Author: KTVZ

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding information from Bend’s town hall on April 26th, video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A group of Central Oregon residents gathered Sunday for a legislative town hall in Bend, and brought big questions to Central Oregon lawmakers — touching on everything from wildfire and water concerns to federal funding cuts and growing political division.

State Senator Anthony Broadman (D-Bend) emphasized the importance of community feedback, calling town halls a critical part of shaping policy in Salem.

“Town halls are a huge part of the ideas that we get and take back to Salem and work hard on and deliver results for you,” Broadman said to the group. “I appreciate you being part of this process.”

Lawmakers pointed to work from the most recent legislative session, highlighting investments in affordability, health care and public safety, along with what Broadman described as “democracy protections” at the state level.

“We also passed what I call democracy protection, protecting ourselves from an overzealous federal government that seems bent on making our lives less safe and less affordable,” Broadman said.

One of the questions asked by the public came from an attendee concerned about misinformation — particularly surrounding Oregon’s vote-by-mail system.

“One of the things that I see that’s happening in Oregon, and throughout the United States, that is worrisome to me is the hysteria surrounding vote by mail,” one attendee said. “I would like to see something that I can quote and send to my friends…from unbiased sources…on how much election fraud we have in Oregon.”

In part of the legislators’ response, State Rep. Jason Kropf defended Oregonian’s access to voting, and pointed to the state being an example for others to follows.

“I’d rather have 100% of the people in this town vote, and me lose an election, than ever do anything to skew the results,” Kropf said. “I find it completely un-American and disgraceful when we see people trying to skew people’s access to the ballot. We are an example in this country.”

Other moments focused on how different levels of government work together — and what happens when those relationships are strained.

“The beauty of having partnerships from the feds all the way down to the city and the county is all the good that we could do together when we listen to each other,” said Rep. Emerson Levy.

While not every concern had a clear answer, lawmakers said conversations like these help guide what they prioritize at the Capitol.

Earlier Story — CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — Rep. Emerson Levy and Sen. Anthony Broadman will host legislative town halls in Bend and Redmond in April 2026. These forums aim to provide updates on legislative outcomes and discuss policy impacts on the Central Oregon community.

The events are designed to allow residents to review session highlights and provide feedback on community needs during the interim period.

The town halls offer a direct update on legislative outcomes and discuss recent policy impacts on the Central Oregon community. Attendees can review session highlights and discuss policy priorities moving forward.

The Office of Representative Levy stated the events seek community feedback, thoughts and questions to identify community needs during the interim period.

The Redmond town hall is scheduled for April 19, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Redmond Grange, located at 707 SW Kalama Ave, Redmond, OR 97756.

Sen. Mike McLane and Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson will join Rep. Levy and Sen. Broadman at the Redmond event.

The Bend town hall will take place on April 26, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at OSU Cascades, Edward J. Ray Hall Atrium, at 1500 SW Chandler Ave, Bend, OR 97702.

Rep. Jason Kropf will attend the conversation in Bend, alongside Rep. Levy and Sen. Broadman.

Both town halls are ADA accessible. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP online to help with seating arrangements.

Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP to ensure adequate seating for the events.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Health care reform took center stage at Trinity Episcopal Church this week, where Central Oregon residents gathered for a town hall focused on the future of universal coverage in the state.

The discussion, hosted by Health Care for All Oregon, comes as lawmakers and advocates explore ways to make care more affordable, accessible and timely. The issue carries significant weight nationwide, with U.S. health care spending reaching nearly $5.6 trillion as of 2025.

Attendees heard from members of the Universal Health Plan Governance Board, which is studying potential pathways to create a statewide system aimed at reducing costs while improving access.

Nick Campbell, chair of the Central Oregon chapter of Health Care for All Oregon, said the state is on the verge of potentially groundbreaking changes.

“Oregon is in the process of developing what will be historic legislation on health care here in the state and would be major news on the national level as well,” Campbell said. “Oregon is very unique on this issue. We’ve been a leader in health care for decades now since launching OHIP in the 1990s.”

