Editorial
Posted inOpinion

Will “Criminalizing Homelessness” Come with Funds that the Big Beautiful Bill Just Took Away?

For years, Oregon’s leaders have sought to address the crisis of homelessness with a compassionate approach
by The Source Editorial Board

For years, Oregon’s leaders have sought to address the crisis of homelessness with a compassionate approach. At least since the pandemic, funds — largely contributed by the federal government — have helped cities, including Bend and Redmond, vastly build out shelter capacity and expand wraparound services and treatment, all in an effort to ultimately move […]

Posted inOpinion

Klamath River Run was Great TV, but the Lasting Effect is Hope

A flourish of interest in the Klamath River bubbled up this month in response to those indigenous paddlers’ first descent of the river
by The Source Editorial Board

If the national TV and newspaper crews were any indication, the “first run” of the Klamath River by a group of young indigenous paddlers this past month was a very big deal. Supporters and news crews galore descended on the mouth of the Klamath this month, as the group of paddlers, who’d spent years training […]

Posted inOpinion

Governor’s Cell Phone Ban is Worth Gamble to Improve Student Outcomes

For years, Oregon has struggled to do its best in the arena of K-12 education
by The Source Editorial Board

For years, Oregon has struggled to do its best in the arena of K-12 education. Graduation rates have crept up over the past several years in districts including Bend-La Pine Schools, but overall, the state continues to lag behind nearly every other state for on-time graduation rates. Many educators and parents can offer reasons for […]

Posted inOpinion

With Home Fire Prevention Efforts, Expect a Future of Patchwork Regulations

A repeal of the risk map will help some people feel a little better — at least for a little while
by The Source Editorial Board

A lot of people cheered when the Oregon State Legislative Assembly this session repealed the controversial wildfire risk map that some allege was a factor in rising insurance rates for their homes. Insurance companies we talked to for an earlier story assured us they have their own maps to assess risk — and anyway, a bill […]

Posted inOpinion

In Shutdown of Federal Lands Sale, a Win for Public Process — But Perhaps Not Public Lands

The notion of selling off public lands in the interest of “housing” has gotten a lot of attention
by The Source Editorial Board

Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah got stars in his eyes. What if all of the purported housing woes felt in places like St. George, Utah, and Bend, Oregon, could be alleviated by simply selling off millions of acres of land owned and managed by the American people? Better yet, wouldn’t it be great to […]

Posted inOpinion

Tourism Could Play a Role in State Economic Recovery — But the Agency Overseeing It Needs More Accountability

A series of articles produced by the Oregon Journalism Project and published on the Source website this past month have highlighted an ongoing concern regarding the state’s tourism promotion agency
by The Source Editorial Board

A series of articles produced by the Oregon Journalism Project and published on the Source website this past month have highlighted an ongoing concern regarding the state’s tourism promotion agency, Travel Oregon. According to OJP reporting, Travel Oregon’s executive director — who’s formally retiring this week — has earned a salary that far outstrips the […]

Posted inOpinion

The Drone Bill May Respect the Rule of Law, But Federal Leadership Doesn’t

This month’s capture of a man suspected of planning a shooting attack in Bend was eye-opening
by The Source Staff

This month’s capture of a man suspected of planning a shooting attack in Bend was eye-opening. It’s always unsettling to know that someone is planning such an act. In this case, what was also noteworthy was how police were able to use drones to identify the man and then go in an make an arrest […]

Posted inOpinion

Bend BCD: The Clash of the Haves and the Have Nots

Developers, along with a few vanguard businesses in the Bend Central District, think the process of revitalizing, aka developing, the area isn’t moving fast enough
by The Source Editorial Board

Last week’s Source feature story, “Promised Land,” made one thing abundantly clear: Developers, along with a few vanguard businesses in the Bend Central District, think the process of revitalizing, aka developing, the area isn’t moving fast enough. Some developers Reporter Julianna LaFollette talked to place not a small amount of blame on the City of […]

Posted inOpinion

In Bias Crime Reporting, Accurate Data is Key

Crime is crime, and the more we know about the nature of it, the better jobs law enforcement and prosecutors can do in addressing i
by The Source Editorial Board

Peter Madsen’s feature story from last week, “Bias in Our Backyard,” explored the numbers around bias crimes in our area, and the state, in the five-year period since state and local authorities began collecting such data. The numbers available, from the years 2020-2023, were quite striking, with marked increases in the number of bias crimes […]

Posted inOpinion

A Bill Banning Cell Phones in Schools Died in the Legislature. If the Governor Takes It Up, the Details are Going to Matter.

Cell phones are a distraction in school, and they are doing more social and mental harm than good
by The Source Editorial Board

When we interviewed candidates in Bend and Redmond for the recent school board elections, one thing was almost unanimous: they, like many teachers, are in favor of having strong policies in place that restrict the use of cell phones in schools. There were some nuances in candidates’ arguments — such as a consideration for those […]

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