Science & Environment
A home near the Columbia River outside The Dalles, Ore., has been reduced to cinder blocks after the Rowena Fire. June 18, 2025.
As the flames die down, Rowena residents determine what’s next
Last week, the fire destroyed 56 homes in the unincorporated community of Rowena, outside The Dalles. There’s a long road ahead as it recovers from the blaze.
Latest Stories
Multnomah County’s Office of Sustainability avoids significant budget cuts after outcry
Multnomah County’s Office of Sustainability avoided deep cuts. A commissioner had proposed eliminating 4 out of 5 positions in the office to fund other programs. The office will see funding reductions equating to 1.5 full-time positions.
Latest federal budget bill would sell Oregon public lands, boost logging
The federal government could start selling off thousands of acres of Oregon public lands if provisions added to the One Big Beautiful Bill win Congressional approval.
New honey bee energy bar tested in Washington offers hope for struggling hives
Washington State University researchers are testing a new artificial food for bees that could help hives survive and thrive on nutrient-poor farmland.
Oregon lawmakers pass bill requiring Coffin Butte Landfill to invest in more emissions tech
Over two dozen counties send their trash to the 178-acre Coffin Butte Landfill north of Corvallis, where massive methane leaks have prompted calls to better regulate those emissions using advanced technology, like drones, planes or satellites.
Indigenous youth prepare for the first descent down the Klamath River after dam removal
On Thursday, dozens of young kayakers from a variety of Indigenous tribes will embark on the first source-to-sea descent of the Klamath River since the country’s largest dam removal project was completed last fall.
NIH scientists publish declaration criticizing Trump’s deep cuts in public health research
President Donald Trump’s National Institutes of Health director says some employees’ critical letter to him has “fundamental misconceptions about the policy directions the NIH has taken.”
Environmental groups take Oregon to court over renewable diesel refinery on Columbia River
Environmental groups are asking a court to reverse a permit for a proposed renewable diesel refinery in Columbia County, over concerns it could pollute the Columbia River and disrupt working farms.
As support for national parks wanes, Crater Lake’s former leader says he had to walk away
Kevin Heatley said he could no longer be party to the dismantling of the federal government, and he expressed concern for the mental health of workers who are working long hours to keep the park operating.
An unusual pairing of geese draws a gaggle of Portland-area birders
An unusual couple of nesters has attracted the attention of Portland-area birders drawn to a story about the peculiarities of nature.
Double threat of Cascadia earthquake and sea-level rise could change Pacific Northwest coast forever
Climate-driven sea level rise not the only thing threatening a future of flooding on the Northwest Coast.
