KWSO News 10/2/19

Warm Springs Tribal Member and current Prevention Coordinator with the Confederated Tribes, Michael “Mykee” Martinez, accepted a position with the Oregon Health Authority. Mykee has worked for the tribes in several capacities and has been in his current position as a Certified Prevention Coordinator since December 2009. During the 2018 Oregon Place Matters Conference, Mykee received the Joe Weller Guardian Award in recognition of his ongoing work in tobacco prevention. His last day as the Prevention Coordinator with the Confederated Tribes will be November 1st.

State health officials say three additional cases of severe lung illnesses linked to vaping have been reported, bringing the total to eight. The Oregon Health Authority said last week that two Oregon victims had died. That escalation prompted the state, lawmakers and Gov. Kate Brown to launch a barrage of anti-vaping messaging, including calls for action. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the five victims Oregon officials reported last week all shopped at legal retail marijuana stores. A health authority spokesman did not say if the three new cases did, too. The state on Friday proposed a six-month ban on vaping products, part of a six-point list of options for the governor’s consideration for stemming the tide of vaping-related illnesses. Last week, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee directed the state Board of Health to exercise its emergency authority to ban all flavored vaping products, including those with THC. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said as of Sept. 27 there were 805 confirmed and probable cases nationwide.

The Native American Music Awards are November 2nd in Niagara Falls New York.  Voting is now open online.  Local Musicians nominated for awards are: Kalliah Jackson who sings with Corey Rae White on “Dimmer” which is in the Best Independent Recording by a New Artist Single Release category.  Blue Flamez for Best Rap Hip Hop Music Video for “Stand Up.”  And Bigg B featuring N8 is up for Best Music Video Recording for “Deep End”.  You can check out nominations online at Nativeamericanmusicawards.com where there is also a link to voting.