Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued a sharply critical statement Thursday regarding a report that the Trump administration is ending the Direct File program, which gave taxpayers a free online option for filing their taxes directly with the IRS:

“If an opportunity presents itself to stick it to working people and drive up their costs for the benefit of giant corporations, you can count on the Trump administration to seize it,” Wyden said.

“Trump and (Treasury Secretary Scott) Bessent had already gutted the team that ran the Direct File program, so the outcome of this study was predetermined and the report itself is a sham.

“I wrote the bill that created Direct File because the existing free options were insufficient and the big tax prep companies had been caught red-handed using deceptive practices to scam taxpayers into overpaying.

“The lesson is, the Trump administration is a threat to any public service that saves Americans time, hassle and money,” Wyden concluded.

The IRS notified the Oregon Department of Revenue by email on Monday that it would not continue the IRS Direct File option, state agency Public Information Officer Robin Maxey told KTVZ News Thursday.

The Oregon Department of Revenue will continue to offer Direct File Oregon as a free electronic filing option for state income tax returns in 2026, Maxey said.

Nearly 14,000 Oregon taxpayers filed their state returns with Direct File Oregon this year, including 4,700 filers who connected to Direct File Oregon after first filing their federal returns through IRS Direct File.

“Oregon still has several options for electronically filing both their federal and state income tax returns for free,” Department of Revenue Director David Gerstenfeld said. “Direct File Oregon can be used in combination with commercial software, a variety of income-based free software programs, and Free Fillable Forms, which is available to every taxpayer, regardless of their income level.

“We are committed to making it as easy as possible for people to file their taxes and to providing free ways to do that,” Gerstenfeld added.

Taxpayers who have not yet filed their tax year 2024 returns this year can use Direct File Oregon in combination with any of these federal filing options to complete their returns.

Click here to follow the original article.

CNN

(CNN) — Delays and cancellations are affecting major airports across the country as the government shutdown — the longest in history — drags on.

Air traffic controller shortages have caused issues at numerous airports since the shutdown began more than a month ago, with ripple effects hitting flights almost everywhere. Now, the government has promised it will “reduce” air traffic at all the major airports because of the shutdown, beginning Friday, November 7.

Some US airlines, including Delta and United, are waiving fees for customers who want to change or cancel their plans because of Friday’s looming cuts. Passengers should check with their carriers for the latest on airlines’ plans to mitigate disruptions.

Keep in mind that in the United States, when an airline cancels your flight, you are entitled to a refund if you choose not to travel.

“If a flight does get canceled, travelers are owed a full refund for the ticket, full stop. If they are presented with a credit, they have the right to refuse and ask for monetary refund,” said Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for travel site Going.com, who was underlining Department of Transportation rules.

If your upcoming plans involve impacted US airports, “look to make alternative travel plans immediately,” said Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp, an air passenger rights company.

With the busy holiday season approaching alongside looming shutdown-related cancellations, “competition for seats on open flights will likely be more fierce than normal,” Napoli said. “Travelers should consider looking at flights that are very early in the morning — as these are typically less delayed, too.”

Here’s more on what experts say you should do if your flight is delayed or canceled.

It starts long before you go to the airport

As bad as it is to find out your flight has been delayed for a long time, or worse, canceled, it’s better to find out from the comfort of home or a hotel room.

“Check your flight status before you go the airport. Most of these notifications are not happening at the last minute,” said Scott Keyes, the founder of Going.com. “Save yourself the drive to the airport.”

In this uncertain travel climate, it’s important that passengers closely monitor the routes they’re planning to travel, Napoli said.

“We recommend booking refundable tickets or purchasing travel insurance in case of any issues that come up,” he said.

Other tips from Keyes and Going.com:

Sign up for airlines’ text alerts on the status of flights when you buy your ticket. Also, download your carrier’s app.

Going.com suggests checking the National Airspace System status provided by the DOT, where ground stops, ground delays and air traffic control system announcements are listed.

