Merrill
LATEST NEWS
Smoke erupts from Falls Fire near Burns, July 17
This collection of images of the smoke plume from the Falls Fire near Burns, Oregon, was taken on July 17 between 3:00 and 6:30 p.m. This was taken from the Wagontire camera via the Oregon Hazards Lab at the University of Oregon. Oregon AG asks FEMA to include extreme heat,...
Medford native drafted to MLB
MEDFORD, Ore. —A former south Medford high schooler will have an opportunity to play on baseball’s biggest stage. Oregon Ducks catcher, Bennett Thompson has been drafted by the Cleveland Guardians. The Medford native attended South Medford High School, graduating in 2021. Thomspon was selected in round 13, the...
Pro-Palestine protestors temporarily stop Wyden Town Hall in Medford
MEDFORD, Ore. -- A demonstration from pro-Palestine protestors at Rogue X in Medford temporarily halted a town hall meeting by Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden on Wednesday afternoon. NewsWatch 12 was at the town hall meeting when the demonstration started. Medford mayor Randy Sparacino introduced Wyden, but before the senator...
Slow population growth, early retirements impact in Oregon
A new report from the Oregon Employment Department illustrates the impact of slow population growth and increasing retirements in the state. The youngest members of the large Baby Boom Generation, born between 1946 and 1964, turn 60 years old in 2024. Workers in this age group have been, and are expected to continue, shifting into retirement and taking their skills and experience with them. ...
A Portland State University study upends assumptions about Measure 110 impacts
A Portland State University report about the impact of Measure 110 challenges assumptions about law enforcement and the role police officers play as they interact with people with a drug addiction. A key takeaway: Police officers can only reach so many people — even with the power to search and arrest them. The report coincides with preparation by Oregon counties to launch new drug addiction treatment programs as part of...
Oregon's iconic Ka-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort celebrates grand reopening this week
WARM SPRINGS, Ore. — After extensive renovations and hard work, the Kah-Nee-Ta Resort is reopening this week and Warm Springs - and visitors can finally experience the hot springs, swimming pool, authentic cultural experiences, Tribal food cart, and more!. The original iteration of the famous Warm Springs resort shuttered...
Local commissioned into US Air Force
Cooper Johnson, a 2020 graduate of Condon High School, has graduated from Oregon State University. Over the last 4 years, while attending college in Corvallis, he also participated in the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). This spring, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and...
National fire risk elevated to highest level earlier than expected amid fires in Washington and Idaho
The National Interagency Fire Center announced that wildfire risk has pushed national resources to the highest preparedness level, trending earlier than the two previous years. The NIFC is the nation’s center for wildland fires, and it operates on five levels of preparedness based on the risk of fires. Levels depend...
Shelly Fire now 18% contained
Updated at 7:30 a.m. -- The Shelly Fire is now 15,460 acres, the Klamath National Forest said in a news release, and 18% contained. There are 2,895 personnel, 103 crews, 175 engines, 48 dozers, 12 helicopters and 86 pieces of heavy equipment on the scene. "As of today, California Interagency...
Car Shows Provide Economic Shot-in-the Arm and a Lot More
Attending a week-end car show is much more than observing a beautiful paint job on a classic hot rod or antique vehicle. Across coastal Northern California and Oregon, as many as 300 vehicles strut their stuff on any given summertime week-end. Most of the Benefit Shows in our geography are celebrating 30 years or more anniversaries. Area car Shows provide a venue for like-minded folks to gather and admire beautiful...
Oregon Gov. Kotek suggests $515 million budget increase for K-12 schools
The governor explained the increase would go into effect for the 2025-2027 biennium and support the current service level — which determines how much money the state needs to maintain its authorized education programs.
This Nonprofit Gives Free Laptops To K-12 Kids In ID, UT, OR, & WA…No Strings Attached
CFK: bridging the digital gap for kids in ID, UT, WA & OR. Wouldn't it be amazing if every kid had the laptop they needed for school regardless of their family's income? Computers for Kids sure thinks so! Computers for Kids, Inc. (CFK) is a Pacific Northwest nonprofit based in Boise bridging the digital gap for kids in Idaho, Utah Washington, and Oregon.
VA secretary: Making progress on better care for vets
Veterans' Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough says his agency is making progress on reducing the rate of veterans’ suicides and improving care for veterans. But speaking with reporters after a keynote address at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, McDonough said the more than 2,400 mental health professionals and veterans’ service advocates acknowledge there’s more to be done. “It is not a mistake that we are doing this conference in Oregon,”...
People living, dumping on Oregon’s public lands ‘overwhelming’ Bureau of Land Management
Hover over the Redmond Municipal Airport on Google Maps and scroll north of the Ochoco Highway. From a distance, the parcels of public land look like undisturbed patches of Oregon’s high desert: Western juniper trees scattered between brown and green tufts of bunchgrass and sagebrush set in the rain shadow of the High Cascades.
Downtown Madras attracting customers with new look and new businesses
Downtown Madras is changing its look and adding businesses in the process. Shops are excited as they witness the beautification and the endless potential it brings. Downtown Madras attracting customers with new look and new businesses. Downtown Madras is changing its look and adding businesses in the process, all to...
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.