COCC Faculty Plan ‘Last Chance Rally’ as Strike Deadline Nears

KTVZ on October 1, 2026

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Community College faculty members are planning a rally Thursday as contract negotiations enter their final days before a potential strike.

Members of the COCC Faculty Forum will gather at noon Thursday, October 1, at the Coats Campus Center on the COCC campus in Bend. Faculty members, students and community supporters are expected to attend.

The rally comes ahead of the next state-mediated bargaining session, scheduled for Friday, October 2. If an agreement is not reached, faculty say they will begin a strike at 8 a.m. Monday, October 5.

The faculty union says 98% of members participated in a strike authorization vote, with 96% voting in favor of a strike. The union says it remains focused on reaching an agreement and has extended an offer through 2 p.m. Friday that it says could prevent a strike.

“We have an urgency around this because we want to settle a fair contract as soon as possible and avert a strike,” said Mindy Williams, COCC Faculty Forum bargaining chair. “Unfortunately, the college has not shared that same urgency. We need decision-makers at the bargaining table who are prepared to have the affordability conversation and work toward a resolution.”

According to the union, the proposals currently on the table could be funded without program cuts, personnel cuts or unplanned tuition increases.

Faculty members are also calling for direct discussions with college leaders about financial forecasts and previous projections of deficits that they say have not come to fruition.

“COCC is a public institution with a commitment to serve today’s students and community. We should be having an honest conversation about what is actually affordable and how the college’s resources can best serve students and employees,” said Sara Henson, president of the COCC Faculty Forum.

Faculty leaders say there is still time to reach an agreement and avoid a strike, but they are calling on college administrators to move quickly.

Rally Details

What: COCCFF Last Chance Rally and PicketWhen: Thursday, October 1 at noonWhere: Coats Campus Center, COCC CampusAddress: 2600 NW College Way, Bend, Oregon 97703

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Thanks to Your Help: Local News 8 supply drive delivers truckload to Blackfoot School District

KIFI on October 1, 2026

Dylan Carder

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Elementary students across the Blackfoot School District are heading into the next part of the school year better prepared to learn, thanks to community support during the Eastern Idaho State Fair.

On Wednesday, representatives from Local News 8 delivered a truck loaded with more than 20 boxes of essential classroom supplies directly to the district. Collected from local fairgoers during the annual Eastern Idaho State Fair, the donated items will directly assist more than 1,700 elementary students district-wide.

Local News 8 has spearheaded the annual school supply drive at the fair every year since 2016 to ensure local children have the tools necessary for academic success regardless of financial background.

Blackfoot School District Superintendent Brian Kress expressed appreciation for the community support and noted how the items will assist local families. “The Eastern Idaho State Fair is wonderful chaos, we’d like to call it, here in Blackfoot,” Kress said.

“So it’s wonderful to see this great return on investment to us in the school district and see people contributing to the furthering education of our children and our community. We will put this to great use. We have several families that can use this. And rather than having to go out and buy things themselves, they’ll now be blessed to have this wonderful donation to them and their students.”

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Six iconic firearms compete in Idaho state gun vote

KIFI on October 1, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – It’s time to decide which gun best represents Idaho in the upcoming election. Although, the vote itself is non-binding, it will advise the state legislature on the voter’s preferences.

There are six guns to choose from:

Winchester Model 1894 (.30-30) Winchester Model 1873 (.44-40) 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver (.45 Colt) M1 Garand rifle Colt M1911 .45 automatic Colt pistol (.45 ACP) Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle (.30-06)

Each one has their own unique ways to relate to Idaho. Here is a brief history of each, if you are interested to learn why these firearms were selected, you can find the background here.

The Winchester Model 1894 is generally used to hunt deer and other medium-sized game. This firearm is closely associated with hunting, ranching, and rural life, which many Idahoans identify with.

The Winchester Model 1873 is “The gun that won the West” and the most associated with Western expansion. Winchester guns says it was used by, “Cowboys, Native Americans, Ranchers, Farmers, Pioneers, Law Enforcement Agents, and Outlaws.”

The Colt Single Action Army Revolver, also know as “The Peacemaker”. Arizona has already selected this one as their state gun and it is a well known gun for frontier culture.

The M1 Garand represents military service, patriotism, and was the standard U.S. service rifle during World War II.

The Colt M1911 is one of the longest-serving military sidearms in U.S. history and it is already Utah’s official state firearm.

To round out the docket, the Remington Model 700 is an extremely popular hunting rifle. Although it lacks some of the history of the other competitors, it is a common gun for Idaho hunters.

Whichever gun wins will reflect something distinctly Idaho.

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