Republicans in the Oregon Senate staged a walkout Wednesday afternoon ahead of a scheduled vote on a bill to reschedule a referendum on controversial transportation tax and fee increases from November to May.
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Revenue said Wednesday it’s begun sending out refunds for the 2025 tax year, having already processed more than 500,000 electronically filed returns. Most taxpayers can expect to receive their refunds within two weeks of the date their return is filed, the department said. Some returns, however, require
Continue Reading
By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — The five-week Oregon legislative session started in early February with more than 260 bills aimed at tackling issues from roads funding to data privacy to school funding to federal immigration and tax policies. Now, halfway through the session and past the Feb. 16 deadline for bills
Continue Reading
WASHINGTON (KTVZ)–The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on proposed updates to manage 2.5 million acres of timberlands in western Oregon. The initiative aims to expand domestic timber production and reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign imports. A notice opening the public comment period will be published in the Federal Register on February
Continue Reading
(Update: Adding quotes from Redmond City Councilor Cat Zwicker, Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang) REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond city leaders and Deschutes County commissioners met Tuesday to discuss a proposal for a 1,200-acre development on the city’s east side. The project includes plans for 8,400 dwelling units, schools and parks. The master plan covers
Continue Reading
By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — Ongoing legal fights over President Donald Trump’s attempt to send hundreds of Oregon, California and Texas National Guard troops to Portland last fall over the objections of residents and state and local leaders will come to an end. Mary Helen Murguia, chief judge of the 9th
Continue Reading
Update: adding video REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek’s new Prosperity Council traveled to Redmond on Tuesday for their second official meeting, to discuss strategies for Oregon’s economic growth. The session included a tour of the BASX manufacturing facility tour and a roundtable discussion at Hayden Homes with Central Oregon business leaders. The meeting
Continue Reading
By Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon public universities and schools would have to promptly notify their communities when federal immigration agents step onto campus under a bill the Oregon House passed Tuesday. Federal policy has long blocked immigration enforcement at “sensitive areas” including schools, churches and hospitals, but the Trump
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Natural Resources alerted residents Tuesday that winter pile burning was getting underway near the Seventh Mountain Resort and Points West communities, about six miles southwest of Bend. The county said it will burn piles on up to 24 acres. Ignitions will take place on weekdays when weather, fuel moisture and air quality meet
Continue Reading
MEDFORD, Ore. (KTVZ) — Medford City Councilor and U.S. Navy veteran Kevin Stine filed for the Democratic nomination for Oregon State Senate District 3 on Monday. Stine’s campaign centers on steady leadership, educational improvement and long-term economic opportunity for the Rogue Valley. Stine has served on the Medford City Council for 11 years and spent
Continue Reading
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Supreme Court’s recent right-to-counsel decision has resulted in the dismissal of nearly 1,500 criminal cases statewide, but no such dismissals have been reported in Crook County, the Prineville Review reports. The ruling, which imposes firm deadlines on the state to provide court-appointed attorneys for defendants who qualify, has already reshaped
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ — Oregon taxpayers can get free help filing their federal and state personal income tax returns electronically at six different WorkSource Oregon locations across the state in February and March, including a Bend event on Wednesday, March 21. WorkSource Oregon and the Oregon Department of Revenue are teaming up to provide the assistance. Volunteers from Revenue will be stationed
Continue Reading
By Robin Linares, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Lawmakers who ”missed the boat” on regulating social media now have a chance to address the next emerging technology’s effects on youth, Oregon lawmakers contend. Sen. Lisa Reynolds, D-Portland, and the Senate Early Childhood and Behavioral Health committee she chairs are championing Senate Bill 1546 to regulate
Continue Reading
By Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A bill to reschedule the date for a controversial transportation tax referendum from November to May is headed to the Oregon Senate for a vote. Senate Bill 1599 is a Democratic-led attempt to move the date that Oregon voters can approve or reject parts of a
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rob Imhoff, a candidate for Deschutes County Commissioner, has proposed that the county purchase Mount Bachelor to ensure the ski resort remains a community asset. Imhoff suggested the acquisition would help maintain affordability for residents instead of catering primarily to tourists and shareholders. The proposal follows a brief period last year
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Revenue is urging taxpayers to use public computer kiosks in its regional offices – including Bend – to avoid significant delays in paper tax return processing this year. The agency said Thursday that filing electronically through these kiosks allows residents to receive their kicker and tax refunds
Continue Reading
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland said Thursday it is hiring seasonal employees for the upcoming recreation season and encouraged local residents to apply. “Our seasonal workforce is essential to both visitor services and on-the-ground stewardship of our public lands,” said Forest Supervisor Jeff Marszal. “These positions strengthen
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reported the results Thursday of its recent participation in the national Click It or Ticket seat belt and car seat enforcement campaign, during which deputies made dozens of traffic stops, issued tickets and warnings and made three arrests. The initiative that ran from January 26 through February
Continue Reading
More than a year after the city of Bend began an improvement project on a key east-west thoroughfare – work that was beset by several unexpected delays – the final closed stretch of Olney Avenue between Wall Street and First Street reopened to drivers on Wednesday morning.
Continue Reading
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County’s public library may soon restrict use of its meeting rooms to normal operating hours after staff raised concerns about after-hours security problems, building access issues, and facility misuse. The discussion took place during the Crook County Board of Commissioners’ Feb. 11 work session, where Lead Library Tech Kim Bales outlined
Continue Reading