Rangers will lead guided hikes at more than 55 state parks across the Pacific Northwest Thursday (Jan. 1) -- to celebrate New Year’s Day.

Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

Small groups have been gathering throughout rural Oregon this holiday season with a single goal: counting birds. It’s part of the annual Christmas Count for the National Audubon Society. OPB’s Bryce Dole reports

Governor Bob Ferguson announced on Friday that a portion of Highway 2 will reopen north of Leavenworth to Stevens Pass, allowing the ski resort to open.

A section of Highway 2 north of Leavenworth will partially reopen Monday morning.

Governor Bob Ferguson made the announcement today [on Friday].

Note: Holiday spot

The Siletz tribes want to prohibit motorboats on part of the Siletz ((sil-ETZ)) River in Lincoln County. OPB's April Ehrlich reports.

Starting next month [[JAN]], The City of Bend will hold office regular hours at the Latino Community Association, a Central Oregon non-profit. The idea is to help Spanish speakers understand city services better. Kathryn Styer Martínez reports.

Forecasters have downgraded earlier forecasts for a major windstorm today [[Wednesday]] in northwestern Oregon.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for much of northwestern Oregon until 4 p-m today [[Wednesday]].

Winds will likely be stronger on the east side of the Cascades — around Pendleton and the Blue Mountain foothills.

Washington passed a statewide ban on single-use thin plastic shopping bags in 20-20. But the statewide law included an exception allowing thicker, reusable plastic bags that could be offered for a fee. And as it turned out, the thick plastics have become more widely used than paper, which is also offered. Now, cities like Seattle are proposing a ban on all plastic bags.

Despite a statewide ban on thin, single-use plastic shopping bags, Washington has seen an increase in plastics used for retail transactions. That’s due to a loophole allowing thicker plastic bags. A proposal to fix this will go before lawmakers in January.

KNKX environment reporter Bellamy Pailthorp has the story.