Category: ktvz-local-news

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.

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes National Forest firefighters are continuing pile burning operations Wednesday across the forest, officials said.

Here’s the Forest Service roundup of current pile burning locations:

The Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District will conduct pile burning operations 10 miles northwest of Bend and about five miles north of Tumalo Falls. Ignitions are planned on up to 246 acres. Ignitions may continue in this area throughout the week, if conditions are favorable.

Residents along Skyliners Road and in Bend are encouraged to keep doors & windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning.

The Crescent Ranger District is planning to conduct up to 229 acres of pile burning including 8 miles southeast of La Pine, with 29 acres directly adjacent to the Wickiup Estates subdivision and other units within a quarter mile to the northwest, east and south.

Burning operations on 17 acres are planned 12 miles south of Crescent and just south of the Highway 97 and 58 junction. One acre is planned on the north side of Highway 58 in the Odell Lake area. Smoke may be visible from Highways 58 and 97 and Wickiup Reservoir.

Residents in Wickiup Estates and La Pine are being encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts, which are most likely overnight and in the early morning.

Firefighters implement pile burning to reduce vegetation generated from active forest management such as timber sales and pre-commercial thinning treatments. The piles are concentrations of leftover materials associated with vegetation management activities being done to help maintain and restore forest and ecosystem health while reducing hazardous fuels loading.

Piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days after ignition. Once ignited, firefighters monitor piles until they declare the piles out. Please do not report ignitions. While smoke may linger in the area, removing these large accumulations of woody debris during the winter months minimizes fire danger.

Pile burning operations are carefully planned and implemented under specific conditions. Firefighters work with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Department of Forestry smoke forecasters to identify conditions that will minimize smoke impacts on people and communities. While prescribed burn officials take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after ignitions. Most smoke impacts occur during the night and early morning hours.

For more information on pile burning and smoke preparedness in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive prescribed burn text alerts. Follow along on X @CentralORFire.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Motorcyclists of Central Oregon will be putting on a motorcycle toy run this Saturday, November 8th, to gather toys and gifts as well as fundraise to support families in need in our community.

All proceeds will support the Marine Corp League Detachment 1308.

They are partnering with Summit Health and Veterans of Central Oregon and taking over what Toys for Tots has done in the past, as Toys for Tots will not be in operation in Central Oregon this year.

Last year, Toys for Tots distributed to over 8,000 children throughout Central Oregon.

Motorcyclists of Central Oregon was established in 1996 with the mission to bring motorcyclists from all local groups, clubs and independents together to support our communities, primarily around Christmas time with toy drives.

Saturday’s toy run will be at General Duffy’s in Redmond from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be arm wrestling, axe throwing, and corn hole competitions, a strolling poker run, kid’s games, live music and other fun activities.

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — November 6th marks a special milestone for Central Oregon’s News Leader.

KTVZ is celebrating 48 years of serving Central Oregon.

Since first signing on the air in 1977, KTVZ has grown right alongside our region – evolving with the communities we’re proud to serve.

While some faces have changed over the years, our commitment to Central Oregon has never wavered.

Our mission continues: telling your stories with integrity, innovation, and a deep connection to the place we call home.

As we look ahead to our 50th anniversary, we want to say thank you for welcoming us into your homes, your businesses, and your lives for 48 incredible years.

Click here to follow the original article.

Cami Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Design conference is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year—and for the first time, the event will be held at the OSU-Cascades campus, marking a new chapter for this popular gathering.

The conference, which unites artists, designers, and makers from diverse backgrounds, is known as a unique place to explore ideas around branding, advertising, and sparking new creativity.​

It’s a gathering of artists, designers, and makers from all sorts of backgrounds. The event offers attendees a chance to reexamine their businesses’ branding, discover new advertising strategies, and most importantly, gain fresh inspiration.

Shannon Lipscomb, associate dean at OSU-Cascades, emphasized the campus’s role as a community hub: “One of our goals at OSU-Cascades is to really be a place of gathering and of learning for people of all ages and in all areas of life. And so the Bend Design conference, being here on campus, we’re excited for community members to come learn about campus, to come learn together.”