The organization has been working toward universal health care legislation since 2019. Momentum increased in 2023 after voters approved a constitutional amendment declaring access to affordable health care a right.

Still, the proposal faces a long road before it could become reality.

“I think it’s good for the economy,” said Bend resident Margy Lim. “It’s a moral issue. Just because you don’t have money doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have care.”

Another attendee, Greg Gisi of Bend, said the event helped clarify the complexity of the effort.

“I learned a lot, actually,” Gisi said. “It’s a long, complicated road, and I want to help make this happen any way I can.”

Organizers say several steps remain before any plan is implemented, including legislative approval and funding decisions. The group hopes to see a system in place by 2032.

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Spencer Sacks

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Sunriver Music Festival has selected Bend artist Michele Michael’s acrylic painting “Strawberry Skies” as the featured artwork for its 2026 season.

The 18-by-24-inch piece will appear on the cover of the festival’s program magazine and will be auctioned July 18 during the annual Raise the Baton fundraising party. The event helps support the festival’s Young Artists Scholarship program.

Now entering its 49th season, the Sunriver Music Festival runs Aug. 10–20 with performances in Bend and Sunriver, including concerts at the Tower Theatre and Sunriver Resort’s Great Hall. Artistic Director and Conductor Brett Mitchell will lead the orchestra alongside guest soloists.

A free community concert highlighting scholarship recipients is scheduled for June 5 at 7 p.m. at Community Bible Church in Sunriver.

Featured artist

Michael, who lives in Bend, said her path to becoming a full-time artist wasn’t immediate. Raised in rural Ohio, she studied photojournalism before moving west in 2009 and eventually settling in Central Oregon.

Her artistic career took shape after a year of international travel with her husband.

“I did not feel compelled to capture the beauty of the natural world in art until Jeff and I spent a year traveling the world,” Michael said. “With the rise of social media and being exposed to artists of all kinds, I felt inspired to finally paint and draw again.”

She began sharing sketches online, landed her first commission while living in New Zealand — a drawing of the Three Sisters — and launched her business after returning to Bend. Her work is now sold in local shops and featured in seven national parks.

“In 2022, I made the leap to pursue art full-time,” she said. “I feel like the luckiest gal in the world to make art for a living.”

Michael lives in Bend with her husband, two children and their dog.

Supporting young musicians

The Raise the Baton event plays a key role in funding the festival’s Young Artists Scholarship program, which has awarded more than $750,000 to nearly 200 Central Oregon students over the past 31 years.

Each year, more than 15 musicians ages 11 to 24 receive scholarships to support tuition, music camps, conservatories and private lessons. Past recipients have gone on to schools such as the Cleveland Institute of Music, San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Eastman School of Music.

Many scholarship recipients also perform in festival concerts and participate in local school outreach.

Event details

Free Young Artists Concert: June 5 at 7 p.m., Community Bible Church in Sunriver

Raise the Baton fundraiser: July 18 at 5 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon; $150 per person, includes dinner and performances

Festival dates: Aug. 10–20 in Bend and Sunriver

Tickets, merchandise and more information are available at sunrivermusic.org or by calling 541-593-1084.

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Tyson Beauchemin

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild released a rehabilitated bald eagle today in a field north of Prineville.

Local farmers discovered the injured bald eagle hopping and walking in the area, prompting them to contact Think Wild for assistance. The wildlife rescue organization identified the bird’s chest injury, and it spent a month in their care, recovering.

Today, at the release, Think Wild volunteers, donors and members of the media gathered in a field to witness the eagle’s return to the wild.

When the moment for release came, the eagle made a small hop and immediately took flight. It flew with confidence, appearing to recognize its surroundings as it soared.

After circling for 5 minutes, the eagle was joined by a second and then a third eagle. Volunteers at Think Wild rarely see such an event and believe one of the other eagles might have been the released bird’s mate.

