Local Voices

States will now choose their own law concerning abortions, what went into the Supreme Court's decision? The State of Oregon celebrated Juneteenth for the first time as a state holiday and the City of Portland rejoins the I-5 Rose Quarter Project.

Climate change has kids worried and a new study finds how it's impacting their mental health. Plus, updating the progress of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project.

Portland City Council marked Pride month with an update on the city's LGBTQ+ & Friends Affinity Group. Public health officials are concerned about monkeypox, but you can protect yourself. The City of Eugene is working to end homelessness and Portland might be able to learn from some of the city's successes.

We're learning to live with COVID-19 even as cases, hospitalizations and deaths rise. Pharmacy benefit managers are one reason why prescription drug prices are high. Affordable housing is more and more difficult to find. How to save your summer vacation.

The Oregon Department of Corrections is implementing the Oregon Way in facilities across the state. Safe Oregon is helping to protect schools in the state. If you're planning yardwork where digging is involved, make sure you know about 811.

COVID-19 cases increase in Oregon and people at high risk are advised to protect themselves. OHSU has advice on identifying skin cancer and protecting yourself. The drought will cause fire danger to be extremely high again this summer in Oregon.

Former Portland Mayor Bud Clark is being honored with a memorial service on Sunday. Climate and environmental experts at Oregon State University update the drought and wildfire status in the state. Former University of Oregon football player Keanon Lowe has written a book that details how he stopped a student armed with a gun at Parkrose High School in 2019.

The City of Portland marks Missing and Murdered Indigenous People's Day for the fifth year, and updates what the city is doing. Mental health professionals bring advice of parents on how to help their kids following the pandemic. Your backyard fire pit could be smoking out your neighbors and causing them health problems.

An organization in Portland is helping a growing number of under-represented entrepreneurs get their businesses started. The Portland Water Bureau adds a facility to help reduce lead in the water of some homes. The Portland Old Down Community Association is struggling to improve safety and attracted businesses and their customers to the area.

The Oregon Humane Society's Doggie Dash is back after being virtual for two years during the pandemic. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden explains his plan to make sure billionaires can't avoid income taxes. Oregon Health Authority Deputy Health Officer Dr. Tom Jeanne updates the pandemic and and how dealing with the virus is changing.

There are ways to protect yourself from rising interest rates. An Oregon Congressman explains how marijuana decriminalization will help. Oregon search and rescue teams have tips on how to stay safe when exploring the state.

Pride Industries has been helping people with disabilities find work for 55 years. The former director of the National Institute of Mental Health discusses what changes are needed to help people with mental health issues. Gas prices are taking a bite bout of budgets, but there are ways to ease impact.

The Multnomah Dental Society is helping to organize a free health fair for kids. The City of Portland is expanding Portland Street Response to the entire city and seven days a week.

You can help Ukrainian refugees when they arrive in the U.S. by helping Community Warehouse. Oregon State University professors discuss where the pandemic is going next. Tigard City Councilor John Goodhouse discusses issues important to America's mid-sized cities.

The Oregon Legislature has extended funding for a project that uses motels and turns them into shelters for people who are homeless. Frederick Law Olmsted played a pivotal role in developing the Portland parks system. Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty explains how a pilot project that uses traffic calming items has helped reduce gun violence.

Falls put 800,000 people into the hospital every year, and for elderly people they can often be prevented. Plus, Oregon's law banning real estate love letters is stopped by a judge.

The Second Annual Oregon Diversity Legal Job Fair will be held March 9 and offers opportunities to enter the legal profession. The Sunshine Division expanded operations during the pandemic. Oregon health officials look at what's next after the mask requirement is lifted. Portland General Electric has advice on how to avoid utility scams.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and local law enforcement officials explain what's being done to reduce gun violence. Portland City Council considers a permanent ban on private fireworks. The Oregon Health Authority moves up the date to end the mask requirement.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee sets a date to remove masks, but until then they continue to be used in public spaces and schools. ODOT details their plans to toll a section of I-205.

The FBI has tips on how to avoid scams involving cryptocurrency. A Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake could disrupt fuel distribution in Oregon and cause a massive natural disaster in the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler announces a decision to move homeless campers away from high crash corridors. Governor Kate Brown outlines her priorities. The Portland Fire Bureau will have to wait at least a year to ask voters to approve a $147-million bond. An international expedition is heading into the Pacific Ocean to learn about the mysteries of salmon.

Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Vines updates the status of COVID-19 and the Omicron surge in cases. Dr. Blythe Layton, with Clean Water Services, explains how their COVID-19 wastewater testing program is finding COVID-19 before people know they have it. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden updates efforts to control prescription drug prices for Medicare and Medicaid recipients.

OSU experts discuss the widespread impacts of COVID-19. A COVID-19 effect on hospitals is leaving some people with out-of-network health insurance bills. The Portland Rose Festival is making an in-person comeback from the pandemic this summer.

Portland City Council remembers the life of Beatrice Gilmore and her contributions to Portland's African American community, health care, and housing. Washington Governor Jay Inslee details priorities in his State of the State address. Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty announces an expansion of BIKETOWN!

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is causing cases to soar in Oregon.

New federal legislation will help prevent surprise medical bills. An Oregon Congressman says now is the time to move forward with legalization of marijuana.

