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Government-Politics

Bend proposed natural gas fee opposition

Foes of Bend’s planned natural gas appliance fee send out mailing, urge residents to oppose move

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A brochureย now landing inย Bend mailboxesย stronglyย urgesย residents to speak out againstย the cityโ€™s plansย toย imposeย a “climate pollution fee” of up to $2,300 on natural gas appliances in new homes, part of an effort to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.ย  โ€œYOUR ENERGY CHOICE IS UNDER ATTACK IN BEND,โ€ย statesย the front of theย mailing from theย Northwest

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Oregon Department of Corrections

Oregon Department of Corrections to issue computer tablets to all inmates, move to digitally scanned email

(Update: Adding info on Deschutes County Jail’s inmate tablets) SALEM,. Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Corrections told inmates’ families and friends on Monday that at all inmates are going to receive a state-issued computer tablet, on which they can take lessons, watch movies, play games or read their emails – which from now

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Flooding high water sign ODOT

Oregon to offer free online webinars to help rural communities respond to disaster

By Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is hosting free virtual webinars this spring for anyone interested in helping rural communities prepare for and respond to disasters such as floods, extreme heat and wildfires.ย  The two-part series, โ€œRural Communities Prepared for Disasters,โ€ will bring in disaster response

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Redmond Airport terminal project construction camera 4-6

New Oregon airport federal funds include $3.45 million for Redmond terminal expansion, $300K for Prineville Airport

WASHINGTON (KTVZย โ€“ U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as well as U.S. Reps. Val Hoyle, Andrea Salinas, Janelle Bynum and Maxine Dexter today announced Monday that more than 25 Oregon airports will receive a combined federal investment of more than $27 million to make their infrastructure safer and better. โ€œOregonians rely on federal investments

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Oregon forecasters predict, prepare for increased drought and wildfire risk after NOAA climate outlook

By Robin Linares, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — While the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades is known for its seemingly constant rain, much of Oregon is preparing for drought conditions and increased wildfire risk for the summer. This comes after Oregonโ€™s uncharacteristically mild winter. Much of winter saw warmer temperatures, tied with 1934

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Sen. Jeff Merkley Addresses War, Economy, and Youth Mental Health at Sisters Town Hall

(UPDATE: Adding information from the event, quotes from Sen. Jeff Merkley, and attendees) SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — At a town hall held at Sisters High School on Saturday, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley spent more than an hour engaging directly with constituents, answering questions and discussing a wide range of pressing issues. The Oregon Democratโ€™s stop

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Medical supplies Children's Clinic Portland

Oregon gave millions in erroneous benefits for state health plan, audit says

By Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — A free Oregon health care program for adults who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid could have improperly given out $15 million in payments related to benefits for recipients, according to a recent audit of state-managed federal programs. The โ€œquestionedโ€ funds surfaced in an 124-page

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Mail-in ballots MGN

Oregon attorney general, 22 other states sue over President Trump’s executive order to limit vote-by-mail

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general and one governor on Friday to file a lawsuit against President Trump’s March 31 executive order. The legal challenge seeks to block the order, which would give the federal government authority to determine which citizens receive mail-in ballots.

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Redmond Public Library

Solar-powered new Redmond Library receives LEED ‘Platinum’ energy-efficiency certification

ย REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Redmond Libraryย hasย formally received LEEDย (Leadership in Energyย andย Environmental Design)ย Platinum certificationย forย its commitment to sustainability, Deschutes Public Library officials said Thursday.ย  As a framework, LEEDย is the worldโ€™s most widely used green building rating systemย and provides a framework for assessing everything fromย energy and water use to materialsย selectionย and indoorย airย quality, the library district said in Thursday’s announcement,

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Phishing

Scam Alert: Deschutes County warns residents to watch out for official-looking email phishing attempts

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County reminded community members Thursday to watch out for email scams that try to steal personal or financial information. Some scams may appear to come from county email accounts and reference real permit numbers or application details. These messages may request urgent payment, ask for bank account or Social Security

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Bend Police Officer Zachary Childers

There’s Good News: Bend Police Department and Officer Zachary Childers receive top Oregon DUII enforcement honors

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Police Department announced Thursday that it’sย been awarded the 2025 Enforcement Agency of the Year by the Oregon DUII Multi-Disciplinary Training Task Force.ย ย  In addition,ย Bend Policeย Officer Zachary Childersย was named the 2025 DUII Officer of the Year. Officer Childers has been a Bend officer since 2017 and in law enforcement for

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Deschutes County free yard debris disposal

Deschutes County’s free yard debris disposal returns this spring; here’s the schedule and what’s accepted

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County is encouraging residents to get their homes ready for wildfire season and take advantage of the free yard debris drop-off events offered each year through the FireFree program. The county noted that during a wildfire, most homes are lost when falling embers smolder and ignite dry, vulnerable areas around

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