The latest unemployment report from the Oregon Employment Department may have shown a loss in jobs, but state economists see better times in the coming years.

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What will set off your New Year? If you’ll be making a toast to 20-26 – you should know, The Northwest is home to new and interesting sparkling wines. NWPB Senior Correspondent Anna King uncorks this holiday story. [:11]

HOST: Snow is starting to accumulate in Central Oregon – but for now, Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort is still not open. And that’s affecting the many seasonal workers who help make the resort run. Kathryn Styer Martínez reports.

The first harvest of fresh Dungeness crab is in and folks are lining up to purchase the long-awaited crustaceans. KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert stopped by Fisherman’s Market in Eugene Thursday morning and has this report. [SOQ 0:44]

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is promoting a budget proposal that would direct more than $240-million dollars towards affordable housing.

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In the mid-20th century, nuclear fallout from bomb testing in Nevada spread across several western states. Roughly 70 years after it began, self-proclaimed “downwinders” in Idaho, and their families, are eligible for compensation. N-W-P-B’s Rachel Sun reports.

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To read more about radiation compensation for Idaho residents, visit our website at N-W-P-B dot org.

Bubbles are a sort of bright spot in the slowing wine sales scene. The Washington State Wine Commission reports quote: “sparks of growth for sparkling.” Now, more wineries are dipping a toe into sparkling wines. Chad Johnson is a co-owner of Dusted Valley winery in Walla Walla [WALL-uh WALL-uh].

It’s high times for sparkling wines during the holidays! The Washington State Wine Commission says the industry is seeing bubbles of growth for these bubbly wines – especially in the 16 to 20-dollar-a-bottle range. N-W-P-B Senior Correspondent Anna King reports.

Out of more than 14-thousand votes counted, a tax to support the Lincoln County Veterans Service Office has officially passed … by a mere 13 votes. KLCC’s Brian Bahouth [bay-hooth] reports: [SOQ 0:41]

People are being urged to prepare, as flood watches and warnings are in effect through Saturday.

At a sandbag location outside the Clackamas Fire Station this morning ((THURS)), painter James Augustus filled 30 sandbags for people living along Kellogg Creek.

He says there are a few tricks to sandbags. Only fill them half full, so they can melt into each other and create a good water barrier. And to make the barrier last, stack them in a staggered pattern, no more than three layers high.