# The State HR Director Who 'Rolled the Dice,' Saving the Sea Star, and 6 Ways to Finish Summer Strong

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/city-cast-portland-5822554/the-state-hr-director-who-rolled-the-dice-saving-the-sea-star-and-6-ways-to-finish-summer-strong
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/city-cast-portland-5822554/the-state-hr-director-who-rolled-the-dice-saving-the-sea-star-and-6-ways-to-finish-summer-strong.md
Podcast: [City Cast Portland](https://stenobird.com/podcast/city-cast-portland-5822554)
Published: 2026-08-18T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CC3832223456.mp3
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CC3832223456.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/city-cast-portland-5822554/episodes/the-state-hr-director-who-rolled-the-dice-saving-the-sea-star-and-6-ways-to-finish-summer-strong
Duration seconds: 1737

## Resource

Today we're talking about what happened when the state's human resources director violated their own policies, and how a Northwest tribe and local researchers are working to bring a sea star species back from the brink of extinction. Plus, we're picking the top local events you need to check out before the end of summer. Joining executive producer John Notarianni are our very own senior producer Rachel Monahn and our audience development manager, Grace Cohen-Chen. Become a member of City Cast Portland! ⁠Join today⁠, and we'll send you some exclusive City Cast Portland swag, while supplies last. Get all the details and sign up ⁠here⁠.⁠ ⁠ Discussed in today's episode: ⁠Top Oregon state HR director violated HR policies before getting fired, report says⁠ [Oregonian] ⁠Billions of sea stars have died. A Northwest tribe is trying to save the species⁠ [NPR] Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at ⁠portland@citycast.fm⁠, or leave us a voicemail at ⁠503-208-5448⁠. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our ⁠morning newsletter⁠ and be sure to follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠. Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 18th episode: ⁠Salishan Coastal Lodge⁠ ⁠Stacked Piercing⁠ - take 20% off your first booking with code CITYCAST20 ⁠PaintCare⁠ ⁠Grand Central Bakery⁠

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## Transcript

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