KWSO Thursday Morning News: Warm Springs Community Updates, COCC Strike Vote, and Regional News

The September Native Aspirations Community Prevention Meeting brought together local programs across Central Oregon to highlight ongoing work in Warm Springs. Warm Springs Health and Fitness reported expanding activities, distributing nutrition outreach, and developing a personal training program. The Native Aspirations group typically meets the first Monday of each month at the old school cafeteria.

The Warm Springs Vital Statistics Department has submitted 60 check reissue packets to Accounts Payable following address verification. Reissued checks are mailed weekly, as digital payments are currently unavailable. However, recipients who bank locally with Mid Oregon Credit Union, U.S. Bank, or Columbia Bank can drop off a signed direct-deposit form at Vital Statistics, and staff will personally deposit the check. Questions can be sent to vitalstats@wstribes.org.

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Enterprises are hosting a Seekseequa District meeting this evening at the Seekseequa Fire Hall. Tribal enterprise representatives will present revenue projections to members following a 6:00 p.m. meal.

Nike founder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny, have committed $1 billion to the University of Oregon to establish the Knight College of Engineering in Eugene. Bob Guldberg, Executive Director of the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, noted a new facility may take six years, with initial focus placed on an undergraduate bioengineering program. “We need students and talent that are helping us address our healthcare challenges in the nation,” Guldberg said, emphasizing the discipline brings together clinicians, data scientists, chemists, and biologists. The announcement follows a separate $1 billion gift to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and the Providence Heart Institute last week.

Faculty at Central Oregon Community College in Bend voted nearly unanimously on Wednesday to authorize a strike, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Natalie Pate. While union representatives cite lower compensation relative to local living costs, college administrators anticipate reduced state funding. The union and college continue bargaining this week.

National non-profit Every Kid Sports provided financial assistance to 6,322 income-restricted youth athletes this fall through its Sports Pass program, covering up to $150 per child for recreational league fees. Applications for the 2026 Winter Every Kid Sports Pass open October 27 at pass.everykidsports.org for children ages 4 to 18 enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, or WIC. Parents must apply prior to paying league fees, as out-of-pocket expenses are non-reimbursable.

West Coast leaders have joined an alliance of mayors and governors to combat climate change, KUOW’s John Ryan reports. Casey Sixkiller, head of the Washington Department of Ecology, noted that state and local governments are pressing forward even as federal leaders look the other way. Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, President Donald Trump omitted climate change while touting the block of an international shipping emissions reduction plan. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson serves as alliance co-chair.

Bipartisan federal lawmakers introduced the Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act to address long-term occupational health risks, including lung cancer. Utah-based wildfire squad boss Jesse Hamner voiced optimism for the measure, stating, “People are noticing, they’re paying attention… it has the chance to pull together both sides of the political spectrum.” Western co-sponsors include Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Oregon Representative Maxine Dexter, who sponsors the House bill.

Expect mostly cloudy, warm weather today with a high near 84°F, followed by overnight showers and 26 mph wind gusts. Friday brings morning showers, cooler high temperatures around 65°F, and windy conditions reaching 44 mph with patchy blowing dust.