Today’s Newsmakers at Noon welcomed Jeff Reynolds, Editor at Large for Restoration News, and Chelly Bouferrache – “HoneyBadgerMom” on X – Restoration News contributor and citizen journalist, for a wide-ranging conversation about Portland politics, activism and the direction of the broader left.
We revisited the debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports, including the controversy that followed the WNBA to Portland. We talked about why the issue continues to resonate with women, parents and athletes, and why the pushback is getting harder to ignore.
A major focus of the hour was the influence of the Democratic Socialists of America, Antifa and other far-left activist networks. We discussed how these groups organize, pressure institutions, shape local political narratives and insert themselves into policy fights well beyond street protests. The bigger question was not just what they’re doing now, but what they’re building toward next and whether people who disagree with them are paying enough attention to the long game.
Chelly also joined us for a deeper discussion of the Safer Portland police-funding ballot initiative and reporting around rejected petition signatures, the handling of petition sheets, and the role of DSA-aligned activists and city employees. The episode became part of a broader conversation about political infrastructure, election-process trust and the growing influence of organized ideological groups inside local government.
We also reflected on the loss of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, two enormously talented entertainers who were loved across generations and cultural lines. Their passing sparked a conversation about how rare it is today to find celebrities with truly universal appeal and whether the culture still produces stars who can unite people instead of constantly dividing them.
Links from Today’s Show
Trans Sports Debate Follows WNBA to Portland
DSA Aligned Portland Employees Conspire to Keep Police Funding Off the Ballot
