Author: KTVZ

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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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue unit responded to a call for help on Wednesday, Apr. 23, after a hiker began experiencing a medical issue and became mildly hypothermic on South Sister. The call was initiated at 4:45 p.m.

Two males in their 20s, who had traveled from the Philomath area, were hiking South Sister. They parked at Dutchman Flat at the base of Mt. Bachelor and were descending the mountain when they called for assistance.

13 volunteers from the Search and Rescue Medical and Mountain Rescue teams located the hikers at 8:25 p.m. One of the hikers was able to walk out without needing assistance.

The second hiker, who was experiencing the medical issue, was warmed up by Search and Rescue medical personnel. This hiker was then transported in a Cascade rescue sled.

Search and Rescue crews navigated deep, variable snow to bring the hikers to Cascade Lakes Highway by 3:45 a.m. One hiker was transferred to a Bend Fire & Rescue ambulance for further medical evaluation, while the other was taken to his car.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds hikers to plan ahead before venturing into higher elevations. Hikers should carry ample food, water and appropriate clothing. Conditions in these areas can change rapidly, especially after sunset when temperatures drop, despite spring-like weather.

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Campbell Porter

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek has declared a drought emergency in six Oregon counties, citing record-low snowpack and ongoing dry conditions. The declaration, issued through Executive Order 26-07, affects Crook, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson, Morrow and Wallowa counties.

This marks the second drought declaration for Oregon in 2026. A total of nine of Oregon’s 36 counties are now under drought emergency status, including Deschutes County.

The 2025–26 winter in Oregon tied with 1934 as the warmest on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These unusually warm temperatures contributed to record-low snowpack with likely impacts on natural resources, water supply and wildfire risk across the state.

The drought emergency declaration unlocks emergency tools for affected communities. These include assistance for local water users and expedited review processes through the Oregon Water Resources Department.

As of April 7, 89% of Crook County is experiencing moderate to severe drought. Indicators for Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and water year-to-date (WYTD) show drier-than-normal conditions. Precipitation across most of the county has been below normal.

Grant County also faces significant drought conditions, with 99% in moderate to severe drought as of April 7. SPEI values over the last year and WYTD indicate drier-than-normal conditions for most of the county and precipitation has been below normal.

In Jackson County, 95% is in moderate to severe drought as of April 7. SPEI values over various timescales point to moderate drought conditions for most of the county. Precipitation conditions have been below normal over the last year.

Jefferson County is severely impacted, with 94% in severe drought and the remainder in moderate drought as of April 7. Moderate to extreme drought conditions are indicated by SPEI values and WYTD precipitation is just below normal at 70% to 90%. WYTD temperatures are well above normal, resulting in well below normal snowpack.

Morrow County has 80% of its area in moderate to severe drought as of April 7. While WYTD SPEI values generally indicate normal conditions, SPEI values over the last year show drier-than-normal conditions for most of the county. Precipitation has been below normal over the last year.

Wallowa County is entirely in moderate to severe drought as of April 7. SPEI values over the last year indicate moderate to severe drought conditions across much of the county. WYTD SPEI values vary, ranging from drier-than-normal to wetter-than-normal conditions and precipitation has been below normal over the last year.

These drought conditions are expected to significantly affect Oregon’s farms, ranches, recreation and tourism sectors. They will also impact drinking water availability, fish and wildlife habitats and other natural resource-dependent activities. Extreme dryness will likely shorten the growing season, decrease water supplies and increase wildfire risk.

Gov. Kotek noted the severity of the situation and the state’s readiness to act.

“Communities across the state are being confronted with unprecedented drought conditions,” Kotek said. “My office and relevant state agencies are at the ready to assist affected communities address drought impacts and continue efforts to secure a stronger, more climate-resilient Oregon. The abnormally dry conditions we’re experiencing should serve as a stark reminder that wildfire season is around the corner and Oregonians need to be ready.”

Previously, Gov. Kotek declared drought in Baker, Deschutes and Umatilla counties in March 2026. The Oregon Water Supply Availability Committee and state natural resource partners continue to monitor water conditions closely.

