Joni Auden Land
@joniaudenland.bsky.social
GA/Weekend reporter @opb.org | UNM alum | My favorite things are public records and mosh pits | They/them
Pinned
Former students say a St. Helens High teacher abused them in the 1980s. He became a face of child welfare in Oregon
In interviews with OPB, former St. Helens High School students say teachers have crossed lines for decades. A teacher who allegedly had a sexual relationship with a student in the 1980s later represen...
opb.cmail20.com
Former students say Gene Evans abused them while teaching at St Helens High School in the ‘80s.
He later served as spokesperson for Oregon DHS, the agency charged with protecting the state’s vulnerable populations.
opb.cmail20.com/t/j-l-wjlljd...
He later served as spokesperson for Oregon DHS, the agency charged with protecting the state’s vulnerable populations.
opb.cmail20.com/t/j-l-wjlljd...
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
Hundreds of singers gathered recently for the 34th Pacific Northwest Sacred Harp Singing Convention. They’re performing one of the oldest styles of American folk music, called shape note singing.
‘It’s just so intense’: Portland convention celebrates haunting art of shape note singing
Sacred Harp singers say they build community by singing 19th-century songs about death and the afterlife.
www.opb.org
November 2, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Hundreds of singers gathered recently for the 34th Pacific Northwest Sacred Harp Singing Convention. They’re performing one of the oldest styles of American folk music, called shape note singing.
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
It’s been more than a month since St. Agatha Catholic School first made news for rescinding the enrollment of a student with same-sex parents. Since then, several parents have pulled their children out of the school, because of the decision of Rev. Luan Tran, the priest at St. Agatha.
Families leave Portland Catholic school after it removed student with same-sex parents
Catholic schools across Portland have declined to confirm how many students have left St. Agatha — and how many students they have at all.
www.opb.org
September 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
It’s been more than a month since St. Agatha Catholic School first made news for rescinding the enrollment of a student with same-sex parents. Since then, several parents have pulled their children out of the school, because of the decision of Rev. Luan Tran, the priest at St. Agatha.
One family has maintained a historic pioneer cemetery in Happy Valley for more than 170 years.
And in an effort to save it, it's finally open to the public.
And in an effort to save it, it's finally open to the public.
Historic 173-year-old Oregon cemetery finally opens to the public
The Christilla Pioneer Cemetery in Happy Valley has been maintained by a small group of families for generations. Now, the city and charities are stepping in to help preserve its future.
www.opb.org
August 30, 2025 at 5:31 PM
One family has maintained a historic pioneer cemetery in Happy Valley for more than 170 years.
And in an effort to save it, it's finally open to the public.
And in an effort to save it, it's finally open to the public.
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
Opening up a pioneer cemetery to the public is such a beautiful act of trust. Great stuff here from @joniaudenland.bsky.social www.opb.org/article/2025...
Historic 173-year-old Oregon cemetery finally opens to the public
The Christilla Pioneer Cemetery in Happy Valley has been maintained by a small group of families for generations. Now, the city and charities are stepping in to help preserve its future.
www.opb.org
August 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Opening up a pioneer cemetery to the public is such a beautiful act of trust. Great stuff here from @joniaudenland.bsky.social www.opb.org/article/2025...
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
OPB's legal team wins again! After months of opposing the release of a third-party investigation into sexual abuse at St. Helens High School, that report is now public thanks to OPB.
St. Helens High School leaders failed to act on claims of abuse for years, report finds
OPB obtained the records after months of appealing the local district attorney’s office.
www.opb.org
August 30, 2025 at 2:02 AM
OPB's legal team wins again! After months of opposing the release of a third-party investigation into sexual abuse at St. Helens High School, that report is now public thanks to OPB.
BREAKING: A report from the St. Helens School District found that high school leaders failed to act on years of reports of inappropriate behavior by Eric Stearns and Michael Collins. The specific findings in here are stunning to read.
OPB obtained this report after months of appeals.
OPB obtained this report after months of appeals.
St. Helens High School leaders failed to act on claims of abuse for years, report finds
OPB obtained the records after months of appealing the local district attorney’s office.
www.opb.org
August 30, 2025 at 2:03 AM
BREAKING: A report from the St. Helens School District found that high school leaders failed to act on years of reports of inappropriate behavior by Eric Stearns and Michael Collins. The specific findings in here are stunning to read.
OPB obtained this report after months of appeals.
OPB obtained this report after months of appeals.
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
The Flat Fire continued to threaten communities in Deschutes and Jefferson counties over the weekend. The blaze started Thursday evening and had grown to more than 18,000 acres with 0% containment as of Saturday evening.
Flat Fire triggers evacuations in Central Oregon
Evacuations were expanded Saturday as the fire moved toward the outskirts of Sisters in Deschutes County.
www.opb.org
August 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The Flat Fire continued to threaten communities in Deschutes and Jefferson counties over the weekend. The blaze started Thursday evening and had grown to more than 18,000 acres with 0% containment as of Saturday evening.
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
For nearly a century, evangelists have come to Portland to spread their faith in a city known for its lack of religion. The leader of a West Linn megachurch is the latest, with the PDX Crusade event at the Moda Center.
