Science & Environment
Disaster Peak, left, punctuates the northwest rim of the McDermitt Caldera in southeast Oregon in this Jan. 14, 2022, photo. The historic lakebed in the foreground contains some of the highest concentrations of lithium in the United States.
BLM rushes review of Oregon lithium project following Trump’s executive order
A proposed Southeast Oregon mine’s been under review for three years. Now the Trump administration is giving people four days to comment before proceeding.
Latest Stories
Trump administration funding freeze creates uncertainty for Oregon urban tree canopy programs
The Trump administration appears to have frozen at least $40 million in federal payments for Oregon-based urban tree canopy programs, as part of a broader push by the president to cut support for programs related to climate change.
US Supreme Court declines to revive landmark climate suit brought by young Oregonians
The decision ends a decade-long fight led by 11 young Oregonians and 10 of their peers across the nation against the U.S. government over climate inaction.
A ‘good’ water year in Central Oregon comes with murky political forecast
As federal cuts stall irrigation projects, some wonder if the Trump administration will overhaul water politics in drought-prone Oregon.
Bill would require Oregon’s multi-unit property owners to provide tenants cooling devices
Senate Bill 54 would require property owners of 10 or more multi-family rental units to provide tenants with indoor cooling in at least one room. By 2036, all bedrooms would require cooling devices.
Hundreds support pausing Oregon’s investment in private fossil fuel holdings, but Treasury opposed
Nearly 300 people submitted testimony in support of the Pause Act to stop new Treasury investments in private fossil fuel funds.
Oregon fire officials say PacifiCorp didn’t cause Santiam Fire, contradicting federal reports, jury decision
The Oregon Department of Forestry report comes five years after the 2020 fire, as PacifiCorp pushes for legislation that would limit utilities' wildfire liabilities
Oregon farmworkers say they’re overworked and underpaid. They want a seat at the table
Oregon farmworkers want to be more involved in setting standards around working conditions and pay. But farmers say they can't afford more burdensome regulation.
Northwest research reveals some whales avoid detection from predators by keeping their songs reeaaal low
New findings suggest the evolution and behavior of at least some baleen whales has been significantly shaped by fear of orca attack.
Washington State University-led study reveals 20-year loss of butterfly populations across US
A new study reveals that butterfly populations in the U.S. declined by more than 20% from 2000 to 2020.
Oregon lawmakers propose wildfire funding solutions bill
House Bill 3940 is a mash of options proposed by a wildfire funding work group that looked into the challenges of paying to mitigate, suppress and fight fires.