KWSO Monday News: Twisted Teepee Seeks Applicants, Grasshopper Fire Update, and Columbia River Hatchery Cuts

The Twisted Teepee food cart is hiring full-time and part-time staff to join its team. A project of the Warm Springs Community Action Team, the food cart serves as a local culinary entrepreneurship training site. Prior kitchen experience is not required, as on-the-job training is provided alongside competitive pay and flexible scheduling between 6:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Applications are available in person at the WSCAT main office and the Twisted Teepee – both on Campus.

Containment on the Grasshopper Fire has reached 47 percent with 90,130 acres mapped. Fire officials noted that the increased acreage reflects updated mapping data rather than a surge in fire activity. Nearly 1,700 personnel are taking advantage of recent cooler weather and rainfall to tie together control lines near Elliott Road and Friend Road. Lowered evacuation levels along Highway 35 reflect minimal western border behavior, though fire officials warn that erratic winds and severe fire weather are forecast through Tuesday.

Recreational and commercial fishers are condemning the Bonneville Power Administration’s decision to defund the Select Area Fisheries Enhancement program at the end of September. The decades-old SAFE program supplies millions of hatchery-raised salmon and steelhead to the Columbia River to mitigate the impacts of dams and support Indigenous and local fisheries. Association of Northwest Steelheaders spokesperson James Adkins warned that the cancellation could eliminate coho harvests during the traditional August Buoy 10 season. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Davia Palmeri noted that 7 million hatchery fish are at risk due to lack of funding after October 1st, directly threatening future fishing opportunities and increasing pressure on wild populations.

Governor Tina Kotek’s Rebuilding Transportation Vision Workgroup has launched a public survey to gather resident input on the future of state roads, bridges, and public transit. The Rebuilding Our Transportation Vision Survey asks Oregonians to weigh in on spending priorities, necessary infrastructure investments, and potential budget cuts. Governor Kotek emphasized that holding existing resources accountable is vital to maintaining key transit systems across the state. The survey will remain open through 6 p.m. on September 10th ahead of the workgroup’s December recommendations.

Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have joined congressional colleagues in demanding answers from Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz regarding proposed budget cuts. Lawmakers are seeking a full breakdown of plans to potentially close up to 57 research and development facilities across 31 states, including Portland’s Pacific Northwest Research Station and wildfire research centers in Seattle and Wenatchee. The Senators cautioned that closing these critical research hubs could permanently eliminate specialized science at a time when the region faces heightened wildfire threats.

In national sports, Carla Leite scored 23 points to lead the Portland Fire in an 88-85 rally over Phoenix, where the Mercury officially retired Diana Taurasi’s No. 3 jersey into their Ring of Honor. Meanwhile, legend Candace Parker was officially inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026. Parker was honored in Springfield, Massachusetts alongside fellow inductees Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw, Doc Rivers, Amar’e Stoudemire, Mike D’Antoni, Mark Few, Joey Crawford, and the 1996 USA Women’s National Team.

Expect patchy smoke with partly sunny skies and a high of 94 today, followed by areas of smoke and clearing skies tonight with a low of 57. Tuesday will bring continued smoke with highs reaching 94 and northwest wind gusts up to 26 mph.