Christian revival event draws thousands in quest to save Portland’s soul
The Portland metro area has one of the lowest rates of religious affiliation in the country, according to the Pew Research Center, but low church attendance is nothing new for the area.
www.opb.org
August 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
For nearly a century, evangelists have come to Portland to spread their faith in a city known for its lack of religion. The leader of a West Linn megachurch is the latest, with the PDX Crusade event at the Moda Center.
At the Tongue Point Job Corps center in Astoria, hundreds of students and staff face an uncertain future after the Department of Labor announced it would pause the program.
When I went to Astoria yesterday, most students had already left.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
When I went to Astoria yesterday, most students had already left.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Facing federal closures, Job Corps students and staff in Astoria weigh their futures
After the Department of Labor announced the closure of Tongue Point Job Corps Center last week, students were notified they only had a few days to leave the campus where they lived.
www.opb.org
June 6, 2025 at 4:39 PM
At the Tongue Point Job Corps center in Astoria, hundreds of students and staff face an uncertain future after the Department of Labor announced it would pause the program.
When I went to Astoria yesterday, most students had already left.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
When I went to Astoria yesterday, most students had already left.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Really honored to win a regional Murrow Award for Excellence in Sound. It was one of the best audio stories I've done so far, and I'm really proud with how far my radio skills have progressed.
www.opb.org/pressroom/op...
www.opb.org/pressroom/op...
OPB wins three Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in digital and broadcast journalism
The awards highlight OPB’s reporting on broad range of Pacific Northwest subjects
www.opb.org
May 14, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Really honored to win a regional Murrow Award for Excellence in Sound. It was one of the best audio stories I've done so far, and I'm really proud with how far my radio skills have progressed.
www.opb.org/pressroom/op...
www.opb.org/pressroom/op...
ICYMI: Ukrainians in Portland celebrated Easter, as their community contends with a war abroad and newfound immigration concerns in the U.S.
An immigration attorney told me “there’s a lot of uncertainty and panic about this."
www.opb.org/article/2025...
An immigration attorney told me “there’s a lot of uncertainty and panic about this."
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Ukrainians in Portland celebrate Easter amid war and immigration worries
St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church has seen its membership spike since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. But many members don't know how long they will be able to stay in the U.S.
www.opb.org
April 27, 2025 at 4:12 PM
ICYMI: Ukrainians in Portland celebrated Easter, as their community contends with a war abroad and newfound immigration concerns in the U.S.
An immigration attorney told me “there’s a lot of uncertainty and panic about this."
www.opb.org/article/2025...
An immigration attorney told me “there’s a lot of uncertainty and panic about this."
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
The federal crackdown on immigration has led to concern among Ukrainians fleeing war at home that their legal status in the U.S. could be in jeopardy.
Ukrainians in Portland celebrate Easter amid war and immigration worries
St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church has seen its membership spike since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. But many members don't know how long they will be able to stay in the U.S.
www.opb.org
April 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The federal crackdown on immigration has led to concern among Ukrainians fleeing war at home that their legal status in the U.S. could be in jeopardy.
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
-26% more ppl are homeless in Multnomah County than last year (Could be based on better data collection)
-Ppl are entering homelessness at a pace far higher than those leaving homelessness
-County-run alt shelters are most effective at moving ppl into permanent housing
www.opb.org/article/2025...
-Ppl are entering homelessness at a pace far higher than those leaving homelessness
-County-run alt shelters are most effective at moving ppl into permanent housing
www.opb.org/article/2025...
How new Multnomah County data explains the region’s homelessness crisis
A new trove of data on Multnomah County’s homeless population dropped this week, offering the public an updated and more accurate understanding of the region’s homelessness crisis.
www.opb.org
April 17, 2025 at 12:06 AM
-26% more ppl are homeless in Multnomah County than last year (Could be based on better data collection)
-Ppl are entering homelessness at a pace far higher than those leaving homelessness
-County-run alt shelters are most effective at moving ppl into permanent housing
www.opb.org/article/2025...
-Ppl are entering homelessness at a pace far higher than those leaving homelessness
-County-run alt shelters are most effective at moving ppl into permanent housing
www.opb.org/article/2025...
The Ladds 500 was incredibly fun to cover yesterday. Certainly the most "Portland" event I've been to so far.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
www.opb.org/article/2025...
‘Exercise in inanity’: For hundreds of laps, Ladds 500 is Portland’s most whimsical ride
Each year, the Ladds 500 sees hundreds of riders circling the famed center of Ladd's Addition in Southeast Portland. The goal is to reach 500 laps, but organizers say that's not what attracts so many ...
www.opb.org
April 13, 2025 at 10:16 PM
The Ladds 500 was incredibly fun to cover yesterday. Certainly the most "Portland" event I've been to so far.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
www.opb.org/article/2025...
For protesters, organizers and law enforcement, it was hard to not think of 2020 during the Hands Off protests this past weekend.
But these protests were distinct in several ways.
opb.org/article/2025...
But these protests were distinct in several ways.
opb.org/article/2025...
