Top Stories Archives

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office wins innovation award for disaster support

October 14, 2026 10:56 am Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Team was recognized recently at the annual Oregon Emergency Management Association conference for developing a collaborative program to support residents with access and functional needs during disasters. The unit received the Oregon Emergency Management Association Innovation, Collaboration and Service Award, which honors contributions to

Decision 2026: Party leaders respond to candidates’ performance following KTVZ’s debate for Governor

October 13, 2026 8:34 pm Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Leaders from Oregon’s Democratic and Republican parties offered contrasting views following an hour-long gubernatorial debate held in the KTVZ studio between Governor Tina Kotek and Republican challenger Christine Drazan. Democratic Party of Oregon Chair Nathan Soltz and Oregon Republican Party Chairwoman Connie Whelchel both stated that the broadcast highlighted a clear

Traffic Alert: U.S. 26 Reopen from Mt. Hood to Warm Springs Following Crash

October 13, 2026 8:16 pm Gregory Deffenbaugh

Update: ODOT has reopened the road. ODOT: Central Ore.: U.S. 26 is back open between Mt. Hood and Warm Springs following an earlier crash near Frog Lake at mile post 62. Slow down and watch for crews on road shoulders who may still be cleaning up BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — ODOT has alerted KTVZ News that

Decision 2026: WATCH – Candidates for Oregon Governor Debate on KTVZ

October 11, 2026 7:15 pm Gregory Deffenbaugh

Editor’s Note: This debate aired at 6 pm on October 13, 2026 on KTVZ-TV LIVE BLOG:6:55 pm – Tina Kotek’s closing statement. 6:54 pm – Christine Drazan’s closing statement. 6:52 pm – Aaron Switzer asks about water concerns, what specifics changes would you make to Oregon’s water rights system to ensure it’s resilient? Drazan replies

Public meeting scheduled to decide $1 million for Prineville groundwater following contamination concerns

October 13, 2026 4:40 pm Campbell Porter

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will host a community meeting on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, to gather public input on allocating just over $1 million in federal groundwater funding. The meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Crook County Library in Prineville, Ore. Federal lawmakers secured the Community Initiated

Redmond High School named finalist in T-Mobile contest for $1 million upgrade

October 8, 2026 8:16 am Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond High School has been named one of 40 division finalists nationwide in T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition, earning $25,000 and a chance to win a $1 million home field upgrade. Selected from nearly 2,500 applicant schools across the country, Redmond High is now competing against nine other schools in

Fall migration causes increase in window strikes for local birds

October 13, 2026 4:02 pm Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fall migration is bringing a warning from Think Wild: Birds are hitting windows across Central Oregon. The nonprofit wildlife hospital has treated 99 window-strike patients from 38 native bird species so far this year. But these collisions can be prevented. Think Wild recommends applying closely spaced decals, dots or lines to

Oregon State and Oregon prepare for major college football action this Saturday

October 13, 2026 3:49 pm Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Heads up, college football fans! KTVZ has tons of football coverage planned for this Saturday. On Saturday, Oregon State faces off against Washington State for a sold-out game at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. KTVZ Sports Director Dylan Anderman and KTVZ Evening Anchor Kelsey Merison will be

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to nearly 6,000 calls in September

October 13, 2026 3:09 pm Claire Elmer

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to nearly 6,000 dispatched calls for service in September, according to its latest monthly activity report. The agency recorded 5,970 calls for service, along with 843 traffic stops and 24 motor vehicle crashes. Deputies made 21 arrests for driving under the influence of intoxicants

Crooked River Ranch Fire to host drive-through vaccine clinic

October 13, 2026 3:05 pm Kelsey Merison

TERREBONNE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening next, a drive-through vaccine clinic is taking place in Terrebonne. Jefferson County Public Health will offer flu, high-dose flu and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines Thursday, October 22nd. The clinic will run from 3-6 p.m. at the Crooked River Ranch Fire Hall on SW Shad Road in Terrebonne. Bring your insurance card, but

