Oregon-Northwest Archives

Oregon lawmakers have approved major housing investments; here’s the funding details

July 17, 2025 3:14 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. — The 2025 Oregon Legislative Session concluded on June 27, delivering significant investments in the state’s housing and homelessness efforts. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) said Thursday it is grateful for key legislation passed that will bring much-needed relief to families experiencing housing instability across Oregon. “These investments are the result of collective

Idaho judge lifts gag order in Bryan Kohberger case ahead of sentencing in student killings

July 17, 2025 10:20 am CNN Newsource

By Lauren del Valle, CNN (CNN) — A state district judge in Idaho lifted the gag order that largely obscured the case of Bryan Kohberger, who recently pleaded guilty to murdering four University of Idaho students in an off-campus house in November 2022. “At this point, I just don’t think that I can justify the

Armenian national extradited to the U.S. faces federal charges in Oregon for ransomware extortion conspiracy

July 16, 2025 4:41 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) —An Armenian national extradited from Ukraine to the United States faces federal charges for his role in Ryuk ransomware attacks and extortion conspiracy targeting companies throughout the U.S., including a technology company operating in Oregon. Karen Serobovich Vardanyan, 33, an Armenian national, has been charged with conspiracy, fraud in connection with computers,

Oregon lost 6,400 jobs over the past two months; June unemployment rate edges up to 4.9%

July 16, 2025 3:50 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment declined by 4,300 jobs in June, following a revised loss of 2,100 jobs in May, the Oregon Employment Department reported Wednesday June’s losses were largest in other services (-1,400 jobs); manufacturing (-1,200); leisure and hospitality (-1,000 jobs); professional and business services (-700); and retail trade (-700). Gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+900 jobs).

Highland Fire small plane retardant drop Dennis Potter

Governor Kotek declares state of emergency for the rest of 2025 due to imminent threat of wildfire

July 16, 2025 11:07 am Barney Lerten

Declaration allows responders to use all necessary and appropriate resources of the state to support wildfire response. SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday due to the imminent threat of wildfire in an executive order that extends through the rest of the calendar year.“Oregon is already experiencing a

Quiet week at the pumps as summer travel hits high gear; Bend’s average gas price drops a nickel a gallon

July 15, 2025 12:52 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – It’s the heart of the summer driving season, but gas prices are showing little movement, AAA Oregon/Idaho said Tuesday in its weekly report. Most states, including Oregon, are seeing prices change by a nickel or less this week. Higher crude oil prices last week pushed the national average

Oregon Department of Forestry says they’re ‘anticipating the fire season to pick up’ amid red flag warnings

July 11, 2025 11:26 am KTVZ

(Update: Adding video, comments from ODF) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– We’re just a week into July, and already this fire season has been busy. In just 10 days, hundreds of wildland firefighters have been deployed across the state following intense lightning and dry conditions. Officials with the Oregon Department of Forestry say that, so far this season,

Astoria Coast Guard helicopter crew rescues man trapped in Washington swampy marsh

July 11, 2025 11:10 am Barney Lerten

SEATTLE (KTVZ) – A Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria, Oregon, rescued a man trapped in a swampy marsh South of Olympia, Washington, earlier this week. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Northwest District Command Center were contacted Tuesday by Thurston County Dispatch who requested assistance in rescuing a man who became stuck in

Redmond Smokejumpers plane at the Redmond Air Base

‘A privilege’: As wildfire season ramps up, the Redmond Smokejumpers are prepped and ready

July 11, 2025 10:14 am Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon is home to one of seven US Forest Service bases in the country—where smokejumpers convene and set out to be the first line of defense against wildfires. A smokejumper mid-air. Credit: BLM KTVZ News took a trip to the Redmond Air Base and got a behind-the-scenes look at what

Oregon to receive up to $10.1 million as part of nationwide settlements with eight more opioid drug-makers

July 10, 2025 5:06 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced Thursday approximately $720 million nationwide in settlements with eight drug makers that manufactured opioid pills and worsened the nationwide opioid crisis. Based on the overwhelming participation by Attorneys General across the country, all eight defendants have agreed to proceed with a sign-on period for local governments.

