Author: KTVZ

Kelsey Merison

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTVZ) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins launched a national public awareness campaign on Tuesday, which is National Agriculture Day, to promote the new “Product of USA” voluntary labeling standard.

The standard, which went into effect on January 1st, 2026, ensures that meat, poultry, and egg products carrying the label come from animals born, raised, harvested, and processed entirely within the United States.

The initiative aims to increase transparency and support American ranchers following significant losses in the domestic agricultural sector. Since 2017, the United States has lost more than 100,000 family farms, representing a 17% decline in operations. The new standard ends the prior practice of allowing imported products to use the label after only minimal processing.

The new policy requires that companies using the voluntary claim meet verifiable requirements for their entire supply chain. Agriculture Secretary Rollins said the goal is to provide a fair environment for domestic producers who invest in American operations.

“Our great patriot ranchers and producers grow, raise, and harvest the world’s safest, most affordable, and abundant food supply. American consumers want to support America by buying American and this label will strengthen our food supply chain through transparency, fairness, and trust,” Rollins said. “This new standard policy ensures producers who invest in a fully American supply chain can compete fairly, and it gives consumers the confidence they deserve about the food they bring home.”

The awareness campaign comes at a time of shifting market conditions for the livestock industry. The national cattle herd has reached a 75-year low, even as consumer demand for beef increased 9% over the last decade. In October 2025, Rollins released the USDA Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry, which focuses on rebuilding domestic capacity and improving transparency.

Small Business Administration Administrator Loeffler said the label helps sustain family-run businesses by ending unfair competition. Loeffler credited recent efforts to reduce the “massive red tape” that she said has previously burdened the agricultural sector.

“When we choose to purchase from American producers, we get a superior product while supporting the hardworking family farms who put it all on the line every day to feed, clothe, and fuel our nation,” Loeffler said.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy noted that the labeling also supports national health goals. Kennedy said the program helps families follow dietary guidelines by providing honest information about where their food is sourced.

“‘Product of the USA’ labeling puts American producers first, gives families clear, honest information, and empowers them to choose food raised right here at home,” Kennedy said.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire and Rescue took to social media Monday to share an update on a tiny survivor.

According to the agency, many concerned residents have reached out in recent weeks following a structure fire in SE Bend.

‘Dude’ the tortoise was rescued from the fire and is alive and well. Now, after a brief stay with the south station crew, he’s recovering at The Reptile Zone while his family is in temporary housing.

Below is the full post from Bend Fire and Rescue:

“We heard many of you were concerned about the special family member that survived the structure fire in SE Bend a couple of weeks ago.

We wanted to provide an update to let you know that “Dude” the tortoise is alive and well!

After a brief stay with our south station crew, Dude has been graciously taken in by The Reptile Zone while his family is in temporary housing. We are so glad everyone is safe, including the Dude.”

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Kelsey Merison

CABIN BUTTE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Discover Your Northwest will host the first annual Care for the Land ‘Spring Trash Bash’ on May 30th in the Cabin Butte National Forest Closure Area. The community cleanup event is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The event, part of the Care for the Land program, aims to clean up public lands while building community connections. Organizers designed the morning to foster stewardship and maintain forest areas for future generations.

Participation in the cleanup is open to the public and requires no prior experience. Organizers noted that minors ages 10 and older are welcome to attend but must be joined by a parent or guardian for the entire duration of the event.

All necessary tools and supplies will be provided to volunteers on-site. The event also includes a provided lunch for all registered participants.

Due to permitting requirements and the nature of the cleanup work, dogs are not allowed at the site. Individuals who require a disability-related exception are asked to contact the program organizers for assistance.

Beyond the trash removal, the morning includes opportunities for volunteers to learn about stewardship and caring for public lands in Central Oregon. The program is designed to teach simple ways for community members to stay involved in forest maintenance after the event concludes.

The host organization, Discover Your Northwest, is a Seattle-based nonprofit founded in 1974. The group works throughout Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and Montana to support public lands through educational programs and retail operations. Proceeds from their operations are reinvested into the parks and partners they support.