The conference runs Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring speakers and engaging sessions throughout the day. Artists participating in the conference will also open new exhibits at the Scalehouse Gallery in downtown Bend. Then, Saturday will feature a series of hands-on workshops, offering even more ways to connect and learn.​

Workshop ticket prices vary depending on how many you’d like to attend, but for students at OSU-Cascades, the conference is free with a valid student ID. Tickets and full conference details can be found here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. {KTVZ} — The Bend Park and Recreation Board is taking a closer look at how city tax breaks and development incentives could affect the long-term funding of parks and community spaces.

During this week’s meeting, Park District officials discussed how tax exemptions and financing tools—such as tax increment financing (TIFs)—are being used to promote affordable housing and spur redevelopment across Bend. While those programs are designed to support city growth, board members said they may also reduce the revenue that funds essential services.

Board Director Jodie Schiffman voiced frustration over the growing disconnect between the district and the City of Bend. She emphasized that the two agencies are not operating in alignment, and that existing tax exemption programs are limiting the amount of property tax money directed to local services, including parks.

Park Planner Rachel Colton explained that while the city’s focus on growth brings opportunity, it also comes with trade-offs. “Unfortunately, we don’t have many mechanisms to offset lost revenue,” she said. “Our primary funding comes from property taxes, system development charges, and user fees. Beyond potential bonds or levies, there aren’t many ways for us to recoup those funds.”

According to city estimates, current and proposed tax exemptions could total around $40 million in foregone revenue for local districts over the next 30 years. That figure has prompted park leaders to ask difficult questions—chief among them, how to replace the lost funding and how much influence the Park District has in the city’s tax decisions.

“For the TIF districts, those are specified by Oregon law,” Colton noted. “But we have no approval authority over them.”

Colton added that property taxes are what sustain the district’s daily operations. Reductions through exemptions and TIFs, she warned, directly impact park programs. “For example, a projected $800,000 loss in property taxes equals the amount we provided in scholarship programs last year,” she said.

These discussions are expected to continue through the fall as Bend evaluates its housing and redevelopment strategies.

City and park officials alike acknowledge that finding a balance between growth and sustainability will be one of the community’s biggest fiscal challenges in the years ahead.

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Next year, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

To commemorate this milestone, the Deschutes County Elections Office is hosting an “I Voted” sticker contest for the 2026 elections.

:Students in grades K-12 are encouraged to design a sticker that celebrates our right to vote,” the county said in Tuesday’s announcement.

Winning designs will be printed on stickers for 2026 voters and be featured on the Deschutes County Voter Pamphlet cover.

Contest winners will be divided into two categories:

Elementary school (K-5): Winner’s sticker will be featured for the 2026 Primary Election in May.

Middle-high school (6-12): Winner’s sticker will be featured for the General Election in November.

Sticker design submissions will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2026. Winners will be announced in February.

Here are the contest rules:

Design must fit within the circular template. It will be resized to fit a two-inch diameter “I Voted” sticker.

Design must be hand rendered. No digital, AI generated, or altered images will be accepted.

Design should be nonpartisan and not reference any political party.

Design should include the colors red, white and blue.

Design must be original. No clip art, reused imagery, or copyrighted images should be used.

The contest entry form and submission instructions can be found on the Deschutes County Clerk’s website.

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — With winter approaching, the Oregon Department of Transportation says its crews will close the east side of McKenzie Pass, Oregon Highway 242, on Thursday, marking the start of the full seasonal closure.

The west side of the pass closed three weeks ago, on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

New this year: The east-side gate has been moved a mile closer to Sisters, to provide a safer turnaround area for drivers.

Here’s the rest of Tuesday’s ODOT announcement:

McKenzie Pass is a scenic, secondary highway that closes each year as winter weather approaches. Due to weather, cost, and logistics, ODOT does not maintain the route through the winter, focusing instead on keeping main highways plowed, open, and safe. During the closure, vehicles are prohibited beyond the gates.  

The annual seasonal closure is a highway closure, not a closure of public lands. Non-vehicle recreational users, such as skiers, snowshoers, and pedestrians going beyond the closed gates do so at their own risk.

