KWSO News for 12/5/19

Impossible Burgers debuted in 2016 at Momofuku Nishi, an upscale restaurant in New York City. Chef David Chang wanted to serve a burger made from plants, one with a lower carbon footprint than meat. The burger received high ratings from customers, who felt it was a fine alternative to beef. The Bend Bulletin reports that Impossible Burgers are served at 17,000 restaurants, according to its producer, Impossible Foods. The meat is made from plants that use 96% less land and 87% less water than would be required to raise cattle for the same amount of beef burger patties. Like traditional hamburgers, it’s what you pile between the buns, along with the patty, that makes the difference. Because there is no fat, the Impossible Burger isn’t juicy and requires condiments and other goodies. Four companies carry the burger near Bend including Sunriver Brewing, Red Robin and Burger King.

The Bend Bulletin reported yesterday that the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality advisory in Central Oregon due to air stagnation and trapped pollutants from woodsmoke near the ground. The department expects the air quality advisory to last rhough Friday with the Air Quality Index in Bend reaching 104 at 4pm yesterday putting Bend in the category of “unhealthy for sensitive groups”, which includes active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease such as asthma. The Branch of Natural Resources in Warm Spring reported yesterday that the Warm Springs Air quality was averaged at 49.3 which is good, but just under the Moderate concern level of 51-100.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has appointed the first Native American to serve on the state Supreme Court. She’s Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Raquel Montoya-Lewis. At the announcement on Wednesday in Olympia, Montoya-Lewis called it a “day of light.” Raquel Montoya-Lewis: “To be the first Native Supreme Court justice for the state of Washington and only the second Native Supreme Court justice in any state in the history of our nation brings with it great pressure and great honor. I look forward to serving every citizen of the state of Washington and in so doing do justice.”  Montoya-Lewis will replace Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst who is stepping down as she battles cancer. Justice Debra Stephens will become the new chief justice. Prior to serving on the Whatcom County court, Montoya-Lewis was a tribal judge and a tenured professor at Western Washington University. She will be formally sworn in on January 6th.

Health officials have confirmed three more Oregon cases of severe lung illness linked to vaping, bringing the statewide total to 20 cases with two resulting in death. KATU-TV reports some of those who were hospitalized vaped cannabis or nicotine only, while others used a combination of both.

In Local Sports: The Madras Buff Boys Basketball hosted Hidden Valley last night and fell 45-42, leading scorers for Madras were Donnie Bagley with 15 points and Derrek Main with 10. The lady buffs were on the road and lost to Hidden Valley 62-59. The WS K-8 Boys Basketball will be in action today hosting Elton Gregory with games starting at 3:45pm.