American Dream

Retired dental hygienist Linda Hellenthal lives on 800 acres in Roseburg with her husband, a logger. She's achieved the dream, she says, but she worries for her grandchildren. 

Ana del Rocío Valderrama says she has a good job but she still struggles mightily, and the dream is not complete until the most vulnerable in the community are taken care of.

Three dozen high schoolers gathered for a town hall convened by "Think Out Loud" and the CENTER in North Portland to talk about how they define the American Dream today and their hopes for the future.

Do you have a story about a spooky or weird place in Portland? Share it today on our Halloween extravaganza. Also today, we'll hear another personal story in our American Dream series.

High school students from around Portland gathered in North Portland to share their personal stories, their experiences and what the American Dream means to them.

Anand Tawker, a former director of emerging markets in India for Hewlett Packard, says he hopes the "American Dream" can become more substantive and meaningful for more Americans. 

Phil and Penny Knight donate $500 million to the University of Oregon. Climate change is directly tied to wildfires in the West. A naturalized citizen tells us about the American Dream. And we dive deep into Measure 97.

Protests about the city council vote on the new Portland Police contract resulted in 10 arrests. Also, we get an update on humanitarian efforts in Haiti, hear the latest in our American Dream series, and learn about a possible change in how to prosecute drug crimes.

Our series exploring what the American Dream means to Oregonians continues with communications professor and Osage Native American tribal member Cynthia Coleman.

We continue our exploration of the American Dream with a PSU professor who's also a tribal member. And we'll look into the costs and benefits of Portland's affordable housing measure on the November ballot.