NEWSMAKERS at NOON
Newsmakers at Noon is a live, locally focused talk show on KYKN that digs into the stories shaping Salem, Oregon, and the nation—with context, accountability, and straight talk. Hosted by Denise and Hunter, the show blends local government, state and national politics, media analysis, and community issues, featuring guests who bring insight beyond the headlines. From city council decisions to national policy debates and global developments, the focus is on helping listeners think critically and stay informed. Grounded in the belief that local radio and local businesses matter, Newsmakers at Noon delivers thoughtful conversation without the spin.
Newsmakers At Noon 10/1/26
Salem Seniors, a Deadlocked Governor’s Race, New Trains & One Very Fat Bear – Newsmakers At Noon 9/30/26
Today on Newsmakers at Noon, we started close to home with Steve Kettering, marketing manager at the South Salem Senior Center, and Douglas Meyer, who serves on the center’s board. They joined Denise and Hunter to talk about the Senior Center and two upcoming events happening October 2–3 and October 16–17. It was a great […]
Coffee, Campaigns, Halloween Memories &… Nightmare Sea Spiders? – Newsmakers At Noon 9/29/26
There may have been a little too much coffee involved in today’s Newsmakers at Noon – which seemed appropriate since it’s National Coffee Day. From there, Denise and Hunter bounced from history and Halloween nostalgia to politics, the economy, Seattle’s struggles and one deeply disturbing discovery lurking beneath the waters of the Pacific Northwest. We […]
Health Insurance Changes, Salem’s Data Center Debate & the Cost-of-Living Reality Check – Newsmakers At Noon 9/28/26
Today on Newsmakers at Noon, TJ Sullivan of Hagan Hamilton Insurance joined us for our monthly Community Champions conversation, along with his guest Beth Black, past president of the National Association of Benefits & Insurance Professionals. With changes underway in Oregon’s health-insurance market, Beth helped us sort through what’s happening, why some carriers are leaving […]
Confronting America: Bill O’Reilly on Responsibility, Culture & the Legacy We Leave Behind – Newsmakers At Noon 9/24/26
It was a big day on Newsmakers at Noon as Denise spent the first half of the show one-on-one with Bill O’Reilly, talking about his new book, Confronting America: What Has to Change. O’Reilly describes the book as an examination of America’s cultural problems and what he believes needs to change. Bill O’Reilly The conversation […]
$6 Diesel, 120 Days for Salem & Elks Supporting Military Families – Newsmakers At Noon 9/23/26
Today on Newsmakers at Noon, forget the polls for a minute; the number that got our attention was diesel over $6 a gallon. With oil around $91 a barrel, Denise and Hunter kicked around the obvious question: what exactly is driving what consumers are paying at the pump, and how much of that price comes […]
Real Estate Insights: Is Housing Broken – or Working Exactly as Designed? Newsmakers At Noon 9/22/26
Happy first day of fall! Today on Newsmakers at Noon, we welcomed Amy McLeod for Real Estate Insights, and the housing market gave us plenty to unpack beyond the usual conversation about prices and interest rates. Amy brought us up to speed on the latest market stats, but one of the bigger themes was that […]
Oregon at a Crossroads: Data Centers, Homelessness & 35 Years of Cascade Policy Institute – Newsmakers At Noon 9/21/26
Today on Newsmakers at Noon, John Charles, President and CEO of Cascade Policy Institute, joined us to talk about an organization that has spent 35 years weighing in on some of Oregon’s biggest public-policy debates. Cascade describes itself as an independent, free-market public-policy research organization focused on individual liberty, economic opportunity and accountable government. John […]
Constitution Day: Elections, Individual Rights & When Technology Gets It Wrong – Newsmakers At Noon 9/17/26
It was Constitution Day on Newsmakers at Noon, marking the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. Thirty-nine delegates ultimately signed the document, a fitting backdrop for a show filled with questions about elections, government power, individual rights and the institutions Americans depend upon. National Archives Oregon’s governor’s race brought us […]
Salem’s Future, Oregon’s Tight Governor’s Race & Sydney Sweeney Enters the Chat – Newsmakers At Noon 9/16/26
Today’s Newsmakers at Noon bounced from Salem City Hall and Oregon politics to family stories, tattoos and, somehow, Sydney Sweeney. At 12:30, Salem Mayor Julie Hoy joined us with an update on what’s happening around the city and what she’s focused on for the remainder of her term. A major issue right now is data […]
Anna Munson on HD 19, Oregon’s Political Fight & the AI Question – Newsmakers At Noon 9/15/26
Today’s Newsmakers at Noon welcomed Anna Munson, Republican candidate for Oregon House District 19, for a wide-ranging conversation about her background, experience, and reasons for seeking a seat in the Oregon Legislature. Her campaign describes HD 19 as including southeastern Salem, the Salem airport, Willamette University and the Four Corners area. Vote Anna Munson We […]
