SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — More than 200 career and volunteer firefighters from nearly 100 fire agencies throughout Oregon attended the 19th annual Winter Fire School at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem last weekend. The two-day event was hosted by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) and included nine classes offered
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SAN FRANCISCO (KTVZ) — In 2023, union members accounted for 14.1 percent of wage and salary workers in Oregon, compared with 15.5 percent in 2022, the ninth-highest rate in the nation, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that the union membership rate for the state was at its
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The number of students caught bringing a gun to school in Oregon increased significantly last year, KGW reported this week.
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – This week, the Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 1571, which requires political campaigns in Oregon to disclose the use of audio or imagery generated by artificial intelligence in voter communications materials. As AI tools become more sophisticated and available, states across the country are taking steps to defend voters and protect
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Long-time Central Oregonians – in fact, folks far and wide – will recall the unique role in a wild chapter of 1980s history played (involuntarily) by the small southern Wasco County town of Antelope, population 37.
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Jamie Parfitt, Thomas Shults, KGW SALEM, Ore. (KGW/KTVZ) — In a 21-8 vote, the Oregon Senate on Friday approved a bill rolling back the drug decriminalization portion of Measure 110. Having already passed the state House, the bill only awaits Gov. Tina Kotek’s signature before it becomes law, KGW reports. Recriminalization is just one part
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Department of Forestry deployed a strike team to Amarillo, Texas on Friday to assist in their wildfire suppression efforts. The strike team is equipped with five engines and a strike team leader, with a total of 16 firefighters traveling down to the state. The firefighters are going to
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SALEM, Ore. (KGW/KTVZ) — The Oregon Senate voted Thursday morning to approve a pair of bills that tackle the state’s housing crisis. Senate Bill 1530 and Senate Bill 1537 passed 21-7 with bipartisan support, KGW reported. The bills are part of the $376 million Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package, which aims to boost housing production, infrastructure
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The Oregon House of Representatives approved a bill Thursday in a 51-7 vote that will effectively end drug decriminalization in the state as established by 2020’s voter-approved Measure 110. The bill now moves on to the state Senate, KGW reports.
Continue ReadingThe Oregon Department of Human Services, through its Office of Aging and People with Disabilities, confirmed to NewsChannel 21 that it is investigating both abuse allegations and licensing complaints at Juniper Canyon Living, a residential care facility in Redmond.
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WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Senator Jeff Merkley, D-OR, and Representative Mike Levin (D-CA-49) led colleagues Thursday in a bicameral introduction of the Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Act. They said the legislation would position the United States to lead the world both in vehicle innovation and combating climate chaos. Here’s the senator’s news release on the legislation: “Electric vehicles
Continue ReadingSALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Amid changing work environments and an aging workforce, Oregon state government can do more to actively and strategically manage its workforce to best meet the needs of Oregonians, according to an audit released Thursday. Oregon’s state government workforce includes more than 45,000 people in a wide variety of roles delivering important public
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WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown on Wednesday introduced the Protecting American Households from Rising Energy Costs Act, legislation that they said would lower prices for American households by banning the export of crude oil or liquefied natural gas (LNG) to our biggest adversaries: China, Russia, Iran, and North
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Public Health is hitting the road, launching mobile services in a special Mobile Outreach Vehicle. “We meet you where you are,” the van says on the side. WIC (Women, Infants & Children) will be at various locations around the county offering nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, nutritious foods,
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Just about everyone in Central Oregon would say they welcome more affordable housing options, large and small, rural or urban – that’s practically a given these days.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook announced Wednesday the selection of three elementary school interim principals to lead their schools on a permanent basis. All three are serving in an interim principal status this school year and recently interviewed to continue on a permanent basis, beginning this fall. They are Marc Zollinger,
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With the use of electric vehicles surging in Oregon, drivers are relying more on charging ports while on the road. The state now has millions in federal money to make needed repairs and upgrades.
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The Oregon House, on a 59-0 vote, has approved a bill that updates state laws regarding e-bikes and was named “Trenton’s Law” to honor a Bend teen who was killed while riding his e-bike last summer.
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Employment Department is five days away from launching a brand new, easy-to-use online system for Unemployment Insurance benefits. UI benefits go live through Frances Online on Monday, March 4, at 8 a.m., the agency said Wednesday. Frances Online offers features that will provide a better customer service experience for UI claimants.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend said Wednesday it wants to hear your questions about the future of tree preservation in our community, and has scheduled two informal question-and-answer sessions in coming days to do just that. Here’s Wednesday’s full announcement and details; For the last few years, community members have raised concerns
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