
Francisca Benitez
Francisca “Frankie” Benitez has been a digital producer at OPB since 2020. Originally from La Grande, Francisca graduated from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication in 2018.
Latest Stories

US Sen. Jeff Merkley on government shutdown, health care and authoritarianism
The junior senator from Oregon warned that health care is under attack — and said that’s not all that’s at stake.

OPB’s First Look: Hermiston courts Amazon
Two Amazon data centers are currently under construction in Hermiston, but officials are already clearing the way for more. Here's your First Look at Wednesday's news.
OPB’s First Look: Searching for a fire service solution in east Multnomah County
Gresham and three smaller cities in east Multnomah County are looking to form their own fire district. Here's your First Look at Tuesday's news.
OPB’s First Look: 5 years after the Labor Day fires, survivors are still rebuilding
Here’s your First Look at Saturday’s news.
Survivors of 2020 Labor Day fires share stories of rebuilding
5 years after the Labor Day fires, some survivors have rebuilt, others have moved on. They all live with the trauma of seeing their neighborhoods burn to ashes. The ones who stayed live with the possibility of seeing it happen again.
PNW Survival Games puts outdoor enthusiasts to the test, and could soon be a reality TV show
The competition started by two friends is now in its third year.

Lewis & Clark Law School partners with OPB on public records transparency project
The program will offer specialized training for law students and resources for journalists seeking public records.
Salmon: The original ‘Superabundant’ food of the Pacific Northwest
Few things unite the Pacific Northwest’s culture, economy and ecology like food. But sometimes the ingredients we eat are also divisive. Take salmon: Once these fish were superabundant throughout the region, but the arrival of western settlers — who introduced overfishing and dams — has taken a toll.
Why people all over the world love Oregon-grown wheat
Most of the wheat from the Northwest travels the world, where it's eaten in countries like Japan, China, the Philippines and Indonesia. But it’s also being enjoyed much closer to the fields where it is grown.
From dairies to restaurants, robots could be the future of food
Tech and food have gone together since our ancient ancestors made stone hand axes. Increasingly, automated systems — you might call them robots — are part of that equation.