Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: The Path to Passage in a Nutshell

This bill tackles inflation by lowering the deficit and lowering costs for regular families.

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA.) - In the past, both Sens. Joe Manchin (D.WV) and Kysten Sinema D.AZ have blocked much of President Joe Biden’s agenda.

Now, Sen. Manchin and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.NY) have agreed to the "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022," which includes $790 billion for the climate and healthcare financed by a tax increase on the rich and big corporations.

Tests Confirm No Safety Concerns in Effluent Discharged to Willamette River

Signage to warn public has been removed.

(SALEM, Ore.) - UPDATE - City of Salem: Additional testing at the Willow Lake Water Pollution Control Facility has confirmed that there are no additional safety concerns in the effluent that is discharged to the Willamette.

August 4th, the public was alerted by the City of Salem that there was a "high" report of E. Coli Bacteria in tests.

Oregon Man Sentenced to 35+ Years for Child Exploitation

Guilty of 23 counts involving the online sexual exploitation of children.

(LINN COUNTY, Ore.) - Investigators believe DiMolfetto either exploited or attempted to exploit over 300 children across the United States in the six months prior to his arrest.

Some of the child victims, as young as 7-years-old, were known by him and others were children he met online.

SPECIAL SECTION Cannabis De-Classified

PTSD - Medical Marijuana Toxicology - Pharmacology

High Level of E. Coli Bacteria in Discharge to Willamette River Near Keizer

Avoid the Willamette River between Spongs Landing Park and Willamette Mission Park until further notice.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The City of Salem has detected higher than normal E. Coli bacteria results while monitoring treated effluent from the Willow Lake Water Pollution Facility.

The Willow Lake facility is located in Keizer, Oregon. The City of Salem treats wastewater and discharges treated effluent to the Willamette River at this location.

Fire Evacuation Order for Siskiyou County

Updated evacuation orders on the Yeti Fire in Siskiyou County.

(YREKA, Calif.) - Due to fire activity east of Happy Camp the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, with support of fire partners, is upgrading the following zones to a MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER.

There is a Verizon outage impacting the area. As standard protocol, deputies are going door-to-door to evacuate residents.

Santiam Canyon Wilderness Main Access Points to Remain Closed for Summer

Many sections of the forest are technically open, but with limitations.

(SALEM, Ore.) - This week, the Willamette National Forest announced the reopening of approximately 188,641 acres of Forest Service land, previously closed because of fire damage and hazards.

This reopening includes some popular locations for Santiam Canyon residents and tourists alike, including the Opal Creek Wilderness and Little North Fork.

Oregon Temporarily Lifts Animal Import Requirements for Fire Evacuees

As wildfires burn, Oregon issues an import exemption for animals.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Due to the ongoing threat of wildfires in Oregon and neighboring states, the Oregon Department of Ag is providing an emergency exemption to all import requirements for companion animals and livestock under an evacuation order for fire or other natural disaster.

The exemption applies only under the following conditions...

Cedar Creek Fire on the Willamette National Forest

Fire managers are working to find a way to get firefighters to the fire.

(OAKRIDGE, Ore.) - A new fire called the Cedar Creek Fire was caused by the lightning over the area in the last few days.

Crews were pulled back because there was no reliable safe access to the fire and there were no escape routes for firefighters on the ground, especially without available air support.

Salem Man Charles Hatfield Killed on I-5 Friday Night

"As much as he was loved he also loved all of you."

(SALEM, Ore.) - Friends and family of Charles Hatfield are in disbelief as to how such a tragedy could have happened. They have created a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral costs and other bills.

"With heavy hearts we are hoping to come together and help take some of the burden off of Charlie’s family."

Veterans Kept in the Dark Over Chemical Exposure

As it turns out, thousands of veterans and their dependents lived and worked on military installations that are now listed as EPA Superfund sites.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - DOD is the biggest owner of EPA Superfund sites. The contaminants and health effects of exposure are published on the EPA Superfund website.

A simple website hyperlink to military installations on the National Priority List (EPA Superfund), identifying the contaminants and health effects can save lives, but no one seems interested in setting up this hyperlink.

The Potter Fire in Willamette National Forest

For your own safety please avoid the area around the Potter Fire.

(WESTFIR, Ore.) - The Potter Fire, which was first reported at 60 acres Sunday morning on the Willamette National Forest’s Middle Fork Ranger District, 8 Miles NE of Clearwater, OR, was estimated at close to 400 acres with 0% containment this morning.