The U.S. Forest Service has published guidelines for recreating in a National Forest. Recreationalists choosing to visit the area should follow the USFS guidelines and consider the potential risks.

Because the road is not maintained in winter, conditions can be hazardous. There are no services or cell coverage, and weather can change rapidly. As snow melts in spring, recreational users may encounter fallen trees, rockslides and damaged pavement.

McKenzie Pass became a seasonal scenic highway in 1962 with the completion of the Clear Lake-Belknap Springs section of Oregon Highway 126.

Even during its time as the main route between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon, the narrow, twisting roadway and high elevation (5,325 feet) made the highway too difficult to maintain and keep clear during the winter months.

To see what routes are open over the mountains and to view current road and weather conditions, visit TripCheck.com or call 511.

More information on McKenzie Pass, OR 242, can be found on ODOT’s website. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Lynsey Harris

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Book lovers across Central Oregon are invited to celebrate the big reveal of the 2026 A Novel Idea community read selections next month. The after-hours event takes place Saturday, December 6, at the Downtown Bend Library, where the next titles—one for adults and teens, and one for young readers—will be unveiled.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with the official reveal upstairs at 6:30 p.m. Guests can stick around for trivia, snacks, and a shared love of reading.

“We started with a list of about 30 titles, and narrowing it down to the top five was no easy task,” said Liz Goodrich, Programs Supervisor at Deschutes Public Library. “The chosen book really stood out to our group and it provides ample entry points for meaningful conversations between readers.”

Now in its 22nd year, A Novel Idea began in 2004 with one simple question: What would happen if everyone in Deschutes County read the same book? The answer—according to two decades of participation—is a stronger, more connected community.

The annual program includes both an adult and youth selection, with both authors visiting Central Oregon in the spring. Each year, the event is followed by a month of themed discussions and activities, culminating in free, in-person author visits.

“You might spot your neighbor or the person ahead of you at the post office with this year’s A Novel Idea book in their hand,” Goodrich added. “It’s all about engagement and the desire to connect with one another through a good story—and this year’s selection is a big one.”

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon’s average price for a gallon of regular gas is down to its cheapest price since April, while the national average remains close to the $3 mark, AAA Oregon/Idaho reported Tuesday. However, Arizona and California are seeing pump prices rise, due to refinery issues.

For the week, the national average for regular gains one cent, to $3.05 a gallon. The Oregon average loses six cents, to $3.87 a gallon, while Bend’s average fell 5.6 cents, to $3.71 a gallon.

Oregon has the second-largest week-over-week decline and biggest month-over-month drop for a state in the nation, AAA says in this week’s Oregon gas price report, which continues in full below:

“It’s another week of savings for Oregon drivers as pump prices here continue to decline. The Oregon average as it its cheapest price since April of this year,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

While drivers in Oregon and Washington are seeing pump prices decline, California, Arizona and Nevada are seeing week-over-week increases due to refinery issues. A fire and explosion at the HF Sinclair Navajo Refinery in Artesia, New Mexico on Friday injured three people. The facility has a crude oil capacity of 100,000 barrels per day and serves markets in the southwestern U.S. including New Mexico, Arizona, and West Texas. In California, some planned and unplanned refinery maintenance has led to increase in wholesale gas prices which are then passed on to consumers.

In addition, the upcoming closure of the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles may impact prices in California and other West Coast states. Phillips 66 announced last year that it would be closing the 139,000-barrel-per-day facility by the end of 2025 due to weak refining margins, high crude oil acquisition costs, and increased competition from renewable diesel.

The refinery is nearly 100 years old and is expensive to maintain and operate. Phillips 66 says it plans to continue to supply fuel to Southern California from other sources.

The Oregon average for regular gas began 2025 at $3.45 a gallon and is currently at $3.87. The highest price of the year so far is $4.297 on September 13 and 14. The lowest price of the year so far is just under $3.45 a gallon on January 2.  

The national average began 2025 at $3.06 a gallon and is currently at $3.05. The highest price of the year so far is $3.268 on April 4. The lowest price of the year so far is $3.036 on October 19 and 20.

