Oregon House District 43 is one of the most diverse in the state.  It also faces some of the biggest challenges:  high unemployment, high rates of police misconduct, high displacement from gentrification.

This week Dave and Jo Ann talked with State Rep. Lew Frederick about what role the state can play in addressing some of these problems. 

 A leak of classified military documents about the War in Afghanistan brings up serious issues about the U.S. military's mission there, and begs a simple, direct question: Isn't it time to leave?

Join host, Linda Olson-Osterlund for a probing interview with author Jere Van Dyk about his new book. Over the years Van Dyk, who was raised in the Portland area, has been a reporter for CBS news, the New York Times, National Geographic and much more. He wrote the book, In Afghanistan: An American Odyssey based on travels in the 1980's and later served as a front man for the National Security Council in Washington DC. You can view him on the web at the Big Think or on CSPAN.

This week on Voices from the Edge, Jo Ann and Dave ask the question "Are the good guys ahead?" Local progressive may be feeling a bit down over the direction of local and state politics lately. City Hall seems more disconnected than ever from the world in which most Portlanders live. Earlier this week, city council voted 4-1 (Commissioner Fritz abstaining) to put a new bond measure before voters for a new communications system and other equipment for the Fire Bureau. With so many city services taking hits - and at least on other proposed bond measure being put on hold because of the economy - should there have been a community discussion about whether this measure could wait? Oregon's gubernatorial race - "Doc vs.

Portland City Council voted 3-2 this morning to let police unit commanders have a vote in certain cases before the new police review board.  Does this make the new board "structurally flawed" or does it increase accountability as commissioners supporting the change claim? Voices from the Edge Hosts Dave Mazza and Jo Ann talk about this new development. 

 Reports by Students learning about Media from the Northwest Institute for Social Change.

A report from Peak Oil Checkin on why OPEC might fear a drop in US Oil Production.

And, finally, a commentary on Shelterlessness, by Portlander Michael O'Callihan, who has been voluntarily homeless for over a year now.