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Oregon-Northwest

Oregon Department of Forestry says thousands of fires have sparked statewide so far this year

Oregon Department of Forestry says thousands of fires have sparked statewide so far this year

OREGON (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Forestry shared an update on the state’s active wildland fires. Right now, two active large fires are burning on ODF-protected land and eight others are burning statewide. So far this year, 945 fires have burned on ODF-protected land and another 2,464 statewide. The departmentย is remindingย Oregonians that despite precipitation

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Lomakatsi’s Tribal Stewards summer training program comes to a close in the Oregon Badlands Wilderness

Bend, OR (KTVZ)- Tribal Stewards finished up their summer program on Tuesday. The program works on culturally informed ecological restoration projects on Oregonโ€™s public lands while providing young participants with valuable field experience.The Lomakatsi Restoration Project, Burns Paiute Tribe, Oregon Natural Desert Association, and other partners collaborated September 2nd to expand opportunities for tribal and

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Researchers take key step toward greener lighting and display technologies

CORVALLIS, Ore. โ€“ Scientists at Oregon State University have taken a big step toward lighting and display technologies that are more energy efficient and better for the planet. The work centers around crystalline, porous materials known as metal organic frameworks, often abbreviated as MOFs, and points toward next-generation materials that may end reliance on rare earth metals. The study by

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ODOT funding bill clears the House and now heads to the Senate for a vote – hereโ€™s what local leaders are saying

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A funding package for the Oregon Department of Transportation passed the Oregon House of Representatives on Monday and now heads to the State Senate for a vote. Oregon House Bill 3991, is a comprehensive transportation funding measure, introduced in the 2025 special session, that proposes to increase gasoline taxes, raise vehicle

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BLM reminds the public to prevent wildfire over a hot and dry Labor Day Weekend

Campfire ban and other fire prevention measures are still in effect statewide PORTLAND, Ore. โ€” As fire risk remains high and the holiday weekend approaches, the public is urged to prevent human-caused wildfires. Recent high temperatures and continued dry conditions increase the potential for fire starts and rapid spread. โ€œRoughly 85% of wildfires nationwide are caused by human activities,โ€ said Fire Prevention Specialist Adam Johnson, โ€œThose visiting public

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ESCAPE THE CROWDS: Oregon Department of Forestry recommends less-traveled state campgrounds for Labor Day Weekend

ESCAPE THE CROWDS: Oregon Department of Forestry recommends less-traveled state campgrounds for Labor Day Weekend

OREGON (KTVZ) — Labor Day Weekend is just a few days away and many are packing their bags for a weekend of camping. The Oregon Department of Forestry is encouraging those looking for a getaway to explore some of the state’s less-traveled state forest campgrounds. The departmentย says, “Unlike high-traffic destinations across state forests or state

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Oregon State recognized with national engagement award for efforts to reduce whale entanglement

CORVALLIS, Ore. โ€” A collaborative research and outreach effort led by Oregon State University to protect whales and sustain Oregonโ€™s commercial Dungeness crab fishery has been recognized as one of four regional winners of the 2025 W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Engagement Scholarship Award. The Oregon whale entanglement project, a transdisciplinary team led by Leigh Torres, researcher in OSUโ€™s Marine Mammal Institute and Oregon Sea

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U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-Deremer calls for ‘crackdown’ in Oregon

(Update: Adding video) By KGW’s Thomas Schultz PORTLAND, Ore. โ€” U.S. Labor Secretary and former Oregon congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer appeared to encourage the Trump administration to โ€œcrack downโ€ on Portland Tuesday. The comment was made during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. โ€œThank you to what you’re doing with your agents at ICE,โ€ Chavez-DeRemer

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Smokejumper

Forest Service opens up 600 fire support positions in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska

OREGON (KTVZ) — The USDA Forest Service has announced it will be hiring nearly 600 fire support positions in Oregon,ย Washington, and Alaska. It says these positions are vital to wildfire preparedness and disaster response across federal and state agencies. The jobs include dispatchers, equipment operators, fire engine operators, fire prevention specialists, forestry aids and technicians,

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30 Oregon school districts selected to receive literacy funding boost

OREGON (KTVZ) — 30 school districts across Oregon have been selected to receive a funding boost, all in the name of literacy. Theย Oregon Department of Education said the investment of approximately $11 million annually will support districts in improving literacy outcomes for many of Oregonโ€™s historically marginalized studentsย from birth through 12th grade. “Through a competitive

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Oregon Drought Monitor - August 14, 2025

Governor Kotek issues drought declarations for Coos and Wheeler counties, bringing total so far this year to seven

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek announced Tuesday she has declared a drought in Coos and Wheeler counties through an executive order and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region. A link to Executive Order 25-19 can be foundย here. Coos CountyAccording to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Coos County has been

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Bryan Kohberger listens during his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court in Moscow

Bryan Kohberger described as creepy, domineering by college peers in months before Idaho killings, newly released files show

By Danya Gainor, CNN (CNN) — In the days and weeks after Bryan Kohberger was arrested in connection with the brutal killings of four undergrads at the University of Idaho, students and instructors at nearby Washington State University told investigators the suspect seemed creepy and intense, with one predicting Kohberger could become the type of

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Mail-in ballots MGN

President Trump says he’ll sign executive order in bid to end mail-in ballots, voting machines; Oregon officials react strongly

WASHINGTON (NBC News) — President Trump said Monday in a post toย Truth Socialย that he would sign an executive order to try to get rid of mail-in ballots and voting machines, a move that would almost certainly face immediate challenges in court. The president said in the post that he was โ€œgoing to lead a movement

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AAA Labor Day top destinations Bend

Bend and Central Oregon again top AAA’s list of favorite Labor Day weekend travel destinations around the Northwest

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€“ Itโ€™s been a record-breaking summer travel season, and many will squeeze in one final trip over the Labor Day weekend before the summer wraps up. AAA booking data shows that Alaska cruises, theme parks, Central Oregon and the Oregon Coast are the most popular destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho. AAA

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The Yamaha FAZER SAR is a medium-lift unmanned helicopter platform capable of carrying payloads, performing complex aerial maneuvers, and operating under FAA exemptions for specialized missions.

Oregon Department of Aviation and Yamaha sign a deal to explore the use of unmanned helicopters to fight wildfires

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€“ The Oregon Department of Aviation said Thursday it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. to explore the potential use of Yamahaโ€™s FAZER SAR unmanned helicopter for wildfire mitigation and suppression in the state of Oregon. Here’s the announcement, in full: As wildfire seasons grow more intense

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