State and local officials are coordinating with federal partners. The state’s natural resource and public safety agencies, including the Oregon Water Resources Department and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, will closely monitor conditions.

Forecasted snowpack, temperature, precipitation and water supply conditions suggest that drought conditions in the affected counties are unlikely to improve in the near-term.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Dogs are big users of parks and trails, but there are few public places where leashes aren’t required, so Bend Police and the Bend Park and Recreation District are teaming up to visit area parks in coming days, reminding everyone about those rules and the costs of not following them.

One of the most common concerns from community members involves off‑leash dogs and their handlers not following these rules, the two agencies said in a joint news release Thursday that continues below:

They are reminding pet owners about leash requirements and the safety benefits of keeping dogs on leash.

BPRD’s park stewards will partner with Bend Police Community Service Officers by visiting several parks and trails this month to talk with dog handlers about expectations and park rules.

From Monday, April 27 to Friday, May 1, community members will see extra patrols by staff of both organizations, seeking voluntary compliance and providing reminders to anyone observed with a dog off leash about possible consequences of violations.

Dogs are required by city ordinance to be on leash in any public area in the city of Bend except in designated off-leash areas.

The engagement campaign aims to inform community members about possible enforcement actions, which can include a 30-day exclusion from park district property and/or a $275 fine and being held responsible for a dog’s actions in civil or criminal cases.

“Leashes aren’t just a rule — they’re one of the simplest ways to protect your dog, other park users, and the shared experience of being outdoors,” said Joel Lee, BPRD park stewardship manager. “Leashing your dog also helps protect wildlife, preserve natural habitats, and prevent harmful encounters.”

The park steward team keeps data related to their patrols and contacts in parks and facilities throughout the year.

In 2025, they observed 12,697 dogs on leash and 2,864 dogs off leash, which equates to approximately 77 percent compliance. According to Lee, compliance varies seasonally, as well as across parks and trails, with complaints increasing in neighborhood parks across the community.

Meanwhile, Bend Police received 157 dog complaints regarding incidents on park properties in 2025, and 52 calls so far in 2026. The Bend Police Department maintains a dashboard allowing the public to see police calls for service in public parks. You can access it at https://policedata.bendoregon.gov/pages/parks-incidents.

“We need our community to work together and for everyone to follow park rules,” said Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller. “The law applies to everyone, even if you think your dog is friendly or well trained.”

Leash rules also apply while walking to a dog park from the entrance or a parking lot. Unleashed dogs running from a vehicle can create safety concerns for the dog as well as for others, especially in busy parks such as Hollinshead, Ponderosa, Big Sky and Pine Nursery parks.

Additionally, dog owners are to clean up after their dog. To help out, dog waste bags and trash receptacles are available at many Bend parks and trails.

BPRD has nine dog off-leash areas in local parks, including:

Alpenglow Community Park (61049 SE 15th St.) 3.9 acres, fenced with small dog area and agility amenities.

Big Sky Park (21690 Neff Rd) 5 acres, fenced.

Discovery Park (1315 NW Discovery Park Drive) 1.6 acres, fenced.

Riverbend Park (799 SW Columbia St) 1.1 acres, fenced with river access and small dog area.

Ponderosa Park (225 SE 15th St) 2.9 acres, fenced with small dog area.

Bob Wenger Memorial Off-Leash Area at Pine Nursery Park (NE Purcell Rd) 18.8 acres, fenced with seasonal splash pad and small dog park.

Hollinshead Park (1235 NE Jones Rd) 3.7 acres, unfenced.

Overturf Butte Reservoir (Skyliner Summit Loop) 4.6 acres, fenced.

Awbrey Reservoir (NW 10th and Trenton) 5 acres, partially fenced (not fully enclosed). Note: acreage is approximate.

Off-leash area etiquette includes only visiting with vaccinated, non-aggressive pets. Also, please don’t allow children to ride bikes or play on agility course equipment located in the dog parks.

Learn more on the Dogs in Parks webpage.

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