heatherroberts

ODA: Two Additional Cats Test Positive For H5N1
Two cats from different households in Oregon's Multnomah County have died as a result of bird flu. Oregon’s Department of Agriculture says both cats got the virus from eating raw pet food made by Wild Coast Raw based in Olympia, WA.
The ow...

Chicken Coop Precautions In Cold Weather
If the high cost of eggs has you considering starting your own backyard chicken flock, fire officials urge you to understand the safety risks. Bend, OR Fire and Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said his agency responded to a pair of chicken coop fires in the past week, both caused by electrical problems associated with heating lamps.
“...

OHA: Number of People Using Marketplace Has Dipped
Fewer Oregonians are getting health insurance through the state's Marketplace, but the overall number still remains high. According to the Oregon Health Authority, nearly 140,000 people signed up for health insurance through Oregon's Marketplace this year. The OHA’...

Food Bank Need Growing In Oregon
The Oregon Food Bank saw a 31% increase in 2024, in the number of people asking for food assistance, compared to the previous year.
"That means we’ve distributed over 91-million meals. That’s about 110-million pounds of food," noted Oregon Food Bank President Andrea Williams. She said a coalitio...

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...

Salinas: Tariffs Will Hurt Oregon Farmers
Tariffs against Mexico and Canada were delayed by at least 30 days earlier this week, but they’re still a risk, according to some members of Oregon’s congressional delegation. Oregon Congresswoman Andrea Salinas says farmers in her Sixth District are worried, and she wants the House Agriculture Committee to hold hearings on how President Trump’s proposed tariffs could impact producers.
“I absol

Wyden: We’ll Fight These Tariffs
Tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada are on hold, but Oregon’s senior senator says the fight isn’t over. Ron Wyden said the 30-day pause agreed upon by Mexico and Canada isn’t enough.
“We’re going to see more tariff chaos and we’re going to fight it at every opportunity,” Wyden said.
He and other Senate Democrats say groups from t...

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....

OSFM Preparing For Wildfire Season
California’s devastating wildfires serve as a reminder for those across the Northwest to prepare their properties for the upcoming fire season. An Oregon State Fire Marshal program providing property assessments is getting more popular, as more Oregonians work to create defensible space ahead of the next wildfire.
“Over ...