Fire restrictions are now in effect on BLM lands. Learn more here.

PORTLAND, Ore., KEZI – Bureau of Land Management officials announced on Tuesday that fire restrictions are now in effect for all BLM-managed public lands throughout Oregon and Washington.

The BLM said that the use of fireworks, exploding or metallic targets, steel component ammunition, tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns are prohibited as of May 23 in order to reduce the risk of human-caused fires.

“Although we had a wet winter, we must still be careful with activities that can cause a spark to keep our first responders, local communities, and public lands safe from accidental wildfires,” said Anita Bilbao, BLM Oregon/Washington Associate State Director. “We are…

Storms brought flash-flooding in the Powell Butte area Monday evening. Learn more here.

POWELL BUTTE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A strong thunderstorm triggered a flash-flooding event in the Powell Butte area Monday evening, causing some damage to Crook County roads and “significant” damage at Brasada Ranch resort to several homes, a golf course and roads, sheriff’s deputies said Tuesday.

The National Weather Service in Pendleton issued a special weather statement around 5:30 p.m. advising of a strong thunderstorm being tracked in the area, one of several such alerts as storms moved across the region.

Around 6 p.m., Crook County 911 dispatchers got a report of flooding in the 10000 block of SW Powell Butte Highway, sheriff’s Lt. Mitch Madden said.…

The weather is unseasonably warm in Oregon – some places hitting the mid-90s. Learn more here.

By OPB

Unseasonable heat continued Sunday in Oregon, with temperatures many places in the western part of the state predicted to hit the mid-90s.

Portland could reach 94 Fahrenheit and Roseburg, 98.

The National Weather Service expected temperatures in the mid- to upper-70s along the coast, and Eastern Oregon is looking at highs in the upper-70s and low 80s.

Many of Saturday’s predicted high temperatures did not come to pass. It only hit 91 in Portland, three degrees lower than weather officials had expected.

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Recreational crabbing is back open on the Oregon Coast. Learn more here.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Winchester Bay, Oregon) – As of late last week, recreational crabbing is back open along the entire Oregon coast, after being shut down for a time between Winchester Bay and Cape Blanco. Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) made the announcement, saying all bays, estuaries and the ocean can once again continue the crustacean-gathering fun. (Above: Coos Bay, courtesy Oregon’s Adventure Coast)

The shut-down on May 1 was due to high levels of domoic acid, taking place from eight miles north of (43° 47′ at Tahkenitch Creek) to Cape Blanco (42° 50′). That…

The USDA will place a $50 million+ order for Oregon seafood. Find out more here.

by Gold Meadows/KVAL

Oregon lawmakers lead the way to the approval of $52 million to purchase Oregon seafood products.

Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden led the charge to have the products purchased by the United States Department of Agriculture for distribution to food assistance programs for its commodity purchasing programs.

In a letter sent to the USDA, Merkley and others stated that inclusion in the program would provide a boost to West Coast fishermen and seafood processors while including their products in American food assistance programs.

READ THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE

Forbes released its annual round-up of the “best places to visit in America,” and Portland made the list.

The list spanned the country – including major cities, small towns, ski destinations and natural wonders.

Here’s what the article had to say about why Portland made the list:

“’Like a phoenix from the ashes, Portland, Oregon is reemerging in 2023 with unprecedented growth in the food and beverage scene, both in quality and…

Oregon has a new wildfire information app. Learn more about it here.

By Joe Raineri (KGW)

PORTLAND, Oregon — Oregon is currently in the middle of spring, but it’s never too early to start thinking about wildfire season. The state just joined a new app that allows users to monitor wildfires in their area — helping people keep themselves and their property safe.

The app is called Watch Duty and it was launched two years ago in California after the CEO and co-founder, John Mills, nearly lost his home from wildfires in 2020. Mills, who lives on a ranch in Sonoma County, California, has had multiple close calls over the last…

Legislation to allow minors younger than 15 to get abortions without parental approval, expand state coverage of medical services for transgender individuals and make several other changes to state laws regulating reproductive and gender-affirming care has passed the Oregon House of Representatives, despite Republicans’ repeated attempts to block House Bill 2002.

It now needs approval from the state Senate before going to Gov. Tina Kotek for her consideration.

House members spent nearly 10 hours on the floor Monday, primarily on the 46-page bill’s third reading…

The Oregon recreational cannabis system may be facing some changes. Learn more about it here.

By Dirk VanderHart (OPB)

Oregon’s recreational cannabis system has overly strict regulations that make running a business expensive and hamper people aspiring to join the industry, state auditors found in an audit released Thursday.

The report is likely to be cheered by current and aspiring participants in Oregon’s legal cannabis market. It suggests the state should consider easing up on security requirements and other safeguards that made sense when Oregon first legalized cannabis, but…