(Portland, OR) -- Pacific Power has awarded two-million dollars to 18 cities, towns, community colleges and nonprofits for electric vehicle projects. The money will be used to install charging stations, purchase electric bikes, trucks and vans. Some of the money targets undeserved and rural communities in Pacific Power's territory. Since 2020, Pacific Power has distributed more than four-and-a-half million dollars in Electric Mobility Grants to Oregon communities.

(Washington, D.C.) -- The federal government will spend 715-thousand dollars to study moving the rest area at Government Camp. The current rest area was built in the 1950s and wasn't designed for the volume of traffic using Highway 26. The money for the study is coming from the Federal Lands Access Program. More than two dozen organizations are working with the U.S. Forest Service, State of Oregon and Oregon Solutions to design a new rest area.

(Oak Grove, OR) -- Oak Grove-based Clackamas Federal Credit Union is changing its name and expanding. Clackamas Federal Credit Union started in 1957 and is changing its name to Embold Credit Union effective February 1st. The credit union is expanding to Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill counties. Embold has expanded its leadership team to manage the expansion. Aaron Goff will remain the CEO of Embold Credit Union.

(Portland, OR) -- The longest-serving district attorney in Multnomah County history has died. Mike Schrunk was 80 years old. He joined the DA's office in 1970 and was elected top prosecutor in 1981. Schrunk served a record 32 years in office, retiring in 2012. Schrunk's father, Terry Schrunk, served as Portland Mayor from 1957 to 1973. In 2010, following a series of shootings involving police officers, Schrunk started filing for the release of grand jury transcripts into the shootings, a move that was opposed by police. Other district attorneys following Schrunk have continued to do the same thing.

(Portland, OR) -- Multnomah County's severe weather shelters are closing after helping 350 people Sunday night. The county says overnight low temperatures are warming to above 25 degrees and the cold east winds are ending. Outreach workers will continue to distribute extra winter gear and high-risk individuals will be directed to overflow shelter beds, if they want to use them.

(Portland, OR) -- The Portland City Council considers a resolution this week that maps out a two year guide for transitioning to the new form of government approved by voters in November. It appoints Chief Administrative Officer Michael Jordan to lead a charter transition team to manage election changes, expansion of the city council and reorganizing for a mayor/city administrator style of management. Portland's form of government will officially change in 2025.

(Woodland, WA) -- A 65-year-old man is missing after his boat capsized in the North Fork of the Lewis River on Sunday. Another boater called 911 after seeing a capsized boat near river mile 13. The caller found one man in the water and helped him to shore. A second man was missing. The Clark County Sheriff's Office searched by boat and with a drone, but they weren't able to find the man and the search was suspended. The search will resume today.

(Portland, OR) -- More than 600 City of Portland workers plan to strike on Thursday. The City and the union have failed to reach agreement on a new contract after 10 months of negotiations. The strike will affect the Bureau of Transportation, Parks & Recreation, Bureau of Environmental Services and fleet and vehicle workers. The City offered a 12-percent wage increase with half of it retroactive to last year, plus a five-percent cost of living increase. The union wants the five-percent cap on cost-of-living increases to be removed. Mayor Ted Wheeler issued an emergency declaration which allows the city to hire contractors to continue essential city services.

(Portland, OR) -- Emergency shelters are open in Multnomah and Washington counties, because of the cold weather. Lows are in the twenties and the wind chill is making it feel like temperatures are in the teens. Multnomah County has five shelters and Washington County has two. The shelters will remain open until temperatures warm later in the week.

(Portland, OR) -- A tow truck driver was injured by another tow truck in a hit and run crash Sunday morning in Portland. Police say the victim was on I-84 westbound and had just finished loading a vehicle when another tow truck hit the man. When firefighters arrived, the tow truck operator was laying on the ground in front of his truck. The 27-year-old man was hospitalized with a broken arm and leg. The suspect vehicle was a Ford tow truck with a wheel lift mechanism on the back. Police are asking anyone with information about the suspect's vehicle to contact them.

(Portland, OR) -- High levels of lead have been found in samples of children's skin cream. The product is called Diep Bao and it's used to treat eczema. The Oregon Health Authority says two Portland-area children were found to have elevated blood lead levels. Tests on the skin cream found unsafe levels of lead. The Food and Drug Administration was alerted and they're investigating. Only two tubes of the cream have been tested so far, and it's unknown whether it's a wider problem. Health officials are advising families to stop using the cream until more testing is done.

(Portland, OR) -- Multnomah County is being sued over its ban on flavored tobacco and vaping products that contain nicotine. Tobacco and vaping retailers filed the lawsuit. They previously sued Washington County over a similar ban and won. That case is being appealed. The lawsuit claims Multnomah County's ban is preempted by state law. The ban doesn't take effect until January 2024.

(Washington, D.C.) -- Oil companies are making record profits. Chevron has announced a 75-billion dollar stock buyback. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden says oil companies are making huge profits on the backs of Americans who are struggling to buy food, medicine and travel. Wyden has proposed the Taxing Big Oil Profiteers Act which would raise the tax on oil company stock buybacks to 25-percent. He says it's important to put a check on price gouging and windfalls for wealthy shareholders.

(Salem, OR) -- An increasing number of Oregonians are having trouble getting clean drinking water. A report from the Oregon Secretary of State highlights the problem and says it'll get worse due to climate change, drought, and over-allocation of surface and groundwater. The report recommends the state implement better planning, community engagement, and funding to improve data gathering on water resources.

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has released details of the budget for her plan to reduce homelessness. She's asking the Legislature to spend 130-million dollars. 33-million dollars would go toward rent assistance, 24-million dollars to add 600 shelter beds, and 54-million dollars to rehouse at least 12-hundred people who are homeless. The remainder of the funds would go to Oregon tribes, sanitation services, and coordination of the response. Kotek declared a Homelessness State of Emergency when she took office.

