Klamath County residents have been encouraged to take precautions through at least 10 a.m. Thursday.
Smoke from wildfires across the state is pushing air quality into dangerous levels in parts of Central and Southern Oregon.
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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory as air quality index readings topped 150 Wednesday morning near Bend and La Pine, made worse by smoke from the Cram Fire near Madras.
In a photo provided by the Wasco County Sheriffs Department, the Cram Fire burns a hillside. Smoke from the fire is worsening air quality in Central Oregon.
Courtesy of Wasco Sheriffs Department
Further south in Klamath and Jefferson counties, the AQI climbed over 170, affected by smoke from fires burning across Southern Oregon.
The Klamath County Public Health Department issued a health alert Wednesday for county residents. That DEQ advisory is in effect until at least 10 a.m. Thursday, while conditions are expected to slightly improve before then in Deschutes and Crook counties with intermediate smoke remaining.
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AQI levels range from 0-50 for “good” air quality to 300-500 for “hazardous” conditions.
Public health officials are encouraging people affected by poor air quality to stay safe by:
Avoiding strenuous outdoor activity
Using air purifiers
Running air conditioning on recirculate mode
Keeping windows and doors closed
Using N95 masks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly
Keeping pets indoors — as much as possible
“Wildfire smoke contains fine particles that can be harmful to your health. People at the highest risk are those with health conditions, older adults, children and infants,” Deschutes County Public Health Director Heather Kaisner said in a press release. “People who have asthma or other lung conditions should keep medications available and contact their healthcare provider if necessary.”
Multiple counties are also providing the public with cleaner air-conditioned locations to visit,such as local libraries to avoid the smoke and heat.
Resources: Stay safe and informed during wildfire season with OPB’s wildfire guide at opb.org/wildfires. This resource offers essential safety tips and preparedness guidance to help you navigate fire and smoke events. This resource was created as part of our commitment to serving the public as wildfire seasons become longer and more dangerous.
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Good morning, Northwest.
After a 35-day sprint, Oregon’s legislative session ended yesterday. The laws passed ranged from filling holes in the state budget to pushing back on the federal immigration crackdown.
OPB politics reporters Dirk VanderHart, Lauren Dake and Bryce Dole have the latest from the Capitol floor in Salem.
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Plus, daylight saving time starts tomorrow at 2 a.m., when clocks will spring forward to 3 a.m. Be sure to get enough sleep tonight.
Here’s your First Look at Saturday’s news.
— Winston Szeto
Oregon lawmakers gather in the rotunda after ending the 2026 legislative session. The 2026 session saw big budget bills, approving major public spending to renovate the Moda Center and many other major pieces of legislation.
Dirk VanderHart / OPB
Oregon lawmakers end 2026 legislative session: What you need to know
In the last month, Oregon state lawmakers bought a waterfall, spent big to help a billionaire renovate the Moda Center, and used an inordinate amount of time debating a gas tax that most believe will end up going nowhere.
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The 2026 legislative session is over.
After the end of most sessions, there are the inevitable questions: What did lawmakers accomplish? Did they make the state better or worse?
Whether the state will be better off after the 35-day legislative sprint, which adjourned yesterday, is a matter of perspective. But lawmakers were certainly busy.
Didn’t pay attention? Here is what you missed. (Dirk VanderHart, Lauren Dake and Bryce Dole)
Learn more
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People ice skate in the Lloyd Center in Portland, Ore., Aug. 19, 2025.
Morgan Barnaby / OPB
3 things to know this morning
A coalition of news organizations, including OPB, filed a motion yesterday asking a federal judge to give them access to documents regarding President Donald Trump’s attempt to deploy the National Guard to Portland last fall. (Michelle Wiley)
The Portland Design Commission voted unanimously this week to demolish Lloyd Center and its ice rink. The mall’s owners plan to tear it down in favor of a multi-use development. (Joni Auden Land)
A federal judge has ruled that the Bonneville Power Administration intentionally destroyed evidence that could have tied it to a 2020 wildfire, in a lawsuit brought by more than 200 people and businesses affected by that fire. (April Ehrlich)
Thick clouds of tear gas, deployed by federal immigration officers, fill the air as hundreds of protesters demonstrate outside of the ICE building in Portland, Jan. 31, 2026.
Eli Imadali / OPB
Headlines from around the Northwest
Judge orders federal officers at Portland’s ICE building to greatly restrict the use of tear gas (Troy Brynelson)
New version of income tax bill gets Washington governor’s blessing (Jerry Cornfield)
Oregon Legislature votes to allow more agritourism on farmland (Alejandro Figueroa)
Sengun and Thompson help the Rockets beat the Trail Blazers 106-99 (Associated Press)
Syla Swords, Olivia Olson lead No. 8 Michigan past Oregon 80-58 in Big Ten quarterfinals (Mark Ambrogi)
Nuckolls scores 23 as Portland defeats Washington State 74-68 in West Coast Conference Tournament (Associated Press)
Lakayana Yotoma Drury poses for a portrait at the Oregon Public Broadcasting offices in Portland, Ore., on March 4, 2026.
