Government-Politics Archives

City of Bend opens spring application period for organizations to seek city sponsorship, grant funding

February 23, 2026 6:45 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend says it is offering sponsorship and grant funding to organizations working to build a more connected, inclusive or engaged community. “From neighborhood gatherings to cultural celebrations and educational programs, these funds promote community outreach and education regarding City priorities and Council Goals,” Monday’s announcement said. It continues

COCC president responds after classified workers declare impasse, which may lead to Oregon’s first community college strike

February 23, 2026 2:50 pm Barney Lerten

Central Oregon Community College classified workers declared an impasse in their contract talks and mediation efforts on Monday, setting the stage for what could bring the first strike in Oregon community college history, the Oregon Education Association said.

House Speaker Fahey first day of short session

Oregon House Republicans stage walkout as gas tax election, gun control votes near

February 23, 2026 5:09 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Republicans began boycotting the House floor Monday afternoon, shortly after the Oregon Senate sent their chamber a controversial bill that would reschedule a referendum on transportation tax and fee increases from November to May. “Today, House Republicans have determined it is best for us to

Oregon Legislature gas tax vote move opposotion

Oregon Senate passes bill to reschedule gas tax referral to May, despite GOP opposition

February 23, 2026 4:16 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle, Tracee Tuesday

After several delays and an encroaching Wednesday deadline, a proposal to reschedule the date of a gas tax referendum from November to May finally passed the Oregon Senate.

15-year-old who left secure J Bar J facility in Bend without permission is found, arrested at Redmond restaurant

February 23, 2026 12:32 am Tracee Tuesday, Barney Lerten

A 15-year-old male juvenile who left a secure J Bar J Youth Services facility without permission late Sunday night, prompting a search and an alert to area residents, was found and arrested Monday afternoon at a Redmond restaurant, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

More pain at the pump: Oregon gas prices jump again, up nearly 18 cents in past week, 47 cents in a month

February 23, 2026 12:27 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s average gas prices have risen 17.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.78 a gallon on Monday, due in large part to Northwest refinery outages and disruptions, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 1,307 Oregon gas stations Oregon. Prices in Oregon are 46.9 cents per gallon higher than a

Andrew Caruana announces candidacy for House District 54, to run against Rep. Kropf in Democratic Primary

February 23, 2026 9:54 am KTVZ - News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Community disability rights advocate Andrew Caruana has filed to run for House District 54 against incumbent Rep. Jason Kropf in the Democratic Primary. The district encompasses large portions of Bend. Caruana, an active member of several local and state committees, is running on a platform focused on the affordability crisis and

Wyden and Merkley choose town hall over State of the Union speech

February 23, 2026 8:01 am Kelsey Merison

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTVZ) — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced they will not attend the State of the Union speech on Tuesday, February 24th. Instead, the Oregon Democrats will co-host a live online town hall that day to answer questions directly from constituents. The virtual event, held in partnership with People’s Town Hall,

Husband of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer accused of sexually assaulting 2 staffers

February 20, 2026 10:15 am KGW

Author: Amy-Xiaoshi DePaola, Katherine Cook WASHINGTON D.C., DC — The husband of Lori Chavez-DeRemer, U.S. Labor Secretary and former Oregon congresswoman, has been banned from agency headquarters after reportedly sexually assaulting at least two staffers, according to reporting by the New York Times. The New York Times cited sources and a police report filed in December

Supreme Court strikes down most of Trump’s tariffs in a major blow to the president

February 20, 2026 9:34 am KTVZ News Partners

This article was originally published by NBC News, you can follow for more updates here. WASHINGTON (NBC) — The Supreme Court delivered a major blow to President Donald Trump, ruling Friday that he exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs using a law reserved for a national emergency. The justices, divided 6-3, held that Trump’s

Tillamook Highway during the 2025 December storms

$15.4M+ in December storm damages prompt Oregon governor’s plea for federal support

February 20, 2026 7:27 am Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump following severe storms in December that caused more than $15.4 million in damage across Oregon. The request seeks public assistance for nine counties and statewide access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The storms, which occurred from December 15th

Problem Solvers: Pacific Power invests tens of millions to boost Central Oregon grid amid record growth, need

February 19, 2026 6:05 pm Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Pacific Power is investing tens of millions of dollars into Central Oregon’s electrical grid to support a population that has grown by more than 65,000 residents since 2010. The utility provider is fast-tracking new substations and 500-kilovolt transmission lines to keep pace with the region’s record-breaking electricity demand, which has surged

City of Bend is celebrating a century of water service, invites public to tap into fun, learning and exploration

February 19, 2026 5:06 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend announced Thursday it’s launching an interactive campaign to celebrate its 100-year anniversary of providing water services. Prior to 1926, the community’s drinking water came from the Deschutes River. In the early 1920s, dams built at Crane Prairie and Crescent Lake led to algae blooms and tainted water

Broadman, GOP colleague speak out against initiative that would criminalize fishing, hunting and trapping

February 19, 2026 4:27 pm Barney Lerten, Spencer Sacks

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Senate co-chairs of the Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, Senator David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford) and Senator Anthony Broadman (D-Bend), spoke out Thursday in opposition to Initiative Petition 28, which they said “would make lawful hunting, fishing, and trapping illegal and turn nearly one million Oregonians into criminals.” IP28, the People

Oregon Senate advances Broadman bill to protect public lands from privatization

February 19, 2026 2:32 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Senate in a 17-11 vote Thursday advanced a Central Oregon lawmaker’s bill meant to safeguard public lands against the threat of privatization. Senate Bill 1590, sponsored by Sen. Anthony Broadman, D-Bend, would prohibit state agencies from using any funding, data, equipment or staff

Oregon Senate Republicans end one-day walkout ahead of transportation referendum vote

February 19, 2026 12:08 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Shaanth Nanguneri and Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Republicans ended a brief Senate walkout that threatened to derail Democrats’ plans to reschedule a referendum on controversial transportation tax and fee increases from November to May. Both chambers on Thursday gaveled in with enough Republicans in attendance to reach a quorum,

Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden

Oregon senators Merkley and Wyden plan to skip State of the Union to host virtual town hall

February 19, 2026 10:10 am KTVZ - News Team

WASHINGTON. — U.S. Senators. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley will not attend the State of the Union address on Feb. 24, choosing instead to host a virtual town hall for Oregonians. The live online event will focus on protecting the U.S. Constitution and addressing federal policy concerns. The town hall, co-hosted with the organization People’s

“IT WAS VERY SCARY”: Local resident reacts to Highway 97 incident; at least 2 cars have been damaged

February 18, 2026 4:00 pm Spencer Sacks

The windshields of at least two vehicles – one an Oregon State Police patrol car – were damaged early Sunday morning after rocks or concrete were apparently thrown from a railroad overpass onto Highway 97 near the Baker Road exit south of Bend.

Local lawmaker faces conduct complaint for alleged intimidation over gun bill vote

February 18, 2026 6:33 pm Claire Elmer

A conduct complaint has been filed against Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend, for allegedly creating a hostile environment and intimidating a colleague during a committee session on gun policy, after claims he pressured Rep. Thủy Trần, D-Portland, to change her vote on an amendment to a high-profile firearms bill.

‘Make the safe choice,’ Prineville police urge after seven DUII arrests in four days over Presidents Day weekend

February 18, 2026 6:20 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — From Friday through Monday of Presidents Day weekend, Prineville Police Department officers made seven DUII arrests in the city, officials said Wednesday. “That’s seven situations where someone chose to drive impaired and seven times where a life could have been changed forever,” the department said in a Facebook post. According to

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