Put your airline and flight number directly into a Google search bar to retrieve the flight status that way.

Check the website FlightAware for larger flight trends across the country.

Hop on waiver offers ahead of bad weather or other disruptions quickly. Early birds have the best choices of the remaining seats and flights.

If you’re at the airport already

If you’re at the airport, act with urgency. Quickly head to the airline agents’ desk. “It’s going to make a difference who arrives first. It’s first-come, first-serve. Positioning yourself close to the desk can pay off,” Keyes said.

You should also call up your carrier while you’re waiting. It might be faster to get through to a call center. “Whatever happens first, great,” he said.

Other tactics you can try:

Go to a self-serve kiosk, American Airlines and United Airlines advise.

Use social media to your advantage, the travel advice website Travel Lens suggests. Try politely contacting the airline via X or other platforms when calls aren’t going through.

Try an international call center for your carrier, Keyes suggests. Calls to US domestic numbers might have longer waits.

Attitude and research matter

Whether you’re dealing with an agent in person or over the phone, how you approach things can make a big difference.

“Honey attracts more flies than vinegar,” Keyes said. “Look at this from the airline agents’ perspective. … The agent is the one who has the most ability to help you. Asking nicely and sympathetically is far more likely to get what you want than being a jerk about it.”

And when it’s your turn to talk to an agent about making new arrangements: “Come prepared to offer your own options already. Doing your own research is absolutely helpful.”

Other considerations:

Book directly with an airline for easier solutions should trouble arise. If you’ve booked through a third-party site, you’ll have to deal through them when there’s a cancellation.

Avoid layovers when booking if possible, the consumer advocacy group US PIRG suggests. The more times you stop, the more chances for something to go wrong.

Regarding tarmac delays, airlines must provide working bathrooms the entire time, US PIRG says. “After two hours, you must have food and water. After three hours, you must be in the air or back in the airport — or the airline faces massive fines.”

Help from other airlines

Cooperation between airlines could work in your favor.

“When flights are canceled, many airlines have the option of putting you on another carrier’s flight because they have interline agreements,” Lousson Smith, product operations specialist at Going.com, told CNN Travel.

“This means, for example, if Delta is having service interruptions but American is running a flight to your destination, you may be able to get on that flight.”

Frequent flyer miles

Thanks to changes in frequent flyer programs over the past several years, airlines often still have flights available with miles even when demand is high during a weather event, Julian Kheel, founder and CEO of Points Path, told CNN Travel.

“You’ll need to be prepared to spend a lot of miles, and you may not get the best value for them,” Kheel said, but the cash savings could be significant.

“Most US airlines now allow you to cancel flights booked with frequent flyer miles without any fee or penalty right up until departure time. That means you can book multiple alternate flights on different airlines using your miles in case one of them ends up delayed or canceled.

“But don’t try to book alternate flights on the same airline, as duplicates can be automatically canceled. And don’t forget to cancel the remaining flights you don’t end up using so you can get your miles back.”

Trapped for the night

What do you do if you’re not going to be able to fly out until the next day and you’re not in your home city?

This depends on the specifics of your situation — in the US, for example, airlines aren’t legally required to put you up in a hotel. US-based airlines have their own individual policies for situations “within the airline’s control” that are tracked by the Department of Transportation, here.

According to the DOT, “a controllable flight cancellation or delay is essentially a delay or cancellation caused by the airline. Examples include: maintenance or crew problems; cabin cleaning; baggage loading; and fueling.” So weather events — or government shutdowns — typically would not fall into this category.

But requirements in other countries are different. In the United Kingdom, for example, you’ll likely be automatically entitled to food and drink vouchers and accommodation. You can read all the details at the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)’s website.

Your canceled flight will be covered by UK law if it was supposed to be departing from the UK, no matter who you were flying with.

And if your flight was supposed to be arriving in the UK, you’ll be covered by UK law as long as you were traveling on an EU or UK airline. This document from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority explains all the ins and outs of these rules.