After a muted start, Oregon erupts in resistance to Trump’s second term with a groundswell of protests
Oregon alone saw dozens of protests, from small towns to large cities. All voiced frustration with President Donald Trump's administration, particularly his recent tariffs on foreign countries and his...
opb.org
April 7, 2025 at 9:40 PM
For protesters, organizers and law enforcement, it was hard to not think of 2020 during the Hands Off protests this past weekend.
But these protests were distinct in several ways.
opb.org/article/2025...
But these protests were distinct in several ways.
opb.org/article/2025...
Nice to see my photos for OPB included in @npr.org's roundup of yesterday's protests: www.npr.org/sections/the...
Photos: See demonstrators around the country rally in 'Hands Off!' protests
NPR member station photographers documented what they saw at the demonstrations against the Trump administration, from cuts and layoffs to federal departments, to mass deportations.
www.npr.org
April 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Nice to see my photos for OPB included in @npr.org's roundup of yesterday's protests: www.npr.org/sections/the...
Here's our story on today's protests across Oregon. Big turnouts in cities across the state.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Several thousand protesters in Portland rally for ‘Hands Off’ day of action against Trump and Musk policies
In Oregon alone, dozens of “Hands Off” events are planned, from Gold Beach to Astoria, to Hood River, Enterprise, Redmond and Klamath Falls.
www.opb.org
April 5, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Here's our story on today's protests across Oregon. Big turnouts in cities across the state.
www.opb.org/article/2025...
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
OPB will have reporters across the state today to cover what's anticipated to be the largest set of protests since Trump took office for his second term.
More than 100 Oregon and Washington ‘Hands Off’ protest events planned during national day of action
In Oregon alone, dozens of “Hands Off” events are planned, from Gold Beach to Astoria, to Hood River, Enterprise, Redmond and Klamath Falls.
www.opb.org
April 5, 2025 at 1:44 PM
OPB will have reporters across the state today to cover what's anticipated to be the largest set of protests since Trump took office for his second term.
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
I’m on the Morrison Bridge in Portland where thousands of protesters are marching. The bridge is completely closed to traffic, as people protest President Trump’s administration
April 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
I’m on the Morrison Bridge in Portland where thousands of protesters are marching. The bridge is completely closed to traffic, as people protest President Trump’s administration
April 5, 2025 at 8:49 PM
I’m on the Morrison Bridge in Portland where thousands of protesters are marching. The bridge is completely closed to traffic, as people protest President Trump’s administration
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
A few days ago, @joniaudenland.bsky.social helped past victims of former St. Helens High School teacher Gene Evans tell their stories of alleged abuse from the 1980s.
Now, Oregon's Department of Human Services - Evans' former employer - is investigating him.
Now, Oregon's Department of Human Services - Evans' former employer - is investigating him.
Oregon DHS opens sexual abuse investigation into former spokesman Gene Evans
The investigation comes days after OPB published an investigation into decades-old claims of sexual abuse against Evans, all from his time as a teacher at St. Helens High School in the 1980s.
www.opb.org
April 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM
A few days ago, @joniaudenland.bsky.social helped past victims of former St. Helens High School teacher Gene Evans tell their stories of alleged abuse from the 1980s.
Now, Oregon's Department of Human Services - Evans' former employer - is investigating him.
Now, Oregon's Department of Human Services - Evans' former employer - is investigating him.
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
(11/12) Read the full story:
Former students say a St. Helens High teacher abused them in the 1980s. He became a face of child welfare in Oregon
In interviews with OPB, former St. Helens High School students say teachers have crossed lines for decades. A teacher who allegedly had a sexual relationship with a student in the 1980s later represen...
www.opb.org
March 25, 2025 at 3:02 AM
(11/12) Read the full story:
Reposted by Joni Auden Land
Last November, police arrested a working St. Helens High School teacher and a recently retired one. The charges: second-degree sexual abuse. The victims: students at the high school. (1/12)
March 25, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Last November, police arrested a working St. Helens High School teacher and a recently retired one. The charges: second-degree sexual abuse. The victims: students at the high school. (1/12)
Former students say Gene Evans abused them while teaching at St Helens High School in the ‘80s.
He later served as spokesperson for Oregon DHS, the agency charged with protecting the state’s vulnerable populations.
opb.cmail20.com/t/j-l-wjlljd...
He later served as spokesperson for Oregon DHS, the agency charged with protecting the state’s vulnerable populations.
opb.cmail20.com/t/j-l-wjlljd...
Former students say a St. Helens High teacher abused them in the 1980s. He became a face of child welfare in Oregon
In interviews with OPB, former St. Helens High School students say teachers have crossed lines for decades. A teacher who allegedly had a sexual relationship with a student in the 1980s later represen...
opb.cmail20.com
March 24, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Former students say Gene Evans abused them while teaching at St Helens High School in the ‘80s.
He later served as spokesperson for Oregon DHS, the agency charged with protecting the state’s vulnerable populations.
opb.cmail20.com/t/j-l-wjlljd...
He later served as spokesperson for Oregon DHS, the agency charged with protecting the state’s vulnerable populations.
opb.cmail20.com/t/j-l-wjlljd...