(Portland, OR) -- The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission is recalling two cannabis vape products that contain pesticides. The OLCC tested the products and incorrectly labeled them as passing when they failed. One-thousand vape cartridges were produced and 812 were sold. The product names are: Jack Herer and Girl's Night Out. Consumers who bought them should throw them away or ask the retailer for a return. No health-related complaints have been received.

(Jefferson, OR) -- Police say the arrest of a Jefferson man who allegedly shot and killed his neighbor's dog has turned up nearly two-dozen guns. The Marion County Sheriff's Office says since July, 41-year-old Jeremy Cornwell's family members have shared concerns for their safety because of his escalating behavior and access to guns. Cornell was living in a shed, and Marion County SWAT served a warrant arresting Cornwall on a charge of Aggravated Animal Abuse. A search of the shed uncovered more than 20 guns.

(Portland, OR) -- It's getting more crowded in downtown Portland. The Portland Business Alliance reports the number of people downtown has increased nearly 26-percent since 2021. More events, dinner, and entertainment options have helped bring people downtown. June was the busiest month with two-and-a-quarter million visits. Foot traffic has recovered 60-percent from before the pandemic, but Portland still lags behind similar sized cities.

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon's controversial wildfire risk map is on hold. An updated draft of the map was supposed to be released in March, but the Legislature is considering 11 bills that could affect the map, or even eliminate it. The wildfire risk map was supposed to rank parts of the state where properties were at high risk of wildfire. Building codes were expected to change to make properties safer. The map had several discrepancies and communities opposed it. The Oregon Department of Forestry will now wait until the Legislature finishes its work before moving forward.

(Portland, OR) -- Parents have until February 15th to get their children up-to-date on immunizations in Oregon, or they'll be excluded from school. This includes students in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified child care facilities. The Oregon Health Authority says it's the best way to prevent diseases such as whooping cough and measles. Parents who can't afford immunizations should contact their county's health department. COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, but OHA strongly recommends them.

(Portland, OR) -- TriMet has issued a lifetime exclusion to Koryn Kraemer for a brutal attack on an elderly man at a MAX station. Kraemer is accused of bitting off the man's ear and part of his face until bones were showing. Kraemer remains in jail. This is TriMet's second lifetime exclusion. Previously, prolific sex offender Jared Walter, also known as the TriMet Barber, was the first person banned for life. TriMet also issued a five year ban to Brianna Workman for pushing a child onto MAX tracks. And, Dustin Rasmussen is excluded for five years after hitting a Transit Security Officer with handlebars that were removed from a bike.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon food cart owners face new rules that take effect this month. The rules were established in 2020, to give owners time to comply. The rules require all equipment to be physically attached to the food cart. When items sit on the ground they create gathering places for insects and rodents. Most food carts are also required to have on-board drinking and wastewater tanks. Food carts can connect to water and sewer, if it's available, but they still need to have the tanks. Food carts that don't comply won't be shut down immediately as long as they're working to solve the problems.

(Portland, OR) -- The Portland Timbers have appointed Heather Davis as the soccer club's CEO. Davis will oversee all business and operational aspects of the Portland Timbers, Portland Thorns and Providence Park. She's the highest-ranking female executive in club history and one of five women overseeing club operations in Major League Soccer. She was named interim-CEO when Merritt Paulson stepped down and fired president of business Mike Golub in October. Paulson, who still owns the teams, said "Heather has been nothing short of remarkable during her time here."

(Salem, OR) -- Open enrollment for Oregon Health Care dot Gov has ended and the number of people who signed up for insurance is down three-percent. Nearly 142-thousand Oregonians enrolled in health insurance coverage. That's a decline of 46-hundred people from the previous year. The Oregon Health Authority says enrollment in the Oregon Health Plan, which is the state's Medicaid program, was up. If you missed open enrollment, a qualifying life event would still allow you to apply.

(Astoria, OR) -- ODOT crews have reopened two lanes of traffic on Highway 30 at a landslide east of Astoria. The slide happened November 29th. The highway was reduced to one lane with flaggers. ODOT says large rocks came off the hillside, and it's required more work to make the hillside safe. A third lane near the hillside will stay closed as more work continues.

(Vancouver, WA) -- A construction crew hit a natural gas line Monday morning in Vancouver causing the area to be evacuated. The work was being done near the intersection of Northeast 104th and Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard. When firefighters arrived, they detected high levels of natural gas in the area. Roads were closed and businesses were evacuated while crews from Northwest Natural stopped the leak. No one was injured.

(Salem,OR) -- The Oregon Attorney General has organized a group of lawyers to answer questions about the state's laws concerning abortions. They are part of the Reproductive Rights Hotline. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum says following the Dobbs decision it's important to answer questions about abortion law, especially along the border with Idaho where most abortions are prohibited. The Hotline's team of lawyers will return calls within 48 hours. Legal questions will be answered on a pro bono basis. The Hotline number is 503-431-6460.

(Corvallis, OR) -- New research from Oregon State University shows wolves on a remote Alaskan island ate nearly the entire deer population and then turned to sea otters. OSU researchers believe it's the first case of sea otters becoming the primary food source for a land-based predator. When the deer population dwindled to almost nothing, the researchers thought the wolves would leave or die from starvation. Instead, they started eating sea otters while they were in shallow water or on rocks at low tide. The research is now being expanded to Katmai National Park & Preserve, where the same thing appears to be happening.

