KWSO Morning News Round-Up for Friday
As students head back to school this month, families are adjusting to new routines and fresh starts. Transition stress affects all ages, but simple steps at home—such as predictable wake-up times, calm bedtimes, and open communication—can make a major difference. Experts recommend tailoring support: elementary kids benefit from reassurance and drop-off practice; middle schoolers need help breaking down large tasks; high schoolers require support with sleep habits and academic pressure; and college students should connect with campus resources early. Encouraging social connections through clubs, sports, or playdates across all grade levels helps build confidence and helps new environments feel like home.
In local high school action, the Madras White Buffalos had a busy lineup across multiple sports. On the court, the volleyball team split a two-match matinee in Redmond, defeating La Grande before falling to the host team. On the gridiron against Molalla, the JV football team fell 24-14, while the varsity squad dropped a 35-14 decision despite highlight plays—including a 42-yard interception return touchdown by Jaiden Harrington and a 7-yard touchdown pass from Julyan Barajas to his brother Manuel. Both boys’ and girls’ soccer teams are competing in the Bend Soccer Showcase today and Saturday, facing Baker, Seaside, Ontario, and South Umpqua/Riddle over the two-day event.
Oregon wildlife officials are urging drivers to remain alert as fall migration increases the risk of animal collisions across the state’s 80,000 miles of public roads. Around 5,000 large animals are killed annually, with accidents peaking in October and November as deer and elk move to lower winter grounds. Drivers are advised to slow down at dawn and dusk, watch for group crossings, and avoid swerving, while residents can support dedicated wildlife crossings by purchasing the state’s “Watch for Wildlife” license plate at myowf.org.
The Portland Indigenous Marketplace is transforming a donated property on Sandy Boulevard into a permanent cultural center dubbed “Project 737.” Located along a historic Native trade route, the fixed venue will feature a gallery, indoor makerspace, and outdoor plaza to support over 250 local vendors year-round. Team member LaDonna Dempsey highlighted the milestone, noting that a permanent location creates a lasting legacy for future generations, while founder Lluvia Merello confirmed renovations begin this fall ahead of a targeted 2028 opening.
During a record-setting fire season where Oregon saw more land burn than ever before, incarcerated firefighters played a critical role in steering flames away from populated areas. At South Fork Forest Camp, a state prison in the Tillamook Forest where men sleep in cabins, crews train heavily in “mop up” operations, cutting containment lines and extinguishing hot spots. Participants like Jason Russell and Flynn Lovejoy report that the program builds valuable job skills and offers a way to give back to the community, though advocates like former inmate turned judicial clerk Adam Gregg argue the state should provide higher compensation or sentence reductions for dangerous wildfire labor.
The U.S. Forest Service has finalized plans to shutter 23 facilities nationwide to save millions in operational costs, including its Pacific Northwest regional headquarters in Portland. While facilities in Seattle and Wenatchee, Washington, will remain open, officials state most affected staff can commute to new locations like Salem. However, Kevin Hood, executive director for Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics, noted widespread skepticism and uncertainty among staff following ongoing organizational changes.
Showers and possible thunderstorms arrive today with highs near 70°F. Saturday brings brief sunshine and 72°F weather before light rain returns on Sunday.