Joni Auden Land
Joni Auden Land reports on Bend and Central Oregon. They cover several different beats, all tied together by an obsession for accountability and government transparency. They previously reported for the Idaho Statesman and the Albuquerque Journal. Joni grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated from the University of New Mexico. Send your tips, questions and neighborly greetings to jal@opb.org.
Latest Stories
Lack of housing leads to hiring woes for Central Oregon businesses, study finds
More than 200 local businesses responded to the survey, with 81% saying that the sky-high cost of housing in Bend has made it difficult to hire workers.
Judge sentences Ian Cranston to 10 years in prison for Bend nightclub shooting
Barry Washington's family addressed Cranston in court, describing his actions as "evil" and racist."
Bend City Council narrowly passes code on illegal camping
Emotions ran high as the council debated the new code, which will limit how unhoused people can camp in Bend.
Jury convicts Ian Cranston of manslaughter in Bend nightclub shooting
Jurors found Ian Cranston not guilty of the more severe second-degree murder charge for shooting and killing Barry Washington, Jr. last year.
Congressional races stay tight in Oregon, Southwest Washington
Narrow leads in the three congressional races could grow or shrink with each passing update. Trailing candidates hold out hope their supporters will show up big in late counts.
Ian Cranston, accused of Bend bar shooting, faces questions from prosecutors
Ian Cranston told jurors he felt he had no other option when he shot and killed Barry Washington outside the Capitol Bar in downtown Bend in 2021.
Democratic slate potentially sweeps Bend City Council races
A high-priced effort to add more conservative voices to the Bend City Council appears to have failed in Tuesday's election.
McLeod-Skinner and Chavez-DeRemer too close to call in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District
Early results in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District show a race too close to call Tuesday night between Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner and Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
Accused man’s fiancée testifies in Bend murder trial, as prosecutors hone in on perceived threat
Prosecutors attempted to establish that Ian Cranston was not in danger when he shot and killed Barry Washington Jr.
Injured pride or self-defense? Jurors asked to determine cause of Barry Washington’s killing in Bend
The controversial killing of an unarmed Black man in Bend occurred more than a year ago.