Make the McKenzie Connection!
Make the McKenzie Connection!
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Conservationists in Oregon are looking beyond their own species and to the state's iconic beaver to learn how to be more resilient to wildfires. By slowing down and spreading out waterways, research shows beaver dams significantly reduce wildfire burn severity. Maureen Thompson, director of conservation for the nonprofit Think Wild, said when it comes to wildfire prevention, beaver ponds are a big help. "That means we have late-season water for wildlife and for fire breaks. Firefighters in the...
As Oregonians come to the aid of neighbors who have been forced to evacuate their homes due to wildfires, experts are reminding people to beware of disaster-related scams. In one survey from 2024, the Census Bureau found over three-quarters of disaster survivors experienced a possible scam within a month of the event. Paul Griffo, fraud prevention campaign volunteer lead for AARP Oregon, said the most important thing to avoid scams is to do some research before giving away money or personal...
A new study from the Action Network ranks Oregon among the top 10 states to catch one of nature's most awe-inspiring sights: meteor showers. The state boasts large areas without city lights, especially in the east, as well as plenty of clear days to make for optimal viewing. Robert Lunsford, contributor to the American Meteor Society, said most meteors are the size of a pea and they are not very bright but sometimes, meteors can be the size of a tennis ball, known as a fireball, which will make...
More than 2 million acres have burned in Oregon so far this year and with the increased risk of wildfire damage to homes and businesses, experts said now is the time for people to make sure their wildfire insurance is set up to work for them. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has issued an emergency order stopping insurers from canceling policies in the next 30 days and giving anyone in wildfire evacuation zones more time to file claims. Michelle Luedtke, communications and engagement director for the...
A new training program is helping to prepare police, paramedics and other first responders to better support older adults in rural Oregon during disasters like wildfires or extreme weather events. Research shows older adults are disproportionately affected by disasters, especially outside city centers. Julia Brown, community outreach and engagement manager for the nonprofit AGE+, which helped organize the free training sessions, said most emergency response systems rely on individuals to do thin...
Oregonians in 13 counties are currently living under air quality advisories due to dozens of wildfires. While it is unclear how long the smoke will last, experts said there are simple things people can do to protect themselves and their families from smoke in their homes, and the strategies can also save energy and money. Smoke can easily slip into homes, so sealing up any cracks around windows, doors and vents to keep smoke out is a good place to start. Jami Seymore, spokesperson for the nonpro...
Climate and weather experts say Oregon's drought is far from over, with above-average temperatures expected to persist through summer and into fall. Some areas have already seen temperatures spike 5 to 7 degrees above normal, fueling wildfire risk and straining water supplies. Jason Gerlich, regional drought information coordinator for the National Integrated Drought Information System, said dry conditions since January are only compounding an already devastating snow drought. "The last five...
For National CPR and AED Awareness Week, Oregonians whose lives were saved by CPR are sharing their stories in hopes of inspiring more people to be prepared to save a life. Currently, 90% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die, in part because most do not receive CPR. Crystal Ball was almost one of them when she suffered sudden cardiac arrest after a run in 2020. She said she is grateful for the people around her who took action - what she calls the chain of survival. "My...
Rising temperatures and energy rates mean staying cool in Oregon will cost more this year but experts said there are some easy, cheap tricks to help keep your home from feeling like a sauna. New data show U.S. households are projected to spend nearly $800 on electricity this summer, an 8.5% increase from last year. Jami Seymore, spokesperson for the Energy Trust of Oregon, said homeowners should think about their homes as whole systems, rather than blasting an air conditioner or fan. "Each...
The Trump administration has finalized its rescission of the Bureau of Land Management's Public Lands Rule. Critics say the change weakens protections while prioritizing resource extraction from the country's public lands. More than 130,000 comments were submitted during the comment period for rescinding the rule, of which nearly 98% were opposed to the change. Alice Weston, a community organizer for the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, said the BLM is ignoring the broad opposition. "People...
As the deadline to cast ballots for Oregon's primary election comes closer, new research highlighted the link between voting and longevity in older adults. In a new study, older adult voters had close to a 40% lower mortality risk after 10 years when compared to nonvoters, and those in poorer health benefited more. Bandana Shrestha, state director of AARP Oregon, said voting, along with activities like volunteering, are crucial for sustained well-being. "Research shows that it's actually...
Data show more than half the lower 48 states are currently experiencing drought, including two-thirds of the West and in Oregon, most of the state is already facing moderate to severe drought. Scientists are calling the situation historic. This winter tied 1934 as the warmest on record in Oregon, reducing the snowpack to about one third of its normal size. Peter Gleick, cofounder of the Pacific Institute in Oakland, explained there has been almost no snow in the West, and what little snow did...
