KWSO News: Tribal Partnerships, Federal Loan Overhauls, and Regional Community Spotlight

The Warm Springs Community Action Team is opening the Commissary Outdoor Pavilion this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to capture busy weekend crowds. The pavilion will feature two food carts—Twisted Teepee and Painted Pony—alongside pop-up vendor opportunities. Organizers are currently seeking Tribal crafts and arts vendors for these weekend slots throughout the summer. This opportunity is strictly for arts and crafts, as no additional food vendors are being accepted. To reserve a space, community members can call 541-553-3148 or email Starla@WSCAT.org.

During Pi-Ume-Sha weekend, the Memorial Wild Horse Race was held in honor of the late Azar Spino. The finals featured top teams from the initial sections alongside three wild-card entries drawn to fill the chutes. Team Blueback captured the finals victory, followed by Team Stewart in second place and Team Rango in third. Organizers expressed their gratitude to all participating teams, family members, and stock contractors who supported the event.

Bend’s High Desert Museum is receiving national spotlight as part of a special Smithsonian exhibition on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. A four-minute video highlighting the museum’s local community work, wildlife, and children’s mindfulness programs is on display at the Arts and Industries Building. The museum is one of only five sites selected nationwide for the “Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America” exhibition, which runs through September 7th.

Oregon State University-Cascades in Bend is hosting summer information sessions and tours specifically tailored for transfer students looking to complete their bachelor’s degrees. More than 30 percent of students at the campus transferred credits from other institutions, including nearly 20 percent from Central Oregon Community College. Admissions advisors are available at Tykeson Hall, or via phone and Zoom, to help students review how existing credits apply toward 24 undergraduate programs. Interested students can learn more at osucascades.edu/transfer.

As the newly-revamped Pac-12 Conference expands to nine teams today, Washington State University announced a formal five-year, $8 million partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. WSU football jerseys will feature a tribal patch this fall, and the Tribes will contribute $250,000 to a WSU athletics fund this year to develop joint sporting opportunities, particularly in basketball. WSU Athletic Director Jon Haarlow stated that the initiative extends far beyond a jersey patch, incorporating youth clinics in tribal communities and a dedicated video series highlighting connections between student-athletes and tribal youth.

The Congressional Management Foundation has awarded Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley its honor for Best of Constituent Correspondence and Engagement. The award recognizes Merkley’s comprehensive approach to communication, which includes holding annual town halls in all 36 Oregon counties and responding to tens of thousands of weekly messages. Merkley stated that strong communication is essential to democracy, crediting his staff for managing the high volume of correspondence, which included over 100,000 phone calls last year.

A major overhaul of the federal student loan system under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act takes effect today, altering borrowing limits and eliminating the Biden-era SAVE repayment plan. The seven million borrowers previously enrolled in SAVE have 90 days to manually switch plans or face automatic enrollment in a higher-cost standard option. The newly launched Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) caps monthly payments between 1 and 10 percent of income with a $10 monthly minimum, while capping new Parent PLUS loans at $20,000 annually and eliminating the Grad PLUS program for new borrowers.

Expect sunny, breezy conditions today with a high of 78°F, turning clear and cool tonight at 45°F. Thursday and Friday will bring continued sunshine, warmer temperatures reaching 84°F, and lighter winds.