Dirk VanderHart
Dirk VanderHart covers Oregon politics and government for OPB. Before barging onto the radio in 2018, he spent more than a decade as a newspaper reporter—much of that time reporting on city government for the Portland Mercury. He’s also had stints covering chicanery in Southwest Missouri, the wilds of Ohio in Ohio, and all things Texas on Capitol Hill.
Dirk’s byline has appeared in USA Today, The New York Times, The Houston Chronicle, The Columbus Dispatch, The Oregonian, and more. He’s got a journalism degree from Michigan State University.
Send Dirk the best story ideas.
Latest Stories
Addiction experts tell Oregon lawmakers the state has been too lax on drug use
They say that Measure 110 has reduced pressure on drug users to seek treatment.
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Oregon can’t find anyone to handle harassment complaints, so it’s spending $100k to recruit
It’s been more than a year since Oregon’s Legislature had what’s known as a legislative equity officer, the official who is supposed to coordinate a response to harassment and retaliation complaints within the Capitol.
‘OPB Politics Now’: Oregon’s next governor and climate change
On this week's episode, we look at the impact the next Oregon governor will have on the state's approach to climate change. For years, the state has used to government policies to actively fight the climate crisis. But the three candidates for governor this year could change that.
Oregon governor candidates on how they’d handle climate change
OPB asked Christine Drazan, Betsy Johnson and Tina Kotek two questions about how they'd handle the issue.
Oregon governor’s race will dictate the state’s direction on battling climate change
Democrat Tina Kotek stands behind strong regulations her party passed in recent years. Republican Christine Drazan and unaffiliated candidate Betsy Johnson are promising to roll some back.
Tina Kotek wins potential rival over with embrace of campaign finance changes
With her commitment to the issue, the Democratic nominee for Oregon governor helped convince a third-party candidate to step out of the race. That's likely to help her.
Amid memorial talks, Bend learns of Safeway shooting victim’s criminal past
Donald Ray Surrett, who's credited with saving lives during a shooting at a Bend Safeway, was convicted of sexual crimes against children nearly 30 years ago.
Economists say Oregon’s financial good times may be ending
In their latest quarterly revenue forecast, state economists offered two possible scenarios for the coming years: diminished economic growth or outright recession. That won't stop Oregonians from seeing a massive tax refund.
Bend Safeway employee attempted to stab gunman during mass shooting, police say
Police said Donald Ray Surrett waited for the gunman to look the other way before attacking him with a
Bend mourns victims of Safeway shooting
The city paid tribute to two men — Glenn Bennett and Donald Surrett Jr. — killed in an attack on the Forum Shopping Center on Sunday.