Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lost 36% of its workforce between 2024 and 2026 under the Trump administration, according to federal staffing records obtained by a conservation advocacy group. Total agency personnel decreased from 9,957 to 6,333 employees over the two-year period. The staffing figures were obtained through Freedom of
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Applications have opened on a first-come, first-served basis for homes at the Antler community in Redmond. RootedHomes announced a $25,000 price reduction on selected units for eligible buyers. Antler is a mixed-income community in Redmond that includes energy-efficient homes. The development features affordable options for households earning up to 80% of
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Board of Forestry Governance Committee will meet virtually at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. Members of the public can join the meeting online using the Zoom video conference information provided on the agenda. The committee’s agenda includes a board self-evaluation listed as Addendum G. As a standing
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Partners In Care will host its annual Light Up A Life community bereavement event on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Bend, Ore. The gathering is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, located at 61980 Skyline Ranch Road. The event provides a space
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — A screen-printing workshop inviting community members to create advocacy art is scheduled to take place in Bend on Sept. 16. The event will focus on making wearable messages while allowing participants to connect with others through the creative process. The workshop will run from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Alma
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild, a nonprofit organization, is seeking volunteers to assist with beaver habitat restoration across Central Oregon. The recruitment effort comes as the organization’s Beaver Works Oregon program expands its restoration season. The extension of the restoration season follows disruptions to previous summer projects caused by wildfires and smoke in the
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(Update: added information about Sister-Camp Sherman’s Fire Corps’ Car Seat Safety Program) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is joining law enforcement agencies across Central Oregon for a child passenger safety enforcement blitz through Sept. 6. Deputies will be watching for children who are unbuckled or improperly restrained. Sheriff Ty Rupert says the
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon continues to rank among the top holiday weekend destinations in the region, bringing substantial economic activity to local businesses. Over the last fiscal year, visitor spending in the city of Bend reached $408 million. Tourism serves as a major revenue generator for communities throughout Central Oregon. In addition to
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — KTVZ News is launching a series of debates and town halls for the 2026 midterm election as well as participating in multiple candidate forums with the League of Women Voters. The coverage will feature locally produced events giving voters direct access to candidates running for local, state and federal offices. KTVZ
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek has proclaimed September as Preparedness Month in Oregon, encouraging residents across the state to take steps to prepare their families and homes for natural disasters and emergencies. The proclamation serves as a focal point for the Oregon Department of Emergency Management as it promotes emergency awareness across the
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon State Marine Board issued safety guidelines today ahead of Labor Day weekend to help recreationists navigate hazards on state waterways. State officials are encouraging boaters and paddlers to review equipment rules, check local water levels and prepare for end-of-summer water conditions before heading out. Low water levels across the
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced Tuesday that applications are open for approximately $1.6 million in grant funds through the Recreational Trails Program for the 2026 cycle. The program, which receives funding from the Federal Highway Administration and is administered by the state park department, supports projects to build, expand
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild’s Beaver Works Oregon program is seeking volunteers for an expanded fall field season after wildfires and unsafe summer conditions forced the cancellation and rescheduling of multiple restoration projects. The recruitment push will run through September and October across Central and Eastern Oregon to make up for field time lost
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CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) — When a house fire breaks out, every second counts — including when it comes to getting your pets to safety. Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue says a device called Rescue Retriever was designed to help firefighters locate pets inside a burning home. The device detects smoke and activates
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Emergency Fire Cost Committee will meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem. The meeting will be open to the public in person and virtually via Microsoft Teams. The committee oversees the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund, which was created by
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PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bureau of Land Management will temporarily close the Reynolds Pond Trailhead from September 11th – 13th to protect public safety during permitted gundog testing. The restriction will block access to Reynolds Pond and limit entry into the Oregon Badlands Wilderness from that location between noon and 6:00p.m. daily. During the
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Emergency crews responded to a water rescue on the Deschutes River near the Bend Whitewater Park after a man was found unconscious in the river. Bend Fire and Rescue alongside Bend Police were dispatched to the scene. According to police, witnesses saw the man swimming above the rapids shortly before he
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — High Desert Chamber Music will hold auditions for its 2026-27 Spotlight Chamber Players program on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 in Bend, Ore. The chamber music program is offered at no cost to selected students. The program is open to violin, viola, cello, bass and piano students in grades 6-12 who
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Chief Kari Goodheart Petitioner of the Oregon Freedom Amendment, filed formal objections Sunday with the Oregon Secretary of State and Attorney General over the draft ballot title for Initiative Petition 2028-025. The challenge contends that the Attorney General’s draft ballot title fails to accurately describe the proposed constitutional amendment and does
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Hayden Homes Amphitheater maintains a 93.5% waste diversion rate, keeping concert trash out of landfills through composting, recycling and reuse. Staff from Deschutes County Solid Waste recently toured the facility to observe the behind-the-scenes operations firsthand. The venue’s waste management strategy relies on clear communication with vendors, strong custodial support
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