New requirements laid out by the Department of Health and Human Services to limit processed foods in hospitals are getting mixed responses from hospitals in rural Oregon. The stated goal of the new guidelines is to fight long-term illness by treating healthy food as part of medical care, including eliminating sugary drinks, replacing refined grains with whole grains and emphasizing higher vegetable intake. Virginia Williams, CEO of Curry Health Network in Gold Beach, said being a small hospital...
Gov. Tina Kotek has signed the 1.25% For Wildlife bill into law, making the Beaver State one of just a few to dedicate funding to implement a State Wildlife Action Plan. The law will increase revenue for wildlife conservation, coexistence and stewardship programs by adding a 1.25% increase to Oregon's transient lodging tax. Sristi Kamal, deputy director of the Western Environmental Law Center, said the legislation is a way for tourists to pay into conservation. "They come to Oregon for...
This pollen season is shaping up to be the longest on record in Oregon, but experts say there are many free or low-cost things people can do around their home to keep their indoor air clean that will also save money on energy bills. Warmer temperatures mean more plants are creating pollen at the same time, and the state's pollen season is about a month longer than in the 1970s. Just as in wildfire season, said Jami Seymore, spokesperson for the Energy Trust of Oregon, when there is a high...
The threat of rare, but deadly disease is rising alongside mosquito populations in the Northwest. In response, scientists are researching how mosquitoes detect a common compound in natural repellents. A warming climate has lengthened "mosquito season" in the Northwest, in some places by more than a month. Jeffrey Riffell, a biology professor at the University of Washington, said the problem is not just that mosquito populations are increasing; they are also becoming resistant to common...
The rapid expansion of data centers in Washington and Oregon is threatening the region's shift to renewable energy, according to a new report. The report, released by the environmental advocacy group Columbia Riverkeeper, identified more than 100 data centers either completed or in progress across 12 counties bordering the Columbia River. Kelly Campbell, policy director for the group, said power demand is expected to soar as a result of the data centers and tech companies are turning to fossil...
It is officially income-tax season and Oregonians have access to free, expert assistance through the AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program through April 15. The program offers tax preparation and filing services for anyone, with a focus on low- and middle-income older adults. Kathy Goeddel, assistant state coordinator of the Oregon program, has been a volunteer tax preparer for 42 years. She said keeping up with new tax codes every year can be overwhelming for people on their own and the changes co...
Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill that would crack down on what proponents call predatory lending schemes that impact thousands of Oregonians each year. A new report by the Center for Responsible Lending examines lender OppFi, which charges Oregonians up to 195% interest on loans of $500 to $5,000. According to Ellen Harnick, the center's executive vice president and director of state policy, such lenders target desperate borrowers and trap them in cycles of debt, where interest paid can...
February is American Heart Month, and experts are reminding people you do not need medical credentials to save someone's life. All you need is some basic knowledge and the courage and willingness to perform CPR. More than 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in homes and the person's survival depends on immediate action. Tia Sherry, owner of River City Bicycles in Portland, learned the lesson last fall after her husband, Dave Guettler, collapsed with no warning while on a bike ride....
In a victory for tribes and conservation groups, an Oregon appeals court has overturned a state rule critics said weakened protections for migratory fish, like salmon and steelhead. The 2022 rule allowed dam operators to trap and truck fish around dams instead of upgrading the structures to ensure safe passage for the fish. It was challenged by two Northwest tribes, including the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and several nonprofits. Kat Brigham, chair of the Umatilla...
The American Postal Workers union has released a statement opposing recent changes to the U.S. Postal Service and calling for more transparency. The Postal Service has ended the practice of transporting nearly all collected mail to processing facilities on the same day. Now, especially in rural areas, much of the mail is not processed until the next morning, or after several days if collected before a weekend or holiday. Daniel Cortez, director of industrial relations for the Oregon Postal...
In the face of rising utility rates this winter, experts cite many cheap or low-cost strategies Oregonians can use around their homes to save on their energy bills. Jami Seymore, a spokesperson for Energy Trust of Oregon, a nonprofit that helps people and businesses save energy and money, said heating is most often a household's largest energy expense, especially during winter, but it's also likely their biggest opportunity to save. For starters, she recommended paying careful attention to any...
Oregon faces a nearly $375 million budget shortfall going into the new year and rather than cutting social services, some experts are calling for a change to the tax code which could generate millions for the state. Daniel Hauser, deputy director of the Oregon Center for Public Policy, pointed to the Qualified Small Business Stock Exclusion, a federal tax break estimated to cost the country $80 billion over the next decade. He believes it largely benefits venture capitalists rather than small...
Gov. Tina Kotek has issued an executive order to advance Oregon's new State Energy Strategy, a roadmap for achieving the state's climate and energy goals. The order directs agencies to strengthen the Clean Fuels Program, accelerate building and vehicle electrification, and expand energy storage and transmission. Nora Apter, Oregon director of the advocacy group Climate Solutions, who helped draft the strategy, said the order signals Oregon is doubling down on climate and clean energy leadership...
