
heatherroberts


Could Vote By Mail Come To An End In Oregon?
A west coast effort to end vote by mail is gaining support in Oregon. A bill introduced in Oregon’s Senate proposes a ballot measure to make in-person voting on one day the standard, along with requiring voter ID. Deschutes Republicans support the group. Vice Chair Conne Welche...

NW Lawmakers Call For SRS To Be Reauthorized
Senators from Oregon and Idaho are pushing for Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools Act before funding runs out. States with timber on federal land depend on the program for funding schools and other projects that would have been paid for by timber harvests, which aren’t allowed on federal land.
“The S...

Merkley Worries Wildfire Funding Could Be Cut
The Trump Administration says it's reviewing federal spending, in an effort to cut waste, and that has some Oregon lawmakers concerned about what MIGHT be deemed wasteful. With the ongoing threat of cuts to federal programs and funding, Oregon stands to lose millions in anticipated payments. U....

Greater Idaho Movement Working With Lawmakers In Salem
The Greater Idaho movement is applying more pressure on Oregon lawmakers this legislative session. Matt McCaw, with the Greater Idaho Movement, said his group is working with lawmakers.
"We have a bill that’s already been introduced on the Senate side that invites the state of Idaho to begin border talks with the state of Oregon," McCaw noted. "We have another b...

Kotek Declares Emergency In NE Oregon
On Monday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency for Morrow and Umatilla counties, due to the economic risks posed by ongoing wastewater issues. High levels of precipitation and a lack of adequate lagoon storage capacity left the Port of Morrow without space to accept more wastewater from food processing and other industrial facilities. Kotek s...

Oregon Looks To Update Wildlife Action Plan
Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife is required to update its Wildlife Action Plan every ten years and the next one is due in 2026. ODFW’s Adam Baylor said it’s a statewide conservation strategy determined by agency experts and the public.
“A lot of those me...

OSU Extension Looks At How Grazing May Help With Wildfires
New research conducted in Eastern Oregon shows strategically grazing cattle could reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Oregon State University Extension’s Sergio Arispe has spent a lot of time studying invasive weeds in Malheur County.
“Invas...

Merkley Highlights Monarchs
Nearly $760,000 in federal funds are coming to three western states, including Oregon, to help boost monarch butterfly populations. U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley said the funding will benefit two projects in Oregon.
“One is to restore acres and make them better pollinator habitats, and also better acres for the monarch itself, which involves - you gotta make sure you’ve got some milkweed in there;

Oregon Snowpack Off To A Good Start
Much like Washington, the early season snowpack across Oregon is reason for optimism and encouragement. Some are crediting La Nina for the cooler, wetter weather. But Matt Warbritton with NRCS said that may be premature.
“We can’t ...

Oregon Christmas Trees Already On The Move
It's Christmas tree harvesting time in Oregon.
"We're deep in the heart of it. Trucks are rolling this week, especially to the East Coast and the eastern half of the United States. Those go out first, because it's a little longer trip."
Tom ...