On today’s Newsmakers at Noon, Denise and Hunter welcome Jeff Reynolds, Senior Editor at Restoration-News.com and Senior Investigative Researcher with Restoration of America, for a wide-ranging discussion on national and state politics.
The conversation begins with developments involving Iran and U.S. foreign policy, examining the broader geopolitical implications and how escalating tensions could affect global stability, energy markets, and American strategy.
The hosts also react to national political headlines, including reports that President Trump has replaced Kristi Noem with Senator Markwayne Mullin, and discuss a widely shared social media post from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that generated strong reactions online.
Closer to home, they dive into the 2026 Oregon election landscape, focusing on the governor’s race and other key statewide contests. With candidate filing deadlines approaching, the discussion turns to Chris Dudley, the former Trail Blazer and Republican gubernatorial nominee, and whether he might consider switching races before the March 10 filing deadline. The hosts explore the strategic possibility of Dudley running for U.S. Senate instead of governor, noting that some believe he could be uniquely positioned as a high-profile candidate capable of challenging a long-term Democratic incumbent. The idea raises questions about political strategy, candidate strength, and whether Oregon Republicans could realistically compete in multiple major races at once.
The episode also notes National Absinthe Day and includes cultural commentary about how arts, music, and entertainment have historically been used to influence political messaging, and how those cultural channels shape public opinion.
A wide-ranging program covering international developments, Oregon’s evolving political landscape, and the intersection of culture and politics—Newsmakers at Noon brings listeners perspective beyond the headlines.
