Oregon legislation to decriminalize prostitution draws criticism
House Bill 3088 proposes to decriminalize certain crimes regarding prostitution in Oregon, but it has drawn sharp criticism, including from a Bend…
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Deschutes County vaccine distribution shifts to pop-up clinics for a week
This week, the Deschutes County Expo Center will go from mass vaccination site to outdoorsman’s…
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Oregon plans to spend $325M on summer programs to help kids catch up on learning
Oregon’s governor and legislative leaders said Monday they plan to spend up to $325 million in state and federal money to help fill the gaps in…
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Several states look to step up wolf kills, promoted by Republicans
Wolf-hunting policies in some U.S. states are taking an aggressive turn, as Republican lawmakers and conservative hunting groups push to curb their…
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As violence surges, some question Portland axing police unit
The city of Portland last year dissolved a special police unit designed to focus on gun-related violence during the national reckoning over racial…
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‘Relief is finally on the way’: Wyden, Merkley hail passage of COVID relief package
Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., praised the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that Senate Democrats passed in a narrow, party-line vote…
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Gov. Brown receives Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccine
Gov. Kate Brown received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, saying she did so to show fellow Oregonians that it’s safe…
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Bend-La Pine Schools set to pay $2.88 million for new school site in NE Bend
The site for a new northeast Bend elementary school has been chosen, in one of the city’s newest, largest subdivisions now taking…
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Oregon lawmakers mulling bill to put race on voter registration
Oregon state lawmakers are considering a bill that would give residents the option of providing their racial identity, ethnicity and language…
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Deschutes County clinics to give 3,510 COVID-19 vaccine first doses next week
Deschutes County plans to distribute 3,510 first-dose COVID-19 vaccines at clinics next week in Bend, Redmond, La Pine and Sisters — and this time,…
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Oregon GOP lawmakers urge Gov. Brown to reopen all schools now; unions differ
Oregon’s Republican state lawmakers sent a joint letter Thursday to Democratic Gov. Kate Brown, urging her to use her executive powers to “take…
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Oregon AG offers tips on how to spot, avoid COVID-19 vaccine scams
To mark National Consumer Protection Week (Feb. 28 – March 6), Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum released Friday a “How to Spot a COVID-19…
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Wyden, Merkley back bill to expand gun background checks, curb violence
Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., are joining with 43 senators in reintroducing legislation that would expand federal background checks to…
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EPA announces record $727 million loan for Portland water treatment program
The EPA announced Thursday a record $727 million water infrastructure loan to the Portland Water Bureau for Bull Run water treatment…
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Oregon AG settles with 4 hotels over price gouging amid wildfires
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced $105,600 in settlements Thursday with four hotels and motels due to price gouging during and in the…
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DEQ fines Eugene wood treatment facility $223K over hazardous waste, water violations
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued a $223,440 penalty Wednesday to J.H. Baxter & Co. for hazardous waste and water quality…
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Oregon reports 27 more COVID-19 related deaths, including Deschutes’ 61st
There are 27 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,252, the Oregon Health Authority reported…
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Bend councilors talk housing and ‘safe parking’ spots to combat homelessness
The Bend City Council met Wednesday evening and discussed issues ranging from affordable housing to homelessness and possible parking code changes,…
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Invasive zebra mussels found in aquarium item sold at pet stores, ODFW says
Wildlife agencies are urging pet and aquarium stores to remove “Betta Buddy Marimo Ball,” a moss plant for aquariums, after invasive zebra…
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Bend considers safe overnight parking locations for homeless residents
The Bend City Council is being introduced Wednesday to two proposals that would permanently allow safe overnight parking protections in designated…
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