Multnomah County and the City of Portland are acting with urgency to prepare for the extremely cold weather this week. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden details how he's working to reduce prices on some prescription drugs. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management team up with Dark Horse Comics for the third in their disaster series: Without Warning: Wildfire.

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is coming and health officials in Oregon set a goal of getting 1-million Oregonians to receive a booster vaccine by the end of January. Plus, Multnomah County's 9th annual Domicile Unknown report and what it tells about the county's homeless population.

The Good Feet Store is helping Transition Projects during the holidays with Good Feet for a Cause. The Oregon Historical Society presents Freeze the Day! A History of Winter Sports in Oregon.

The Bull Run Reservoir has some of the best water in the country and we'll tell you how it gets from near Mt. Hood to your tap. Plus, the FBI has tips on how to avoid getting scammed over the holidays.

The Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grants $2.1 million to Portland Homeless Family Solutions. OHA drops outdoor mask require. OEA adopts Test to Stay protocol. Saving Social Security.

Papa Murphy's restaurants are a major supporter of Our Giving Table and they can use your help. The Grotto's Festival of Lights begins on Friday. Oregon Representative Earl Blumenauer is back from the COP26 U.N. Climate Summit has plans legislation to deal with climate change disasters. Washington Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah explains where the state stands with COVID-19 vaccinations, boosters, and tests.

The American Cancer Society's Portland Hope Gala is this Saturday, and they need your help. Oregon Congressman Kurt Schrader details legislation to help reduce the costs of prescription drugs. We have tips on how to negotiate better prices and salaries. Plus, help for parents trying to find pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Portland Thorns hire Karina LeBlanc as the team's new general manager. The Oregon Health Authority rolls out the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11. And, counting ballots under pressure from President Trump.

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley is joined by Paris Hilton in working to pass the Accountability for Congregate Care Act. K9 Kavalry works to pair veterans with service dogs. Hearing aids will soon be available over the counter

Advice for surviving The Big One. OSU engineers work to design a better wood stove. Colleges and universities across the country are changing to adjust with the times. Oregon tests smaller water systems for PFAS chemicals.

The history of the Chemawa Indian School is a tragic part of Oregon's past. An archivist at Pacific University is working to detail the cemetery at the school and the stories of the students who are buried there. This was Sustainable Building Week in Portland and we'll examine how sustainable building is changing construction and policies in the state.

Ethelyn Tumalad, of Clackamas High School, is Oregon's Teacher of the Year. Portland is honoring Indigenous People's Day on Monday. Oregon Congressman Kurt Schrader discusses the infrastructure bills and the debt ceiling.

A real life story of rescuing an abandoned fawn turns into a story for children. The State of Oregon is working against the clock to get emergency rental assistance to tenants before they're evicted. The fifth surge of COVID-19 is on the decline, but the pandemic is far from over.

The Oregon Department of Education offers the Care and Connection campaign to help kids adjust to the return of school in a COVID-19 environment. Prices are on the rise and we have budgeting tips to help ease the pain. The FBI is helping Oregon to create teams that can identify people who might be at higher risk of a mass violence incident.

The Oregon Health Authority reports new COVID-19 case numbers are going down slowly, but will remain high for weeks. The pressure of treating the high volume of COVID-19 cases is wearing on health care staff in Washington state. Apple has a plan to search photos in your devices. Oregon Congressman Kurt Schrader explains his vote on a bill that would have allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices.

Dr. Chunhuei Chi, director of the Center for global Health at Oregon State University on the pandemic and the Delta variant. Dan Blakely, former Army Ranger at Joint Base Lewis McCord who wrote the book The Twenty Year War and what it means for the current U.S. position in Afghanistan.

The Oregon Veterans Affairs Department is working to help veterans who are having a difficult time with the fall of Afghanistan. The Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to sweep through Oregon and push hospitals to their limits. The AAA released a study that might surprise you about the cost of your vehicle.

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden examines the tragedy in Afghanistan and the alternative which would mean sending U.S. soldiers back into the country. Oregon hospitals are being overrun by the Delta variant of COVID-19.

Oregon takes a step backwards in its response to the pandemic, or is it a step forward to slow the spread of COVID-19? It's another record setting year of wildfires in Oregon and the season is just reaching its peak.

Heart healthy tips from the Providence Heart Institute. The OSAA needs referees. Signing up for ORALERTS. The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon exploded, because of certain conditions. Climate change will continue to cause more mega-fires to burn. The COVID-19 Delta variant is causing an increase in cases especially in Oregon counties with low vaccination rates.

The Children's Cancer Association has launched its summer car giveaway as their annual fundraiser. Oregon health and emergency management officials discuss the heat wave and how they can prevent deaths during future heat waves. TSA tips on getting through airport security during the busy summer travel season.

Papa Murphy's Take-N-Bake Pizza is helping to raise money for Our Giving Table and their program to feed Foster Kids. Oregon State Representative Cliff Bentz discusses the state's drought crisis. The Oregon Historical Society honors former Senator Mark O. Hatfield.

OSU history professor Christopher McKnight Nichols takes a deep dive into the history of Independence Day. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden details a bill he's co-sponsoring that would prevent people with domestic violence restraining orders from buying guns. OSU public health professor Dr. Chunheui Chi updates the pandemic.

The Cambia Portland Classic announces a move out of Portland, because of security concerns. Portland Police change priorities for traffic stops. Oregon's Governor announces hard COVID-19 reopening date.