Laurel Brauns
Posted inNews

Emergency Loans for Local Businesses

Steve Ferber, director of commercial services at Mid Oregon Credit Union, talks to the Source about how the federal relief program played out in Central Oregon
Laurel Brauns

The federal emergency coronavirus relief funds reached Oregon businesses in waves. As many local businesses struggled to make rent and payroll, they raced to their local banks and credit unions, competing with businesses all over the U.S. for funds that could run out any day. What was it like to help these business owners and […]

Posted inNews

State Reveals $2.7 Billion Budget Shortfall

State economists predict Central Oregon, Oregon coast to be hardest hit by the recent closures
Laurel Brauns

State economists released the latest official state budget forecast Wednesday, and things aren’t looking good. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis’ report predicted that the state will take in about $2.7 billion less than these economists expected in March. The long-term effects of a depressed economy mean that the picture may be even worse in budget […]

Posted inNews

The Urban/Rural Divide, Internet Edition 🎧 [with podcast]

Many rural homes don’t have internet access—making online school a challenge. Educators and business pros talk about working to change that
Laurel Brauns

For politicians east of the Cascades, the urban/rural divide is a popular talking point. But the extreme disparities that can exist between urban and rural students is more than a talking point—and in the age of COVID-19, it’s playing out as students try to do school, from home, in the midst of a pandemic. By […]

Posted inNews

Party Like A Democrat in a Pandemic

Election night Zoom gathering draws Oregon Democratic celebs and rising stars
Laurel Brauns

Over 100 viewers gathered online Tuesday to celebrate the results of the May 19 Democratic Primary Election. John Hummel, Deschutes County district attorney and Carrie McPherson Douglass, co-chair of the Bend-La Pine Schools Board, cohosted the online event from the coworking space, The Haven. The event featured an appearance by Thomas Lauderdale, a musician with […]

Posted inNews

Is Anyone Enforcing This?

No draconian police-state here. Elected officials emphasize education and individual responsibility
Laurel Brauns

Over the last week, local, state and county officials have hosted a slew of virtual press meetings to announce the news that most of Oregon is reopening… albeit with caution. At every level of government, curious reporters have asked the same questions: Who is enforcing the new guidelines? Will people violating the non-essential travel ban […]

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Paycheck Protection Program Expansion?

Senator Ron Wyden seeks to expand federal government assistance to businesses as they start to rehire their employees
Laurel Brauns

On Wednesday, U.S. Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden introduced a bipartisan bill to give small businesses more time to rehire their former employees. He said in a statement he has heard from many business owners in Oregon that they have had difficulty accessing these loans. Wyden wants to push back the deadline to apply, and provide […]

Posted inNews

We’re Open! But This is Not Business as Usual

Deschutes County was among the 29 Oregon counties approved to reopen some businesses on Friday.
Laurel Brauns

Editor’s note: This story will continue to be updated with information on re-openings in Central Oregon. D eschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair heard the news from the State Wednesday night at 9:23 p.m.: The county’s application to move into Phase One of reopening was accepted. That means starting Friday—after nearly seven weeks of forced or […]

Posted inNews

Will Deschutes County Reopen? We Still Don’t Know (Update: Now we do.)

Deschutes County Commissioners get word from the State about the county’s application to begin reopening
Laurel Brauns

Editor’s note: Deschutes County Commissioners told the Source early Wednesday that the state had approved the County’s application to begin Phase One of reopening, starting Friday. We’re working on an update; check our home page for a longer story soon. The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, along with the rest of Central Oregon, is still […]

Posted inNews

Their Own Drum Beat

With cases climbing, leaders in Warm Springs say they may stay closed, even if nearby counties reopen
Laurel Brauns

As of Monday, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs reported a total of 15 COVID-19 positive cases within the boundaries of the Warm Springs tribal lands near Madras. Last week, as cases kept climbing, the CTWS’ Tribal Council approved a number of safety measures, including social distancing and wearing masks, and extended the closure of […]

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