KWSO News - Bentz and Beck Vie for Oregon’s 2nd District; Local Solar Workshop and Regional News
Central Oregon Community College is partnering with the Oregon Solar + Storage Industries Association to host a free two-day introductory solar installation workshop on November 12–13 at Cascades Hall on the COCC Bend Campus. The hands-on training covers photovoltaic fundamentals, electrical testing, and industry career pathways. Open to participants 18 and older, the workshop provides lunch and a post-completion cash stipend, though space is limited and requires pre-registration through the COCC Center for Business.
Umatilla city officials declared a municipal emergency in response to Governor Tina Kotek’s directive pausing environmental permits for data center developments. City leaders warn the freeze will cause millions of dollars in lost local tax revenue from expanding data center projects. Councilor Daren Dufloth supported the move, stating, "We have to be the pioneers and go forward and say... 'We don't want the state messing with our stuff,'" as local officials consider further legal action.
In Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District, Republican incumbent Cliff Bentz faces Democratic candidate Chris Beck. Bentz defended his healthcare record, stating, "Medicaid is an essential, important program; we have to have it," and highlighting $50 billion allocated for rural hospitals. Beck criticized federal Medicaid policy changes, warning that "medicaid recipients will lose their coverage... a financial death knell for many rural hospitals," while advocating for national healthcare reform and addressing rising gas prices caused by international conflicts. Portland State University political science professor Chris Shortell noted that while a Democratic wave election is expected, flipping the conservative-leaning district remains unlikely.
The Navajo Nation has become the first Tribe in the country approved for "treatment in a similar manner as a state" status under federal Clean Water Act programs, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The regulatory designation allows the Nation to apply for direct authority over pollution discharge permits, sewage sludge management, and local enforcement. Tribal and federal officials praised the decision as a landmark achievement for tribal sovereignty and local water resource management.
A new report from the Oregon Health Authority finds that extreme heat days have nearly doubled and wildfire smoke days have tripled over the past two decades. While rural areas face severe climate impacts, smoke levels are rising fastest in urban population centers like Multnomah and Washington counties. Community groups statewide are utilizing public health grants to establish local resilience programs, heat safety workshops, and energy assistance for vulnerable residents.
In regional sports, the Portland Trail Blazers travel to face the Sacramento Kings tonight at Golden 1 Center, aiming to build momentum following a 41-point opening-night win over Phoenix highlighted by Damian Lillard’s return. In college football, Oregon State enters a bye week at 5-2 overall and 3-0 in Pac-12 play behind national statistical leaders Braden Atkinson and Jesse Legree, while the 25th-ranked Oregon Ducks head on the road Saturday to face Illinois following the Fighting Illini's overtime victory against Michigan State.
Expect bright sunshine today with a high near 60°F, followed by overnight lows dipping to 29°F with widespread frost after 2:00 AM beneath partly cloudy skies. The weekend starts on a mild note with mostly sunny skies and light breezes Saturday and Sunday with highs in the low-to-mid 60s, before cloud cover thickens Sunday night bringing a 40 percent chance of rain showers and lows dipping to 36°F.