(Pacific City, OR) -- A sink hole has opened in the sand at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area. It's 20-feet wide and 15-feet deep. The area around the sinkhole has been closed. Oregon State Parks and Recreation says the Cape is a dynamic environment and the sink hole could grow. The Cape is a sandstone outcropping which is weaker than hard rock and subject to sudden changes. They're asking visitors to stay away from the sink hole.

(Cannon Beach, OR) -- A fourth whale has been found dead on an Oregon beach. The body of a gray whale was found Saturday near Cannon Beach. Officials with the Seaside Aquarium say it appears to have been dead about a month. That may make it difficult to determine the cause of death. A shark bit the whale, but that happened after it was dead. It doesn't appear any of the whale deaths are connected. This is the time of year when whales are swimming south to Baja California and there are thousands of gray whales taking part in the migration.

SALEM -- Oregon's official pet would be rescue dogs and cats under a measure being considered by the Legislature.  

2022 Oregon Kid Governor Emerie Martin says making rescue dogs and cats the official state pet would increase awareness, “By making shelter dogs and cats Oregon’s official pet, we are putting them front and center and promoting the adoption of these animals.”

State Representative David Gomberg (D-Central Coast) says lots of Oregonians have pets, many adopted from rescue shelters, “We want to honor that very special relationship between Oregonians and their pets. And we want to honor those pets, as well, many of whom have been through a difficult pathway on their way to finding a forever home and have shown resilience along the way.”

More than 40,000 dogs and cats entered Oregon shelters last year, and most were adopted.  State Senator Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro) says the goal is to get more rescue pets adopted, “This bill will help raise public awareness for shelter animals and many shelters around the state of Oregon.” Sollman notes 625 dogs and cats were euthanized last year at shelters, and if more animals are adopted that number would decline.  

(Salem, OR) -- Two people are under arrest in connection with the death of a child in Salem. Friday morning, police responded to a report of a child who was unresponsive. The child was taken to Salem Health where they later died. The Oregon State Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and the boy's father, 29-year-old Robby-Joe Davenport and his domestic partner Cierra Wiedner were arrested. They're both charged with Criminal Mistreatment in the first degree.

(Portland, OR) -- Four dogs that were in a van stolen in North Portland were found safe. The van was left running at a hotel on Hayden Island when it was stolen on Saturday. The dog's owners were in Portland for the Rose City Dog Show. A resident in Vancouver found the van abandoned and called police. The dogs were in crates inside of the van and returned to their owners.

(Portland, OR) -- Multnomah County voters will decide an initiative in May that would establish a program to pay legal fees for anyone being evicted. It would create the Tenant Resource Office which would be funded by a three-quarters of a percent tax on capital gains. New York, San Francisco, and Cleveland have similar programs. The Multnomah County Commission is expected to approve a resolution this week that will put it on the May 16th ballot. Organizers collected enough signatures to get the measure on the ballot.

(Portland, OR) -- Iconic Portland Trail Blazers announcer Bill Schonely died on Saturday at age 93. Schonely was the first announcer for the Blazers and held the position for 28 years. Schonely created the phrase 'Rip City' while calling a Blazers game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Schonely's wife Dottie was by his side when he passed. A public service is being planned. The details are still being worked out. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to Providence Child Center and the American Heart Association.

(Vancouver, WA) -- Two young teenagers are under arrest for a carjacking in Vancouver on Saturday. Police say a woman had parked her car at Vancouver Mall and as she was walking in, two boys approached her armed with a knife and stole her car. Police spotted the car and attempted a traffic stop, but the suspects drove into Oregon. The pursuit ended in Clackamas County. Both suspects, ages 13 and 14, were taken into custody and lodged at the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center and will be extradited to Clark County.

SALEM, OR -- A year after the legislature mandated overtime pay for farm workers, an effort is underway to make changes to the law. State Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany) is proposing revisions to rules requiring farms pay workers overtime after a certain number of hours, "Hopefully being able to fix some of the problems that we see arise before they actually hurt both farm workers and small family farms." The law passed during the 2022 short session and took effect in June. Boshart Davis tells KBND News similar mandates in California led to smaller paychecks for farm workers, "Employers will attempt to reduce hours qualifying for overtime pay, the employers will try to hire additional laborers to reduce that overtime pay." 

Among other changes, she wants an exemption for peak harvest times, “Or we’ve heard it called a harvest worker allowance or a harvest week or a peak week - The bill that I would like to do sets the threshold for the overtime higher only during certain weeks of the year.”

She’s optimistic about her proposal with new leadership in the legislature and the departure of Democratic Representative Andrea Salinas, now in Congress, "Which is positive because she kind of was that force here in the building." Salinas was the chief Sponsor of that original 2022 farm worker overtime bill.

SALEM, OR -- An effort is underway to name Oregon's longest highway to honor Gold Star families.  

Highway 30 is Oregon's longest highway, stretching through seven cities. Dick Tobiason, chairman of the Bend Heroes Foundation, told lawmakers this week, "It is time to honor the Gold Star Families left behind, by honoring them on the 477-mile U.S. Highway 30." 

He says naming it the "Gold Star Families Memorial Highway" is important to families. "Perhaps the signs will provide some closure," he said, "It shows the Legislature, the Governor and the public care about these families." Bend State Senator Tim Knopp is the Chief Sponsor of SB 659, that would enshrine the designation. 

Tobiason says it would be the first of its kind in the country, "I cannot find any border-to-border Gold Star Families Memorial Highway in the United States. I can find short segments. But, like the Medal of Honor Highways in other states, there are none complete across the state. So we would be the first to have a border-to-border, all state, Gold Star Families Memorial Highway."

U.S. 30 runs across the country to Atlantic City, New Jersey. And Tobiason says there are other groups that would work to have the full length named for Gold Star Families.

Tobiason is also behind a separate effort to designate Highway 20 as the national Medal of Honor Highway. 

