heatherroberts

Republicans in Oregon’s Legislature are calling for the Wildfire Hazard Map, which shows properties in the state at high risk of wildfire, to be repealed.  House Minority Leader Christine Drazan said rural residents feel targeted.   "Orego...

Under a bill in the Oregon Legislature, restaurants and other food producers in the state would be required to recycle food waste.  Mandatory commercial food waste recycling would be phased in starting in 2028, under the bill.  State Representative Courtney Neron also wants to reduce food waste with a label change.   "Sell By w...

Rewards for information on poachers are increasing, along with the types of illegal fishing offenses that qualify for money or hunter preference points.   "It includes habitat disruption, such as introducing a non-native species,” said Yvonne Shaw, Turn in Poachers campaign coordinator for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.  She said there hav...

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...

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.   “...

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’...

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...

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...

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...

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