Government-Politics Archives

Planned 75-unit supportive housing village near Redmond Airport receives $23 million state grant

March 10, 2026 6:05 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Housing and Community Services said Tuesday continues steady progress to increase the state’s housing supply by funding the creation and preservation of 329 affordable homes, including a 75-unit project near Redmond Airport. The Oregon Housing Stability Council approved funding for four properties located in Astoria, Redmond, and Portland, including the Mountain View Community Village planned for Deschutes County-owned land north of Oasis Village. The project planned by Mountain

Decision 2026: Circuit court judge to rule quickly on lawsuit against state over timing of gas tax referendum

March 10, 2026 5:35 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (Oregon Capital Chronicle) — A Marion County Circuit Court judge said he will rule quickly on a case brought against the Oregon Secretary of State by GOP lawmakers and voters over the timing of a gas tax referendum. Senior Judge David Leith on Tuesday heard roughly an

Oregon’s Department of Revenue says it prevented nearly $2 billion in tax refund fraud over five years

March 10, 2026 12:29 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Department of Revenue stopped nearly $2 billion in tax refund fraud over the past five years, Governor Tina Kotek said Tuesday. In 2024 alone, partly as a result of the outsized kicker that year, the department prevented more than $1.4 billion in attempted fraud, such as breaches of tax-preparer

City posts feedback from Reed Market Bridge open house

March 10, 2026 11:39 am Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend is moving forward on a transformative infrastructure project designed to eliminate frustrating railroad crossings on Reed Market Road. The Reed Market Bridge will lift vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians over the tracks, delivering safer, faster east-west travel through southeast Bend. Project Background Reed Market Road serves as a key arterial south

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month – and with sports betting on the rise, so are the risks

March 10, 2026 11:13 am Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Turn on the TV at any time of day and you can tell that sports betting, right from your phone, is easier than ever. March marks Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the risks associated with gambling, particularly the growing trend of sports betting. The Oregon Health

Chris Dudley focuses on Oregon’s future at campaign stop in Sisters

March 9, 2026 4:15 pm Spencer Sacks

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley held a campaign stop in Sisters on Monday to present his platform to local voters. The event focused on three primary pillars of his campaign: education, the economy and livability. The campaign stop attracted community members of all ages who gathered to hear the candidate’s message

Federal judge continues to restrict agents’ use of tear gas on protesters at Portland ICE facility

March 9, 2026 5:54 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

A federal judge on Monday ordered federal officers at Portland’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility to continue to restrict their use of tear gas and less-lethal munitions against non-violent protesters, marking the second ruling in less than a week that has limited their use of chemical agents.

Oregon lawmakers proposed hundreds of bills in the ‘short session.’ Many failed to pass

March 9, 2026 5:16 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon lawmakers proposed hundreds of bills in the packed, five-week-long legislative session that wrapped on Friday, including dozens that failed to cross the finish line.

Rising number of e-scooter, e-bike injuries prompt safety warning from Oregon Health Authority

March 9, 2026 4:26 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) —The Oregon Health Authority is urging riders to take safety precautions when using e-scooters and e-bicycles, as new data show a sharp increase in serious injuries associated with these “micromobility,” or motorized devices. An analysis by OHA’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program, using Oregon hospital and emergency department discharge data, shows that e-scooter-related injuries more than doubled between

‘We stay ready so others may live!’: Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue conducts rescue training mission

March 9, 2026 3:11 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue teams fanned out from Edison Sno-Park over the weekend, looking for six friends reported overdue on a hike – but it was all a training mission, a key step to be better prepared for the real thing, when it comes. The Search and Rescue

Rep. Cliff Bentz introduces bill to sever the Endangered Species Act from federal flood insurance

March 9, 2026 2:15 pm Barney Lerten

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Oregon) introduced legislation Monday to stop application of the provisions of the Endangered Species Act to the National Flood Insurance Program. Congressman Bentz’s legislation amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 “so that the insurance program remains focused on its intended purpose: protecting property and human life from flood risk,” Bentz’s office

ODOT says lawmakers’ stabilized budget heads off layoffs, deep service cuts – but there will be impacts

March 9, 2026 12:31 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Department of Transportation confirmed on Monday that the agency will avoid layoffs and deep service cuts following last week’s passage of legislation that addresses a $297 million budget shortfall for the agency’s maintenance and operations work. “The action prevents layoffs and widespread service reductions that would otherwise have disrupted

Conflict impact: Oregon gas prices surge past $4 a gallon mark, up 25 cents in a week, GasBuddy says

March 9, 2026 11:12 am Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Average gas prices in Oregon have risen 25.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.11 a gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 1,307 stations across the state. Prices in Oregon are 61.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 43.1 cents per gallon higher

Oregon legislative leaders react to the end of busy ‘short session’

March 6, 2026 5:10 pm Spencer Sacks, Oregon Capital Chronicle

After just over a month of long meetings, sharp disagreements and hard-fought compromises, the Oregon Legislature adjourned with the call of “sine die” late Friday afternoon, two days before the constitutional deadline for wrapping up what’s known as the “short session.”

Oregon Legislature votes to round pennies for cash purchases after lack of federal guidance

March 6, 2026 6:27 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregonians who pay in cash could pay a couple cents more or less under a bill headed to Gov. Tina Kotek.

Deschutes County seeks new Planning Commission member from Redmond/Terrebonne area

March 6, 2026 5:53 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County is inviting residents in the Redmond/Terrebonne community to apply for a position on the county’s Planning Commission. Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 3, at 4 p.m. The Planning Commission reviews land use policies and zoning regulations, making recommendations to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. Members form the official citizen

Rep. Breese-Iverson’s bill to boost farm stands, improve ‘farm store’ permits passes in session’s final hours

March 6, 2026 5:30 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Senate passed a Central Oregon lawmaker’s bill during Friday’s final hours of the legislative session to preserve Oregon’s farm stands and create new opportunities for farmers through the enhanced Farm Store permit. House Bill 4153-A passed the Senate by a 21-8 vote, after previously passing the House 40–14. Representative Vikki

Traffic alert: Nighttime lane, sidewalk closures to begin for ADA upgrades on US Highway 20 on Bend’s Eastside

March 6, 2026 3:49 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Starting Sunday evening, ODOT says construction crews will be upgrading curb ramps and pedestrian crossings along U.S. Highway 20 on Bend’s Eastside so that they meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Similar work will follow elsewhere in Bend and in Sisters in coming months. The Highway 20 improvements planned between NE

Oregon lawmakers increase lodging tax to boost wildlife funding

March 6, 2026 3:15 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Alex Brown, Stateline SALEM, Ore. — Oregon lawmakers have voted to increase the state’s lodging tax in order to help fund wildlife conservation. The tax increase passed the state Senate on Wednesday in a 20-9 vote, a week after approval in the House. The measure is expected to bring in roughly $37 million per

Bynum, Bentz join bipartisan group on bill to keep exempting wildfire relief payments from federal income taxes

March 6, 2026 11:26 am Barney Lerten

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — A bipartisan group of House members – including Oregon Democrat Janelle Bynum and Republican Cliff Bentz – introduced legislation Friday to continue exempting wildfire relief payments from the federal income tax for six more years. The Doug LaMalfa Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act seeks to ensure that disaster

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