition to 100 hot meals served each week, Uncle Food's Diner distributes excess donations to community partners. It is also a platform for emergency care.
Joining the Exchange to discuss the iconic local food program is Elizabeth Hallett from Peace House.
Elizabeth Hallett, Director of Peace House in Ashland, with JPR Host Mike Green(JPR Senior Producer, Natalie Golay)
The full-service dinner program, known as Uncle Food's Diner began in response to an emerging need in the Ashland community to provide a hot, nutritious meal and help fill the gaps in food security in a compassionate environment where all are welcome and valued.
Over the past three decades, Uncle Food’s Diner has taken a variety of forms in response to shifting needs of hungry people in the Rogue Valley.
For more than 15 years, the United Methodist Church in Ashland hosted the meal in their Wesley Hall, where on average 100 people gathered each Tuesday. The Tuesday Community Meal included a full dinner menu, as well as fresh produce, and social services including faith leaders, health care workers, and cooks offering a comfortable respite service for those in need of support.
In 2020-2021 when COVID shut down many food programs and isolated individuals and families, Peace House provided a crisis response in coordination with partners, and delivered hot meals to five locations across Ashland, seven days a week. During this phase, Uncle Food’s employed five full time cooks, purchased a delivery van, and provided full-day meal bags for approximately 100 people a day, four days per week.
When the Almeda fire displaced thousands of people, Uncle Food's Diner contributed meals to fire survivors housed in local hotels and campgrounds and supported emergency workers when needed.
Food insecurity in the Rogue Valley is growing
Apr 15, 2025
Show notes(Ashland Food Bank)
Amey Broeker is Executive Director of the Ashland Community Food Bank. She joins the Exchange to provide an update on the current state of food insecurity in the Rogue Valley. She's joined by Amber Ferguson, Executive Director of Rogue Food Unites.
Amber Ferguson, Director of Rogue Food Unites and Amey Boeker, Director of the Ashland Community Food Bank, join JPR Host Mike Green.(JPR Senior Producer, Natalie Golay)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently canceled $500 million in food deliveries across the country, according to The Washington Post. That follows an announcement that the USDA would be cutting more than $1 billion in funding for local food banks and schools by eliminating two programs: one that pays for schools and food banks to be able to buy from local farmers and another centered on deliveries of food.
Last month, the President of the Oregon Food Bank said the state is seeing the worst rates of hunger since the Great Depression, according to OPB reports. The FISH of Roseburg Food Pantry, which offers emergency food for people in Douglas County, revealed that in the past year they’ve gone from serving more than 750 families per month to over 1,000. It receives no federal funding. But due to cuts in federal funding to various other programs, the trickle down effect has exacerbated hunger and increased the traffic at the FISH.
Us and them and why: closing learning gaps in American high schools
Apr 14, 2025
Show notesFunding, staff shortages, literacy, safety and more are on the minds of students, families and educators as they head back to school. Pictured: Students in the hallways at Cedar Park Middle School in Beaverton, Ore., Feb. 22, 2023.(Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB )
The more academically rigorous courses in any high school tend to be composed of few, if any, students from Black and/or low-income households.
Reid Saaris noticed this when he was a high school student, and he noticed it even more when he became a teacher. So he set up a national nonprofit, Equal Opportunity Schools, to challenge the status quo and make good educations available to more people.
32nd Annual Powwow at SOU's Lithia Motors Pavilion
Apr 10, 2025
Show notes Southern Oregon University hosts the 32nd Annual Powwow at Lithia Pavilion. Lower right: Image from 2024 Powwow at SOU(<a href="https://ashland.news/thousands-turn-out-for-31st-annual-sou-powwow-returns/" target="_blank" link-data="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"0000016e-ccea-ddc2-a56e-edfe69b60000","_type":"ae3387cc-b875-31b7-b82d-63fd8d758c20"},"cms.content.publishDate":1744224626622,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"00000190-0d82-dd85-a79d-afae039b0000","_type":"6aa69ae1-35be-30dc-87e9-410da9e1cdcc"},"cms.content.updateDate":1744224626622,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"00000190-0d82-dd85-a79d-afae039b0000","_type":"6aa69ae1-35be-30dc-87e9-410da9e1cdcc"},"cms.directory.paths":[],"anchorable.showAnchor":false,"link":{"attributes":[],"cms.directory.paths":[],"linkText":"Ashland.news","target":"NEW","attachSourceUrl":false,"url":"https://ashland.news/thousands-turn-out-for-31st-annual-sou-powwow-returns/","_id":"00000196-1be3-df15-a796-dfe795c60000","_type":"ff658216-e70f-39d0-b660-bdfe57a5599a"},"_id":"00000196-1be3-df15-a796-dfe795c50000","_type":"809caec9-30e2-3666-8b71-b32ddbffc288"}">Ashland.news</a>)
The Lithia Motors Pavilion on the campus of Southern Oregon University is the venue for the 32nd Annual Powwow, produced by the SOU Native American Studies Program.
Join the Exchange are two guests:
2025 SOU Powwow Student Organizers Demetrius Davis-Boucher, Luke Wolgamott and JPR Host Mike Green.(JPR Engineer Andrew Crackle)
Demetrius Davis-Boucher is a Senior at SOU, majoring in Business Administration and minoring in Digital Cinema. He is a reconnecting descendant of Cherokee Nation and serves as Co-chair of the Native American Student Union.
Luke Wolgamott is an enrolled member of the Shawnee tribe and Osage nation. He serves as the Cultural Preservation Officer for the Native Nation's Office at SOU.
What do you say when kids ask, 'What kind of bird is that?'
Apr 10, 2025
Show notes( Daisy Yuhas)
Daisy Yuhas joins the Exchange to offer parents help in teaching themselves and their kids about the wonderful world of birds. Daisy is the author of "Kids' Field Guide to Birds," which won the National Outdoor Book Award for Children's Books.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Daisy Yuhas is a science journalist based in Austin, Texas. Her love of birds led her to follow Swallows in Alaska and Argentina, count Kestrels in Pennsylvania, boat out to Penguin and Puffin colonies, and seek Dickcissels with physicists on the Illinois prairie. She writes for newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times for Kids and Scientific American.
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