SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek today directed all state agencies to immediately pause unapproved requests for state-owned property for data center projects. The order halts easements, rights-of-way, leases, rentals, land-use permits and sales or transfers of state property through July 1, 2027, unless directed otherwise by statewide action from the Governor’s Office or
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The Oregon Zoo has placed a rare female Bali myna in its public Vollum Aviary, offering visitors a chance to view one of the world’s most endangered songbirds. Also known as the Bali starling, the species is the official bird of Bali, Indonesia and is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fire officials in Central Oregon will reduce public use fire restrictions to Stage 1 starting at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. The decision follows recent moisture and cooler temperatures across the region. The reduction applies to the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore., recognized National Wildlife Day on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, highlighting its ongoing care for more than 100 ambassador animals. The occasion coincides with the one-year anniversary of the museum receiving accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Opened in 1982, the museum operates
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNN) — A former Labor Secretary with ties to Oregon is under fire from the Labor Department’s internal watchdog. A new 40-page report says Lori Chavez-Deremer spent public money on personal travel and tolerated harassment. It also found she had an inappropriate relationship with a member of her security detail. More than three
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bureau of Land Management issued a warning Friday ahead of Labor Day weekend that wildfire season is far from over across Oregon and Washington. More than 2.5 million acres have already burned across the Northwest in 2026 during an exceptionally active fire season. While temperatures may begin to cool and
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Sisters Ranger District will host a public meeting on Monday, Sept. 14, to share updates on local vegetation management projects and recovery plans following the Akawa Butte Fire. The meeting will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sisters Ranger District office, located at 201 North Pine St.
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Nonprofit organization Discover Your Northwest will host the Care for the Land Fall Trash Bash community cleanup near La Pine State Park in the Deschutes National Forest on Sept. 26, 2026. The volunteer event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in celebration of National Public Lands Day. The cleanup
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — City and county officials alongside clean transportation advocates will gather in Bend on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, to highlight the financial and environmental benefits of clean cars, hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. The event comes as gasoline prices in Bend average nearly $4.90 per gallon. The event is scheduled for 2
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The federal government petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday to lift an order blocking a new U.S. Postal Service mail ballot rule. The emergency petition comes as a federal court considers whether to issue a preliminary injunction that would keep the regulation on hold during ongoing litigation. Oregon Attorney General Dan
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read met with Central Oregon residents during an hourlong event hosted by the League of Women Voters of Deschutes County to discuss election security, voting options and ballot handling. The presentation took place as the upcoming election approaches, approximately 61 days away. The Bend gathering was
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(KTVZ) — Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield led a coalition of 22 states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit Wednesday against the Trump administration over a federal rule restricting health care coverage. The lawsuit challenges a rule by federal health officials that blocks states from using federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance
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Bend, Ore. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office released annual report highlights today for the Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth program, showing continued growth in mentoring relationships for children with justice-involved family members. Based in Bend, Ore., the COPY program formed 16 new mentor matches and supported 34 total active matches during the 2025–2026 reporting period.
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Update: The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has provided from Sheriff Ty Rupert concerning Wednesday’s incident:The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office wants to address a statement released by Redmond Fire regarding the September 2 incident east of Redmond and provide additional information to the community. Redmond Fire stated that “no action was taken by DCSO.” This is
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — A fire that originated in a fifth-wheel trailer spread to a nearby commercial structure in Burns around 6:26 a.m. Wednesday. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident. Burns Fire Department command 100 and engine 101 arrived shortly after receiving the call to find flames already inside the commercial building.
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — An 82-year-old man died Wednesday afternoon after his pickup truck left the road and struck a tree northeast of Sisters, Ore., according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded at approximately 2:33 p.m. to the single-vehicle crash on Wilt Road, east of Fair Mile Lane. Frank Halvorsen of Sisters was
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OREGON (KTVZ) — As the weather starts to change this week, fire officials with the Oregon Department of Forestry will be watching conditions closely. They’ll evaluate rainfall, fuel moisture and overall fire conditions to determine whether fire danger levels can be lowered. Officials say it’s still fire season, and debris burning remains prohibited. They say escaped debris
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is warning consumers to use caution when sending and receiving money through mobile payment applications due to widespread scam activity. Fraudsters are targeting users on popular platforms including Venmo, Cash App, Zelle and PayPal to steal money and compromise personal financial accounts. Because many mobile
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Lincoln County grand jury has indicted Marcus Brooks, the founder and executive director of the Cascade Relief Team, on two counts of Aggravated Theft in the First Degree. State officials announced Wednesday that Brooks is accused of stealing charitable donations intended to help tornado victims rebuild. The criminal indictment specifically
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lost 36% of its workforce between 2024 and 2026 under the Trump administration, according to federal staffing records obtained by a conservation advocacy group. Total agency personnel decreased from 9,957 to 6,333 employees over the two-year period. The staffing figures were obtained through Freedom of
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