Despite this, sometimes airlines can’t help everyone, and as the CAA says, “this can happen when staff are stretched during major disruptions.” The CAA advice is to organize “reasonable care and assistance yourself, then claim the cost back later. If you end up paying for things yourself, keep every receipt and do not spend more than is reasonable.”

Other things to consider:

Book your flight with a credit card, Smith said. “Many credit cards offer travel protections such as reimbursement if a flight cancellation forces you to get a hotel, meals, etc.”

Consider hunkering down at the airport if your flight is delayed but not canceled. A lot depends on your personal comfort level and the estimated wait time, Keyes said.

Check whether there is a hotel room available within the airport.

Try getting into an airport lounge if you can, where you can recharge your phone and rest more easily, the Points Guy advises.

Make safety your No. 1 priority. If extreme weather is causing air travel disruption, trying to make the journey by road could be hazardous, Keyes warns.

Refunds in the US

Airlines in the United States are now required to give passengers cash refunds if the airline cancels or significantly delays or changes a flight and the passenger chooses not to travel. See more from the Department of Transportation here.

Travel insurance and receipts

Travel insurance can be helpful to ensure reimbursement in a wide variety of circumstances. However, it doesn’t help in every situation.

“Many policies won’t cover shutdown-related disruptions outright, and because this is now a foreseen event, coverage would only apply if the plan was purchased before Oct. 1,” said Going.com’s Nastro, in an emailed statement outlining shutdown-related impacts on air travel.

She suggests checking on any protections offered by your credit card before purchasing additional coverage.

Be sure to save all of your receipts in case you need to file a claim with your insurer or your airline.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Click here to follow the original article.

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, interviews with teacher and program coordinator)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — For second- and third-graders at Highland Magnet School in Bend, learning about Oregon isn’t just a classroom lesson — it’s something they can see, taste, and travel through.

This year, that creative approach earned teacher Cam Glogau statewide recognition as Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom’s 2025 Educator of the Year.

“I grew up in Oregon and I have a really strong connection to this place,” Glogau said. “A lot of my kids come from other states, and their families are kind of new to Oregon. So it’s really fun that I get to share what our state has to offer.”

The award honors teachers who bring agricultural literacy to life in meaningful, lasting ways. For Glogau, that means transforming his classroom into a statewide road trip where each student creates a character to “travel” across Oregon.

Through hands-on discovery, they learn about different landscapes, industries, and locally grown foods. That includes some tasty lessons.

“We’ve tasted cheeses from Tillamook, fresh hazelnuts, and we’re going to have apple and pear tasting,” Glogau said. “It’s just fun for them to see their food comes from close by. It doesn’t just show up packaged on a shelf — it comes from the land. Hopefully that just encourages curiosity.”

Evelyn Tedrick, program coordinator for Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom, said that sense of connection is exactly why Glogau was chosen for the honor.

“Kids seem to be moving further and further away from understanding where the things they eat and use come from,” Tedrick said. “The Oregon Road Map — this is just a really engaging way for kids to feel like they’re leading their own learning. Students look forward to being in his classroom, which is really exciting to see.”

Glogau hopes that spark of discovery stays with students long after they leave his class.

“I hope they go out and explore the world,” he said. “I hope this always feels like home and that they know about it.”

The adventure continues — Glogau’s class is set to take a live virtual field trip to an Oregon dairy farm, courtesy of Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom, to see firsthand where milk comes from.

Thanks to their teacher, these young explorers are on a learning journey that feeds curiosity — and a deeper connection to Oregon.

Earlier Story — November 6th — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-La Pine Schools is congratulating one of its own for receiving the 2025 Educator of the Year award from the Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation!

The district said Highland Magnet School’s Cameron Glogau takes his classroom on an Oregon road trip, teaching his students about our region’s food sources. It’s all incorporated into Highland’s Scottish storyline method.

