On Friday, August 8, the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District on the Deschutes National Forest will open the gate at Todd Lake to Forest Service Road (FSR) 370, which provides driving access to the Broken Top and Crater Ditch Trailheads. Forest Service Road 370 is a very rough road, with sections through which low-clearance vehicles cannot
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek hosted an event Wednesday to commemorate the signing of House Bill 2005, House Bill 2059, House Bill 2024, and House Bill 3321, all bipartisan legislation building on the Governor’s initiatives to improve and expand mental health and addiction care in Oregon. In a news release to KTVZ News that continues in full
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In 2024, Oregon topped the list of U.S. states for number of recall attempts relative to its population – 0.76 recall attempts per 100,000 residents.* But so far in 2025, recall petitions are well below the state’s average for this time of year.
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s wildfire response continues to evolve with the Oregon Department of Forestry’s recent addition of regional air attack and ongoing investment in severity aircraft. Deputy Director of Fire Operations, Kyle Williams, explained, “The severity aircraft and regional air attack gives us a huge advantage, both are excellent investments. These help us
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WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Monday that essential investments for Oregon families and rural and underserved communities passed the Senate, including five community-initiated projects for communities across the state championed by the senators. These investments were included in the first package of Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) funding bills that cleared the chamber with bipartisan support. “As
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A recall effort is underway against Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, and it’s led by a Central Oregonian. William Minnix, a resident of La Pine, started the petition recently and told KTVZ News on Monday the recall is driven by accountability.
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HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. (KTVZ) – About 230 members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment returned to Oregon Saturday after a year-long deployment to the Middle East. The 2-218th FA deployed to Iraq and Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve to advise, assist and enable partner forces to secure lasting
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(Update: Adding video) SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — As Oregon heads into its peak wildfire months, August and September, Oregon’s public safety services and natural resource agencies want to remind Oregonians to practice wildfire prevention, prepare their home and a go-bag for evacuation and know where to sign up for alerts. “As Oregonians and visitors enjoy
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said Monday she has declared a drought in Douglas, Morrow, and Union counties through Executive Order 25-18 and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region. A link to Executive Order 25-18 can be found here. Union CountyAccording to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Union County
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Progress on the Bear Creek Road, Pettigrew Road and Purcell Boulevard roundabout construction is ahead of schedule due to “remarkable coordination among the project teams,” the city of Bend said Thursday. As a result, “Crews now anticipate completing the work within this year’s construction season, with no need for an additional
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The Oregon Department of Justice is issuing an urgent warning to Oregonians as reports of a sophisticated “gold bar scam” continue to climb in the Pacific Northwest.
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced Friday that it’s updating some visitor fees at select parks “as part of a broader, proactive effort to build a more resilient financial future for Oregon State Parks.” Starting Oct. 1, Oregon State Parks will no longer waive the parking fee at 21 additional day-use
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By Evan Watson, KGW News WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KGW) — A tribal radio station serving Central Oregon will cut services and programming after losing 40% of its annual budget in federal funding cuts to public broadcasting. KWSO 91.9 FM broadcasts from a hill on the Warm Springs Reservation, home to three Confederated Tribes. “We’re a small
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EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) – On Thursdsay, pursuant to Article V, Section 15b(4), of the Oregon Constitution, Governor Tina Kotek provided notice to the Legislature that she is considering vetoes of the following bills and budget items from the 2025 legislative session. The governor has until Friday, August 8, to take final action. Here’s the text
Continue ReadingBEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– More candidates have filed to run for four out of the five Deschutes County commissioner seats on the ballot in next May’s primary election. Two seats are currently occupied by incumbents Tony DeBone and Patti Adair, and two new seats have been added following voter approval of an expanded, five-member commission. County
Continue Reading SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Beginning Monday, August 4, the Sisters Ranger District Station will be temporarily closed for public and employee safety while construction of the new ranger station nears completion and staff relocate. The closure may remain in place through Wednesday, August 27, depending on construction and office relocation schedules. The Deschutes National Forest
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(Update: Adding video) WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Rep. Janelle Bynum (OR-05) announced Thursday that the following Community Project Funding requests from Oregon’s 5th District were included in the draft Fiscal Year 2026 government funding bills released by the House Appropriations Committee. The projects total over $14 million spanning across the Fifth District and include investments in clean
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Ty Rupert was sworn in as Deschutes County sheriff Thursday morning in a packed courtroom ceremony, greeted by loud applause by family, friends and colleagues and vowing to go “in a different direction” than retiring predecessor Kent van der Kamp. “I don’t just consider you employees or friends – you’re part
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EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek commemorated the signing Thursday of Senate Bill 141, House Bill 2140, House Bill 3037, and House Bill 3040, all bipartisan legislation aimed at improving Oregon students’ academic outcomes. She signed the bills alongside advocates, legislators and local leaders. “Getting public education right is one of the biggest promises we make to Oregonians.
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Millions of acres were burned across Oregon during the 2024 wildfire season. Six “mega-fires” (over 100,000 acres each) burned across Eastern Oregon, and the state spent nearly $350 million to put them out.
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