CHIEF SPONSOR: State Sen. Khanh Pham (D-Portland) and 13 Democratic co-sponsors, along with one Republican, Sen. Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City) WHAT IT WOULD DO: Senate Bill 686 would compel the dominant players in internet search, Google and Facebook, to compensate local news organizations for the content they provide. Currently, internet searches yield results that are often generated […]
An Oregon Senate Bill Would Make Tech Giants Share Their Wealth
Oregon State Parks Will Further Welcome (Certain) E-Bikes
E-bike enthusiasts celebrated a landmark victory on April 23: Certain varieties of their pedal-assist bikes will be allowed greater access in Oregon State Parks beginning July 1.ย Itโs an important precedent, as e-bikes are still not allowed on singletrack trails in the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests. There, e-bikers have to stick to trails and […]
Forest Closure Takes Effect as Houseless People Attempt to Relocate
People living on U.S. Forest Service land south of Bend have been forced to relocate following a May 1 closure of the area. A collection of lived-in vehicles lined the streets of China Hat Road on Thursday morning, just outside of the now-restricted area that hundreds of houseless residents called home. The closure, in effect […]
Source Warmup
Hayden Homes Announces Amphitheater Giveaways Hayden Homes is celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Hayden Homes Amphitheater’s naming rights partnership with a giveaway for five individuals. The giveaways will offer concert packages, including two VIP Deschutes Deck tickets to a concert of your choice, with two drinks and one food item per person. Winners will […]
Zoning and Why it Matters
Here in Bend, the way our city grows and takes shape is largely determined by zoning, a rulebook for land use. It’s not just about whether you can build a house or a business; it also covers things like how big buildings can be, how far they need to be from property lines, and even […]
Biker Band Rolls onto Tower Stage
It will be a homecoming of sorts when the Jenner Fox Band plays its album release show at the Tower Theatre on Saturday, May 10, for its full album, “Anything,” which drops the day before. Jenner Fox and the other band members are excited to preview the new album in front of their adopted hometown […]
Tariff Trouble for Tokers
The unprecedented increases in tariffs between the U.S. and, well, everyone, is already beginning to result in higher prices on a wide range of goods. Since no one is (legally) importing cannabis, that means those who consume it will be spared, right? For the domestically produced, regulated cannabis itself, expect to keep paying the same […]
Superheroes, Impossible Missions and Dinosaurs…It Must Be a Summer Movie Preview!!
With the release last week of the Michael B. Jordan/Ryan Coogler instant classic “Sinners,” we have officially entered the 2025 summer season of movies. Just like every year, May through July, we’re going to get a few fun but stupid ones, some awkwardly terrible ones, then hopefully one or two that stand the test of […]
Local Leaders Outline Plans for Temporary Managed Camp in Juniper Ridge
Deschutes County Commissioners held a joint meeting with the Bend City Council on April 29 to discuss the plans for an upcoming partial closure of land in Juniper Ridge, a sprawling area north of Bend with a large population of unhoused individuals. Last fall, the City and County agreed on a temporary solution, allowing people […]
Mother’s Day Brunches & Events
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Mom, but if you’re not inclined to serve her breakfast in bed, then perhaps taking her out to brunch is just the thing! Several restaurants in Central Oregon are serving up a special feast. There are also some fun events to round out the day. Mother’s Day Buffet […]