This week five Oregon counties have averages at or above $4, compared to 12 a week ago:

Columbia $4.02

Multnomah $4.13

Wallowa $4.13

Wasco $4.07

Washington $4.11

Demand for gasoline in the U.S. gasoline demand increased from 8.45 million b/d to 8.92 million b/d for the week ending October 24. This compares to 9.16 million b/d a year ago. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 216.7 million barrels to 210.7 million. Gasoline production is about the same as the previous week, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.  

Gas prices usually drop in the fall, due to the switch from summer-blend to winter-blend fuel, which costs less to produce. The switch starts in September. Many areas, including Oregon, can sell winter-blend fuel starting September 15. However, Northern and Southern California require summer-blend fuel through October 31. Prices usually decline to their lowest levels of the year in late fall and early winter before increasing again in the late winter and early spring.

Gas prices typically rise starting in mid-to-late winter and early spring as refineries undergo maintenance ahead of the switch to summer-blend fuel, which is more expensive to produce and less likely to evaporate in warmer temperatures. The switch occurs first in California, which is why pump prices on the West Coast often rise before other parts of the country.

The East Coast is the last major market to switch to summer-blend fuel. Most areas have a May 1 compliance date for refiners and terminals, while most gas stations have a June 1 deadline to switch to selling summer-blend until June 1. Switch-over dates are earlier in California with some areas in the state requiring summer-blend fuel by April 1. Some refineries will begin maintenance and the switchover in February.

The U.S. price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) rose above $60 on October 23 for the first time since October 10 and has remained above $60 since then. Crude oil prices rose after President Trump imposed additional sanctions on Russian oil. In addition, news from OPEC+ that it would have a limited production increase in December and delay further increases until early 2026 put some upward pressure on oil prices to start this week.

WTI has been mostly in the low-$60s to mid-$70s since September 2024. Crude prices spiked to the mid-$70s in mid-June in response to the strikes between Israel and Iran, and then the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, but then prices fell back into the $60s on the belief that the conflict would not have a major impact on global oil supplies.

Crude prices fell in early April as markets reacted to President Trumps tariffs and the impact on U.S. and global markets. Additional downward pressure on crude prices came after the decision by OPEC+ to increase production. The lowest closing price since September was $57.13 on May 5, which was the lowest closing price since February 2021. The recent high price for crude was $80.04 per barrel on January 15, which was the highest price since last August 2024.

Crude oil is trading around $61 today compared to $60 a week ago and $71 a year ago. In 2024, West Texas Intermediate ranged between $66 and $87 per barrel. In 2023, WTI ranged between $63 and $95 per barrel. WTI reached recent highs of $123.70 on March 8, 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and $122.11 per barrel on June 8, 2022. The all-time high for WTI crude oil is $147.27 in July 2008.

Crude prices are impacted by economic news as well as geopolitical events around the world including the current economic uncertainty, unrest in the Middle East, the war between Israel and Hamas, and the war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is a top global oil producer, behind the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Crude prices have been volatile after the attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023.

While Israel and the Palestinian territory are not oil producers, there were concerns that the conflict could spread in the Middle East, which could potentially impact crude production in other oil-producing nations in the region.

Crude oil prices declined after October’s fragile peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. In addition, production cuts by OPEC+ in previous years tightened global crude oil supplies, which continued to impact prices. But this year, the cartel has boosted production starting by 411,000 barrels per day in May, June, and July, 548,000 barrels per day in August, 547,000 barrels per day in September, and 137,000 barrels per day in October, November and December.  

Crude oil is the main ingredient in gasoline and diesel, so pump prices are impacted by crude prices on the global markets. On average, about 48% of what we pay for in a gallon of gasoline is for the price of crude oil, 18% is refining, 18% distribution and marketing, and 16% are taxes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Meanwhile, crude oil production in the U.S. remains at or near record highs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that crude production in his country rose from 13.629 million barrels per day to 13.644 for the week ending October 24. Production has been at 13.5 million barrels per day many times since October 2024. The U.S. has been the top producer of crude oil in the world since 2018 and has been increasing its oil production since about 2009.