Registration for the event is currently open through an online form. Those interested in participating can sign up by clicking here.

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Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Community Foundation has appointed three new leaders to executive and advisory positions to support the organization’s recent growth. The hires include a vice president for corporate finance and accounting, a director of culturally responsive programs and a senior adviser for community development finance.

These newly created roles are designed to connect programs and regions across the organization as the foundation seeks to expand its impact across Oregon. The leadership additions come as the Portland-based foundation deepens its work in impact investing and community engagement.

Eric Barger will serve as the vice president for corporate finance and accounting. He brings 35 years of experience in nonprofit accounting and financial management to the role. Barger previously worked at the University of Portland for 17 years, most recently serving as the vice president for finance and operations. He is a certified public accountant and holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Portland. In his new position, Barger will oversee the finance, accounting, fund administration and grants administration teams.

John Chang has been appointed as the director of culturally responsive programs within the Community Engagement and Equity Department. Chang, who was born and raised in Oregon, has more than 15 years of experience in education and workforce pathways. He previously worked as a program officer at the foundation from 2020 to 2023. His career includes leadership roles as executive director for the Oregon Business Academy, the Clackamas Community College Foundation and College Possible. In his new role, he will focus on strategic investments in programs such as Black Student Success and the Latino Partnership Program.

Nathan Kadish joins the foundation as a senior adviser for the community development finance team. He previously spent 10 years at Ecotrust, where he served as the managing director of finance and assets. Kadish has a background in deploying mission-driven capital and developing economic development projects with community benefits. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and public policy from Pomona College and a master’s degree in business administration from the Kellogg School of Management. His role involves exploring creative financing solutions to support communities across Oregon.

Lisa Mensah, president and CEO of the Oregon Community Foundation, emphasized that the new leadership team will help the organization pursue more ambitious goals for the state. “All three of these leaders bring deep relationships and strong commitments to working in community to uplift Oregon in meaningful ways,” Mensah said. “Bringing Oregonians together continues to be our guiding light and the wealth of expertise each leader brings — across finance, nonprofit management and so much more — helps us deliver even bolder solutions for the state we love.”

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Kelsey Merison

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP) reached a tentative agreement with Kaiser Permanente on Monday following a year-long bargaining campaign. The deal covers nearly 5,000 healthcare workers in Oregon and Southwest Washington and includes a 21.5% wage increase over the life of the contract.

The agreement secures benefit protections and aligns contract expiration dates across six different bargaining units. The settlement follows significant labor activity in 2025, including a massive five-day strike involving tens of thousands of healthcare workers.

Under the terms of the three-year and eight-month contract, healthcare workers will receive a 21.5% across-the-board wage increase. Some job classifications will see total increases exceeding 30% in the first year once market adjustments are applied.

The agreement maintains existing healthcare and pension benefits for the nearly 5,000 members. A primary focus of the negotiations was ensuring that all six OFNHP bargaining units at Kaiser share a common contract expiration date to increase future bargaining unity.

The settlement follows a period of significant labor tension, including a five-day strike in October. During that time, more than 3,000 OFNHP members joined 40,000 other Kaiser employees in what was the largest healthcare strike in the United States in 2025. Workers at the time demanded safer staffing levels and higher wages.

The OFNHP members are part of a broader coalition of more than 62,000 healthcare professionals bargaining through the Alliance of Healthcare Unions. Other unions within that alliance are also currently in the process of securing their own specific agreements.

Negotiators addressed outstanding national issues by incorporating specific provisions into local agreements. They also created a new Partnership Agreement to manage joint labor-management initiatives that were previously governed by a broader national contract.

Sarina Roher, president of the OFNHP, said the contract reflects the essential nature of healthcare work. “After an incredibly long and difficult campaign, our members have secured a contract that reflects the strength of our solidarity and the essential work we do every day,” Roher said. “This agreement protects the benefits we fought for over decades, delivers major wage increases that begin to recognize the value of healthcare workers and aligns our contracts across six units so that we can continue building worker power with greater unity and strength.”