Congratulations and thank you for connecting your classroom to Oregon food sources and agriculture, growing a new generation of lifelong learners who appreciate their roots.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. {KTVZ} — As Bend continues to expand, city leaders have released the 2025–2027 Budget in Brief, outlining a $1.48 billion spending plan aimed at managing growth, funding essential services, and maintaining infrastructure across one of Oregon’s fastest-growing communities.

Bend is now home to more than 104,000 residents, with 44,620 households — 62% owner-occupied and 38% renter-occupied. The median household income sits just under $89,000, and the unemployment rate remains low at 3.7%, supported by a job market of more than 90,000 positions across the region.

Public Safety Leads Spending Priorities

Public safety remains the city’s largest focus, with funding supporting 166 police employees and 152 fire and rescue staff. Together, they responded to more than 90,000 calls for service over the previous cycle.

City crews also continue to manage a growing workload — including 985 miles of water and sewer lines, nearly 1,000 miles of streets cleaned, and 10,959 permits issued as demand for development and housing continues.

Mayor: Growth Requires Smart Investment

Mayor Melanie Kebler says the new budget reflects both current demand and long-term planning needs.

“With the growing population comes growing service needs for our community members, for everything from housing to transportation to emergency services. The city’s permanent tax rate remains unchanged at $2.80 per $1,000 of assessed property value.”

Planning for the Future

The budget also supports continued work on Bend’s urban growth planning, preparing to expand city boundaries to accommodate future housing and services needs.

City officials say community engagement will continue over the coming months as the budget and long-term capital plans move toward full adoption.

The full budget document, including department-by-department breakdowns and project lists, is available on the City of Bend website.

Click here to follow the original article.

Spencer Sacks

(UPDATE: Adding video and quotes from Council President Sarah Mcdougall, Council Member Gary Ross, and a Sisters Resident.)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Sisters City Council met on Wednesday evening to discuss new affordable housing projects coming to Sisters.

Over the last several months, the City of Sisters had conversations about two different areas being added to the City east of City Hall.

They would be developed with housing for teachers and low income individuals.

During the public comments section of the meeting, residents and advocates shared their opinions.

A Sisters resident said during the meeting, “You know, you got to build this. just be very careful. make the right decision for the community. because McKenzie Meadow, we want to do something about it. we want to give back.”

These comments created a baseline for the city council.

Councilors spoke at length about their feelings and what they think is best.

Two competing visions were voiced between the councilors with some saying they should move ahead with the A.A site east of Sisters

Others thinking the nearby McKenzie Meadows Village site just north of Sisters High School should be included in the plans. 

Council President Sarah Mcdougall said during the meeting, “I realize that some of the conversations difficult and perhaps confusing.”

Fellow Council Member Gary Ross said, “unfortunately, I believe we are at risk of losing our viability”

The council did vote at the end of the meeting voting 3-2 in favor of moving ahead

This is only the voting step. In the coming months we could see shovels in the ground.

Click here to follow the original article.

Lynsey Harris

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – After serving the East Bend neighborhood for years, the East Bend Library is preparing to close its doors, marking the end of an era for the community. The branch first opened during the Great Recession, providing much-needed relief as library usage surged and the downtown Bend location became increasingly busy.

“During recessions, we found that library usage goes way up,” said Deschutes Public Library Director Todd Dunkelberg. “Opening the East Bend Library gave our community relief and also positioned us to serve the growing population on the east side of Bend.”

The closure comes as the branch’s lease comes to an end later this year, and library leaders were unable to negotiate an extension.

But the story doesn’t end there. A new Central Library location, set to open in the spring, is nearing the end of construction. Designed with community input in mind, it will feature expanded meeting spaces, children’s discovery areas, and a large collection of books.

Before the doors close, the East Bend Library is hosting a farewell celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 12 to 2 p.m., honoring the staff and patrons who have made the library a beloved local institution. Guests can expect food, refreshments, and a few special treats during the event.

Reflecting on her time at the library, Dunkelberg shared a favorite memory: “I watched a 4-year-old girl walk in and just say, ‘The library.’ It brought home how important this place is in people’s lives. That’s such a special moment.”