Eli Imadali / OPB
‘503’ collection highlights the experiences of Black Portlanders in poems, essays and photos
Lakayana Yotoma Drury is an educator, social entrepreneur, community advocate, writer, poet and filmmaker. Now, with the publication of his “503” magazine, he adds “editor-in-chief” to his accomplished list.
Yotoma Drury said he wrote it as “defiant anthem of Black joy and resilience against a backdrop of gentrification, community violence, miseducation, and white supremacy.”
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Lakayana Yotoma Drury — who serves as vice chair of the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs — hopes the publication encourages a greater investment in young people. He appeared on OPB’s “Think Out Loud” to share more about his work. (Allison Frost)
Learn more
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Sign up today for OPB’s “First Look” – your daily guide to the most important news and culture stories from around the Northwest.
The University of Portland men’s basketball team overcame a four-point halftime deficit to beat Washington State 74-68 in the second round of the West Coast Conference tournament Friday night.
The Pilots gained some breathing room early in the second half when Garrett Nuckolls hit a layup for the lead, followed by a Joel Foxwell 3-pointer, and another bucket by Nuckolls. The Cougars cut the margin to a single point on four separate occasions, but the Pilots had the answer each time.
Portland stretched to a double-digit margin in the late stages after Foxwell knocked down four straight free throws.
Nuckolls finished with a career-high 23 points on 7-of-8 (87.5%) shooting, while Foxwell added 17 points.
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Portland (15-18) advances to face No. 5 seed San Francisco at 6 p.m. Saturday in a third-round game from Las Vegas.
In women’s action, the Oregon Ducks saw their Big-10 tournament run come to an end with an 80-58 loss to No. 3 seed Michigan in Friday’s quarterfinals.
The Ducks fell behind by nine points at halftime and never recovered. Katie Fiso led the Ducks with 22 points.
What does the Oregon Government Ethics Commission do?
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission is responsible for enforcing Oregon Government Ethics Law, Lobby Regulation Law and Public Meetings Law.
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted March 6 to fine Keizer City Councilor Soraida Cross $500 after an investigator found she tried to use her position to avoid a criminal citation.
In a stipulated final order signed by Cross, an OGEC investigator detailed a May 14, 2025, incident in which Cross attempted to call Marion County Sheriff Nick Hunter on his personal cellphone when police responded to a domestic dispute at the home Cross shared with her ex-husband.
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During the incident, first reported by Keizertimes, a woman accused Cross of pushing her off a barstool.
Salem Police responded to the 911 call in Keizer to avoid a possible conflict of interest. Video footage obtained by Keizertimes shows Cross telling the officer she is a city councilor, played golf with Keizer Police Chief Andrew Copeland and is friends with Hunter.
The body camera footage was later shared on social media by Marion County Democrats.
Paige Barton, chair for Marion County Democrats, filed a complaint against Cross with the ethics commission.
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When Cross told the officer she was a councilor, she attempted to “use her official position to avoid the financial detriment associated with a criminal citation,” according to the order.
The order said Cross “used confidential information in an attempt to obtain a personal gain” when she called Hunter on his personal cellphone to involve him in the Salem Police investigation.
“The personal phone number of Mr. Hunter is not publicly available information, such that any member of the public may contact him when dealing with law enforcement matters,” the order said.
The criminal citation for harassment was forwarded to the Polk County District Attorney’s Office due to a possible conflict of interest. The office declined to prosecute.
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Cross told OGEC that she did not willingly or intentionally violate Oregon ethics law.
“She further asserts that she is a victim of domestic violence and that the police were called to her home on May 14, 2025, by her ex-husband as a form of retaliation and that was not the only time,” officials said in the order. “Ms. Cross further contends that on the evening of May 14th, she needed to call her friends, which is why she contacted Marion County Sheriff Nick Hunter whom she called for advice out of fear and there was no malicious intent.”
Commission investigator Daniel Pacheco said in a preliminary investigation that Cross appeared to try to use her position to avoid financial detriment, such as legal fees associated with a criminal charge.
The commission voted 5-0 in October to find a substantial objective basis for believing Cross violated Oregon law. A more in-depth investigation ensued.
In the order, OGEC officials said the results of the investigation pointed to a preponderance of evidence that Cross violated Oregon ethics law.
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Cross signed the stipulated final order on Feb. 17, waiving her right to a contested hearing and judicial review. She will pay a $500 civil penalty to settle the matter.
The commission approved accepting the final order in a 6-0 vote with one abstention.
For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on X at @wmwoodworth