Quick stats

Oregon is one of 30 states with lower prices now than a week ago. Iowa (-8 cents) has the largest week-over-week decline in the nation. Oregon (-6 cents) has the second-largest week-over-week decline. Ohio (+15 cents) has the biggest week-over-week increase in the nation, due to refinery issues in the region.

California ($4.66) is the state with the most expensive gas in the nation for the seventh week in a row. Washington took over the top spot for a week in September when the Olympic Pipeline was out of operation. This week, Hawaii ($4.48) is second, and Washington ($4.27) is third. These are the only states with averages at or above $4 a gallon. This week 15 states and the District of Columbia have averages in the $3-range. There are 32 states with an average in the $2 range this week.

The cheapest gas in the nation is in Oklahoma ($2.58) and Mississippi ($2.58) and. No state has had an average below $2 a gallon since January 7, 2021, when Mississippi and Texas were below that threshold. At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic drove significant declines in crude oil and gasoline demand in the U.S. and around the world.

The difference between the most expensive and least expensive states is $2.08 this week, compared to $1.99 a week ago.

Oregon is one of 48 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is nine cents less and the Oregon average is 27 cents less than a month ago. This is the largest month-over-month decline for a state in the nation. Ohio (+2 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase in the nation.

Oregon is one of nine states with higher prices now than a year ago. The national average is five cents less, while the Oregon average is 26 cents more. Oregon has the largest year-over-year increase in the nation. Washington (+24 cents) has the second-largest increase. Colorado (-21 cents) has the largest yearly drop.

West Coast

The West Coast region continues to have the most expensive pump prices in the nation with all seven states in the top 10. It’s typical for the West Coast to have six or seven states in the top 10 as this region tends to consistently have fairly tight supplies, consuming about as much gasoline as is produced. In addition, this region is located relatively far from parts of the country where oil drilling, production and refining occurs, so transportation costs are higher. And environmental programs in this region add to the cost of production, storage and distribution.

As mentioned above, California is the state with the most expensive gas in the nation for the seventh week in a row. Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Oregon, Alaska and Arizona round out the top seven. Oregon slips to fifth most expensive after 23 consecutive weeks at fourth.

Three of the seven West Coast states have week-over-week decreases. Oregon (-6 cents) has the largest week-over-week drop in the region. Washington (-6 cents) and Alaska (-1 cent) also have weekly declines. Nevada (+11 cents), California (+8 cents), Arizona (+3 cents), and Hawaii (+4/10ths of a cent) have week-over-week increases.

The refinery utilization rate on the West Coast fell from 76.3% to 74.7% for the week ending October 24. This rate has ranged between about 72% to 93% in the last year. The latest national refinery utilization rate fell from 88.6% to 86.6%.

The refinery utilization rate measures how much crude oil refineries are processing as a percentage of their maximum capacity. A low or declining rate can put upward pressure on pump prices, while a high or rising rate can put downward pressure on pump prices.

According to EIA’s latest weekly report, total gas stocks in the region decreased from 29.51 million bbl. to 28.30 million bbl. An increase in gasoline stocks can put downward pressure on pump prices, while a decrease in gasoline stocks can put upward pressure on pump prices.

Oil market dynamics

Crude oil prices have rebounded from the five-month lows seen earlier this month. WTI crude fell below $60 per barrel on Oct. 10, then rose above $60 on Oct. 23. Major drivers of higher crude prices include new U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and news from OPEC+ that it would have a limited production increase in December and a pause on further increases in the first quarter of 2026.

Meanwhile, the EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 6.9 million barrels from the previous week. At 416.0 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year. 

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI added 41 cents to close at $60.98. At the close of Monday’s formal trading session, WTI ticked up 7 cents to settle at $61.05. Today crude is trading around $61 compared to $60 a week ago. Crude prices are about $10 less than a year ago. ($71.47 on November 4, 2024)

Drivers can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

Diesel

For the week, the national average adds two cents to $3.69 a gallon. The record high is $5.816 set on June 19, 2022. The Oregon average slips two cents to $4.37. The record high is $6.47 set on July 3, 2022. A year ago the national average for diesel was $3.55 and the Oregon average was $3.89.

Find current fuel prices at GasPrices.AAA.com.

Click here to follow the original article.