Oregon’s reservoirs are being replenished by melting snowpack. Find out more here.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — This year’s abundant snowpack is quickly melting away in the spring sun, flushing Oregon’s rivers and streams with fresh water and replenishing the state’s previously parched reservoirs.

Depleted by years of “extreme” and “exceptional” drought, water supplies at reservoirs like Lake Owyhee in Malheur County have doubled and even tripled in volume in the past two months. Oregon state climatologist Larry O’Neill told KOIN 6 News that the recovery is largely thanks to the melting snow. Spring thunderstorms have also helped pump water into Oregon’s reservoirs in recent weeks.

“The snowpack was the key reason, in a broad sense, why…

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…

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…

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…

An intense solar storm has the northern lights gracing the skies farther south than usual.

From Washington state to Wisconsin, auroras were reported as mostly a reddish glow instead of the typical green shimmer. In the U.S., skygazers also took in the sights from Colorado, California, New Mexico and even Arizona.

A blast of superhot material from the sun late last week hurled scorching gases known as plasma toward Earth at nearly 2 million mph, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday.

Earth felt the brunt…

Oregon’s minimum wage will see an increase July 1st. Learn more here.

By OPB staff (OPB)

Oregon’s minimum wage will increase by 70 cents per hour on July 1, but the new rate workers get paid depends on where they live in the state.

Oregon’s baseline minimum wage will climb from $13.50 per hour to $14.20, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries announced Friday afternoon.

In the Portland metro area, where state law sets the local minimum wage at $1.25 per hour more than the baseline, the new hourly minimum will climb to $15.45.

And in rural counties,…

Oregon is steps closer to banning styrofoam to-go containers. Learn more here.

Author: Katherine Cook, KGW8

PORTLAND, Oregon — Would you like that to go?

In Oregon, two bills could soon play into that question for people dining out. Under Senate Bill 543, lawmakers are considering banning Styrofoam to-go containers in Oregon as well as so-called “forever chemicals” known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

“Polystyrene is a threat to the health of our communities and our land,” said bill sponsor Senator Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro). “This is a step towards a more sustainable and mindful approach to consumption and a commitment to preserving the health, beauty and diversity of Oregon for generations to…