
The hay grown in southeastern Oregon's Harney County feeds a global livestock market. But the industry relies on declining groundwater stores.
Oregon water audit long on plans, short on enforcement
Secretary of State's Office suggests better planning and communication to deal with dwindling and contaminated groundwater.
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Northwest science news roundup: Really old humans, jellyfish jets, better cookies and winter slumber
In this monthly rundown from OPB, “All Science. No Fiction.” creator Jes Burns features the most interesting, wondrous and hopeful science coming out of the Pacific Northwest.

Colder weather could help parts of Oregon snowpack hit by recent warm temps
Colder temperatures moving into Oregon in the coming days could help with building, maintaining snowpack. “Below 4,000 feet, some of that snow has melted off and so we don’t have quite as much snow as we typically do this time of the year,” says a National Weather Service meteorologist.
Billions in federal dollars could make the Pacific Northwest a hub for renewable hydrogen
The federal government, states of Oregon and Washington, along with private companies, are interested in developing and commercializing renewable hydrogen to cut greenhouse gas emissions, create new jobs and help decarbonize the energy grid.

An expert explains what’s next for washed-up whale on Oregon Coast
After a dead sperm whale washed ashore on Oregon's coast last weekend, officials needed to not only determine a cause of death, but also what to do with the 40-foot carcass.

As a Central Oregon county struggles with extreme drought conditions, officials declare an emergency
Crook County is the only one in Oregon still experiencing "exceptional drought" conditions.

Group threatens to sue over federal plan for upper Deschutes, citing risks to imperiled frog
A wildlife conservation group has warned two federal agencies that they intend to sue over what they call a “flawed” and “incomplete” habitat plan that endangers a regional amphibian.

Oregon Coast’s Chinook salmon among populations under review for endangered-species listing
A request to list several populations of Chinook salmon as endangered was approved for review by the National Marine Fisheries Service this week. One population lives along the Oregon Coast and the other farther south along the Oregon-California border.
Oregon OKs killing 2 wolves in new pack after calf attacks
Oregon officials have approved the killing of two wolves in a new pack they say has attacked calves in the northeastern part of the state

Dare to take a dip? Taking the plunge into freezing Pacific Northwest waters
Reporter’s Notebook: Why would someone shed warm clothes and step into painfully cold water? In reporting a story for Oregon Field Guide, I had to find that answer by taking the plunge.
Grassroots group gets people of color on the slopes of Mount Hood
Open Slopes PDX is getting people of color into the historically white-dominated world of winter sports.