Government-Politics Archives

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office completes accreditation, cites commitment to professional standards

February 5, 2026 2:48 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday it has successfully completed its accreditation process through the Northwest Accreditation Alliance, a step it says is “reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in law enforcement operations and public safety.” Accreditation is a continuous process conducted every three years to ensure law enforcement

Oregon economic forecast shows challenges as Governor Kotek pushes FastTrack plan

February 4, 2026 10:30 pm Tracee Tuesday

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s latest economic forecast paints a mixed picture of the state’s outlook, showing rising business distress and a stubbornly high unemployment rate even as state leaders look for ways to spark growth. Economists with the Department of Administrative Services Office of Economic Analysis presented the first-quarter forecast Wednesday, warning that labor

Bynum: Two SW Redmond housing, road safety projects to get total of $2.25 million in federal funding

February 4, 2026 5:38 pm Barney Lerten

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., said Wednesday she’s secured over $6 million in federal funding for affordable housing, community infrastructure and child care initiatives across Oregon’s Fifth District, including $2.25 million for a pair of affordable housing and highway safety projects in southwest Redmond. The largest is $2 million for the Cinder Hollow affordable

DECISION 2026: Deschutes County commissioners vote 2-1 to send districting map to voters this fall

February 4, 2026 11:41 am Spencer Sacks

After hearing from another packed meeting room that again voiced divided opinions, DeschutesCounty commissioners voted 2-1 Wednesday to send a proposed five-district map to county voters – and in another 2-1 vote to put it on the November, not May ballot.

Crook County Sheriff’s Office announces trio of upcoming town hall meetings

February 4, 2026 2:59 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday it will be holding three town hall meetings in upcoming weeks. Undersheriff Bill Elliot said the first town hall meeting will take place on Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Powell Butte Community Center from 6-8 p.m. The second town hall meeting is set for

Prineville man appeals $30,000 DEQ fine for storing 1,000s of old tires on property east of Bend

February 4, 2026 4:17 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality recently fined a Prineville man more than $30,000 for storing about 6,000 old tires on property east of Bend. A DEQ official said in a Dec. 30 notice sent by certified mail that Martin Hernandez Soto of Prineville was previously issued a warning letter last

Corporate profits, consumer spending reverse Oregon’s deficit – but budget challenges remain

February 4, 2026 1:28 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capitol Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon lawmakers meeting at the Capitol to balance the state’s budget are staring down a much rosier economic forecast than expected. Lawmakers will have about $106 million more revenue to work with in the state’s general fund than expected and $50 million more from other

New Deschutes County Fair Director Jeff Curtis

Deschutes County appoints experienced fair executive Jeff Curtis as new Fair & Expo Center director

February 4, 2026 12:26 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County announced Wednesday it has appointed Jeff Curtis as the new director of the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. Curtis, the former CEO of the Portland Rose Festival Association and Alaska State Fair, will begin his new duties next Monday. Curtis replaces Geoff Hinds, who left the position in

Update: Weather delays pile burning work on Crooked River Grassland SE of Madras

February 3, 2026 6:27 pm Barney Lerten

Prescribed fire operations on the Crooked River National Grassland southeast of Madras that were scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions, officials said.

Governor Kotek testifies in support of senior housing bill

February 3, 2026 11:16 pm Tracee Tuesday

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek is calling for more affordable housing options for Oregon’s aging population. On Tuesday, she testified before the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness in support of House Bill 4082, which aims to expand housing for residents 55 and older as well as for working-class Oregonians. The bill would

Rep. Janelle Bynum’s bipartisan wildfire safety bill passes committee

February 3, 2026 11:06 pm Tracee Tuesday

Washington, DC (KTVZ) — Oregon Congresswoman Janelle Bynum’s bill to improve safety during wildfire response is moving forward in Washington, D.C. The Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, co-sponsored by Bynum (OR-05) and Representatives Eli Crane (AZ-02), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), passed through committee without opposition. The bipartisan legislation focuses on reducing risks

Warm Springs man sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for abusing two minors

February 3, 2026 5:12 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Warm Springs man who admitted last fall he sexually abused two minors on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in 2024 was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in federal prison. Harold Charley, 39, also was sentenced to a lifetime term of supervised release, federal prosecutors said in a news release. According

Oregon Legislature 101: Here’s how state laws get passed – and how you can take part in the process

February 3, 2026 1:08 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — Whether you’re wondering when the state will finally fix that pothole, whether new restrictions on artificial intelligence are coming or if tips will be taxed despite new federal policies, what happens at the Oregon Capitol has impacts on all Oregonians. On Monday, the Oregon Legislature convened

Crude oil impacts: Oregon gas prices rise by a dime, AAA says; Bend’s average jumps 13 cents

February 3, 2026 12:28 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Crude oil prices jumped to four-month highs above $65 per barrel last week, driven by geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran as well as significant production disruptions caused by severe winter weather in much of the U.S., AAA Oregon/Idaho reported Tuesday. This has led to higher gas prices in more

Oregon Revenue Chair’s agree to proposed Revenue Deal, ODOT Funding Still Uncertain

February 2, 2026 3:59 pm Spencer Sacks

(Update: Added quotes from Senator Anthony Broadman and Representative Emerson Levy. Correction, proposed deal was made by leaders of the Revenue committees in both the house and Senate) SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Revenue Chair’s reached a revenue deal Monday in Salem to address an approximate $880 million shortfall. The agreement was announced on the

Free leadership training program in Sisters open to community members

January 30, 2026 12:41 pm KTVZ

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Sisters is now accepting applications for the third cohort of the Sisters Civic Leadership Academy. The program is designed to develop a diverse pipeline of future leaders for local government boards, committees and community organizations. The academy is a collaborative project between the City of Sisters and the

Utility work and signage projects to impact Bend and Redmond traffic

January 30, 2026 11:38 am KTVZ

(Adding video) Below are the projects impacting traffic in your area: Tumalo Reservoir Road Improvement (Bend Area) – Crews will be mobilizing equipment and doing utility work on Tumalo Reservoir Road between Johnson Road and Sisemore Road. Traffic Information – Road users should anticipate construction vehicles and equipment entering and exiting the roadway. They should also anticipate

Central Oregon prepares for 2026 Point in Time Count to address homelessness

January 30, 2026 11:48 am KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — J Bar J Youth Services is partnering with the Homeless Leadership Coalition and regional nonprofit agencies to conduct the 2026 Point in Time Count. The census measures sheltered and unsheltered homelessness across Central Oregon to help guide future resources for individuals and families experiencing housing instability. The count is a federally

BREAKING: Trump nominates inflation hawk Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as Fed chair

January 30, 2026 6:16 am CNN Newsource

Washington (CNN) — President Donald Trump said Friday he is nominating Kevin Warsh to be the 17th chair of the Federal Reserve after Jerome Powell’s term ends in May. “I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Kevin Warsh to be the CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM, Trump wrote on his

Local Republican legislators preview priorities for upcoming short session

January 29, 2026 7:39 pm Spencer Sacks

(Adding video and quotes from Republican Representatives Vikki Breese-Iverson and Mark Owens as well as Senator Mike McLane) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Beginning Monday, the 35 day legislative short session begins. Among the many issues being addressed are the ongoing ODOT funding, and the major hole within the state budget. All throughout this week, legislators in our

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