Go listen to Rational in Portland or NW Fresh with Andy Chandler on YouTube/Spotify. Beat Check is pandering and boring.

For the state’s “flagship” newspaper (to which I subscribe), this podcast sure is inconsistent in quality. Sometimes, it’s pretty good, but it spends a lot of time doing episodes focused on the Oregonian itself and its reporters and not on the actual stories. Also, many of the O’s reporters are neither good podcast hosts nor guests - they are clearly uncomfortable in the medium. Media reporting on itself is a hard one to pull off and unfortunately BeatCheck fails to do so. Overall, with exceptions, BeatCheck leaves much to be desired.

Great stuff! I agree with other reviews that say that some episodes are more engaging than others, but no matter what the topic, this is skilled, smart, labor-intensive reporting on local stuff, and I learn a lot I did not know about Portland and surrounding areas, how they work, and how the run.

I’m an OregonLive subscriber and regularly listen to Beat Check. I like the new lineup of hosts and appreciate this additional channel for in-depth content.

The information given on the podcast is about mediocre, I suppose. However, it is is deeply marred by poor presentation and interviewing skills. The host meanders, doesn’t seem to command a direction for the topics discussed, and only the most anodyne, and uncontroversial subjects ever seem to be broached. The also seem overly forgiving and conciliatory towards government officials and policies as to seem little more than press releases for what comes out of Salem and Portland City Hall. The field reporters also tend to give an impression of not being particularly prepared for the episodes and usually only share the most obvious points of a story with little insight or even very organized thoughts. Very much a mixed bag, and quite low quality from what I would expect from a semi major news organization.

Not every episode is perfect, but these generally go into far more depth than the oregonlive articles, and provide valuable insight into complex issues. They have a slightly amateurish feel, but that lends a feeling of authenticity - local Oregonians who know the background, politicians, issues, and speak to other Oregonians. Thank you!

I think a local news podcast can be a valuable adjunct to local print coverage, and recent episodes have covered important local issues in a format that might reach citizens who don’t read the news in print or online. On the other hand, Beat Check illustrates that professional skills in journalism don’t necessarily translate into the skills required to make engaging podcasts, either as host or as interviewee. Sometimes, it seems that journalists are simply covering too many subjects to be knowledgeable enough that they can make engaging and informed conversation on a particular subject. Other times, and this is less excusable, important chains of causation or consequence, which might be referenced in a print article, don’t make it into the less formal structure of the podcasts… thus leaving the listener with a false impression. While I’d like to see a stronger application of the journalistic standards I’m used to seeing in print, I understand that it might be hard to replicate in this format. Then again… doesn’t NPR do this every day? I’ll continue to subscribe, because I *read* the news as well, and feel comfortable reading in between the lines, as it were. P.S.- Why Tho is completely unrelated, but comes as a package with Beat Check for some reason. I do not need to listen to that at all. Luckily, I can delete immediately.

Hit or miss pod for sure. Recent Lloyd Center piece was terrible, like pulling teeth trying to get the reporter to even say anything about what I think is a really interesting project.

The intros are far too long. Tighter editing and more focused please.

I use to like this podcast feed but now I keep getting why tho in this feed. Seems it’s a lost cause leaving a review.

Most episodes okay, but the recent one on Portland’s charter reform highlighted a lot of frustrations I’ve had with getting news from the Oregonian lately. The story spent more time in real minutes describing the reform measures as hard to understand, than they did explaining the reform measures themselves, or the arguments for or against. Further, the arguments for the reform were described in as shallow of a depth as arguments against. I think Dixon-Kavanaugh editorialized saying, “if you can’t explain charter reform in a 2 minute visual presentation, you have a problem”. Well, it’s a 3 part amendment to the charter system that , as the hosts acknowledged, would have massive implications for the everyday lives of Portlanders. It’s complicated . We got that - that is not a news story, that’s not worth 15 minutes of podcast. Also - the podcast hosts relied on “well people have doubts” , but failed to quantify that. There was a poll published in advance of the story that actually showed attitudes towards charter reform. Why wasn’t that in the reporting? You all just going to report “vibes”? I worry there’s editorial direction being handed down. Instead, I really enjoy OPB’s politics now podcast. Less of a slant.

Andrew Theen is a rock solid host and I enjoy hearing the reporters give a different perspective on a story than you get from simply reading it in the paper (yes, a few of us still subscribe to have an actual paper delivered).

Great local news and insights on the most important topics facing Oregonians. Always interesting and relevant stories and Andrew Theen does a great job exploring each subject. Highly recommended!

I love the format. Andrew interviews reporters who know their subjects deeply - so great to have these local issues explored with such nuance.

Great podcast for insight into Portland, Oregon, and the broader PNW.

the show is GREAT! Thanks Andrew and the O!

Just listened to the icu episode september 2021. Great to hear the reporter/ personal side of this Great work!!

Every story is disproportionately biased to the point where the reports border on absolute fiction. Unvetted amateur journalists routinely give idealistic perspectives on topics that need more professional attention.

Really enjoy hearing from local journalists about Portland and Oregon news. Fantastic resource.

This is not a summary of the day's news stories, for that approach check out the sibling podcast "News Updates from The Oregonian." "Beat Check" is a discussion with reporters about their stories and what when in the making of the stories. Provides valuable context and additional information/insights. Highly recommended. BTW, I am a subscriber to The Oregonian / OregonLive.

Recently listened to the episode diving into Oregon’s unemployment insurance crisis. Hearing the reporters talk about the background of the story was great, but their interviews with two people who are stuck in red tape quicksand were terrific. Really drove the story home. Will be listening regularly from now on.

So glad I found this podcast - it’s a great way to keep up with local news. Andrew Theen is an excellent interviewer - he speaks so clearly and asks good questions. And the local reporters are so knowledgeable.

Listen to reporters and their incredible perspectives of local issues!

Good interview of a remarkable, strong woman telling her painful story. Appreciate her willingness to share and her strength encouraging others to not feel shame. Powerful message.

I didn’t really like the theme music, but the podcast was great overall. It was a good first episode, and I’m interested to hear more.