(Salem, OR) -- The Oregon Secretary of State has released an audit of how Ballot Measure 110 is being implemented. The voter approved measure decriminalized drug use and required the Oregon Health Authority to establish drug treatment facilities around the state. The audit recommends creation of a plan by September that details how the program will be integrated into the state's behavioral health system. It also recommends the establishment of a way to measure progress as well as a way to develop better policies and procedures for giving grants to treatment centers. The Oregon Health Authority has been criticized for taking over two years to get the program in operation.

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon had fewer boating related fatalities last year. The Oregon State Marine Board reports 16 people died in boating incidents, compared to 19 in 2021, and 26 in 2020. Officials say most fatalities come down to people not wearing life jackets. Eleven incidents involved non-motorized watercraft, like kayaks and paddleboards.

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon gained jobs in December, but the unemployment rate also increased. The Oregon Employment Department reports 61-hundred jobs were added last month. Most of those jobs were in manufacturing, construction, professional and business services, and other services. The number of people working set a record high of nearly one-point-seven million. The unemployment rate rose from four-point-three percent to four-point-five percent. Over the last five months, the unemployment rate has increased one-percent.

(Corvallis, OR) -- Oregon State University has finalized a contract to manufacture cables that will carry electricity from a wave generation facility in the ocean to shore. The test facility will be called PacWave South and will be located seven miles west of Seal Rock on the central Oregon Coast. Companies designing wave power generation equipment will use it to test their devices. It's located away from fishing areas. The underground cables will be made in Norway by Paris-based Nexans. The project could be operational by 2025.

(Portland, OR) -- The FBI is offering a 25-thousand-dollar reward for information that helps identify a suspect in a series of arsons at reproductive health centers. The incidents happened last year at the Mother and Child Education Center in Portland, the Gresham Pregnancy Resource Center, and Oregon Right to Life in Keizer. Investigators believe the suspect may have been driving a white sedan, possibly a 2017-2018 Hyundai Elantra. Anyone with information about the suspect should contact the FBI.

(Portland, OR) -- An Oregon Zoo polar bear is helping to test tracking equipment that can be used on wild polar bears. 3M is working with Polar Bears International to design tracking equipment that clips on fur instead of being a collar around the bear's neck. Collars don't work on male polar bears, because their neck is as wide as their head and the collar falls off. The zoo's polar bear, Nora, has tested a device they call "Burr on Fur." The device is made to eventually fall off, but it only lasted several days on Nora. Researchers are working on different ways to attach the device. It's difficult to observe polar bears in the wild because they live in one of the harshest environments on the planet.

(Portland, OR) -- The federal government has approved funding to reduce wildfire risk in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Four-and-a-half million dollars will be spent on projects to increase the health and resiliency of the forest and to reduce fuels that can feed a wildfire. The money comes from the Inflation Reduction Act and 490-million dollars that are being divided among 11 projects in seven states. The Colville National Forest in Washington state will get two-million dollars.

(Willamina, OR) -- A Yamhill County Sheriff's deputy and students at Willamina Middle School are recovering after being overcome by fentanyl a student was apparently burning in a restroom. The deputy was asked to investigate a strong, acrid smell in the restroom in a modular classroom. The deputy started experiencing symptoms of an overdose and three students were also affected. One student was hospitalized along with the deputy. Investigators learned a student was apparently burning counterfeit pills with fentanyl on a piece of foil. The Willamina School District sent a notification to parents about the incident. The sheriff's office says there have been several fentanyl overdoses since the weekend, one of which was fatal. They're concerned a batch of counterfeit pills being distributed might be especially potent.

(Salem, OR) -- The Oregon Department of Forestry has put development of wildfire risk maps on hold until problems with the maps are resolved. The Oregon Legislature is also considering 11 bills that would affect the maps. Oregon State Forester Cal Mukumoto told lawmakers they'll wait until after the Legislature is finished doing its work before completing the maps. The maps show property owners whether they're in high risk areas for wildfires. The original maps had several discrepancies, which is why the process was put on hold. Property owners were concerned insurance companies would use the maps to increase rates. Building codes would also be added to help protect properties from wildfire.

(Portland, OR) -- Portland's lighting plan is entering its second phase. Mayor Ted Wheeler started the program of lighting trees to improve safety and deter crime in business districts. The first phase focused on trees downtown including Director's Park, South Park Blocks, Chapman and Lownsdale Square along with Northwest 3rd, 4th and 5th avenues. The second phase will add lights to trees in Montavilla, the Jade District, Fremont and Lents Commons. Phase three includes northeast Broadway, the Lloyd District and other eastside and North Portland locations. The Public Environment Management Office is coordinating the program.

(Portland, OR) -- Airports in Portland and Eugene set records last year for the most guns found at TSA checkpoints. Portland had 78 guns and Eugene had 10. A total of 108 guns were found at Oregon's four airports with TSA security screening. Passengers can face criminal charges and hefty fines for bringing a gun through security in carry-on baggage. Guns can be brought onto a plane only if they're unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage. Replica guns also need to go in checked bags. Passengers with guns need to notify the carrier when checking in.

(Corvallis, OR) -- Road building and logging are greater factors in landslides than heavy rain. Research by Oregon State University found clear cutting timber and building roads has a greater impact on how often landslides occur and how severe they are compared to how much water moves through a watershed. They studied the Lookout Creek watershed in Western Oregon over five time periods from 1950 through 2020. There were more landslides when logging was underway than occurred after the logging had stopped.