Bingo nights at Wild Ride Brewing will benefit local Shop with a Cop program

October 13, 2026 3:00 pm Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Here’s a chance to play Bingo and give back to local kids. Wild Ride Brewing in Prineville is hosting Bingo nights to benefit the Shop with a Cop Program! The events are scheduled for tomorrow, October 14th, and November 18th, from 6-8 p.m. Community members are invited to come out, play

Firefighters to conduct prescribed burn six miles northwest of Sunriver

October 13, 2026 2:52 pm Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Firefighters plan to conduct a prescribed burn Wednesday, six miles northwest of Sunriver. The Deschutes National Forest says crews could burn up to 332 acres near Wanoga Butte, starting around 10 a.m., weather conditions permitting. Smoke will be visible from the Cascade Lakes Highway, Sunriver, Bend, and surrounding areas. Residents along

Literary Ghost Walk returns to Bend Central Library Oct. 28

October 13, 2026 2:22 pm Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes Public Library will host its fourth annual Literary Ghost Walk on Oct. 28 at the Central Library in Bend. The event is scheduled to run from 6 to 7 p.m. According to a news release from the library, the event features volunteers and actors portraying deceased authors stationed across

Deschutes County property taxes for 2026-27 posted, statements mailed by October 25th

October 13, 2026 2:12 pm Claire Elmer

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County property taxes for the 2026-2027 fiscal year have been posted. Statements will be mailed to property owners by October 25th, 2026. The initial payment for the upcoming property tax period is due on November 16th, 2026. Property taxes across Oregon cover a fiscal year running from July 1st

National Teen Driver Safety Week raises awareness about rising youth traffic deaths

October 13, 2026 12:39 pm Campbell Porter

(KTVZ) — National Teen Driver Safety Week, observed Oct. 18 to 24, aims to address traffic crashes, which remain a leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, crashes involving a teen driver killed 2,611 people and injured more than 170,000 others in 2023. Inexperience

Oregon Zoo elephant Samudra will relocate to Missouri for species preservation

October 13, 2026 12:12 pm Campbell Porter

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Samudra, an 18-year-old Asian elephant residing at the Oregon Zoo, is scheduled to relocate to the St. Louis Zoo next spring. The transfer is designed to support natural social herd structures and aid international species preservation efforts. Asian elephant Samudra enjoys a swim in the 160,000-gallon pool at Elephant Lands. @Oregon

Duda’s Billiards Bar in downtown Bend will close on Oct. 31

October 13, 2026 11:56 am Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Developing now, beloved Bend billiards bar Duda’s is closing it’s doors following Halloween night this year. The family-owned business on NW Wall Street has been a spot for locals to play pool, shoot shuffleboard, and grab a drink or a bite to eat. Duda’s posted on it’s instagram page, saying, “We had

Crook County School District launches new Student Personal Finance & Investing Club

October 13, 2026 8:27 am Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County School District has launched a new Student Personal Finance & Investing Club for students in Prineville, Ore. The program is funded through a grant and community partnership with Mid Oregon Credit Union. The club is designed to give students in the rural community direct access to local financial

Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to the hospital for surgery to remove a small growth on his lung

Pope Leo recovery ‘proceeding as expected’ following surgery to remove part of his lung with cancerous growth

October 13, 2026 4:16 am CNN Newsource

By Christopher Lamb, Barbie Nadeau, Antonia Mortensen, CNN (CNN) — Pope Leo XIV’s post-operation recovery is proceeding as expected after a “successful” surgery to remove part of his right lung which was found to have a cancerous growth, according to the Vatican. Leo’s doctors are confident the cancer has been removed but are awaiting additional

Fire season ends tomorrow in five protection districts across Northwest Oregon

Open burning remains prohibited on protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties

October 12, 2026 4:09 pm Kelsey Merison

SOUTHERN OREGON (KTVZ) — Cooler fall weather is here, but fire season isn’t over yet. The Oregon Department of Forestry says open burning, including yard debris, is still prohibited on ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The current fire danger level is moderate, with an industrial fire precaution level of one. Residents are encouraged