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon’s annual year-end giving campaign is back, and it comes at an important time for the community.

Beginning Thursday, community members can visit centraloregongives.com to support more than 80 local nonprofit organizations working to strengthen the heart of our region during these trying times for nonprofits. 

From tackling affordable housing and supporting mental health services to rescuing animals, protecting our environment, and fueling local food banks, Central Oregon Gives remains the region’s most comprehensive and engaging philanthropic platform.

Donors can explore each nonprofit’s mission and contribute directly to the causes that mean the most to them — all from one easy-to-use online hub.

Returning in 2025!The campaign continues to grow with the Family Giving initiative, designed to inspire the next generation of donors. Families can involve their kids in decision-making, and young donors (under 21) can select a special checkbox to be eligible for this year’s Family Giving Incentive, provided by Mountain Burger, which offers a free dirty soda during the campaign.

This year’s campaign is supported by generous local sponsors, including First Interstate Bank, the category sponsor for Basic Needs. In total, $30,000 in bonus prize funding is available to nonprofits that raise the most in their respective categories.

For every donation of $25 or more, donors also receive a thank-you incentive from a local business—ranging from a cup of coffee or pint of beer to wellness passes or dining discounts. Incentives rotate weekly, encouraging donors to check back often and continue giving throughout the season.

This year’s incentive donors include:

Backporch Coffee

Pinky G’s Pizzeria

Stoller Wine

High Desert Frameworks

Silver Moon Brewing

Cascade Lakes Brewing

Sisters Coffee

Moon Fire & Sun

3rd Street Beverage

Metalheads Boutique

Makin’ It Local

Radian Day Spa

Lay It Out Events

Mt Bachelor

Evoke

Powder House

Hoodoo

Hawkeye & Huckelberry

Old Mill

Worthy Brewing

Snow Dermatology

Tecupfuls

Mountain Burger

Tower Theatre

Last year, Central Oregon Gives surpassed $1 million in donations for the third consecutive year, and since launching in 2018, has helped raise nearly $5 million for over 100 local nonprofits. Every dollar raised goes directly to the participating organizations with no management fees.

Top fundraising organizations will receive:

$15,000 for the overall campaign leader

$2,500 for the nonprofit receiving the most donations of $25 or less

$2,500 for each of the top earners in the remaining categories

Visit centraloregongives.com  to browse nonprofits, make a donation, and follow along as Central Oregon’s generosity unfolds this holiday season.

To partner with Central Oregon Gives as a matching donor or sponsor contact info@centraloregongives.com.

About Central Oregon GivesThe Central Oregon Gives campaign is a project of the Lay It Out Foundation, the non-profit arm of Lay It Out, Inc., publisher of The Source, and producer of several community events..

The program raises funds for Central Oregon nonprofits through tax-deductible donations made via an interactive digital platform at centraloregongives.com.

Each donor who contributes $25 or more receives a thank you gift from a local business, such as a pint of beer or cup of coffee. Donors are also entered to win larger prizes. Nonprofits that raise the most also receive additional donations from generous foundations or local businesses. 

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire & Rescue crews rushed to put out a pair of house fires reported within 90 minutes of each other on Wednesday. An official says both were linked to home heating causes that serve as a timely reminder for others, with winter weather at hand. 

Shortly after 11 a.m., firefighters were sent to a home in the 61600 block of Southeast Evie Drive, east of 27th Street and north of Reed Market Road, where residents reported smoke was coming from their fireplace, Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said.

The fire was found to be limited to the gas insert fireplace. Wood had been added to the gas fireplace insert and turned on. The wood ignited and, as the fireplace was not designed for this type of fire, started to smoke inside the house and through exterior vent, Derlacki said.

The fire was extinguished with minimal damage to the house and contents, but Derlacki said the insert will need to be replaced. All three occupants evacuated safely, and damage was limited to the insert, about $2,500. 

