SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 4144 Thursday, establishing a statewide Battery Producer Responsibility Program to address the rise of lithium battery fires. The bill now moves to Governor Tina Kotek’s desk for a final signature. The legislation creates a producer-funded system for the collection and recycling of certain batteries and
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) The Redmond Police Department, in partnership with FIXBend, announced Thursday it has installed a public lost-pet microchip reader outside the front of the department, on the external east fence. The device is free of charge for use by the public to assist in locating the owners of lost pets as part of the Rawley Project, an initiative to provide
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The Oregon Speed Zone Review Panel will meet virtually next week to discuss a proposal to reduce the speed limit from 45 to 40 mph on Helmholtz Way. The City of Redmond and Deschutes County are seeking approval of a more consistent speed reduction on the whole roadway.
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Senate Democrats rejected a proposal Thursday that would have authorized state and local law enforcement to coordinate with federal immigration officials regarding noncitizens convicted of felonies with named victims. The proposal, introduced as a Republican-backed amendment to House Bill 4111, would have allowed police and the Oregon Department of Corrections
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Senate passed House Bill 4157 unanimously on Tuesday. This legislation expands state hearsay exemptions to ensure survivors of human trafficking can have their testimony presented as evidence in court trials. Existing Oregon law allows limited hearsay exemptions for crimes involving domestic violence and child abuse. House Bill 4157 extends
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City Club of Central Oregon will host a public forum on March 19th to examine the expansion of the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners and new district mapping. The event, titled “The Deschutes County Commission’s Next Chapter and Your Vote in 2026,” will explore how these structural changes affect upcoming
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTVZ)– U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden voted in favor of the War Powers Resolution to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to wage war with Iran. The resolution aims to restrict the executive branch’s ability to conduct military operations against Iran. Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, supported the measure amid ongoing tensions and military activity
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After months of discussion, negotiations and a referendum, Oregonians may be heading to the ballot box in May to vote on whether to scrap gas tax and vehicle fee increases that aimed to cover an ODOT budget shortfall. But opponents are going to court to keep it on the November election
Continue ReadingThree fire districts around Deschutes County plan to ask voters for new or higher five-year tax levies in measures on the May 19 primary election ballot to add wildfire risk reduction and firefighter-EMT staff, deal with rising costs and cut response times.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend City Council on Wednesday night unanimously approved an ordinance that prohibits firearms inside city facilities, aligning with a recent state law meant to enhance safety in public buildings. The newly adopted chapter of the Bend Municipal Code, Chapter 3.120, mirrors Oregon Senate Bill 243, the Community Safety Firearms Act,
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By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — Members of Oregon’s largest teachers union and the liberal Working Families Party will not endorse any of the current candidates for governor, including incumbent Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek. That’s despite both groups supporting Kotek in her 2022 run for governor and in past legislative races. The
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The League of Women Voters will host a public presentation in Bend on Thursday focused on the implementation of open primaries in Oregon. Speakers Andrew Kaza and former Rep. Cheri Helt will discuss the potential for allowing all voters to participate in all elections regardless of party affiliation. The event, titled
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Plaintiffs argue it interferes with Oregonians’ constitutional right to set a referendum date By Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — Republican leaders of a successful petition to pause gas tax and transportation fee hikes until a citizen vote are suing the state over a new law rescheduling that vote. Gov. Tina Kotek signed Senate
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon State Senator David Brock Smith officially launched his campaign for the United States Senate on Tuesday, March 3rd. Sen. Smith is a third-generation resident of Southwest Oregon who has served in the state legislature and multiple local government roles. Sen. Smith brings 45 years of experience as a former restaurateur
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Written by Blair Best & KGW: PORTLAND, Ore. — “I need someone here now or else I’m going to have to shoot this kid.” In a tense 911 call, an agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Northeast Portland warned dispatchers that he would shoot a young man he claimed was following him, yelling and
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PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Prineville Mayor Jason Beebe has officially left the Republican Party to join the Libertarian Party, citing frustration with the traditional two-party system. The 52-year-old official announced the change in an interview with KTVZ News, after decades of voting as a Republican. Beebe, a lifelong Prineville resident and military veteran who served
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon lawmakers on Monday released a 2025-2027 budget rebalance designed to preserve essential state services despite a multi-year budget crisis triggered by federal funding cuts from the Trump administration. “The federal budget cuts have caused both short-term and long-term crises for Oregon’s budget,” said Sen. Kate Lieber, D-SW Portland and Beaverton,
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend City Council is moving forward with plans to adopt new home-hardening requirements aimed at making new residential buildings more resilient to wildfires. During a work session last Wednesday, councilors directed staff to begin the local adoption process for Section R327 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code. Section R327 is
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Recent federal changes require more Oregonians receiving SNAP food benefits to meet work or training requirements to maintain their eligibility. The Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Employment Department are urging affected residents to utilize free job and training resources through 37 WorkSource Oregon centers located throughout the state.
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WASHINGTON D.C. (KTVZ) — President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday night to declare that “America’s back,” highlighting what he called economic and national security successes during his first year back in office. The remarks came amid slipping approval ratings and growing voter concerns about inflation and household costs. The president
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