Gray whale deaths along PNW Coast prompt ‘Catastrophic Mortality Event’
Gray whale deaths along the west coast have reached alarming numbers, prompting researchers to declare a catastrophic mortality event. Researchers with the environmental organization Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, or PEER, say that gray whales are suffering a “catastrophic mortality event,” citing rapidly rising strandings and population declines. At least 145 gray whales have been […]
4-year-old found safe after wandering 5 miles from Oregon state park
A 4-year-old girl is recovering after search crews found her nearly five miles from where she became separated from her family. The child disappeared on July 4 at Cape Lookout State Park during the Fourth of July holiday. Her disappearance triggered an extensive search effort coordinated by Oregon State Parks rangers, the Tillamook County Sheriff’s […]
Pacific Northwest pizza franchisee files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
One of the largest operators of Mountain Mike’s Pizza restaurants in Oregon has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, even as the pizza chain continues expanding across the country. Medford-based Rogue Fare LLC, which operates five Mountain Mike’s Pizza restaurants in Southern Oregon, filed for bankruptcy on July 1. The filing applies to the franchise operator […]
Controversial plan to kill 450,000 barred owls across the Pacific Northwest may already be underway
A controversial federal plan to remove up to 450,000 barred owls across Oregon, Washington, and California appears to be moving forward, even as legal challenges continue in federal court. The effort is designed to help protect northern spotted owls, a federally threatened species that wildlife officials say has declined in part because of competition from […]
Portland writer wins 2026 James Beard Media Award
A Portland writer is among the winners of the 2026 James Beard Media Awards, one of the food industry’s highest honors. Erica Berry, a Portland-based author and essayist, won the James Beard Journalism Award in the Personal Essay category for her piece, “Intuitive Eating: On Poison, Pleasure, and Trust,” published in Orion Magazine. The James […]
This controversial ghost town is now Oregon’s first certified Dark Sky lodging
A tiny Oregon ghost town with a notorious past is reinventing itself by transforming old remnants into attractions for visitors. Antelope, located in Central Oregon, has a long and unusual history. In the 1980s, the small town unexpectedly gained national attention when a cult took control of the community and carried out poisonings that sickened […]
Seven Oregon ghost towns that offer a rare look into the state’s past
You don’t need perfect weather to explore Oregon. In fact, some of the best days to get out and see something new are the gray, moody ones. That’s especially true if you’re interested in ghost towns. If you’ve ever driven through parts of Oregon and wondered about the empty buildings or forgotten places just off […]
6 Oregon beaches named among the ‘Best in the Pacific Northwest’ by HGTV
HGTV named the Oregon Coast as home to some of the Pacific Northwest’s best beaches. The Home and Garden network recognized six Oregon beaches among the Best Beaches in the Pacific Northwest, praising their breathtaking scenery, outdoor recreation, and opportunities for spotting local wildlife. From iconic landmarks like Haystack Rock to the remote beauty of […]
Volunteers carry protected frogs across an Oregon highway
For the past 13 years, each winter in northwest Portland sees dozens of volunteers gather along a high-traffic highway with buckets, headlamps and reflective vests labeled “FROGS.” Their mission is simple: help northern red-legged frogs safely cross busy Highway 30. Every year during the winter months, these volunteers return to the bluff overlooking Highway 30 […]
Oregon National Guard site becomes a haven for burrowing owls
In eastern Oregon’s high desert, a small conservation effort at the Rees Training Center has grown into one of the nation’s most successful burrowing owl colonies.