This is a conversation about racism and the need for an inclusive perspective on the history of the nation and the world, bridging the gap between races. Marcus LeGrand, Bend-La Pine Schools Board Member and Advisor/Coordinator of the COCC Ethnocentric Program, and Mark Montgomery, facilitator for Coming To The Table, explore race relations and healing. comingtothetable.org/organizer/bend
Ballot Initiative to use Ranked-Choice Voting for County Comissioner Election
Tawny Howlett introduced the Proportional Rank Choice Voting Ballot Initiative which is backed by Defend Our Democracy Coalition, Common Cause, Tribal Democracy and several other pro-democracy groups. The PRCV Measure is in response to the DMAC (districting map which is based on old census data) to ensure a more diverse representation on our County Commissioner Board. Currently, the County Commissioner Board represents only Bend and Redmond. PRCV creates a pathway for South County and Sisters to be represented as well. The measure is proposed for multi-winners races, such as County Commission.
Deschutes County Dept of Solid Waste - Modernized Recycling with Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson, Community Engagement Coordinator for Deschutes County's Department of Solid Waste, shares new recycling guidance as part of the Recycling Modernization Act (RMA). www.DeschutesCounty.gov
Board House Society with Caitlin and Trygve Bjornstad
Trygve and Caitlin Bjornstad started the non-profit Board House Society to empower everyone through skateboarding, creative expression, and community. Through school programs, camps, events, skateboard lessons and other local collaborations, their goal is to curate and foster togetherness through skateboarding. boardhousesociety.org
Secret Central Oregon: NASA Training with Vanessa Ivey
Louise and Paul talk with Vanessa Ivey from the Deschutes Historical Museum about NASA's astronaut training here in Central Oregon. deschuteshistory.org
ONDA - Protecting Biodiverse Wildlands in Central and Eastern Oregon
Ryan Houston, the Executive Director for the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA), discusses 1) the status on lithium mining in southeastern Oregon's McDermitt Caldera, and 2) the open comment period on a federal proposal to deregulate cattle grazing in Central and Eastern Oregon (closes July 13 at 9:00pm PDT). www.ONDA.org
Erin Heyl - South County Collective Action in La Pine
Harrison and Erin discuss recent collective action in La Pine. La Pine also made national news with the city’s successful rebuke of a data center threatening to establish itself there.
J Bar J Youth Services and the 2026 Oregon High Desert Classics Hunter-Jumper Horse Show
J Bar J Youth Services CEO and President, Stephanie Alvstad, and Chief Operating Officer, Keith Riggs, discuss the wide range of credentialed services they provide to at-risk youth across 15 different programs in nine locations in Central Oregon. www.JbarJ.org
They also preview their largest fundraiser, The Oregon High Desert Classics, a free-to-the-public event that brings world-class horses and riders to J Bar J's Hamby Ranch in Bend July 8-12, 2026. www.OregonHighDesertClassics.org
Climate Fee and Automated Traffic with Bend City Councilors Mike Riley and Ariel Mendez
Every two months, representatives from the Bend City Council update community members on current issues and City projects. The June update highlights the Bend Climate Fee, automated traffic enforcement tools, City goals, and the Bend City website at bendoregon.gov.
A Chat with Rick Russell, Deschutes County Commissioner-Elect
Rick Russell talks about his plans as a newly-elected Deschutes County Commissioner, redistricting, and his personal experience running for office.
Seed to Table - Talking about the POP Club (Power of Produce)
Audrey Tehan, Founder and Executive Director at Seed to Table in Sisters OR, talks about the opening of the 2026 Sisters Farmers Market, youth and adult education programs, and shares what it's like to farm vegetables in Central Oregon. www.SeedtoTableOregon.org and SistersFarmersMarket.com
Rosie The Riveter, The Musical, A Conversation with Marilyn Magness, Writer, Director, Choreographer
Marilyn Magness, Imagineer and Consultant with Creative Development International, is writer, director, and choreographer of Rosie The Riveter. She talks about her extensive history in the world of family entertainment and the upcoming debut of the premiere performance of Rosie the Riveter at the Tower Theatre in June 2026.
Oregon Origins Project VIII: Echoes of Eruption with Matthew Packwood and Daniele McKay
Oregon Origins Project VIII: Echoes of Eruption is a celebration of Newberry Volcano June 25-26 at the Tower Theatre in Bend. The program includes a new work for contemporary dance inspired by the caldera, an evening of Northern Paiute legends and stories, an exhibition exploring geology and transformation, and a special guided tour of the volcano. Matthew Packwood is the Executive Director of Oregon Origins and Dr. Daniele McKay is a Senior Instructor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oregon. www.oregonorigins.org
ClearPath Healthcare formerly Hospice of Redmond
Hospice of Redmond has expanded into in-home healthcare and rebranded as ClearPath Healthcare. Community Engagement Manager Lauren Lebien explains both the new and old services. And yes, The Festival of Trees will return in 2026. www.ClearPathHealthCare.org
Discover Your Northwest - What makes the Deschutes National Forest a great place to visit.
Karen Walsh, Director of Programs for Discover Your Northwest, discusses the education and preservation programs that keep the1.6 million acres of Deschutes National Forest lands in the top five national forest destinations in the USA. www.DiscoverNW.org
Palestine Speaks Part 3
Local Palestinian, Michel Shehadeh, and local Palestinian-Lebanese Karim Bouris, continue their conversation with Harrison McKinney and Carolyn Esky, Palestine Speaks. In the third part of this four-part series they suggest that the plight of Palestine is an issue that impacts U.S. tax-payers, pulling dollars away from needs of U.S. citizens.
Healing from the Wounds of Slavery and Racism
This conversation is about racism and the need for an inclusive perspective on the history of the nation and the world, bridging the gap between races. Marcus LeGrand, School Board Member/Bend-LaPine School District and Advisor/Coordinator of the COCC Ethnocentric Program and Mark Montgomery explore healing the racial divide.
We Are Remembering, Not Just a Number
Tracy Miller is the creator of the We Are Remembering, Not Just a Number event, now in its 19th year. Military members who died in service during the Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Iran wars are honored on Memorial Day at Troy Field and online at weareremembering.com
Visit Central Oregon's Role in High Desert Tourism
Scott Larson, President and CEO for Visit Central Oregon, talks about tourism in the high desert, VCO's efforts to leverage partnerships to bring travelers both in peak and off-peak seasons, and nearly $2M from the Future Fund to strengthen accessibility to local tourism-related projects over the past four years. www.VisitCentralOregon.com
Neurodiversity - What We Are Learning
Dr. Drew Collins, ND, a naturopathic doctor and accupuncturist, talks about the latest developments in the field of neurodivergence from both a scientific and practical point of view. www.ProActive.com