Rural
Latest Stories

‘No more dog and pony’: Portland area lawmakers hear from nitrate-affected Oregonians
BIPOC caucus members say they'll work with local legislators to find solution to Morrow and Umatilla counties' nitrate pollution problem.

Boardman community organizer’s truck catches ‘suspicious’ blaze, local fire rescue says
Oregon Rural Action, a group based out of La Grande that has been active in pushing state officials to address decades of groundwater pollution in Morrow and Umatilla counties, announced the fire in a press release Monday. The group called on local and state authorities to fully investigate the fire and protect its employees.

Following years of downsizing, Blue Mountain Community College enrollment starts to rebound
Earlier this month, the Eastern Oregon college announced fall term enrollment had grown from 1,304 in 2022 to 1,551 this year, a 19% increase.

Washington’s ‘living ghost town’ is full of history and a few lingering residents
If you’re a little creeped out by ghost towns, imagine living in one. But one town in Washington isn’t quite as vacant or spooky as you might think.

Oregon begins mapping out plan to expand rural broadband after big federal grant
Oregon will receive a whopping $688 million to help expand broadband access. Oregon's Broadband Office director shares what the timeline could be for bringing more high-speed internet to the state.

Gay rodeos are queer spaces in rural places
Gay rodeos upend assumptions about life in rural America

How rural communities in Oregon are celebrating Pride Month
As one of the largest gay rights organizations in the country issues a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans, Pride event organizers share why celebrating Pride Month is especially important for smaller communities in Oregon.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/opb/JBIAUWFKMJAI7A6RVNZ2C45WFY.jpg)
In rural Oregon, there’s a higher need for mental health care, but few options
Outside of Oregon's urban areas, a mental health crisis can mean a long drive or an ambulance ride over the mountains to get the right level of care.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/opb/NJU7YAZIGVC7RGMDUU4HPZM6OY.jpg)
Eastern Oregon University, Umpqua Community College receive money to help prepare rural students for college
More than $2 million will go to the schools to support the recruitment and retention of rural students.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/opb/JBIAUWFKMJAI7A6RVNZ2C45WFY.jpg)
Race to the bottom: How big business took over Oregon’s first protected aquifer
A remote corner of Eastern Oregon is emblematic of how state officials have long ignored water sustainability concerns.