Skip to Content

Government-Politics

‘I think it’s super-exciting’: New effort underway to convert downtown Redmond motel into affordable apartments

(Update: adding comments from Urban Renewal Program manager, businesses) REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — There are plans to revamp the rundown Village Squire Motel in Redmond into affordable workforce housing. The motel has been around for 60 years, but closed two years ago. Developers bought the motel a year ago, with plans to convert it into

Continue Reading

State using $5 million from ARPA to fund OregonSaves retirement accounts for over 900 child care providers

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Retirement Savings Board and State Treasurer Tobias Read announced Monday that $5 million of dedicated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars are being disbursed by Oregon’s Department of Early Learning and Care to fund the OregonSaves retirement accounts of more than 900 Oregon child care service providers. Funding was

Continue Reading

Coalition proposes ‘People’s Budget’ for Oregon Legislature’s short session

Eric Tegethoff, Oregon News Service SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A coalition of groups has laid out its budget priorities for the Oregon legislative session in an effort to advance racial, gender and economic justice. The Fair Shot for All coalition includes unions, racial equity and education groups and more. They have proposed the 2024 People’s Budget for

Continue Reading

Oregon State Marine Board seeks to fill Guide Advisory Committee positions

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) –The Oregon State Marine Board is recruiting six representatives for the Guide Advisory Committee. The positions will be individuals who are members of organizations that represent or include outfitters and guides, along with a public member representing charter boats. The 12-member committee provides advice and recommendations to the Marine Board on various matters

Continue Reading

Gov. Kotek testifies for her housing production bill, announces broad coalition in support

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek announced a broad coalition supporting her housing production bill, which is building momentum in the 2024 legislative session. Senate Bill 1537 received its first hearing Thursday morning before the Senate Committee On Housing and Development.  The coalition includes workers, business, community-specific organizations, housing providers, tenants, advocates and more, listed below.“This coalition

Continue Reading

Oregon joins 25 other states, SEC in $3 million settlement with TradeStation crypto program

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, along with a task force of state securities regulators, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced a $3 million settlement in principle with TradeStation Crypto, Inc. over its unregistered crypto interest earning program. The settlement resolves allegations that TradeStation violated state and federal securities

Continue Reading

Deschutes County Environmental Health warns of spam calls, some seeking to sell vacuum cleaners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Environmental Health said Friday it has received multiple reports from community members who have received spam phone calls that appear to come from the county. Callers appear to be “spoofing,” or faking, the Health Services’ Environmental Health main phone number, so the call appears to be coming from Deschutes

Continue Reading

Oregon AG Rosenblum testifies in Salem for 3 bills to protect consumers, clean up pollution from PCBs

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum made special appearances before the Oregon Legislature this week to support three important pieces of legislation. One would create an impactful 100-year environmental clean-up fund using the proceeds of a best-in-the-nation settlement she obtained from Monsanto at the end of 2022. Another would ensure consumers have

Continue Reading

City of Madras official testifies in Salem for bill to fund affordable workforce housing developments

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Since 2019, the City of Madras has worked hard to address local housing challenges by updating plans and development regulations, streamlining permitting processes, reduced SDCs, and created new revenue sources to reduce the cost of housing. The city has permitted 330 new homes since 2020. However, only 47% of those new

Continue Reading

Bend councilors hear citizens’ passionate views, OK mayor’s letter calling for urgent efforts to end Mideast violence

Three weeks after several residents urged Bend city councilors to call for an immediate cease-fire in the war in Gaza, Mayor Melanie Kebler has drafted a carefully worded letter to President Biden and Oregon lawmakers for colleagues to consider Wednesday night, calling for “urgent” efforts to reach a “negotiated settlement to the war.”

Continue Reading

Bend-La Pine Schools, union representing classified employees reach agreement on new 4-year contract

Negotiators for Bend-La Pine Schools and Oregon School Employees Association Chapter 6 reached a conceptual agreement Wednesday evening on a new contract for about 900 classified employees in the school district, including those who transport students, run school offices, prepare and serve meals, clean and maintain facilities, support students in the classroom, and serve in other support roles.

Continue Reading

The Supreme Court seems poised to reject efforts to kick Trump off the ballot over the Capitol riot

By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court seems poised to reject attempts to kick former President Donald Trump off the 2024 ballot, with conservative and liberal justices in apparent agreement in a case that puts them at the heart of a presidential election. A definitive ruling for Trump, the leading Republican

Continue Reading

Bend councilors review draft code for planned Transportation Fee; listening sessions set for late February

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend City Council had its initial review Wednesday evening of the draft code that will implement a Transportation Fee on water and sewer utility bills to fund a variety of street and transportation maintenance projects. The draft code and associated fee schedule are available for public review at bendoregon.gov/transportation-fee. The funds

Continue Reading