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
Deschutes County rejects proposal for new city
The new city would have been 265 square miles, larger than Portland, with a population of less than 200 people.
After bullet company sponsors high school sports, Bend-La Pine Schools to reconsider its policy
Nosler, a bullet-making company in Bend, says it has sponsored high school sports in Bend for years.
Police arrest Bend teen for alleged bomb threat at Summit High School
The 17-year-old student allegedly threatened to detonate a bomb on the campus and made reference to the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Bend City Councilor Anthony Broadman to run for Knopp’s Oregon Senate seat
Broadman called out Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp for leading a walkout of 10 conservative senators earlier this year.
Federal judge favors large tree protections for Eastern Oregon
Previously, trees larger than 21 inches in diameter were protected.
1 year since Bend Safeway shooting, a survivor reflects on trauma, lack of political action
It’s been one year since, on Aug. 28, 2022, a gunman at a Safeway in Bend killed two people before taking his own life. The violent act rocked the community, leading to calls for stricter gun restrictions locally and across the state — but officials making those proposals have gained little ground.
Deschutes County to hire armed guards at homeless camps in Juniper Ridge
Deschutes County's original plan to remove nearly 200 people living in encampments along Juniper Ridge has been postponed.
2 concerts in Bend canceled due to wildfire smoke
Smoke from wildfires in Canada and Eastern Oregon have degraded air quality across Oregon the past few days.
Central Oregon overcome with wildfire smoke, unhealthy air conditions
Officials advise those living in the affected area to stay indoors as much as possible.
Bend police data shows complicated reality of homeless camp safety concerns
The city of Bend reported the area around Hunnell Road received 1,500 calls for service over one year. OPB reviewed the data and found a more nuanced portrayal of police responses in the area.