WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) recently joined Reps. Morgan Luttrell (TX-08) and Chris Deluzio (PA-17) to introduce the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act. It would expand the definition of a federal grant program to include human trafficking – opening up additional funding opportunities for local law enforcement to carry
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade released the 2023 Annual Report from the Office of Small Business Assistance (OSBA) Thursday. As the number and complexity of regulations and requirements grow, the OSBA continues to serve as a valuable resource for Oregon’s small businesses. “Oregon aims to be a small business-friendly state, but there’s
Continue Reading
The intersection of Century Drive and Colorado Avenue in southwest Bend is where the first roundabout in Bend was installed, back in 1999.
Continue Reading
Deschutes County commissioners have been discussing for months the idea of enacting a business license for short-term rentals in the unincorporated county, to better assure land-use, health and safety issues are addressed and help neighbors deal with any conflicts.
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KGW/KTVZ) — An Oregon bill that would make standard time permanent nearly went down in the Senate on Tuesday — saved, it seems, by some last-minute maneuvering that could keep the bill alive for another vote, KGW reports. Senate Bill 1548, which has bipartisan backing, would eliminate the twice-annual switch to and from daylight saving
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — With more than 85 percent of the state’s 1.5 million renewals complete, 5 out of 6 Oregonians are keeping their Oregon Health Plan or other Medicaid benefits, the Oregon Health Authority said Wednesday. Oregon’s 85 percent renewal rate continues to be the second highest in a national comparison of state renewal rates
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is seeking interested veterans to fill current and future vacancies on the Veterans Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee was established in 1945 at the agency’s founding and holds a distinct and fundamental role in advocating for veteran issues, sharing insight on veteran concerns and advising
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Higher Education Coordinating Commission on Tuesday released Oregon’s first Semiconductor Workforce and Talent Assessment, providing an overview of the semiconductor industry and workforce landscape. The study recommends significant changes focused on strengthening education pathways and diversifying the workforce in order to address the talent needs of Oregon’s growing semiconductor industry. The assessment, developed
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deciding how and where to invest your money can be a difficult and overwhelming decision. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation now has resources available to help. The division recently published the Oregon Investor Guide, a free publication that is available both in print and online. DFR created this guide to take
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the Oregon Legislature’s “short session” heads into its final weeks, we’ll be providing occasional collections of news releases received on bills and legislative action. Here are two Wednesday items. From the Oregon Senate Democratic and Republican Offices: Protecting Oregonians on Public Transit Senate Bill 1553 expands the existing crime of
Continue Reading
Amid talks in Salem on Measure 110 fixes, Rep. Kevin Mannix proposes creation of ‘special misdemeanor’ SALEM, OR – New predictive data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control found that overdose deaths are rising at a faster rate in Oregon than anywhere else in the country. Oregon saw a 41% increase in overdose deaths between 2022 and
Continue Reading
(Update: Adding city statement on lawsuit) PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A recently fired administrative services manager for the Prineville Police Department filed a $1.5 million lawsuit Friday against against the city and former police chief Larry Seymour, who recently resigned after a months-long investigation. Nikki Hepworth alleges she was forced out for reporting illegal discrimination
Continue Reading
HILLSBORO, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously Friday to list Southern Resident orcas as endangered under Oregon’s Endangered Species Act. Southern Resident orcas now number just 75 whales in three pods and have been listed as endangered under federal law since 2005. Their reproductive potential is in danger of failure
Continue Reading
WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – On Friday morning, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) joined Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Jared Golden (ME-02), Don Bacon (NE-02), Ed Case (HI-01), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), and Jim Costa (CA-21) to introduce the bipartisan Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act. For one year, this legislation provides necessary authorities to secure the
Continue ReadingSALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Kids Credit, created by the Legislature last year, is a refundable credit for low-income people with young dependent children. For those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $25,000 or less, the full credit is $1,000 per child for up to five dependent children under the age of six at
Continue Reading(Update: Adding video, maps, comments from businesses) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Six businesses in Bend’s Core Area will collectively receive $100,000 in grants for planned building improvements after city councilors, in their roles as the Bend Urban Renewal Agency, voted to approve an inaugural round of business assistance grants for the area. Councilors approved the
Continue Reading
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Years of management issues involving facility upkeep and staff at Oregon’s Crater Lake have prompted the federal government to consider terminating its contract with the national park’s concessionaire. Crater Lake Hospitality, a subsidiary of Philadelphia-based Aramark, is contracted through 2030 to run concessions such as food and lodging. But the National
Continue Reading
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Pacific Power has filed a general rate case and a Transition Adjustment Mechanism update with the Oregon Public Utility Commission. The combined rate actions would result in a 16.9% rate adjustment, or roughly $304 million, and would support continued investments in wildfire risk management strategies, transmission infrastructure and renewable generation projects. The utility
Continue Reading
The Oregon State Police said Thursday it’s ramping up patrols in Central Oregon Friday through Sunday. A high-visibility saturation patrol is planned for the President’s Day long weekend and coincides with the annual Oregon WinterFest, which is expected to increase traffic and bring a large number of visitors to the area.
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes National Forest said Thursday it plans to update temporary trail closures within the trails network west of Bend due to operations to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest resiliency in the wildland-urban interface. Beginning Monday, February 19, the following trail segment will be closed: COD – Closed Monday through
Continue Reading