(Salem, OR) -- ODOT wants your opinion about electric vehicle charging stations that'll be built along I-5, I-205, and Highway 97. The stations will be located less than 50 miles apart and within one mile of an exit. The fast-charging stations are funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. Over the next five years, 65-million dollars will be spent building the stations. Private EV charging companies will install, own and operate the stations. ODOT has an online open house and a survey for each freeway or highway.

(Portland, OR) -- The City of Portland has released new details about the accusations against former Mayor Sam Adams who was working as a senior aid to current Mayor Ted Wheeler. Six complaints were filed against Adams causing Wheeler to demand his resignation. Adams was an at-will employee, so no investigation of the accusations was required. Wheeler acted on the advice of the City of Portland's Bureau of Human Resources.

(Portland, OR) -- Attorneys representing the families of two people stabbed to death while trying to stop a man's racist attack against two girls on a MAX train in 2017 are seeking witnesses. Jeremy Christian was convicted of the stabbings that killed Ricky Best and Taliesin Namkai-Meche [[ tuh-LEE-zhun NAHM-ky MEH-chay ]]. Micah Fletcher was seriously injured. The attorneys are trying to identify the train's passenger who pressed the emergency intercom button or anyone who interacted with Christian in the two days prior to the stabbings. They have filed civil lawsuits against TriMet and the City of Portland claiming they were negligent and failed to take reasonable measures to protect TriMet passengers.

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum says consumer privacy, abortion rights, and ghost guns are among her priorities for this year's legislative session. Rosenblum says the proposals come from two Attorney General task forces that developed the bills. The Data Broker Transparency bill would require companies that collect consumer data to register with the state and declare whether a consumer can opt out of data collection. The Reproductive Health Care bill would expand access to reproductive health care and give legal protections to providers. The Ghost Guns bill would prohibit the sale, manufacture and possession of guns with no serial numbers.

(Corvallis, OR) -- Researchers at Oregon State University are partnering with Daimler Trucks North America to design a zero-emission heavy duty truck capable of long-haul freight deliveries. They're working to develop a fuel cell truck tractor with a 600-mile range, a 25-thousand-hour cell life and a payload capacity that's similar to a diesel truck. The Department of Energy has awarded Daimler nearly 26-million dollars to develop the technology. Their goal is to build a hydrogen fuel cell electric tractor that exceeds current heavy-duty long-haul trucks without compromising payload capacity.

(Warrenton, OR) -- A 40-foot sperm whale that washed up dead on the Oregon Coast near Fort Stevens State Park will be allowed to naturally decompose. Biologists say the whale was killed after being hit by a ship. They performed a necropsy and removed the whale's lower jaw for further study. In past cases, whales have been buried or removed. In this case, nature will be allowed to take it's course.

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is investigating health insurance companies that don't provide service. The companies are listed in a network, but the doctors don't provide services. In many cases, the contact information for the doctor isn't correct, or the doctor isn't available to make appointments for months. Wyden says clients pay into the healthcare provider, but don't get service. Wyden is a member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care and plans to submit legislation on the issue.

(Portland, OR) -- The number of patients with respiratory infections has Oregon hospitals working at their limits. Dr. Katie Scharff, with Kaiser Permanente in Portland, says hospitals are being creative to increase beds, but the bigger problem is a lack of staff. The Oregon Health Authority is splitting the costs with hospitals to hire traveling nurses. Infections including RSV, flu and COVID-19 are causing the spike in patients.

(Portland, OR) -- Beachgoers need to watch for king tides this weekend along the coast. King tides happen when the sun and moon align to cause higher tides than normal. Large 15- to 18-foot waves are possible on beaches in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington. The larger waves can cause stronger rip currents and there can be more sneaker waves. You should stay high on the beach, don't crawl on logs, and never turn your back on the ocean.

(Portland, OR) -- A man was killed in a shooting Monday afternoon in Portland's Hazelwood Neighborhood. Portland Police responded to a shooting near a gas station at Northeast 102nd and Glisan. They found a man who suffered life-threatening injuries from the shooting. He was taken to a hospital where he died. Police are investigating the circumstances of the shooting. A suspect has not been arrested.

(Portland, OR) -- Kaiser Permanente employees helped pack three-thousand food boxes for the Sunshine Division. It's the third year Kaiser employees have helped with the MLK Day event. Kaiser awarded 90-thousand dollars to help buy food. The food boxes are being delivered throughout the region. One-thousand food boxes were given away at a drive-up event.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici continues to recover at home after being hit by a car in Northwest Portland. It happened Friday night. Police say Bonamici and her husband were using a crosswalk at Northwest Everett and Northwest 19th Avenue when a slow-moving vehicle struck them. Bonamici was hospitalized for a concussion and a cut to her head. Her husband suffered minor injuries. Bonamici released a statement yesterday thanking everyone for their well wishes and thanking first responders and health care workers for providing her care.

(Seaside, OR) -- Police say they've recovered the body of a woman who has been missing from Seaside since December. Seaside Police and the Clatsop County Search & Rescue were looking for LaDawn Bloom, who was reported missing December 4th. They found signs where a vehicle might have driven into Neawanna Creek, and divers found the vehicle with a body inside. The vehicle was confirmed to be Bloom's 2018 silver Ford Fiesta. The investigation into her cause of death continues.

(Corbett, OR) -- A man is facing charges after driving his car off the Historic Columbia River Highway and landing in a tree. Police say the 23-year-old man was under the influence when he crashed Saturday night near the Vista House. Fire crews used a high-angle rope rescue technique to get the man out of the car. A tow truck later managed to remove the car from the tree and pull it back up to the road.

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is telling state agencies to improve customer service. Kotek sent a letter to agency directors telling them they need to be more efficient, more effective, and create systems that help the 42-thousand state employees deliver better service for Oregonians. Kotek has told the Department of Administrative Services she wants progress reports every quarter starting in June.