“This is a good reminder to always use heating appliances as designed,” Derlacki said. “Whether it’s a gas fireplace insert, a space heater, or outdoor propane heater, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on safe operation.”

“A common issue we see this time of year is when outdoor heaters are brought into unventilated spaces such as garages, shops, or enclosed tents, the fire official added. “The outdoor heaters produce a large quantity of carbon monoxide. If the heaters are not ventilated, the CO can build up and create a hazardous atmosphere.” 

Derlacki also spoke with KTVZ News on scene: “Those instant fire logs are usually wood shavings that are packed together really tightly, with some natural binder, so it’s not toxic when it burns. They’re great for getting fires started. A lot of people use them in woodstoves, or out camping – but again, they’re not designed to go into gas fireplaces like that.”

The second fire was reported around 12:20 p.m. by the property owner in the 64300 block of Deschutes Market Rod. The owner was on site and had lit a fire in a woodstove inside an unused manufactured home, Derlacki said.

Shortly after the fire started, smoke was seen coming from the roof, and he called 911. Crews arrived quickly and began fighting the fire.

Derlacki said Wednesday’s gusty winds spread the fire in the concealed roof space as crews worked to extinguish it. The fire was eventually stopped, but the 1978 manufactured home is considered a complete loss, at $10,000.

“In this case the woodstove had not been used for many years, and it’s unknown the condition of the flue or attic space before the fire was started,” the fire official said.

“Having your woodstove inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified professional can greatly lessen the chance of these types of fires,” Derlacki said. “They can ensure the flue is still properly connected, that no combustibles have made contact with the flue in the past year, and that the flue is thoroughly cleaned from any creosote buildup.

“Burning clean dry firewood will ensure a good clean fire and reduce the creosote buildup over the winter,” he added.

Bend Fire encourages anyone who has any questions about their fireplace to contact them, a heating and cooling company or your friendly neighborhood chimney sweep.

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

(Adding video and quotes from Sheriff Ty Rupert and La Pine Resident Jamie Donahue)

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s office held its first of a multi-city town hall tour.

The town hall on Thursday was about re-establishing trust between the sheriff’s office and residents of Deschutes County.

Trust which was broken after years of turmoil.

This town hall was a step in the right direction.

Sheriff Ty Rupert spoke about earning the publics trust during the town hall.

Sheriff Rupert said, “so I ask you not to trust me right now because I’m a person I trust, I’m a person of my word. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t, but you give me time, and I can assure you that I will show you that you can trust me and that you can trust our office.”

Throughout the evening, Sheriff Rupert spoke about his history with the department, his goals for the future, and overhauling the culture of the department.

During the question and answer portion of the event, residents shared their frustrations about the department, and specifically how they feel like they’re left behind.

“There’s a lot of changes last year. It feels like we got stripped of everybody that we cared for. wholehearted call them family. They all knew who we were. Our seniors felt comfortable with their people. They knew they felt comfortable there,” Jamie Donahue, La Pine Seniors and Activity Center Executive Director said at the Townhall “I just feel that our community has lost a lot.”

While there was some tension on Thursday, the evening ended with a moment that was as heartwarming as it was meaningful; a hug between a frustrated resident of La Pine and the sheriff.

A hug to rebuild that trust that’s been lost.

Thursdays town hall was just stop one on the multi-city tour of deschutes county.

But Sheriff Rupert told KTVZ his goal for this tour is to rebuild trust with the community

At the end of the event, the sheriff announced that he’d be seeking a full “elected” term as Sheriff of Deschutes County, 

But he was quick to mention, the election is not his first priority. Rather his priority is the stability of the department.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is launching a series of community town hall meetings, beginning with the first event in La Pine on Thursday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the La Pine Senior & Activity Center.

Hosted by Sheriff Ty Rupert, these town halls provide an opportunity for residents to engage directly with the Sheriff’s Office, ask questions, share concerns, and offer ideas to help shape the future of public safety in their communities, the agency said Wednesday.

