Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined a group of Senators in releasing a new report of their investigation into how private student loan lenders will reap the benefits from cuts to federal student loan access enacted in Republicans’ One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The report was led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member […]
Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Release Report of How Private Student Loan Lenders Expect to Profit from Trump’s Big Ugly Bill
Posted inPolitics
DAS Office of Economic Analysis Presents Q1 March Economic Outlook and Revenue Forecast
The Department of Administrative Services Office of Economic Analysis State Chief Economist Carl Riccadonna and Senior Economist Michael Kennedy presented the latest economic outlook and revenue forecast to the legislative committee on finance and revenue on Wednesday, Feb. 4. The quarterly revenue forecasts serve to open the revenue forecasting process to the public and is the basis […]
Posted inPolitics
Governor Kotek Testifies in Support of New FastTrack Program
Governor Tina Kotek testified before the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade support of House Bill 4084, the Governor’s economic development package for the 2026 legislative session. “While President Trump’s tariff-taxes make life more expensive for Americans and sow uncertainty in the economy, I refuse to let Oregon fall behind,” Governor Kotek […]
Posted inOutside Features
High Desert Speaker Series Coming This Winter
Oregon Natural Desert Association’s 2026 High Desert Speaker Series invites audiences across Oregon and beyond to uncover the landscapes, geology and cultural histories of eastern Oregon through a pair of engaging online talks this winter. Registration is now open for the free, online public series, which runs from February through March. The High Desert Speaker […]
Posted inColumns
What is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine focuses on therapies to repair, replace and or regenerate damaged cells and tissues and restore normal function. Instead of just treating symptoms, it aims to heal the root causes of diseases or injuries using Prolotherapy, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), and Stem Cell Therapy. Regenerative medicine helps the body heal itself. Regenerative Medicine involves harnessing […]
Posted inLocal News
A Single Sort of Valentine
Dating is a special kind of hell in Central Oregon. The town is quite small and a good majority of the people are very sporty, active and outdoorsy. I mean, I like a hike as much as anyone else, but I guarantee you, the first time I snowboard or ski is the last time I […]
Posted inMusic
New Music Festival Features Retro Tribute Bands
A new music festival is coming to Central Oregon this summer which will rewind the clock to a nostalgic, bygone era. Harefest LLC is presenting “Legends Reloaded.” It’s a two-day classic rock tribute festival celebrating rock’s most iconic artists. The family-friendly event will be at the Jefferson County Event Complex in Madras over two days […]
Posted inFilm
15 Insanely Romantic Movies to Watch with Your Partner
I’m not sure if any two people find the same things romantic, but there are still movies and moments I think are absolutely undeniable. After a cozy night in or a decadent night out, here are a few romantic-as-all-hell movies that will play as the perfect nightcap to your special day. 1: “Phantom Thread” (2017): […]
Posted inLocal News
Outsourcing the Hard Part of Dating
According to the latest demographics, more than half the people living in Central Oregon are married. That still leaves a chunk potentially searching for a partner. Data shows 27% of the local population have never married; 13% are divorced and 5% are widowed. It’s a pretty equal split among the number of men and women […]
Posted inLocal News
County Commission Votes to Advance Controversial District Map to the Nov. Ballot
In a two-to-one vote Wednesday, Feb. 4, the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners advanced a proposed districting map to the November ballot. Commissioner Phil Chang, who does not support the map, said, “I do believe districts done right can be a way to provide better representation and guaranteed representation by someone who lives near you, in your neighborhood to all people in Deschutes County. That’s districts done […]