Roher also noted that the union remained united despite challenges during the year-long process. “Kaiser tried to break our solidarity, but instead our members stood strong alongside more than 62,000 Alliance union siblings across the country,” Roher said.

Throughout the bargaining process, union members emphasized that improving wages and working conditions is necessary to address the ongoing staffing crisis in the healthcare industry. Union leaders stated that the new terms will help make Kaiser a more competitive employer and improve the retention of experienced professionals.

OFNHP members will participate in a ratification vote on the agreement this week.

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Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Lightning arena football team will host a community event this Friday at the Les Schwab Tire Center in Prineville. The gathering, which runs from 2 to 4 p.m., serves as a promotional event for the team’s 2026 season.

The event at 1250 NE Third Street will offer fans the opportunity to meet players and the team’s Hype Squad. The festivities are designed to prepare the Central Oregon community for the upcoming Arena Football One season.

A “Lightning Caravan” will serve as one of the highlights of the afternoon. Players and the Hype Squad will travel in vehicles decorated with banners and team colors, starting at Pioneer Park and moving east on Third Street toward the tire center to begin the festivities.

The event will feature four interactive fan stations for attendees of all ages. A Lightning Swag Table will provide stickers, posters and team merchandise, while an autograph station will offer meet-and-greet opportunities with the players.

The Oregon Lightning Youth Initiative, also known as OLYI, will host a table providing information regarding youth programs, camps, and community outreach. Additionally, a ticket sales station will be available for fans to purchase season or single-game tickets for the 2026 season.

A themed photo booth experience will be available for fans, featuring a branded backdrop and balloons. Attendees can use team-related props, including helmets, footballs, and jerseys, for photos.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rob Imhoff, a candidate for Deschutes County Commissioner, announced a proposal Monday to establish a 6-mile “no camping” zone around every Urban Growth Boundary community in the county. The initiative targets unauthorized camping and vehicle habitation in rural lands surrounding cities such as Bend, Redmond, and Sisters.

The policy aims to address public safety concerns and wildfire risks by prohibiting long-term parking of derelict RVs and trailers in the county’s juniper forests. Imhoff stated that the buffer is designed to direct individuals experiencing homelessness toward established services and treatment programs located within city centers rather than allowing dispersed camping in remote areas.

The proposed ordinance would ban unauthorized camping, vehicle habitation, and the long-term parking of derelict RVs or trailers within the 6-mile radius. Imhoff, a community leader and small-business owner in housing and construction, has lived in Deschutes County for more than 20 years. “Our rural lands and forests are not free-for-all campgrounds or places to abandon broken-down vehicles,” Imhoff said during the announcement.

The plan cites Oregon Administrative Rule 660-033-0130, which currently restricts the creation of new private campgrounds and RV parks within three miles of any UGB. Imhoff proposed doubling that distance to enhance wildfire prevention and public safety efforts. “We already have state rules under ORS (OAR 660-033-0130) that prohibit new private campgrounds and RV parks within three miles of any UGB without a special exception,” Imhoff said. “We will build on that proven authority to enact a 6-mile no-camping buffer that keeps families safe, prevents wildfires and stops the cycle of enabling street homelessness in remote areas.”

Enforcement of the zone would focus on nuisance abatement through a process involving clear notice and outreach to service providers. Imhoff stated that the policy is intended to move individuals away from isolated forest lands and toward available shelter, mental health support, and addiction treatment. “Deschutes County deserves solutions that actually work,” Imhoff said. “A 6-mile no-camping zone around our UGBs will make our communities safer, cleaner and more compassionate. It’s time to stop treating rural lands as dumping grounds and start directing people toward real help.”

The initiative is part of Imhoff’s broader campaign platform, which includes a 50-year infrastructure plan and a proposed reroute for Highway 97. According to the proposal, the 6-mile zone does not require the implementation of new taxes and would instead rely on smarter enforcement of existing county authorities. The plan also includes partnerships with local law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, and city governments to establish coordinated service hubs.

Imhoff is currently seeking community input on the proposal at upcoming campaign events. Residents can also submit questions or view the full infrastructure and housing platform through his campaign website.