“I believe in being open, honest, and real with the people we serve,” Rupert said. “We work for the taxpayers, and they deserve to have direct access to their Sheriff. These town halls are about rebuilding trust, hearing what’s on people’s minds, and understanding directly from citizens on how we can better serve them.”

Following the La Pine event, additional town halls are planned in Sunriver, Sisters, Terrebonne, and Bend. Dates and times for those meetings will be announced soon.

For updates on future town hall dates and locations, visit sheriff.deschutes.org or follow the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office on social media.

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Museum announced Wednesday a new honor, the first of its kind in the region, called the Schnitzer Prize of the West, that will award $50,000 annually to an individual or small group whose work addresses environmental and conservation challenges of the American West.

The initiative will have a particular focus on honoring innovation, social impact, and uncommon collaboration, the museum said. The open call for self- and third-party nominations runs on the High Desert Museum’s website began Wednesday and runs through January 1, 2026.

Here’s the rest of the prize announcement:

In a moment when the American West—and the world-at-large—is confronting unprecedented ecological challenges, the Prize seeks to highlight innovative responses to urgent issues such as water scarcity, tribal rights and sovereignty, land-stewardship, changing climate, and more—offering models that can be replicated in other areas of the country facing similar pressures.

Since its founding in 1982, the High Desert Museum has been dedicated to sharing the stories of the High Desert through wildlife, art, cultures, history, and interdisciplinary experiences, creating a shared connection and dialogue among its community.

The Prize builds on this commitment to conservation and on past initiatives such as the Earle A. Chiles Award—which recognized significant “Win-Win” contributions to managing the High Desert region’s natural resources—as well as the Museum’s partnership with lifelong Portland resident and West Coast businessman Jordan D. Schnitzer, a dedicated steward of the local community and the region’s advancement.

“The Schnitzer Prize of the West is an exceedingly timely and relevant effort to shine a light on the innovators, collaborators and visionaries among us,” says Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D, Executive Director of High Desert Museum. “Their work demonstrates that we can look toward our future together even as we consider the economic and ecological challenges before us.” 

“The Schnitzer Prize celebrates remarkable individuals and teams, who through their uncommon collaborations, are producing actionable solutions to the legacy challenges we face in the West,” said Jordan D. Schnitzer, President of Schnitzer Properties and The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation.

Administered through the High Desert Museum, Prize nominations and applications will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of advisors comprised of former tribal leaders, ranchers and farmers, water policy and river restoration practitioners, a poet laureate and renowned historian, directors of prominent academic centers that focus on the study of the American West and more. To learn more about this dynamic group, visit the High Desert Museum website.

The Prize is now accepting nominations, and selected nominees will be invited to submit a formal application in early 2026. Nominations not selected in this inaugural cycle will automatically carry over for two forthcoming cycles. The Prize Winner will be announced in the spring of 2026. In addition to the $50,000 cash prize, the Winner will also receive a unique piece of art during an award ceremony in Portland, Oregon.

For more information on the Schnitzer Prize of the West, nomination eligibility, and selection process, please visit highdesertmuseum.org/schnitzer-prize.

About Jordan D. Schnitzer and the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation

Jordan Schnitzer has a vibrant legacy supporting the High Desert Museum. He is the visionary and sponsor of the Schnitzer Prize of the West.

Through the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, Jordan carries on the legacy of his late parents and their belief that “to whom much is given, much is expected.” Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the CARE Foundation and its leaders have given over $300 million to fund hundreds of nonprofit projects that touch lives and enrich communities.

Schnitzer is also a prominent West Coast businessman. He is President and CEO of Schnitzer Properties, one of the West Coast’s Top 10 private real estate owners with offices in six Western states. Schnitzer is also an ARTnews Top 200 Art Collector globally and shares his vast contemporary art collections at no charge to museums and institutions and supports accompanying programming, educational opportunities and publications.

About the High Desert Museum

The HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Click here to follow the original article.