Gary Lauder, a lead volunteer at Think Wild, was there when they first found the bird, and explained why they think this might be a re-union. “You remember when we brought her in? She had a large, brood patch, which means a set of regular feathers. It was all white and fluffy. We brought in this area and she was either going to be pregnant or she was sitting on some eggs.” However, it’s difficult to say, “We’re not sure,” Lauder added

Think Wild is holding its Wildlife Baby Shower on May 9 at Oregon Spirit Distillers. This event serves as a fundraiser to support the care of new animals that will come into the organization’s care this year.

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Triton Notary

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) Hundreds of youth and volunteers from the Heart of Oregon Corps converged on Dry Canyon Park in Redmond for a major cleanup on Global Youth Service Day.

Their efforts included addressing a significant safety concern by removing hazardous makeshift forts hidden along the canyon walls.

Each year, the Heart of Oregon Corps conducts a major cleanup of Dry Canyon Park and this year’s focus on fort removal was critical due to the dangers these structures presented.

Many of the makeshift forts discovered were covered with sharp barbed wire and old fencing, posing a serious risk to park users and wildlife.

Beyond the removal of hazardous forts, volunteers also contributed to the park’s upkeep by touching up paint and repairing sections of the disk golf course.

Corvin Marshall, a Field Team Lead for Heart of Oregon Corps, highlighted the immediate dangers posed by the makeshift structures. “It’s sharp. It’s dangerous, it’s rusty. It can cause tetanus. Dogs in veterinary clinics get tangled up in it all the time. It just, like, rips right through them.It’s horrible. So it’s really good that we’re out here.” Marshall also emphasized the positive impact on participants, adding, “I think building the youth, or joining the youth corps, really gives you a sense of community. It challenge you to challenge yourself to be better.”

The Heart of Oregon Corps offers a range of programs for young people, including part-time projects during the summer for teens and young adults and opportunities for those taking a gap year after high school. The Corps also provides GED programs and job training initiatives.

As summer approaches, it is an opportune time for teens and young adults to consider joining the Heart of Oregon Corps and become involved in their community projects.

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Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Attorney General Dan Rayfield and a coalition of 23 other attorneys general, along with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, have asked a federal court to permanently block an executive order restricting mail-in voting.

The coalition filed a motion for summary judgment today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. They argue the order unlawfully restricts mail-in voting and attempts to limit voter eligibility, which they contend is unconstitutional.

The power to regulate elections belongs primarily to the states and the coalition asserts the President has no constitutional authority to make or alter laws governing federal elections.

The executive order, titled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections,” is being challenged for being unconstitutional and beyond the authority of the President and other federal officials. The motion for summary judgment seeks to permanently block enforcement of the order’s key provisions, arguing the law is clear enough to be decided without a trial.

Earlier this month, Attorney General Rayfield joined the same coalition in bringing a lawsuit against the administration concerning the executive order.

“The U.S. Postal Service delivers the mail,” said Attorney General Rayfield. “President Trump wants to turn letter carriers into election gatekeepers – and that’s not a role the Postal Service was built for, not a power the federal government has, and not something Oregon will accept. This is really about a years-long campaign to manufacture doubt about elections that Trump didn’t like.”

The coalition’s motion for summary judgment argues the executive order’s attempt to dictate federal voter eligibility lists for each state and to coerce states to deny ballots to voters excluded from those lists, unconstitutionally invades the coalition states’ power over their voter rolls.

The motion further contends that the order’s attempt to charge the states and U.S. Postal Service with compiling mail voter eligibility lists and its prohibition on the U.S. Postal Service transmitting mail ballots from voters not on those lists, are unconstitutional. These actions, the coalition argues, run contrary to states’ and Congress’ authority to regulate elections and Congress’ power to regulate the U.S. Postal Service.

Additionally, the executive order is said to threaten serious injury to the coalition states. This includes harms to states’ sovereign powers to administer their elections, fiscal injuries from being forced to administer elections under new federal procedures, and legal jeopardy to states and their election officials from directives to investigate and prosecute those who issue ballots to individuals purportedly ineligible to vote in a federal election.