Sunday, two squads of five local firefighters and an engine were sent in quickly to locate, confirm and size up the fire.

The Climate Crisis: Now is the Time to Act

"...save countless lives with robust climate justice policy."

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA.) - Amidst raging wildfires exacerbated by prolonged drought and three-digit temperatures, too many Americans are treating the climate crisis with resignation bordering on acceptance.

As our government seems unwilling or unable to solve this coming calamity to planet Earth...

The Climate Front: People Who Live There. The Battle for Bristol Bay

You can't tell the fish “I'm tired, wait, I'll be back in four hours.”

(LOS ANGELES, Calif.) - It was nearly two years ago, in November 2020, awaiting the Army Corps of Engineers’ decision related to the permitting of Alaska’s proposed Pebble Mine, that I interviewed MJ Jackson.

Michael is a commercial fisherman, who had built a life on the waters of Bristol Bay.

USWNT Claims CONCACAF Women's Championship

The numbers speak for themselves.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The United States Women’s Soccer team keeps collecting trophies and medals for what’s one of the most filled cabinets in the history of the women’s game.

This time, it was the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in Mexico, where the USA beat Canada thanks to a goal by Alex Morgan, one of the most known faces of this team.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Presumptive Conditions

Up to one million military members and families have suffered from the effects of polluted water at Camp Lejeune.

(SALEM, Ore.) - All eligible veterans and certain family members who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days (cumulatively) between 1953 and 1987 are currently eligible for two benefits from the VA.

Veterans exposed to polluted waters at the base during the qualifying period are granted disability compensation...

Don't Blame the Mentally Ill for Gun Violence

Mental illness sufferers are far more likely to be the victims of violence than perpetrators of violence.

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA.) - Now anytime there is gun violence, especially a mass shooting, the mantra adopted by opponents of gun control, unfairly point the finger at mental illness, not guns, as the cause.

This is unfair to those suffering from mental illness.

Casino Games Loved By A-List Stars

Some A-List stars are not amateurs, and have won big competitions.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Top casinos have always attracted the rich and famous, and that won’t change. Even though they don’t necessarily need a big win, a lot of A-list stars still love to hit the casino to play their favorite games.

If you’re lucky, you might even get to spot some big stars while you are playing.

Top 10 Most Attractive Blog Topics on Instagram

We have collected the most win-win blogging topics for you.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Promoting a personal blog or business on Instagram should start with the main question "how can I be useful to the audience?"

Depending on the answer, you can start to design a profile header, describe the mission of the profile and plan the creation of content.

5 Kinds of Highland Ranch Homes and Why Each One Might Appeal

Many communities feature amenities that all residents can enjoy.

(SALEM, Ore.) - If you do not know about Highland Ranch, Colorado, you should take some time to learn about it. Highland Ranch is a gorgeous area with a lot going for it.

If you are house hunting, you might target this area as somewhere worth considering.

Pillars of Every Successful Business

Only focusing on making money can be your downfall.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Building a successful business requires an innovative idea, perseverance, and most importantly, a solid strategy. While budding entrepreneurs have great ideas, they often fall short when it comes to the follow-through.

To build a company that continues to grow, you need...

E-commerce Mistakes You'll Likely Make as a Newbie

Stay on task, do not be distracted, keep moving forward.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The confidence you have, and sustain, for your product or business idea will build with time. Put together a business strategy that prepares you for the future and watch out for pitfalls. Believe in yourself.

There are many very successful new businesses online and there's no reason yours shouldn't be one of them!

Why Gota Went from Hero to Zero in Sri Lanka

"Didn't Gota do anything for Sri Lanka?" The answer is, Yes.

(SALEM, Ore.) - It is an obvious fact that Tamils and Muslims rejected Gotabaya "Gota" Rajapaksa as their president in the 2019 Election.

However, the Sinhala people overwhelmingly voted for him and Gota emerged as a Hero for them. Unfortunately he is now a Zero.

Pump Prices Fall for Fourth Consecutive Week

Lower Crude Oil Prices Help Bring Relief to Drivers

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The global price of crude oil has fallen about 20% in the last month, putting downward pressure on gas prices. All 50 states are seeing decreases at the pumps, despite an increase in demand for gasoline.

The Oregon average loses nine cents to $5.38.