Government-Politics Archives

Wyden, Whitehouse ask AG to appoint special counsel to investigate potential violations by Justice Clarence Thomas

July 10, 2024 10:54 am KTVZ News Partners

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland last week requesting the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate potential violations of ethics, false statement, and tax laws by Supreme

Deschutes County commissioners OK $320,000 in funding for new workforce housing pilot program

July 10, 2024 10:17 am KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County commissioners have unanimously approved $320,000 in funding for a new pilot program that encourages builders to construct and sell new homes at prices attainable to median-income earners. The program, called Workforce Home Ownership for Median-income Earners (Workforce HOME), was established in partnership with NeighborImpact, Housing Works and the Central

Working through a heat wave: How CO.’s outdoor jobs are being affected by the sizzling high temperatures

July 9, 2024 4:49 pm Matthew Draxton

With record-breaking heat beating down on Central Oregonians, its tough to keep cool, – especially if you work outside. NewsChannel 21 looked Tuesday into how roadside workers stay safe in triple-digit temperatures.

Redmond city councilors send voters a measure to extend ban on psilocybin service centers for another 2 years

July 9, 2024 10:39 pm Tracee Tuesday

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – On the agenda at the Redmond City Council meeting Tuesday night: magic mushrooms. Here’s a bit of background: On Nov. 8, 2022, Redmond voters approved a ballot measure prohibiting psilocybin service centers for two years. At their Tuesday night meeting, council members were directed to conduct a public hearing and vote on an

Deschutes County households who receive SNAP, lost food due to wildfires face July 25 deadline to seek replacement benefits

July 9, 2024 8:50 pm KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Deschutes County residents who lost food purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to recent wildfires have until Thursday, July 25, to request replacement benefits from the Oregon Department of Human Services. ODHS received federal approval to waive the usual 10-day replacement benefit request deadline to help support Deschutes

Oregon among 27 states with illnesses linked to recalled mushroom-derived candies, cones

July 9, 2024 8:43 pm KTVZ News Partners

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon is one of 27 states with cases of a severe acute illness associated with a brand of candies that contain a potentially harmful chemical found in mushrooms, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified epidemiologists at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health

‘People are concerned’: C.O. lawmakers, political analyst weigh in on President Biden’s capacities following debate

July 9, 2024 11:59 am KTVZ

Oregon lawmakers and others are weighing in on President Biden’s reelection campaign as the conventions and November election loom, amid growing concerns over his age and capacities following the recent debate with Donald Trump.

Two Safeways in Bend, one in Redmond to be sold to C&S if challenged Kroger-Albertsons merger goes through

July 9, 2024 3:56 pm KTVZ News Partners

Two Bend Safeway stores and one in Redmond are among the 186 Oregon and Washington grocery stores that would be sold off if Kroger and Albertsons are allowed to merge, a 2022 proposal that the Federal Trade Commission and nine states, including Oregon, have filed suit to block.

Staffing issues close Oregon DMV office in Prineville for the day

July 9, 2024 9:42 am KTVZ News Partners

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Due to staffing issues, the Oregon DMV office in Prineville is closed Tuesday, officials said. Many services offered by the DMV can be taken care of online. Similar staffing-related closures have happened over the past several months at DMV offices around the High Desert and the state.

Oregon’s Universal Health Plan Governance Board recruits public for committee volunteer opportunities

July 8, 2024 10:36 pm KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Universal Health Plan Governance Board is recruiting members of the public to volunteer to join its work. The Oregon Legislature created the Universal Health Plan Governance Board with Senate Bill 1089 in 2023. The board is charged with developing a comprehensive plan to finance and administer a universal health plan

Merkley, Wyden announce nearly $300K to kick-start partnership, boost water quality in Lower Crooked River watershed

July 8, 2024 8:18 pm KTVZ News Partners

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Monday the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is awarding $299,973 to the Crooked River Water Quality Partnership, in collaboration with the Deschutes River Conservancy, through its WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program. This federal funding will be used to formalize the Partnership, identify priority projects and develop project

It’s an enlightening – not draining – experience: City of Bend offers Stormwater Walking Tour along Newport Avenue

July 8, 2024 7:35 pm KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend is offering a new way to explore Newport Avenue with the Stormwater Walking Tour. An outdoor exhibit of interpretive signs will take guests on a self-paced walking tour of the historic corridor to give a glimpse into what is above and below ground. The tour highlights stormwater system

‘It’s a grave disappointment:’ Users weigh in on East Bend Library’s planned closure; plans afoot for kiosks, more books

July 3, 2024 11:46 am Matthew Draxton

(Update: East Bend Library users, library director speak on decision to close location next year) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Nearly 15 years after it opened as what officials call a “temporary solution,” the East Bend Library on Dean Swift Road will close by the end of next year, as the Deschutes Public Library Board decided

Storm King plus 30: The still-evolving lessons of Colorado firestorm tragedy that claimed 9 Prineville Hotshots

July 7, 2024 8:08 pm Barney Lerten

It’s somehow somewhat fitting that the close-knit community of Prineville, like much of the High Desert, was under a Red Flag Warning on Saturday, meaning a combination of extreme heat, winds and low humidity brought what forecasters call “critical fire weather conditions.”

ODFW closing McKenzie River to Chinook angling through end of the year

July 5, 2024 7:25 pm KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Chinook salmon angling on the McKenzie River will close beginning Monday, July 8 through the end of the year. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said Friday it is taking this step to protect the unexpectedly small runs of both wild and hatchery Chinook salmon observed at Leaburg Dam on the

Cooling centers open across Oregon to help people beat the heat; 211info has locations online, by county

July 5, 2024 5:13 pm KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Cooling centers are opening across Oregon to help people beat the heat during excessively high temperatures this week. The Oregon Department of Human Services is working with 211info to get information out and ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in Oregon, especially those most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. “Our top priority is health and safety

Governor Kotek declares statewide ‘extreme heat emergency’ as heat wave arrives

July 5, 2024 4:17 pm KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declared a statewide extreme heat emergency Friday as the state prepares for high temperatures, both day and night, currently forecast through next Tuesday. “Extreme weather events are now the new normal for Oregon. Right now, state and local governments are on a path to strengthen our preparedness and

Oregon gains approval to provide Medicaid coverage to people leaving incarceration

July 4, 2024 11:37 pm KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon has been approved to use federal funding to allow people who are incarcerated to access Medicaid coverage 90 days prior to release, in an effort to support their reentry into the community and prevent gaps in physical and mental health care after release. Federal law currently prohibits the use of

Oregon Parks and Rec seeks public input on proposed changes to camping rate ranges

July 4, 2024 10:42 pm KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public comment on a proposal to adjust the ranges of rates that parks can charge for camping and other facilities in state parks starting in summer 2025. Regular adjustments to rate ranges are necessary to respond to increases in utility costs, operations and

Feds OK expanded Oregon program giving seniors, people with disabilities more options for support to stay in own home

July 4, 2024 10:23 pm KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has approved the expansion of an Oregon Department of Human Services program that gives older adults and people with disabilities more options for support to continue to live independently in their own home. With the approval, the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities

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