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In the past, Oregon’s indigenous students couldn’t wear eagle feathers on their graduation caps, mukluks on their feet, or traditional stoles over their graduation gowns without the fear that they would be stopped or have these items confiscated by school administrators.

South Salem High School graduate Kundai Kapurura says between the pandemic, the movement for racial justice and the wildfires, she was overwhelmed with a desire to help. She reached out to fellow student Sophia Cobb after noticing her eye-catching Instagram pictures of clothing she’d made, and the two started a business that donates 10% of what it makes to charity.

The Klamath Basin is facing the worst drought in the state. As in years past, there’s not enough water to meet the demand for farmers, tribes and endangered fish and other wildlife. A group led by two farmers is threatening to break into the federally owned main irrigation canal.

Fern Wexler loves birds. As a kid, he focused on birds around age 7 and, more than a decade later, remains fascinated. Wexler recently wrote an essay for the Portland Audubon's website about what birds mean to him, specifically as an autistic person.

In 1998, Alasdair Harris went to Madagascar to research coral reefs. He's worked there ever since. He explains the true meaning of conservation he learned from the island's Indigenous communities.

Some states are passing laws restricting curriculum related to racism and history. Portland area teachers rallied last week as part of a Day of Action opposing those bans and in support of educators around the country who are coming up against opposition for their work teaching history.

Rep. Mike Nearman was expelled from the Oregon House in a widely anticipated vote June 10, a first in state history. Only Nearman himself voted against the resolution, finding that he had engaged in “disorderly behavior” by facilitating the Capitol building incursion by armed far-right protesters six months ago. We get perspectives on what’s next.

Bend resident Sherry Tran has long worked professionally with organizations and companies to turn workplace cultures toward diversity and inclusion. Tran says Bend is far more diverse than people might think. But people of color have experienced bigotry and harassment there, as they have in cities everywhere. Now the city has a new Human Rights and Equity Commission, of which Tran is a member.

As Oregon schools open their doors, students are heading back to school in droves for hybrid instruction — with some time spent at school, in-person, and the rest of the time continuing to learn at home. Bend La-Pine was the first large district in Oregon to go back to in-person instruction for all grades.

Changes may soon arrive at a gas pump near you thanks to new fuel standards that just landed on Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk. The state’s new fuel standards will slowly lower the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gases allowed from vehicle tailpipes through 2035. That means cleaner biodiesel or renewable natural gas will get a boost over gasoline and regular diesel. The standards are similar to others enacted in Oregon, California and British Columbia.