Joining Attorney General Rayfield in the filing are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has ordered the Trump Administration to file its response and related motions by Thursday, May 7th, 2026. A hearing on the motions is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. PT / 10:00 a.m. ET.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening today, three prescribed burns are set to take place around Central Oregon.

-10 a.m. 4/24 on 100 acres 3 miles NW of Sisters, W of Hwy 20 along FSR 1012.

-10 a.m. 4/24 on 363 acres 11 miles south of Bend and 4 miles east of Lava Butte

-11 a.m. 4/24 on 80 acres, 4 miles west of the Highway 58 and 97 junction. That’s about 58 miles south of Bend and 8 miles north of Chemult.

Nearby residents are advised to close doors and windows at night to mitigate smoke impacts. Those impacts are most likely overnight and in the early-morning hours.

You can text ‘COFIRE’ to 888777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Electric vehicle drivers can expect 24 new public DC fast charging station options over the next few years across the state, including here in Central Oregon. The Oregon Department of Transportation Climate Office recently selected seven private electric vehicle charging companies for $16.7 million in federal grants.

These grants will fund the 24 new stations, providing 126 new DC fast charging ports across major state roads, making long-distance travel by electric vehicle more convenient.

The funding for these stations originates from the 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. Through this program, Oregon is allocated $52 million over five years to establish a comprehensive charging network.

This second round of grants, totaling $16.7 million, is a significant part of the statewide initiative to build out public charging infrastructure.

The 24 new DC fast charging stations will be strategically located along Interstate 84 and U.S. Highways 20, 26, 97, and 101. Each station will feature at least four charging ports, with some having as many as eight, contributing to a total of 126 new DC fast charging ports. Click here to view an interactive map of where the new charging stations will be located.

Bend, Sisters, Prineville, and Madras were selected:

-BEND: 70 NW Newport Avenue

-SISTERS: 625 N Arrowleaf Trail

-PRINEVILLE: 1595 NE 3rd Street

-MADRAS: 1678 SE Highway 97

DC fast charging stations are designed with high-powered ports capable of recharging some electric vehicles from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes. The private companies awarded the grants chose the station locations, ensuring each site is near amenities such as food, shopping, and supermarkets.

The seven private electric vehicle charging companies were selected through a competitive process. These companies are responsible for installing, owning, and maintaining the NEVI charging stations. Grantees are required to provide a minimum of 20% in matching funds and submit a five-year maintenance plan for each station.

NEVI is a federal initiative with the goal of establishing a nationwide network of public DC fast charging stations in all 50 states over five years along major highways and interstates. By law, the federal funds from the NEVI program are restricted and cannot be used for other purposes, such as state road or bridge maintenance.

A third NEVI grant opportunity is planned for this summer. This upcoming round will focus on filling rural gaps in Oregon’s public DC fast charging network. Specific areas targeted include Interstate 82, Oregon Highway 42, U.S. Highway 95, U.S. Highway 101 south of Reedsport, and U.S. Highways 20 and 26 east of Bend and Prineville, respectively.

The Oregon Department of Transportation Climate Office expects to finalize grant contracts with the selected companies over the next few months. Several stations are anticipated to become operational over the next 12 to 18 months.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) In what President Donald Trump called “the single largest deregulatory action in American history, by far.” his administration revoked the 2009 Environmental Protection Agency Endangerment Finding. Essentially pulling the federal rug out from under states and their emission standards. It limits states powers to regulate emissions and puts Oregon off track for its greenhouse gas reduction benchmarks. This decision has drawn strong opposition, with 25 states, including Oregon, joining a lawsuit to challenge the repeal.

The action undoes a decades-long approach to environmental policy that allowed states to build off of federal emission standards.