(Astoria, OR) -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is investigating the death of a 40-foot sperm whale that washed ashore at Fort Stevens State Park. Officials with the Seaside Aquarium say the whale appears to be a juvenile male and was likely dead for some time before it washed ashore. The whale has some large gashes on its body that officials believe came from a collision with a ship. The aquarium has removed the whale's lower jaw for scientific purposes and says officials will perform a necropsy sometime later this week.

(Portland, OR) -- The new COVID-19 variant, XBB.1.5, spreads fast, but Oregon State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger says, currently, only around five-percent of the cases here are from the variant. Models show it will increase the number of people hospitalized with the virus. Sidelinger says it's not expected to be a major problem, and the new variant doesn't make people more sick than the other versions of COVID-19. The bivalent booster vaccine does provide some protection against the new variant.

(Medford, OR) -- The Mail Tribune, one of Oregon's oldest running newspapers will shutdown on Friday. The paper has been based in Medford since 1906. They posted the announcement on their website. They attribute the decision to industry-wide reductions in advertising, rising costs, and difficulty hiring staff.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregonians who took steps to avoid spreading respiratory viruses during the holidays helped slow the spread of infections. The Oregon Health Authority reports RSV infections are declining, flu cases are peaking, and COVID-19 cases are expected to reach their peak soon. Oregon State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger says while hospitals continue to operate at or above capacity, they are seeing improvements in respiratory virus hospitalizations. Sidelinger says actions by Oregonians to limit the spread of viruses made a difference.

(Salem, OR) -- If you're expecting an income tax refund this year and you're ready to submit your return, you'll still have to wait about a month to get your money. The Oregon Department of Revenue will start processing 2022 state income tax returns the same day as the IRS, which is January 23rd. Returns will be processed in the order received. Refunds won't be issued until after February 15th. The refund is held as a fraud prevention measure, so the amounts claimed on tax returns match what employers report on Forms W-2 and 1099. E-Filing is the fastest way to get your refund.

(Port Orford, OR) -- Drivers may be able to use Highway 101 south of Port Orford by Friday afternoon. Early Monday morning, a landslide that runs under the highway sank about 12 feet. Crews have been working to repair the damage. If the weather cooperates, they hope to open one lane through the area. If there's too much rain, it might delay the reopening. If the slide continues to move, they'll have to close the highway again.

(Portland, OR) -- The U.S. Forest Service will celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday by waiving standard fees for all visitors to national forest areas. That includes fees for picnic areas, boat launches, trailheads and visitor centers. Fees for camping, cabin rentals, and permits still apply. Other fee free days this year include: President's Day, National Get Outdoors Day, Juneteenth, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day.

(Salem, OR) -- The man who killed four people when he drove through a homeless camp in Salem last year has been sentenced to more than 25 years in prison. Salem Police say Enrique Rodriguez, Jr. drove through a camp near Front Street Northeast and Highway 99. Last year, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to Manslaughter, Driving Under the Influence and other charges. Court records show his blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit. The judge called his actions "stupid and senseless." He said the 25 year sentence will give the victims justice and also send a message to the community about the dangers of drinking and driving.

(Salem, OR) -- The Oregon Health Authority is making it easier for respiratory therapists to renew their licenses. There's currently a shortage of respiratory therapists in the state, because of COVID-19, flu and RSV. OHA is allowing respiratory therapists with expired or inactive licenses within the last five years to renew them. They need to be in good standing with the OHA and pay a 50-dollar fee. They'll be able to work until the health emergency ends.

(Portland, OR) -- After nearly three years of conducting virtual adoptions, the Multnomah County Animal Services shelter has resumed in-person adoptions. The shelter was closed to adoptions and taking stray animals for the last week, because they had limited staff and too many animals. All adoption fees will be waived for the next 30 days. The shelter will resume taking strays and lost animals on Thursday. Several animal welfare organizations and foster families helped take some of the animals in the shelter.

(Beaverton, OR) -- The Beaverton School District has stopped using petroleum-based diesel in its school buses. They're now burning renewable diesel that comes from vegetable oils and animal fats. It's more expensive, but the prices will go down as demand increases for renewable diesel. It is cleaner burning, has less emissions, and reduces maintenance. The school district expects that, in the long run, costs will balance out.

(Portland, OR) -- A movie based on the shooting death of a popular chef at the Oregon Culinary Institute airs on Saturday. The Lifetime movie stars Cybill Shepherd and Steve Guttenberg. It's titled "How to Murder Your Husband" which was the title of an essay written by Nancy Crampton-Brophy. She was convicted of killing her husband Dan Brophy inside of the Oregon Culinary Institute in 2018. Crampton-Brophy was convicted of second-degree murder last May. The movie airs at 5 p.m. Saturday on the Lifetime network.

(Portland, OR) -- A new app is improving accessibility for people at Portland International Airport. It's provided by a company called GoodMaps and works on Apple and Android phones. It's intended to help people with sight and hearing impairments but can be used by anyone. The app provides audio and visual directions to help people find their way to locations in terminals, including restrooms, restaurants, retail outlets, and water fountains. It also directs people through the ticket lobby and baggage claim. PDX is the second airport worldwide to partner with GoodMaps.

(Salem, OR) -- Extra benefits for SNAP households will end next month. Since April 2020, most people in Oregon who receive food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have received extra emergency food benefits, because of the pandemic. February will be the final month the extra benefits will be added to EBT cards. Regular SNAP benefits will continue. Anyone needing additional help getting emergency food assistance should call 211, the Oregon Food Bank or their local Community Action Agency.

