Jefferson County School District 509J joins Bend-La Pine and Redmond schools in cutting millions from its 2026-27 budget due to falling enrollment and reduced state funding — but avoided teacher and staff layoffs, according to reporting from Central Oregon Daily.

The Madras Community Food Pantry is launching a new monthly pop-up program called Locally Nourished this Tuesday, June 23, offering free, locally grown produce to community members through mid-October. The program connects Madras residents directly with local farmers in a farmers-market-style setting.

Central Oregon Community College's Madras campus is launching a new GED preparation class this week, meeting Monday and Wednesday evenings. The free adult basic skills program is open to anyone working toward their high school equivalency.

The Warm Springs Community Wellness Center kicks off a free summer youth fitness program today, Monday, June 22. The program runs all summer and offers one hour per day of fun fitness challenges for youth of all ages.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are hosting back-to-back clean energy events this week: a free community Energy Fair on Tuesday, June 23 and a one-day Solar Training on Wednesday, June 24. Both are open to the public and represent the Tribes' expanding role in the region's energy future.

After six months of searching and a public finalist process, the Madras City Council has selected Brenda Fahey — currently the assistant city manager and human resources director in The Dalles — as its preferred candidate for City Administrator. The employment agreement goes before the Council for a final vote on June 23.

Highway 97 through Madras is slated for major improvements — new sidewalks, signal upgrades, and repaving — while leaders press the state for urgently needed safety fixes on the deadly 15-mile stretch between Terrebonne and Madras. The push comes amid budget constraints at ODOT and a documented pattern of fatal crashes.

Cascades East Transit launched expanded regional bus service on June 15, adding new trips on Routes 22 and 24 that improve connections between Madras, Redmond, and Bend — giving Jefferson County residents better access to medical appointments, jobs, and services in the larger cities to the south.

Warm Springs/Wasco/Paiute filmmaker LaRonn Katchia took home multiple Emmy Awards at the 63rd Annual Northwest Emmy® Awards, winning for two films that center Indigenous history and the environment — a historic achievement for both the filmmaker and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

After years of planning and preservation work, the original structure of the historic Glover House has been moved to the Jefferson County Event Complex, where it will join other historic buildings saved from Central Oregon's pioneer era.

After months of leadership turnover at City Hall, the Madras City Council has chosen Brenda Fahey — currently an assistant city manager in The Dalles — to lead city government. A formal employment agreement is set for consideration at the June 23 Council meeting.