Government-Politics Archives

Senate panel advances Wyden legislation to increase pace, scale of prescribed burns, improve smoke management

November 19, 2024 3:09 pm KTVZ News Partners

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., on Tuesday applauded the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee for advancing his bipartisan National Prescribed Fire Act to support prescribed burns during the colder and wetter months as an essential, science-based strategy proven to save lives and property. “Today’s vote takes us much closer toward my goal of

All 3 Central Oregon counties see job growth in October as unemployment rates remain stable

November 19, 2024 11:37 am KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon’s total nonfarm employment increased year-over-year across all three Central Oregon counties, while the seasonally adjusted unemployment rates remained stable in October, showing little to no change, the Oregon Employment Department said Tuesday. Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased marginally over the month of October and is now

US Dept. of Labor seeks to distribute wages owed to Oregon workers with online ‘WOW’ tool

November 18, 2024 9:46 pm KTVZ News Partners

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – With the year coming to an end, the U.S. Department of Labor is eager to return $819,762 in wages recovered by its Wage and Hour Division’s Portland District Office to 1,195 workers who have earned them and encourages people to use the Workers Owed Wages online tool. WHO: Anyone who believes they may

Gov. Kotek vows to ‘protect Oregon values’ as state stockpiles abortion drug

November 18, 2024 5:48 pm KTVZ News Partners

Oregon has added to its emergency supply of the abortion drug mifepristone, Gov. Tina Kotek announced Monday, but most of the state’s plans to respond to a second Trump administration are still up in the air.

Light at the end of the tunnel: Deschutes DA, C. Oregon attorneys hopeful to see end of defender shortage

November 18, 2024 11:29 am KTVZ

Courts across Oregon are still struggling to resolve a shortage of public defenders, with hundreds of charged defendants waiting for legal representation and many released from custody until a lawyer is appointed and cases can proceed. But Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels says the local situation has improved markedly in recent weeks.

State agencies celebrate green milestone as Oregon tops 100,000 registered electric vehicles

November 18, 2024 2:43 pm KTVZ News Partners

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon’s push for a greener future got a major boost earlier this year when the state surpassed 100,000 registered electric vehicles, ODOT said Monday. The milestone, marked at Portland event Monday, will mean fewer emissions from the transportation sector and across the state, the agency said. Representatives from the Oregon Departments

‘Win-win solution’: Heart of Oregon Corps youth crew’s defensible space work was key when fire threatened Madras-area homes

November 18, 2024 11:43 am KTVZ

A Heart of Oregon Corps youth crew helped to reduce wildfire danger in a high-risk area – a crucial step, as made clear this summer there when the 5,200 acre Elk Lane Fire moved swiftly toward Madras and threatened area homes.

Bend Bikes holds gathering and memorial bike ride to mark World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims

November 17, 2024 10:57 am KTVZ

Central Oregon cyclists and others gathered in Bend on Sunday and staged a memorial bike ride to commemorate the “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims,” an event marked around the globe to promote efforts to make roads safer for all modes of travel.

More logging is proposed to help curb wildfires in the US Pacific Northwest

November 17, 2024 2:49 pm The Associated Press

Associated Press U.S. officials would allow increased logging on federal lands across the Pacific Northwest in the name of fighting wildfires and boosting rural economies under proposed changes to a sweeping forest management plan that’s been in place for three decades. The U.S. Forest Service proposal, released Friday, would overhaul the Northwest Forest Plan that

Oregon Democrats have 34-vote edge in quest for House supermajority

November 16, 2024 1:53 pm KTVZ News Partners

By Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — With a potential Democratic supermajority on the line, a Republican state representative losing by fewer than three dozen votes said Friday evening that she has hired a lawyer in her fight to stay in office. Rep. Tracy Cramer, R-Gervais, trailed Democrat Lesly Muñoz by 34

City of Madras, Redevelopment Commission celebrate grand opening of new downtown venue, The Spot

November 15, 2024 10:46 pm KTVZ

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Madras and the Madras Redevelopment Commission are thrilled to congratulate The Spot on its grand opening Thursday night. This exciting new venue marks a vibrant addition to our community, offering a dynamic space for food, drinks, and entertainment in the heart of Madras. Located at 225 S. 5th

Will Van Vactor chosen as new Crook County manager

November 15, 2024 9:47 pm KTVZ News Partners

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County said Friday it is delighted to announce Will Van Vactor as the new County Manager, effective Saturday, Nov. 16. Previously serving as the Community Development Director, Van Vactor brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role, according to the county’s announcement, which continues in full below:

FBI investigating bomb threats emailed to C. Oregon election offices, others around state; says ‘none credible thus far’

November 15, 2024 1:47 pm Barney Lerten

The FBI confirmed Friday it’s investigating bomb threats emailed to election offices across Oregon, including Deschutes County, a week ago, three days after the general election. It also said that “none of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far.”

Oregon confirms first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, tied to poultry operation

November 15, 2024 2:35 pm KTVZ News Partners

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a person linked to a previously reported outbreak affecting some 150,000 birds at a commercial poultry operation in Clackamas County. Health officials are not providing additional details about the individual or naming the operation, and

Western wildfire survivors appeal to Congress to end federal income tax on settlements, lawyer fees

November 14, 2024 10:29 pm KTVZ News Partners

By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Western wildfire survivors are calling on Congress to stop playing political football with a bill that would relieve them of federal income taxes on recovery settlements and lawyers fees. To press their point, they’ve sponsored billboards this month in Idaho and Oregon that directly appeal

Senators announce $5.4 million in federal funds for Oregon hazardous fuels transportation projects to cut wildfire risk

November 14, 2024 10:17 pm KTVZ News Partners

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Thursday that more than $5.4 million is coming to Oregon from the Inflation Reduction Act — the largest investment in clean energy and climate action ever — for eight hazardous fuels transportation projects across the state. The federal funding awarded by the U.S. Forest Service

Oregon health officials sound alarm, say pertussis cases expected to break record; vaccinations urged

November 14, 2024 5:55 pm KTVZ News Partners

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon is expected to surpass its record of 910 pertussis cases by the end of 2024, prompting state health officials to sharpen their warnings Thursday about the disease’s serious risks— especially for young babies — and their emphasis on the importance of vaccination. As of Wednesday, Oregon has seen a total

Oregon jobless rate holds steady at 4% in October as state gains 1,700 jobs; 2024 numbers revised upward

November 14, 2024 11:36 am KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment gained 1,700 jobs in October, following a revised increase of 900 jobs in September, the state Employment Department reported Thursday. October’s gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+2,400 jobs); government (+1,700); and financial activities (+1,200). Declines were largest in professional and business services (-2,400 jobs); manufacturing (-1,200); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-1,000). In

Deschutes County Road Department crews close gates for the winter on Cascade Lakes Highway, Paulina Lake Road

November 14, 2024 5:47 pm KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Road Department crews swung the gates and closed the Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road for the winter on Thursday. The roads will remain closed until late spring, after crews are able remove the accumulated snow. County road crews provide maintenance on both roadways. The snow accumulation at

Redmond schools superintendent thanks voters for approving $97.7 million bond measure, lays out next steps

November 14, 2024 3:05 pm KTVZ News Partners

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond School District Superintendent Dr. Charan Cline thanked the community on Thursday for voter approval of a $97.7 million bond measure in last week’s election and said an oversight committee will be formed soon for the projects it will fund. Here’s the full statement: Dear Redmond School District Community, We are