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Tracee Tuesday

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The colorful world of Dr. Seuss is coming to life in Sisters this weekend as Ovation Performing Arts debuts its youth production of “Seussical Jr.” at Sisters High School.

The family-friendly musical runs March 27-29 at 1700 W. McKinney Butte Road, featuring a cast of nearly 40 Central Oregon children ages 6 to 13. Tickets are $15.

Based on the stories of Dr. Seuss and adapted by Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the production follows Horton the Elephant and the tiny residents of Whoville, delivering the message that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Director Jonathan Shepherd said the show blends the author’s signature whimsy with a deeper emotional arc.

“I’ll admit that I went in expecting a hodgepodge of mismatching props, musical styles and main character species, but ‘Seussical’ quickly stole my heart,” Shepherd said. “It’s fast, it’s fun and it’s unexpectedly hard by the end. ‘Seussical Jr.’ is the perfect 60-minute family musical package.”

The production leans into the imaginative nature of Seuss’ stories, incorporating vibrant costumes, energetic choreography and a wide range of playful elements — from bubble props to musical surprises — to create what Shepherd describes as a “dream-show playground.”

The show is also a community-driven effort. Parents contribute behind the scenes with set construction, costumes and coordination, while young performers help support the production offstage.

Although Ovation Performing Arts has roots as a homeschool theater group, the cast now includes students from public and private schools across Central Oregon. Shepherd said the program continues to grow as more families seek opportunities in youth theater.

“We’re determined to grow to meet the growing demand,” he said.

Audience members can also purchase souvenirs, raffle tickets and candy grams for performers during the show.

Looking ahead, the group is preparing for a busy season, including a full-length production of “Frozen” planned for June, along with summer classes and a student-directed “Alice in Wonderland” as part of a new “OPA Passion Project” initiative.

More information and tickets are available at ovationpa.com.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fire crews with the Deschutes National Forest are set to begin a series of prescribed burns Monday about 15 miles southeast of Bend, with smoke expected to be visible from parts of the city and along Highway 20.

Ignitions are scheduled to start around 9 a.m. on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District and could continue through Friday if weather conditions remain favorable.

The work will focus on two units known as Flank 5 and Flank 4, located west of Forest Service Road 18 near its junction with Forest Service Road 25 and the Camp II OHV staging area. Firefighters plan to burn up to 550 acres on Monday in the Flank 5 unit, followed by as many as 1,270 additional acres later in the week in the Flank 4 area.

Officials say the burns are part of ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk and help protect nearby communities, including Bend, by removing excess vegetation under controlled conditions.

Smoke from the burns will likely be visible across the region and could settle in low-lying areas overnight and during early morning hours. Fire managers coordinate with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to time burns when conditions are most likely to move smoke away from populated areas, but some impacts are still expected.

Temporary closures are in place within the Opine OHV trail system, including trails 020, 021, 025 and 028. The closures are expected to remain for several days during and after operations as crews monitor conditions. Trails will reopen once they are deemed safe.

Health officials recommend residents take precautions during smoky conditions, including closing windows at night, using air purifiers if available and limiting exposure, especially for those with heart or lung conditions. Drivers traveling through smoky areas are urged to slow down, use headlights and set vehicle ventilation systems to recirculate air.

More information about prescribed burning and smoke safety is available at centraloregonfire.org. Residents can also sign up for alerts by texting “COFIRE” to 888-777.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new locally driven bagel shop is preparing to open its doors in Bend, bringing fresh bagels, espresso and family-inspired recipes to the community.

Mimi’s Bagel Deli announced the upcoming opening on social media, thanking customers for their support during the early stages of the business. Owners said community turnout at events, including “wake n bake” gatherings, helped keep their vision moving forward.

The deli plans to offer fresh boiled and baked bagels daily, along with espresso, breakfast and lunch options. The menu will also feature Italian pastries based on family recipes, adding a personal touch to the shop’s offerings.

Owners say the support from Bend residents has played a key role in turning their idea into reality and say they are eager to welcome customers inside soon.

An official opening date has not yet been announced, but the business says more updates are expected in the coming weeks.

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