Cascade Natural Gas drops Knott Landfill methane project

BEND, Ore. -- After three years of study and preparation, Cascade Natural Gas says it has decided not to proceed with development of a renewable natural gas facility at Deschutes County’s Knott Landfill.

Saturday, Oct 24, 2026

As climate hazards increase, Oregon communities fight back

Friday, Oct 23, 2026

OSU study: Marbled murrelet chicks face greater predation risk in poor ocean conditions

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Less favorable ocean conditions mean marbled murrelet chicks take longer to leave the nest, making them more vulnerable to predation, according to a new study of the iconic Pacific Northwest seabird by Oregon State University scientists.

Thursday, Oct 22, 2026

Household hazardous waste collection events coming to La Pine, Sisters and Redmond in October

Friday, Oct 9, 2026

Local action, regional impact: Volunteers clean beaches, rivers and community spaces

Wednesday, Sep 30, 2026

Redmond Fire's FEMA grant will cut crews' exposure to cancer-causing diesel exhaust

REDMOND, Ore. – Redmond Fire & Rescue provided more details Monday about the Assistance to Firefighters Grant award recently announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, totaling more than $252,000.

Tuesday, Sep 29, 2026

Green Tour runs the gamut, from century-old Bend building to city's vast new campus

BEND, Ore. – For nearly a quarter-century, the Environmental Center in Bend has held a Central Oregon Green Tour, giving people a chance to visit homes, businesses and other facilities, to see what they have done to create a more sustainable future for everyone.

Monday, Sep 28, 2026

Quaise Energy in line for up to $25 million from feds for Newberry geothermal project

HOUSTON — Quaise Energy, a leading developer of utility-scale superhot geothermal energy, announced Tuesday that it has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for up to $25 million in funding under the Next-Generation Geothermal Field Tests and Geothermal Resource Characterization and Confirmation funding opportunity.

Tuesday, Sep 22, 2026

BLM preps aerial seeding, herbicide treatments in SE Oregon

Tuesday, Sep 22, 2026

Trump administration says developers, loggers can kill endangered species

The Trump administration’s top wildlife official issued a directive last week that expands a recent rollback of endangered species protections much further than the feds had told the public.

Tuesday, Sep 22, 2026

Deschutes County to host food waste prevention workshop for food service businesses

BEND, Ore. -- To celebrate Food Waste Prevention Week, Deschutes County will host a hands-on workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Cascade Culinary Institute. The workshop will help local restaurants and food service businesses reduce food waste, conserve resources, and build more sustainable kitchen practices.

Tuesday, Sep 22, 2026

ODFW Commission OKs 2027 Big Game Regulations, 'cougar target area'

LA GRANDE, Ore.— The Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission adopted the 2027 Big Game Regulations at their meeting in La Grande Friday, setting seasons that offer a wide and varied range of hunting opportunities.

Saturday, Sep 19, 2026

Governor Kotek declares drought emergency in Hood River County

SALEM, Ore. Governor Tina Kotek has declared a drought emergency in Hood River County through Executive Order 26-25 and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance.

Thursday, Sep 17, 2026

Pick It Up, Bend! Returns Sept. 27 with community cleanup, chance to win Jack Johnson tickets

Thursday, Sep 17, 2026

ODFW: Burns Pond fish die-off caused by blue-green algae

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists have confirmed that a blue-green algae likely caused the death of stocked rainbow trout recently observed at Burns Gravel Pond on Highway 78.

Sunday, Sep 13, 2026

Deschutes County again picks a new landfill site - but with a backup this time

BEND, Ore. – Few budget-related items that come before Deschutes County commissioners have total lifetime costs measured in the billions of dollars.

Thursday, Sep 10, 2026

Six-month closure of N. Division Street sound fishy? You're right

BEND, Ore. – An electronic reader board is advising Bend’s Third Street motorists of yet another road closure that begins next week – and this time, North Division Street will be closed for about six months, for a $12 million fish screen replacement project.

Friday, Sep 4, 2026

Federal judge upholds Oregon Recycling Modernization Act

PORTLAND, Ore. -- This week, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon ruled that Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act is constitutional, allowing the state to continue implementing the landmark recycling law.

Saturday, Aug 29, 2026

Beach & Riverside Cleanup returns this September, connecting communities across Oregon, SW Wash.

Friday, Aug 28, 2026

Trump administration advances plan to lift protections for nearly 45 million wild acres

SALEM, Ore. -- The Trump administration will move ahead with plans to end more than 25 years of sweeping protections for tens of millions of wild, federally managed acres across the U.S.

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026

Marion County files motion for preliminary injunction to protect Detroit Lake

Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026

Oregon agencies highlight air quality safety for livestock and fair exhibitors

SALEM, Ore. -- As wildfire seasons intensify and air quality fluctuates across Oregon, the Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon State University Extension Service and Oregon Department of Agriculture are issuing coordinated guidance for livestock owners and fair exhibitors to safeguard animal health during smoke events.

Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026

Recreational use advisory issued for Prineville Reservoir

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Health Authority issued a recreational use health advisory Monday for Prineville Reservoir due to laboratory results from recently collected water samples that show cyanotoxins above the recreational use value.

Tuesday, Jul 28, 2026

Wyden, Merkley, Bynum: Redmond secures $1.25 million investment for water infrastructure

WASHINGTON – Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with Rep. Janelle Bynum announced Monday that the city of Redmond has earned a $1.25 million federal infrastructure investment from the Environmental Protection Agency to expand the city’s sustainable wastewater treatment system.

Tuesday, Jul 28, 2026

Climate Commission urges bigger goals to store planet-warming gas in Oregon's lands, waters

SALEM, Ore. -- As the federal government pushes for more logging and grazing on Oregon’s lands, state climate commissioners are calling for more ambitious goals to protect the state’s land and water so they can capture carbon dioxide.

Friday, Jul 24, 2026

Following data center boom, Oregon for first time considers charging use fees for undersea cables

SALEM, Ore. -- The Oregon Department of State Lands is proposing for the first time to charge multinational telecommunications and tech companies for using the seafloor off the state’s Pacific Coast for fiber-optic cables used to transmit internet data and international calls.

Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026

Controversial Oregon animal rights petition might not have enough valid signatures to make ballot

SALEM, Ore. -- A controversial initiative petition to ban killing or harming animals in Oregon with almost no exceptions may not qualify for the November ballot.

Saturday, Jul 18, 2026

US judge to decide fate of Oregon’s new package recycling law by late August

PORTLAND, Ore. — A federal judge will determine by the end of August the future of Oregon’s nascent statewide recycling modernization law, meant to require product manufacturers and distributors to cover some of the packaging disposal costs Oregonians currently pay via municipal and specialty waste fees.

Saturday, Jul 18, 2026

Guzzler watering stations help wildlife in Gilchrist State Forest

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2026

Crook County begins first overhaul of natural resource plans since 1978

PRINEVILLE, Oregon -- For the first time in nearly 50 years, Crook County is taking a fresh look at how it protects the local landscape, history and wildlife that define the region.Local officials have launched a comprehensive update to the county’s “Goal 5” resources, which include everything from historic sites and scenic views to natural habitats. The planning offices, where much of this work will happen, are located at 300 NE Third St., just a short walk from the historic Crook County Courthouse in the heart of Prineville.“This update is voluntary and will take a significant amount of work and time to complete, but in my opinion, these Goal 5 resources are much of what makes Crook County special,” said John Eisler, Crook County Community Development Director. “As your local government, it's important that we evaluate these resources using the best available data while balancing conservation, private property rights, economic opportunity, and the community's vision for the future.”A chance for residents to leadThe Planning Commission has established three new public advisory committees to help guide the update. Each group will focus on different resource clusters to help the county determine how to move forward. Applications for these committees are open through July 27.“This update is an opportunity for Crook County residents to help shape how the county balances the protection of important resources with agriculture, economic opportunity, renewable energy, and other community priorities,” said Commissioner Susan Hermreck. “The more voices we have at the table, the stronger the final plan will be.”Commissioner Seth Crawford echoed that sentiment, encouraging neighbors to join the conversation. “This discussion is about the future of our community, and it's important that we hear from as many people as possible,” Crawford said. “We encourage everyone to join the conversation, share your ideas, and help shape the future of our county. Please also help spread the word by inviting your friends and neighbors to participate.”Eisler said he is looking for a wide variety of people to get involved in the meaningful work. “I'm really excited about these committees,” Eisler said. “Whether you're interested in wildlife habitat, groundwater, historic resources, aggregate resources, renewable energy, agriculture, or helping determine where solar facilities fit best, we want your input. The hope is that we get a cross section of people who are passionate about these issues and about shaping the county's future.”Planning for the solar futureA major component of the project involves creating a local program for commercial solar farms. While the state recently updated rules for these facilities, Crook County is developing its own path to ensure local voices guide where projects are built.“The state created a streamlined process for siting large solar facilities in partnership with counties,” Eisler said. “The county originally opted out of those rules, but with state grant funding supporting this effort, we will develop our own program—one that provides greater local direction and predictability for solar development while directing projects to appropriate locations, minimizing impacts, and providing community benefits and agricultural mitigation.”The Planning Commission will appoint committee members in August. After meeting throughout the fall, they will submit recommendations by the end of the year. Both the Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners will then hold public meetings before final decisions are made.How to get involved:Apply online: crookcountyor.gov/1703/Goal-5-UpdateEmail: Goal5@crookcountyor.govCall the planning office: 541-447-3211

Tuesday, Jul 14, 2026