Antonio Sierra
Antonio grew up in the Los Angeles area but has spent nearly his entire journalistic career working in rural areas. After stints in California and New Mexico, he moved to Pendleton in 2014 to work at the East Oregonian. Antonio became OPB's first rural communities reporter in 2022. He is especially interested in Eastern Oregon's emerging communities and changing demographics, and the resource gap between the region and its urban neighbors.
Latest Stories
Oregon leaders agree the Lower Umatilla Basin’s nitrates are a crisis. But the funds aren’t there
For decades, waste carrying nitrates from large livestock farms, food processing facilities and irrigated farms has seeped through the Lower Umatilla Basin’s soil and into the groundwater below.
Malheur County is on the brink of becoming a ‘news desert’ as local papers close, change hands
The Malheur Enterprise in Vale shutters while the Argus Observer in Ontario explores a sale.
Governor turns ‘lessons’ from Eastern Oregon nitrate crisis into a reform bill
Senate Bill 1154 centralizes the state’s response to groundwater pollution, but hundreds of private well owners oppose it.
Who’s responsible for the levee that failed in Harney County’s flood? No one
Before a historic flood damaged at least 950 homes in the Burns area, prevention efforts went unfunded.
Flood survivors hold on for help as Kotek tours damage in Harney County
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek praised the resiliency of Harney County residents and the volunteers who came to their aid during a Thursday visit to view flood damage in Eastern Oregon.
After a muted start, Oregon erupts in resistance to Trump’s second term with a groundswell of protests
Oregon alone saw dozens of protests, from small towns to large cities. All voiced frustration with President Donald Trump's administration, particularly his recent tariffs on foreign countries and his advisor, billionaire Elon Musk.
Protesters across Oregon stand against public services cuts under Trump and Musk
Outside of Portland, protests drew hundreds of people in Tigard, Madras, Pendleton, Medford and elsewhere across Oregon on Saturday, as part of the national “Hands Off” day of action.
Harney County defends its jail while lobbying to replace it
Jails in rural Oregon are often older and in need of upgrades, but new tax money can be hard to come by.
From wolves to water, Eastern Oregon lawmakers strike balancing act to move bills forward
As the legislative session heats up, here’s how Oregon Republicans are gaining ground within the state’s Democratic supermajority.
Umatilla County faces pertussis outbreak
Also known as whooping cough, the disease is resurgent across the Northwest.
