(KTVZ) — U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and four other Democratic senators sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins questioning federal preparation and resource allocation during the 2026 wildfire season. The outreach comes as record-breaking wildfires burn across Western states. In Oregon alone, more than 2.5 million acres have burned
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Cultural Trust announced Friday it is awarding a record $4.5 million to more than 450 organizations across the state for the 2027 fiscal year. The funding supports arts, culture, heritage and humanities programs in every county and tribe in Oregon. The distribution of funds is defined under Oregon statute
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — First Interstate Bank will close all of its branches at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 16, to host its ninth annual Volunteer Day. Nearly 400 community service projects are planned across the company’s 10-state footprint. The companywide initiative provides thousands of employees paid time off during the afternoon to volunteer for local
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek and state housing leaders presented progress reports on Oregon’s housing and homelessness strategies this week before the Legislature’s House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness. State emergency actions between January 2023 and September 2025 created or maintained 6,286 shelter beds and rehoused 5,539 people from unsheltered homelessness. According
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Are you looking for something to do this weekend in Central Oregon? Adrielle Hasara highlights three local events, from the return of the Eastern Cascades Model Railroad Open House to The Veterans Club 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. For many more and to submit your own events, visit https://events.ktvz.com.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Former Bend Fire and Rescue Shift Battalion Chief Bob Madden reflected on his deployment to Ground Zero and the lasting impacts of the terror attacks as the nation marks 25 years since Sept. 11, 2001. Madden was among the Central Oregon first responders deployed to New York City following the attack
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon lawmakers approved millions of dollars in emergency funding during the September meeting of the Joint Legislative Emergency Board, with much of the money going toward wildfire suppression. The board approved 42 items totaling $139.6 million in General Fund support. Of that, $122.8 million was allocated to the Oregon Department of
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Nearly 600,000 Oregonians are receiving notices this month that they could lose their health care coverage following federal budget cuts enacted under HR one. The Oregon House Committee on Health Care met today to hear updates from the Oregon Health Authority regarding how the federal budget reconciliation law will affect state
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The COCC Foundation has opened scholarship applications for the 2026-27 academic year, offering a share of $2.4 million in funding, including full scholarships valued at $5,500. Students interested in applying can find more information on the college website.
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire & Rescue launched a new online tool Thursday to streamline requests for free wildfire risk home assessments and personalized mitigation recommendations. The system uses Fire Aside, an online platform for scheduling appointments and managing property assessment data. The initiative operates under the department’s Own Your Zone program, which assists
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The nonpartisan campaign Deschutes For All will host a community gathering this Sunday, Sept. 13, in Terrebonne to inform residents about Ballot Measure 9-185. The ballot measure asks voters whether to establish five geographic commissioner districts across Deschutes County. The proposal follows a 2024 vote in which Deschutes County voters expanded
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon National Guard and the U.S. Navy broke ground yesterday on a $12 million Multi-Purpose Machine Gun Range at the Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility in Boardman. The project will create the first and only Army Standard crew-served weapons range in Oregon, allowing soldiers to conduct heavy weapons qualifications in-state.
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced approximately $20,000 in youth literacy grants for Oregon schools and non-profit organizations today. The funding is expected to impact more than 700 individuals across the state. The Oregon grants are part of a broader national initiative that awarded more than $4.1 million to youth literacy
Continue Reading SALEM, Ore. — Oregon’s public defense crisis is showing signs of improvement, with the number of defendants waiting for an attorney dropping 66% over the past year, according to Governor Tina Kotek. When Kotek appointed Ken Sanchagrin to lead the Oregon Public Defense Commission in April 2025, more than 4,000 defendants statewide were without legal
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has ordered all flags at public institutions across the state to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, September 11, 2026. The order marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The directive commemorates the nearly 3,000 civilians and first responders killed
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is leading a bipartisan coalition of 49 attorneys general calling on the Federal Communications Commission to close regulatory loopholes and enforce stricter oversight of phone companies that route illegal robocalls. The coalition is pushing the FCC to require telecommunications providers to thoroughly vet business partners and
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon employers would pay an average of 92 cents per $100 of payroll for workers’ compensation coverage in 2027 under a proposal announced today by the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. The proposal includes an average 2.1% increase in the pure premium rate, marking the second-lowest rate on record
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — At approximately 9:45pm Redmond Fire & Rescue crews responded to the undeveloped land east of Redmond for a reported RV fire. Upon arrival crews extinguished a fully involved RV fire that spread to two trees and a pile of rubbish. Three brush engines and one Battalion Chief responded with 9 personnel
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced Wednesday that the state is filing two lawsuits against federal environmental agencies over rule changes that weaken protections under the Endangered Species Act. The legal actions, supported by Gov. Tina Kotek, challenge regulations issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — PODER, Oregon’s Latino Leadership Network, will host its 17th annual Hispanic Heritage Month Breakfast & Summit on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at the Salem Convention Center in Salem, Ore. The theme for this year’s event is “Built on Hope. Carried Forward by Community,” which focuses on honoring past generations while supporting
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