Opinion

Recent reporting and concern from an Oregon senator reveal a deeply troubling pattern: A focus on a quota of 1 million deportations in the U.S. per year at the federal level is resulting in other investigations, including those aimed at stopping the exploitation of children, being put by the wayside. It is ironic at a […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

A lot of people cheered when the Oregon State Legislative Assembly this session repealed the controversial wildfire risk map that some allege was a factor in rising insurance rates for their homes.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 […]

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 […]