In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Peter Madsen, an investigative and features reporter supported by the Lay It Out Foundation. Peter shares his journey from writing for Vice and Thrasher in New York City to becoming one of Central Oregon’s most prolific storytellers. The conversation dives into Peter’s passion […]
LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break, Peter Madsen🎧
Posted inChow
The McArthur Stakes Its Claim in Sisters
Opened in the summer of 2025 on the Five Pines campus, The McArthur Restaurant and Bar is located in the same building as the Sisters Athletic Club in the former home of Rio Mexican restaurant. This new spot aims squarely at elevated Pacific Northwest dining without forgetting that people also want to relax, linger and […]
Posted inBusiness News
A New Year for Housing: 2026
Every new year brings predictions about real estate, some hopeful, some dramatic, many recycled. As we look ahead to 2026, the housing market isn’t reacting to headlines or short-term sentiment. It’s responding to structural forces that are unlikely to reverse anytime soon. Read on to understand where housing is headed. We’ll zoom out to observe […]
Posted inFilm
Spectacle Fatigue
I don’t think I’m in love with the “Avatar” films as much as I should be and that might be directly correlated to the number of movies that I’ve seen across the years of my life. I’m fully aware that James Cameron and his team of technical geniuses have, with Pandora, built a world that […]
Posted inColumns
Have a Happy New Year?
Yes, that IS a question mark after the headline above. Not a typographical error. So, what’s up with the question mark? Here we go… I like and can live merrily with, Merry Christmas. Likewise, I like and can live joyfully with, Happy Hannukah. Although originally celebrated for 12 days, Christmas currently is often a one […]
Posted inSmoke Signals
The Rescheduling of Cannabis
The year 2025 saw something cannabis workers and users have been advocating, working for, and hoping to come to pass – rescheduling cannabis. It’s a big deal. Here’s what that will mean…probably. What’s the Schedule? The Controlled Substance Act is overseen by the Federal Drug Administration and Drug Enforcement Administration, and lists all controlled substances […]
Posted inLocal News
Year in Review: 12 Must-Read Stories
We’re a quarter-way into the 21st Century and 2025 may have been the gnarliest year yet. Here in Central Oregon, our reporting reflected that whiplash, with reports on local houselessness, Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps and potential deregulation of the “American Dream.” Yet, along the way, we had some fun — gallows humor? — with investigations and first-person narratives about those dang fun Veo e-bikes and sketchy “magic […]
Posted inCulture
A Night of Stand-Up with Adam Carolla at the Midtown Ballroom
Adam Carolla is coming to Bend for an hour of stand-up. I spoke with the legendary comedian about burning houses, building houses, California’s slide into the s*****r, and bidets. the Source: Have you been to Bend before? Adam Carolla: I did a show in Eugene and then I drove to Bend. I believe there’s a […]
Posted inLocal News
Confronted by a Grassroots Backlash, Democrats Consider Repealing Unpopular Gas Tax Hike
At politically oriented holiday parties all over the state, the hot topic is what Democrats will do in the face of a remarkably successful Republican effort to refer a gas tax increase to the November 2026 ballot that lawmakers passed in September. The option that’s getting the most serious consideration, according to numerous Democrats speaking […]
Posted inBusiness News
Latino Leaders Share: “Why I Stand With LCA”
Speakers at the Latino Community Association’s Empowering Families Luncheon on Dec. 12 reached across 25 years of history to show how LCA is meeting its most serious challenge. “I knew I wanted to do something to support my community, but I never imagined it would be like stepping into a firestorm,” said Board President Luis Jimenez. […]