(Vancouver, WA) -- Officials say 33-thousand customers of Clark Public Utilities in the Vancouver area lost power early Tuesday morning because of a crash. The car hit a utility pole near Burton Road and 90th Avenue that supplies power to a major substation. Most of the power was restored by 10 a.m., which was about nine hours after the crash happened. No one was injured in the crash.

(Portland, OR) -- Across the country, gas prices are up four cents a gallon to an average of three-dollars and 27 cents but Triple-A reports that Oregon's average is down four cents to three-dollars and 70 cents a gallon. It's the largest weekly drop for a state in the nation. Barring any supply disruptions, has prices in Oregon are expected to continue downward. The national average appears to have bottomed out and Oregon's prices will do the same before they start increasing in the spring. Diesel in Oregon declined two cents to four-77 while the national average fell four cents to 464-dollars.

(Portland, OR) -- A federal judge has sentenced a repeat felon to over six years in prison. 53-year-old Tyrone Allen pleaded guilty to firing a gun outside of a restaurant. Prosecutors say Allen, who was on post-prison supervision for bank robberies, got into a fight with his girlfriend inside of a restaurant. They went outside and when the woman threatened to call 911, Allen fired a shot into the air and drove away. The incident was captured on surveillance video and showed Allen's girlfriend hiding behind parked vehicles. Allen was stopped by officers as he drove by the restaurant . They found a handgun in the car under the driver's seat. He claimed it belonged to his girlfriend. The judge sentenced Allen to 77 months in prison.

(Forest Grove, OR) -- A woman who was hit by a car in Forest Grove while pushing a child in a stroller has died. The crash happened last Thursday near the intersection of 19th Avenue and Hawthorne Street. Police say 40-year-old Lourdes Garcia died at a hospital two days after the crash. The child was treated and released from a hospital. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

(Salem, OR) -- Democrat Tina Kotek has been sworn in as Oregon's 39th Governor. In her inaugural address to a joint session of the Legislature, she outlined her goals. She will declare a homelessness state of emergency and ask the Legislature to approve 130-million dollars to move 12-hundred homeless Oregonians into stable housing. She will also sign an executive order to set a target of creating more than 36-thousand affordable housing units a year. She pledged to increase government efficiency and improve access to services. She also called on Oregonians to act as a force of positive change by making contributions to their own communities.

(Seattle, WA) -- Dungeness crab harvest is being pushed back for part of Oregon and the entire Washington coast. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that the harvest grounds stretching from Klipsan Beach, Washington, to Cape Falcon, Oregon, will not open until February 1st. Surveys found legal-sized males did not have enough recoverable meat in their shells. The Dungeness crab harvest is Washington's most valuable commercial fishery. During the past decade, the seasons have generated on average nearly 48-million to crabbers.

(Hillsboro, OR) -- Highway 26 will close in both directions Tuesday and Wednesday nights near the Brookwood Parkway overpass in Hillsboro. The closure will happen between midnight and 5 a.m. for installation of the Bridge of Land & Sky. The chain link fencing on the overpass is being replaced with an artistically designed metal wall. It was designed by artist Cliff Garten. The 7- to 9-foot-tall undulating ribbon is 290 feet long on each side of the overpass. During the closure, freeway traffic will be detoured using the on- and off-ramps for the freeway, so there could be delays.

SALEM, OR -- Around $10 million in unclaimed money will go out to current and former Oregonians over the next six months. State Treasurer Tobias Read says when his office took over the Unclaimed Property Program from the Department of State Lands about a year ago, he wanted to streamline the process of returning money to its rightful owner even without an official claim. "When we can verify a person’s identity, we can make sure that we have the address and all that information correctly, we don’t need to wait for people to come to us; we can send money to them," Read tells KBND News. 

Round one will begin in February, with unclaimed funds reported in 2018. Treasury will attempt to send checks to more than 8,600 people around the country. Read says, "Even if you don’t happen to get a check in this round, people can always go to our website and search." Round two is in April, for unclaimed money reported in 2019. And 2020’s funds will go out in June. 

Read admits the check could be mistaken for a scam, "We certainly appreciate people being cautious about that. But it’s important for people to remember what this is: In a lot of cases, this is the deposit you paid on your deposit many years ago and forgot about; or it’s the last check for a job you had many years ago. In many cases, this is not a life-changing amount of money, but it’s money that is owed to Oregonians." Amounts could vary between $50 and $10,000. 

After June, Read’s office plans to run the Checks Without Claims program annually, although the majority of the money will still be returned through online claims.

SALEM, OR -- Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan will not attend Monday's inauguration of Governor-Elect Tina Kotek, under the practice of limiting events where the Governor, Secretary of State and Treasurer are in the same high-profile location. Her office says Secretary Fagan will assume the role of “designated survivor” during the inauguration and will view the ceremony from an undisclosed location.

She issued the following statement on Monday morning:

As a new lawmaker in my first term, I sat in a roundtable in then Secretary of State Kate Brown’s office and helped map out a plan to pass Oregon’s groundbreaking automatic voter registration law. As Governor Kate Brown exits today, Oregon is celebrating the distinction of the highest voter turnout in the nation in the 2022 election. Governor Brown leaves a legacy of trailblazing and lifesaving, and I will miss her.

I am excited to celebrate another trailblazer today, Oregon’s new Governor, Tina Kotek. After serving with Governor-Elect Kotek in the Oregon House when she was the Speaker, I have no doubt that she is eager to cut through the ceremony and get back to work solving Oregon’s biggest challenges. I celebrate her today, not only because of her barrier-breaking accession to Oregon’s highest office, but because of how hard she will work for all of Oregon for the next four years.

Lastly, I want to congratulate all the new lawmakers in Salem today. It was not that long ago that I joined my family on the floor of the Oregon House and took my oath of office. I hope all the new and returning lawmakers take a moment to soak up the excitement and celebration today. Oregon is lucky to have you.

