SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek has proclaimed August 2026 as National Emergency Management Awareness Month in Oregon. The campaign, led statewide by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, aims to recognize emergency managers and highlight community disaster preparedness. The state campaign aligns with a national effort organized by the International Association of Emergency
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon housing starts increased by 11.3% year-over-year during the first half of 2026, marking a second consecutive year of statewide construction growth. The increase occurred as national housing production dropped by 1.3% over the same period. Gov. Tina Kotek announced the production figures, pointing to state administrative efforts to reduce regulatory
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OREGON (KTVZ) — Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is leading a coalition of 21 state attorneys general and the state of Pennsylvania in a lawsuit against federal agencies over demands for personal data belonging to 17 million commercial drivers. The legal challenge follows threats from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to withhold more than
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek says the state will continue following medical guidance on childhood vaccinations, despite recent changes at the federal level. Governor Kotek says Oregon will continue to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedule. The West Coast Health Alliance, made up of Oregon, Washington,
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, launched his “Stop the Corruption” town hall tour in Bend, meeting with local residents to discuss concerns regarding federal government operations and policy. The town hall lasted close to an hour and drew a largely full audience. Central Oregon residents spoke with the senator on a range
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Oregon Congresswoman Janelle Bynum is introducing bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding investment options for credit unions. Bynum and Republican Congresswoman Young Kim of California introduced the Credit Union Investment Authorities Act. The bill would allow federally chartered credit unions to invest in corporate bonds and asset-backed securities. Supporters say that could help credit unions offer
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OREGON (KTVZ) — State and federal agencies are making multiple financial and technical assistance programs available to support Oregon communities, small businesses and agricultural producers affected by ongoing drought conditions. Find the full press release here. The available programs offer funding for local water infrastructure, drought mitigation planning and economic recovery. The resources include low-interest
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 10 states in filing a lawsuit today against the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The legal action challenges a federal rule that invalidates state laws requiring mortgage lenders to pay interest on escrow
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Redmond City Council voted five-one today to advance a proposed ordinance that would establish a permanent ban on all fireworks. If enacted, the ordinance would change a long-standing tradition in the city. Under previous regulations, fireworks were banned every day except the Fourth of July. The push for a complete
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act passed the U.S. Senate, providing a tax exemption for wildfire survivors as Oregon faces its worst wildfire season in modern history. The legislation allows qualified relief payments to be excluded from federal taxable income, including funds received years after a disaster. The
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FOREST GROVE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A community forum in Forest Grove ended with law enforcement responding and an individual being arrested after state Sen. Janeen Sollman said she was physically accosted Saturday. Sollman, a Hillsboro Democrat who represents part of Washington County, said the incident happened during a public forum on the grounds of the
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond city councilors will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, April 11th, on a proposal to ban private fireworks use year-round within city limits. The hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Redmond City Hall, and public comment will be accepted. The discussion follows a troublesome Fourth of July weekend that included
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend City Council approved $350,000 in homebuyer assistance Thursday to support eight local households purchasing homes through Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity. The funding addresses a financial barrier for buyers who can afford monthly payments but cannot qualify for a mortgage large enough to cover the cost of a home in
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan says, if elected, she plans to introduce a constitutional amendment during the 2027 legislative session that would protect the rights of Oregonians to hunt, fish and farm. Drazan said the proposal would allow voters to decide whether to add protections for cultivating crops and raising
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(Update: adding comments from OSFM, Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue, video) CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) — As firefighters are sent across Oregon to battle wildfires, small departments must balance the broader call for help while ensuring they have enough personnel to respond to emergencies at home. Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue shares
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Sources and documents uncovered by KTVZ News appear to show that Sherman Bloomer, the dean and chancellor of Oregon State University-Cascades, is under investigation for alleged inappropriate sexual conduct involving students.
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OREGON (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek announced today that applications have opened for a $10 million Regional Infrastructure Fund. The investment is designed to help small Oregon communities and tribes plan and build essential infrastructure projects to support economic growth. The fund was established as part of House Bill 5204, a 2026 economic development package
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized federal funds yesterday to assist with firefighting costs for the Rowe Creek Complex – West Zone Fire in Crook and Jefferson counties. The decision allows the federal government to pay 75% of eligible expenses for the blaze, which is currently threatening local homes and infrastructure.
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Judge Bethany P. Flint is retiring from the Deschutes County Bench effective July 31, 2026, following an announcement by Governor Tina Kotek. Her seat on the bench will appear on the November ballot. She was appointed by Governor Kate Brown (D) on February 12, 2015, to succeed Judge Roger J. DeHoog, who was appointed
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(Update: adding comments from Senator Merkley) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Three federal grants are helping Oregon cover wildfire costs, but US Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) says a change in FEMA’s process is leaving other fires without the same help. Across Oregon, more than 1.75 million acres have burned this season, and nearly 5,000 residents are
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