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dirk Tu rally(1).jpg

 

I'm Dirk. I was born in West Michigan, but that never mattered much until I moved to Missouri, then Oregon. Now I seem to talk about it a lot. 

 

After getting my start in daily newspapers, I transitioned to the blissful (and rapidly shrinking) land of alt weeklies before landing at Portland's -- and most of Oregon's -- NPR affiliate. I still do a lot of writing. I just now also do a lot of speaking into microphones. 

 

This is where I keep some of the work I'm proud of. Thanks for visiting.

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Some of my work

Politics 

OPB — With ICE (maybe) waiting in the wings, Newport sits in limbo
            Audio/digital feature on how secretive planning by immigration officials upended a town on the Oregon coast. 

OPB — Everybody hates Portland: The city's compounding crises as political X-factor
            Analysis of how Portland’s tanking reputation scrambled political talking points.

OPB — What does a crypto tycoon want with Oregon's new congressional district?
            When crypto magnate Sam Bankman-Fried began spending big on a political unknown, we asked 'why?'.

OPB — How controversy over Oregon’s first lady unfolded in emails among Gov. Tina Kotek’s staff
            A dive into thousands of public records that exposed a scandal in the Oregon governor's office.


Investigations

OPB — As ‘placeholder’ bills surge in Salem, what you see isn’t always what you get
            Watchdog investigation into Oregon lawmakers’ growing use of a problematic legislative trick. 

OPB — Pay to play? Out of state law firms reap big rewards of Oregon campaign checks
            In 2019, I noticed out-of-state lawyers pouring big money into Oregon political races. Here's why. 

OPB — A workplace dispute reveals major flaws in legislature's harassment policies
            Oregon's attempt to better protect political aides from harassment wound up leaving some feeling victimized.


Audio

OPB — Grand Old Podcasts: Oregon Republicans have a new messaging strategy 
            Stuck in the minority, the GOP in Oregon has a new strategy for finding relevance.


OPB — In independent push for governor, Betsy Johnson sizes up her audience
            A look at the curious, doomed gubernatorial candidacy of one of Oregon's most distinctive politicians.


NPR — As climate warms, algae blooms in drinking water supplies
           Nationally broadcast audio story about how climate change is posing new threats to drinking water.


NPR — GOP lawmakers in Oregon continue walkouts, despite Democrats' attempts to end them
            A radio feature that clued in a national audience to how legislative walkouts were reshaping Oregon politics.
 

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