The 2009 EPA Endangerment Finding provided the scientific and technical foundation for the federal government’s regulation of climate pollution. Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases nationwide and in Oregon. Gerik Kransky, senior transportation policy advisor for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality told me “pollution from vehicle tailpipes creates about 35% of the state’s climate emissions.”

The repeal of the Endangerment Finding represents a shift in environmental policy that has historically operated under a system of cooperative federalism. Central Oregon Democratic representative Emerson Levy noted this system, where the EPA established a baseline, allows states to implement more stringent regulations. “All of our federal policies and all of our environmental policies since the Nixon administration has operated under a system of cooperative federalism where the EPA set the floor but the states they would set the ceiling, so they could always go above the floor and basically what the administration is saying now is there isn’t a floor but what I worry for is the signal that this is sending us is that they don’t want to be our partner and that undoes 50 years of cooperative federalism on these issues,” Levy said.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Oregon’s DEQ outlined their concerns in a letter to the White House. Stating the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment finding and the Clean Air Act would negatively affect Oregon. “The harms of recession would fall directly on the people of Oregon,” Kotek said. She also emphasized the importance of federal standards, adding, “GHG emission standards for vehicles and power plants are essential to Oregon meeting climate-change mitigation targets.” The City of Bend also expressed strong opposition to the EPA’s decision in a letter. The city highlighted that a lack of federal standards could worsen fire seasons, making them more severe and increasing threats to Central Oregonians.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the administration’s decision to revoke the finding, critiquing the scientific process the EPA, under then president Barack Obama, used to reach the finding. “To reach the 2009 endangerment finding, they relied on the most pessimistic views of the science,” Zeldin said. He added, “We can rely on 2025 facts as opposed to 2009 bad assumptions.” President Donald Trump called the 2009 finding “one of the greatest scams in history.” However, scientists worldwide quickly asserted that the evidence supporting the endangerment finding has only grown stronger in the 17 years since its publication. Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality also told KTVZ News a direct connection exists between climate pollution and the impacts of drought and wildfire across Oregon.

Twenty-five states across the country are suing the repeal of the Endangerment Finding. This legal action is expected to prolong the dispute over federal climate regulations. “25 states have joined in a lawsuit and so I think honestly this thing will be tied up in litigation for a long time,” Rep. Emerson Levy said.

Despite the repeal of the Endangerment Finding, leaders in Oregon remain committed to managing emissions. Officials from the Department of Environmental Quality and elected officials in Bend recognize the importance of limiting emissions to protect the state’s forests, water and natural environment. What else makes our community so great, if not the natural beauty surrounding us.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — More than 200 women gathered at Tetherow Resort in Bend last night for a sold-out Deschutes Women in Business event. The gathering focused on connection, honesty and momentum for women in business, centered on the concept of leverage.

This gathering addressed how women use leverage to build businesses, make career-defining decisions and lead in industries where they are often underrepresented. Such comprehensive discussions and connections are rare in a single setting.

The event featured Julie Harrelson, who helped establish Cascade Seed Fund as a leading early-stage investment vehicle in the region. Diane Bradley, founder and chief executive officer of Jemini, also spoke, challenging attendees to consider leverage beyond business to include personal decisions.

Harrelson and Bradley jointly led a rapid-fire session. This segment covered life-changing leverage points, such as discerning when to decline opportunities, when to accept assistance and how small decisions can generate lasting momentum.

Cate Havstad Casad, who founded both Casad Family Farms and Range Revolution, delivered a presentation. She discussed the economic and health reasons for selecting local meat and supporting agricultural producers in Central Oregon.

Deschutes Women in Business was founded in 2024. The organization has since grown to more than 4,000 followers and its events consistently sell out.

Deschutes Women in Business is industry and stage agnostic. It welcomes women founders, operators and leaders at all stages of their careers and lives. The organization hosts monthly events across multiple formats, designed to facilitate substantive connections, practical learning and real momentum.

Women interested in joining the community or attending an upcoming event can find more information at deschuteswomen.com. Updates are also available by following @deschuteswomeninbusiness on Instagram.

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