Senator Ron Wyden 'border czar' Tom Homan

Wyden invites Trump administration ‘border czar’ Tom Homan to take part in Multnomah County town hall

July 10, 2025 1:26 pm Barney Lerten

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Amid reports that Trump-designated “border czar” Tom Homan wants to visit Portland, Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., on Thursday invited the administration official to participate in the senator’s open-to-all Multnomah County town hall next month, “if he truly cares about local feedback on immigration policy featuring masked and unidentified agents snatching people off the streets.”

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley announces reelection bid

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley announces he will be running for a fourth term in the 2026 election

July 10, 2025 11:40 am Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video, recorded livestream from meeting with reporters) PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, announced Thursday that he will seek re-election to a fourth term in 2026, “pledging to continue to fight for working families and stand firm against growing threats to democracy, freedom, and economic justice,” his campaign stated. “For years,

More than 400 ODOT employees facing layoffs July 31st amid funding crisis

July 7, 2025 3:14 pm Tracee Tuesday, Barney Lerten

Governor Tina Kotek and the Oregon Department of Transportation announced Monday the first wave of layoffs of state workers who deliver basic services to Oregonians and warned of the widespread impacts that will ensue as a result.

National Guard Spc. Whitney Badders on rappel

Oregon lawmakers approve new benefits for state’s National Guard members

July 9, 2025 4:21 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – This legislative session, the Oregon legislature and Gov. Tina Kotek continued to show their support for the Oregon Military Department through ongoing efforts to provide benefits to help strengthen the Oregon Army National Guard, the Oregon Military Department said Wednesday. Two specific initiatives for recruiting and retention support went into effect on

Good news travels farther this summer: Oregon, nation’s gas prices still heading lower, AAA reports

July 8, 2025 4:38 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Gas prices in most states, including Oregon, continue to tick down. Gas prices have been trending lower since late June, even with record travel over the Independence Day holiday period. For the week, the national average for regular falls three cents to $3.15 a gallon. The Oregon average dips two cents

Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilizes two structure-protection task forces to ‘stretched’ Southern Oregon

July 8, 2025 4:21 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing two structural task forces from Benton and Lane counties to the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon through Immediate Response. The agency said it is surging capacity as local structural and wildland firefighters have been busy responding to wildfires on Tuesday. The request for additional aid

BLM offering for sale up to 54 million board feet of timber in Western Oregon this month

July 8, 2025 3:10 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Bureau of Land Management said Tuesday it will offer several timber sales in July, totalling about 54 million board feet, to be harvested from nearly 1,900 public acres across Western Oregon. Timber produced by these sales will provide critical supplies for construction and other industries, and support jobs across

Intel to lay off nearly 530 workers in Oregon, starting this month

July 8, 2025 12:15 pm KGW

PORTLAND, Ore. (KGW) — Intel Corp. will begin laying off approximately 529 people at four Oregon campuses starting next Tuesday, July 15, according to a WARN notice filed Tuesday. The layoffs are set to occur at Intel’s Aloha campus, along with the Ronler Acres, Hawthorne Farms and Intel Jones campuses in Hillsboro. “As we announced earlier this

U.S. Marshals begin joint search for Travis Decker in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest

July 8, 2025 11:59 am NPG Content Share

Seth Ratliff UPDATE: BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Monday morning, the U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force initiated a joint search operation within the Sawtooth National Forest. The focus of the search is on areas deemed accessible to a person with Decker’s known condition. Authorities have confirmed receiving multiple public tips regarding Decker’s whereabouts

Governor Kotek signs executive order prohibiting student cellphone use during the day in public schools

July 2, 2025 9:41 am Barney Lerten

Governor Tina Kotek on Wednesday signed Executive Order 25-09, which aims to improve student educational outcomes and mental well-being across the state by prohibiting cell phone use by students during the school day in Oregon’s K-12 public schools.

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