Kotek's swearing in is scheduled for the 1 p.m. Joint Session of the Oregon House and Senate. Deputy Secretary of State Cheryl Myers will attend the inauguration on behalf of the Secretary.

PORTLAND, OR -- U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) met with high school students Friday, on the second anniversary of the Capitol Insurrection. He called it an act of domestic terrorism and asked the teens to push back against hate groups. "What’s so troubling to me, is the prospect of these very large groups who are committed to disorder and violence to achieve what they want," He told the students gathered at Portland's Grant High School, "We’ve got to have everybody in our state saying ‘No. Not on our watch. Not going to be tolerated. Not here’."

Wyden also said he believes the events of January 6, 2021 and last week's delay in elected a U.S. House Speaker are related. "Political polarization is a byproduct of our time," He said, "We’re very divided in this country. Political scientists say we’re divided right down the middle." He encouraged students to get involved and to vote, "As young people and communities turn out and say ‘we want change.’ 

Students had a wide range of questions for the Oregon Democrat, topics varied from green energy policy to home affordability and gentrification. Asked about rising crime rates and gun violence, he said he believes mental health professionals should be more involved, "The simple ‘it’s this problem and it’s got a one-size-fits-all solution’ should give way to CAHOOTS." That’s a Eugene-based mobile crisis-response program now receiving federal funding.

(Silverton, OR) -- Authorities say 30 cats were killed in a house fire in Silverton on Saturday. One resident of the home ran Silverton Cat Rescue, and firefighters say the cats likely died from smoke and heat. When firefighters arrived, the home was at least 30-percent involved in heavy fire. It took several hours to put out the fire. The house is a total loss with damage estimated at 700-thousand dollars. People in the house were able to escape without injury. The cause of the fire was electrical.

(Portland, OR) -- A juvenile was arrested following a shooting outside of a basketball game at Portland's Franklin High School on Saturday evening. A Portland Police officer was working an overtime detail at the game and heard the gunfire outside. Other officers responded and found evidence of gunfire in the parking lot. One juvenile was grazed by a bullet but didn't go to a hospital. A semiautomatic handgun was seized. Police stopped another juvenile away from the school. The boy was charged with a previous warrant and a new charge of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. The investigation continues.

(Vancouver, WA) -- Two apartments were damaged in a fire Saturday evening in Vancouver. When firefighters arrived at the Regency Apartments on Southeast 10th Street, they found smoke coming from a second-floor apartment in a three-story building. Some residents had evacuated after hearing smoke alarms. The building's sprinkler system helped contain the fire that was quickly put out after firefighters arrived. No one was injured. Three people were displaced from two units that were damaged. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

(Portland, OR) -- Police arrested three men and seized several guns late Friday night after the suspects allegedly fled from police. Police say an officer tried to stop a BMW that was speeding and driving erratically near Division and I-205. The suspects went onto I-205 and tried to elude officers at high speed. They broke off the pursuit, but the police plane followed the car that drove onto I-84 reaching speeds of 100 miles an hour. Police used spike strips, but the tires were able to drive while flat. In North Portland, the suspects ran from the car, but were caught by officers. They seized three guns, including one with a drum that could hold 50 rounds of ammunition.

(Beaverton, OR) -- Two Oregon DMV offices are closed because of water damage from broken pipes. Crews are working to make repairs at the Lake Oswego and Beaverton offices. The Lake Oswego office is expected to reopen on January 9th. The Beaverton office has more extensive damage and should reopen on January 17th. Customers with appointments should go to any other local office on the day of their scheduled appointment and it will be honored. If you have a drive test appointment at Beaverton, go to either the Hillsboro or Sherwood offices at your scheduled time.

(Salem, OR) -- Marion County Sheriff's deputies are asking for help finding an inmate who walked away from the Marion County Transition Center. Deputies say 37-year-old Bradley Wolf left the facility late in the afternoon on New Year's Eve. Wolf was in custody for theft, probation violation, and failure to appear. The Transition Center prepares adult inmates for re-entry into the community before they're released from custody. Wolf is white, 6-feet 1-inch tall and weighs 190 pounds. Anyone with information about his location should contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

(Salem, OR) -- A 16-year-old was arrested in Salem for allegedly making a threat on social media about an attack at West Salem High School yesterday. The Marion County Sheriff's Office investigated and determined the threat came from a student who was being home schooled. The investigation also showed a 15-year-old student at the school was involved. The Marion and Polk County District Attorney's Office is considering whether criminal charges will be filed.

(Salem, OR) -- Taxes aren't due for another three-and-a-half months, but the Oregon Department of Revenue says getting ready now will make it easier. They suggest reviewing your information on the state's Revenue Online website. Get all of your forms ready, including W-2's from your employer, 1099 forms from banks and other financial institutions, along with tax forms from second jobs. When you file, doing it electronically will get you a faster refund.

(Portland, OR) -- Portland set a new record for homicides last year. The Portland Police Bureau reports 96 murders which surpasses the previous record of 90 that was set in 2021. Of the 96 homicides last year, 78 were by gunfire. Police say slightly more than half of the cases were cleared with 47-percent remaining unsolved.

(Salem, OR) -- SNAP recipients will continue to receive additional benefits this month because of the COVID-19 health emergency. The Oregon Department of Human Services says 421-thousand Oregonians who are getting SNAP benefits will split 71-million dollars. The extra money will be added to their accounts along with their regular benefits.

(The Dalles, OR) -- A car crashed through the brick wall of a funeral home in The Dalles on Saturday. The car missed a stop sign and crashes through the wall of the Spence, Libby and Powell Funeral Home. The driver walked away from the crash, likely saved by the vehicle's air bags.