Bend ORE. (KTVZ) — Oregon ranked 51st in the nation for the year-over-year change in pay disparity, according to a study released today by SmartAsset. The report found that the pay gap between the state’s top earners and middle earners decreased 11 percentage points over the last year. The study analyzed recently released data from
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Animals at the Oregon Zoo received fresh watermelons today to observe National Watermelon Day. The fruit is provided as part of environmental enrichment efforts. These activities are designed to create stimulating and challenging environments that promote the well-being of the animals through the use of seasonal food items and objects. A
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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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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Redmond Air Tanker Base has pumped more than 1 million gallons of retardant in the last two weeks, reaching its typical annual volume in just 14 days. Crews at the base are currently supporting firefighting efforts for the Akawa Butte Fire, the Rowe Creek Complex Fire and several other blazes
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OREGON (KTVZ) — State health officials are warning residents to avoid contact with bats after 22 of the animals tested positive for rabies in Oregon so far this year. The Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are urging people to keep themselves and their pets away from dead or dying
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OREGON (KTVZ) — Oregonians affected by wildfires or poor air quality can now access a dedicated statewide hotline for support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hotline, reached at 1-833-699-0554, was established to provide immediate access to resources for those navigating the fire season. Gov. Tina Kotek announced the service, which is
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Twenty Mazama newt hatchlings emerged at the Oregon Zoo this month, marking the first time the rare subspecies has been successfully bred in human care. The hatchlings are part of an emergency conservation effort to prevent the extinction of the amphibians, which are found only at Crater Lake. Mazama newts arrived
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OREGON (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Human Services has extended the deadline for residents in 10 counties to request replacement SNAP benefits following food losses caused by wildfires and evacuations in July. Households in the designated areas now have until Aug. 14 to report their losses. The extension applies to food bought with Supplemental
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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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OREGON (KTVZ) — Oregon hospitals experienced significant financial losses in 2025, leading to the closure of service lines and inpatient beds. More than 1,000 health care workers across the state lost their jobs. The Hospital Association of Oregon warns that further impacts from H.R. one are expected to deepen this crisis. These challenges underscore the
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OREGON (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is warning residents to be cautious of fraudulent schemes following widespread damage from current wildfires. The agency highlighted potential scams targeting both charitable donations and essential recovery efforts like debris removal and home repairs across Oregon communities. The warnings come as the Oregon Department of Emergency
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HARNEY COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Multiple major wildfires in Harney County are burning across rangeland and timber, sending smoke across eastern Oregon and threatening rural highways, ranches and small communities. Together, the fires have scorched well over 300,000 acres, and incident managers say hot, dry and windy conditions are keeping crews busy on several fronts.
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff on July 29th, 2026, in solemn remembrance of U.S. Navy Commander Gabriel Edwards. Commander Edwards died on July 1st, 2026, following an emergency helicopter landing in the Arabian Sea. Commander Edwards, a native of Oakland, Oregon, dedicated
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Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Akawa Butte Fire remains active as of July 28, 2026, with crews continuing mop-up operations today to identify and extinguish hot spots. A community meeting will be held tonight, Tuesday, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sisters High School Auditorium to provide updates to the public. Firefighters used handheld infrared detection
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CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — One man died Thursday, July 23rd, 2026, after his white Volvo semi-truck and triple trailer rear-ended an overheated red Freightliner semi-truck and triple trailer on Highway 26 near milepost 31.5, close to Sandy. The operator of the Volvo, James Glenn Fisher, 62, of Medford, was pronounced deceased at the scene
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Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today they secured $488,500 in federal funding for key veteran health care programs in rural parts of eastern and southern Oregon. This funding will support no-cost transportation services for veterans traveling to medical facilities. The funding is part of the Department of Veterans
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Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Revenue will temporarily close its Salem office and all contact centers for one hour tomorrow, July 28. The closure, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., is for an all-staff event. This temporary disruption will affect customers seeking in-person services at the Salem office, located at 955 Center
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A controversial proposal that could have dramatically reshaped ranching and outdoor recreation in Oregon will not appear on the November ballot, state elections officials confirmed Friday. According to the Statesman Journal, initiative Petition 28, which aimed to expand animal abuse laws by outlawing practices such as hunting, fishing and livestock slaughter,
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CONDON, Ore. (KTVZ) — Yesterday, on Saturday, strong winds during a Red Flag Warning caused significant growth on the Little Buck Fire, part of the Hay Creek Complex, pushing the fire south across Oregon Highway 218 near Clarno. Strong afternoon winds yesterday drove a six-mile flame front on the Little Buck Fire toward Highway 218.
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HARNEY COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Harney County Sheriff’s Office notified the public via social media that Crane High School has a half acre available for livestock evacuations due to wildfire. Water needs to be checked. The school is located at 43277 Crane Venator Ln, Crane, Oregon 97732. Harney County Sheriff can be reached at 541-573-6156.
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