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Government-Politics

Wyden, Merkley announce $30.1 million in ‘Payments in Lieu of Taxes’ to Oregon counties; $6 million to C. Oregon

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced Thursday that counties throughout Oregon will receive more than $30.1 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding for 2024, including over $6 million for Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. Because local governments cannot tax federal lands, annual PILT payments help to defray the costs

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Wyden, Merkley, colleagues call on Postal Service to prepare for November election

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senator Ron Wyden said Thursday he is leading Senate colleagues including fellow Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley in calling on Postmaster General DeJoy and the U.S. Postal Service to share their plans to accommodate high volumes of mail expected in the upcoming 2024 general election in Oregon and nationwide. “In 2020, the Postal Service overcame

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Oregon Dept. of Agriculture issues emergency rules for livestock fairs, shows to reduce risk of avian influenza transmission

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZZ) The Oregon Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday it has taken proactive steps by issuing emergency rules for livestock fairs and shows this summer to reduce the risk of avian influenza, often referred to as “bird flu.” The rules are a measure to prevent the introduction of High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI) into an exhibition

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Marine Board, OSP, sheriff’s deputies join in Operation Dry Water over the Fourth to curb boating under the influence

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon State Marine Board, sheriff’s offices across the state and Oregon State Police will be participating in Operation Dry Water July 4-6 as part of a nationally coordinated effort to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities related to boating under the influence of intoxicants.   Boating under the influence of

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Oregon lawmakers announce $15 million for Warm Springs Commercial Corridor Safety Project on Hwy. 26

Plans include speed reduction, new roundabout, shared-use path WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Oregon U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Andrea Salinas (OR-06), announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding nearly $43 million in federal funding from its Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability

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Next big change to U.S. Highway 97 in northern Bend: northbound traffic shifts to new lanes on Friday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Friday, northbound traffic on U.S. Highway 97 will be permanently shifted to the newly built northbound U.S. 97 parkway, ODOT officials said Monday. With this change, the new northbound Empire Avenue and Cooley Road on-ramps will open, and the southbound onramp at Robal Lane will temporarily close. Travelers wanting to

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Fourth of July fireworks returning to Bend’s Pilot Butte; summit road closes to vehicles June 30, other restrictions

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This year’s 4th of July Pilot Butte public fireworks display will commence at approximately 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4th.  In preparation, the Oregon State Parks Department and Bend Fire & Rescue ask that the community observe the following restrictions to Pilot Butte State Park from July 1st through July 5th.  The access

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US Capitol

Bentz honors Class of 2028 service academy appointments, announces opening of Class of 2029 nominating process

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) has released the names of the seven individuals he nominated to be considered for attendance at our nation’s service academies who have accepted offers of appointment, while also announcing the nominating process for the Class of 2029. The full list of students who received and then accepted offers of

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City of Bend explains new ‘protected’ Third and Wilson intersection, designed to boost cyclist, pedestrian safety

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Bend’s recently opened Wilson Avenue Corridor includes a protected intersection at the corner of Wilson Avenue and Third Street. The protected intersection is very similar to a traditional intersection except that it provides more separation and visibility between different modes of travel, city officials said this week. Here’s

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Wyden bill would give first responders resources to saefly clean up from electric vehicle crashes

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced legislation Thursday that would require federal agencies to provide electric vehicle safety information, testing standards, and training materials for local first responders across the nation. Electric vehicles pose a unique challenge to first responders used to dealing with traditional vehicles. Batteries are often damaged in accidents, exposing the

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Exclusive: Rookie Prineville PD officer caught on camera urinating outside bar is back on patrol after reprimand, suspension    

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — After NewsChannel 21 broke the news in January of rookie Prineville Police Officer Jacob Gentry urinating outside a Prineville bar, we’ve now learned he’s back on patrol following a written reprimand and two-day unpaid suspension. It comes as the department still remains without a permanent top cop, for nearly a year.

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Redmond councilors seek public input on asking voters whether to extend psilocybin service centers moratorium

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Redmond City Council will be seeking public comment Tuesday evening on whether to ask voters this fall to extend the current two-year voter-approved prohibition of psilocybin service centers within city limits.  In the November 2022 General Election, Redmond voters approved a ballot measure which placed a two-year moratorium/ban on psilocybin

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