Elizabeth Castillo

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation has created an online Umatilla language dictionary. Modesta Minthorn is the director of education for the confederated tribes and Thomas Morning Owl is the General Council interpreter. They join us to reflect on the importance of the online dictionary and how it can be used to support the language.

A mentorship program at Albany’s Memorial Middle School aims to provide a safe space for Black students to get community support.

Coos County has moved to the “moderate risk” level for COVID-19, a downward shift from high, giving businesses there more freedom to open up.

How can Oregonians come together against racism toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders? That’s what a coalition of AAPI leaders wants to address following the increase in racism directed at Asian Americans in the last year. Rise Against Hate Oregon is hosting a virtual event to talk about how Oregonians can stand against racism. We hear from organizers, Anne and Erica Naito-Campbell.

After multiple COVID-19 cases, the Wallowa School District announced in an April 29 Facebook post that the high school would be closed and distance learning for students will continue through May 11. Tamera Jones, the superintendent of the Wallowa School District, tells us more about what’s happening at the school.

How can the music world create a more inclusive environment for all voices? That's a question that’s top of mind for some musicians and educators. We hear from Ash, the artistic director of Transpose PDX, a Portland nonprofit that has a community choir and acapella group aimed at empowering transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming musicians. We’ll also hear from Sarah Maines, a singing voice specialist and adjunct professor at the University of Portland, who teaches healthy vocal technique. They join us with details.

Umatilla County’s vaccination rate is about 23%, according to the Oregon Health Authority’s data dashboard. That's the lowest vaccination rate in the state. And Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced earlier this week that the county will move back into the COVID-19 “high risk” category. Still, the county has seen a decline in residents attending mass vaccination sites. It has told the state that it does not need additional Moderna doses. We hear from Joseph Fiumara, the county’s public health director, about the challenges facing the region.

On Tuesday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced that 15 counties will move to the "extreme risk" COVID-19 restrictions category, effective Friday. Patrick Allen, the director of the Oregon Health Authority, gives details.

How can rural communities better manage challenges like housing shortages, abandoned buildings and population loss? That’s a question that a degree program at Eastern Oregon University aims to tackle. Shannon Donovan is an associate professor of Sustainable Rural Systems at Eastern Oregon University. Benjen Lilly is a student in the program. They tell us more about how graduates of the program might help transform their communities.

A wildfire burning about five miles north of Beatty in Klamath County covers more than 1,600 acres. Lane and Marion counties have extended burn bans through Friday. Multnomah and Clackamas counties had temporary burn bans in place through Wednesday and will re-assess conditions Thursday. And warm, windy weather has increased fire risk throughout Oregon. Ian Yocum is a battalion chief for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. He gives us details on this year’s fire season and how the threat of fires is increasing across the state.