Sisters Akawa Butte

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KSMín/jt

Despite a harrowing and tense battle against the Akawa ((AH-kwah)) Butte Fire, some downtown businesses in the town of Sisters are still open and tourists are out and about. Kathryn Styer Martínez reports.

Washington state is dead last in the country at adding clean energy to its electric grid.

Environmentalists and construction workers are calling for reforms to make it easier to add power to the grid.

KUOW’s John Ryan reports.

[Talent business owners worry about potential closures amid fee increases,

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July 23, 2026, Peyton Gast, Maria Carter]

Talent business owners said a proposed public safety fee hike would put them in danger of going out of business.

[Talent business owners raise concerns about a public safety fee increase,

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July 23, 2026, Peyton Gast, Maria Carter]

Talent business owners raised questions and concerns about the possibility of a steep increase in the city’s public safety fee. JPR’s Peyton Gast report.

Educators in Eastern Oregon are working to increase Spanish-language childcare providers in a county where one-third of residents are Hispanic. Monica Carrillo-Casas [kah-REE-yo kah-SUS] reports.

Weather forecasters say tonight may bring unwanted weather to areas that can least afford it.

Seattle mayor Katie Wilson’s tenure has seen a high amount of turnover among high-profile positions. KUOW’s Scott Greenstone has more on the latest departure.

STORY:

The Port of Columbia spent years managing the Touchet [TOO-she] Valley Trail project. The multiuse trail would have connected Dayton and Waitsburg. Then, two Port commissioners who opposed the trail voted to halt it in 20-22. Now, two newer commissioners are bringing it back. Supporters say the trail will bring visitors to the area and help downtown businesses.

For a time, it looked like a trail connecting Dayton to Waitsburg might happen. Then, a backlash led to the election of two Port of Columbia commissioners who halted the trail project in 20-22. Now, two newer commissioners want to bring it back. N-W-P-B’s Erick Bengel reports.

Youth depression is considered a ‘severe mental health crisis’ nationwide. But Oregon has one of the highest rates — affecting about one in every four young people.

This issue is even worse in small, rural towns, where it can be harder to access help.

A new nonprofit in Oakridge — called “Hear the Art Youth Outreach” — is helping bridge that gap.

For KLCC News, Wilder Lewis reports.