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Government-Politics

Gov. Kotek signs ‘historic’ bill setting limits on candidate campaign contributions, starting in 2027

SALEM, Ore. (KGW/KTVZ) — Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed House Bill 4024 at a ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, officially enacting a large-scale campaign finance reform package that will place upper limits on donations to political candidates starting in January 2027 and create new disclosure rules for political transactions. “Often, the word ‘historic’ can feel overused. But I

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Governor signs Senator Knopp’s ‘Children’s Health and Safety Equity Act’

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Late last week, the governor signed into law SB 1579 B, the Children’s Health and Safety Equity Act, introduced and chief sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend). Knopp said in a news release Wednesday, “The measure begins the work of funding and expanding access to underserved, historically marginalized, low-income areas of the state while offering

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Three sculpture options for SE 15th Street-Knott Road roundabout go on display; each honors Caldera HS Wolfpack

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Design renderings of the three proposed art sculptures for the Southeast 15th Street and Knott Road roundabout will be on display at the Larkspur Community Center from April 4-11 and at the downtown Bend Deschutes Public Library from April 12-18.  Community members of all ages are invited to review and provide input

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Central Oregon community members have come together in an ambitious effort to build a multi-sport facility

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Central Oregon Sportsplex Alliance is a coalition of community members, businesses, sports teams and partners that are committed to bringing top-tier sports facilities to the region. Their plan is to develop a strategy of a multi-sport facility, engaging in multiple turf, multi-sport soccer, lacrosse, rugby, baseball and softball fields, indoor

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$6 million worth of Oregon properties forfeited in connection with interstate marijuana trafficking ring

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced Monday that it has forfeited on behalf of the United States 14 real properties located in Oregon — together worth more than $5.7 million — that were used by an interstate drug trafficking organization to illegally grow marijuana for redistribution and

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‘A critical tool’: Deschutes National Forest plans to start stepped-up prescribed burn season in mid-April

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Prescribed burn season is starting up again on the High Desert. The Deschutes National Forest is planning more than ever before, up to 11,000 acres. “Prescribed burning is a critical tool that the forest uses,” Jaimie Olle, the forest’s public affairs specialist, said Tuesday. “We live in a fire-dependent ecosystem that

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Deschutes County Planning Commission to hold public hearing on Planning Division Work Plan

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The public is invited to provide input on the Deschutes County Community Development Department’s Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2024-25 [https://www.deschutes.org/cd/page/work-plan-annual-report]. The Planning Commission will host a public hearing on the Planning Division Work Plan on Thursday, April 11 at 5:30 p.m. The public hearing will be held remotely online and in-person at the Deschutes Services

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Tony Prior named new Sisters-Camp Sherman fire chief, succeeding retiring Roger Johnson

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Board Chair Kristie Miller announced Friday that Tony Prior has completed all pre-employment requirements and the parties have completed contract negotiations. Chief Prior’s start date is scheduled for June 1. He will replace current Fire Chief Roger Johnson, who is retiring on July 1. Chief Prior comes

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Deschutes Public Library Board appoints Betsy Tucker to fill vacancy left by Ray Miao’s resignation

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes Public Library Board members voted Thursday afternoon to appoint Bend resident Betsy Tucker to the Zone 4 Library Board position. The vacancy occurred when longtime board member Ray Miao resigned his position on March 13. Library Board members Ann Malkin, Anne Ness, Bunny Thompson and Erin Trimble voted 4–0 in

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