After months without a permanent city administrator, Madras has identified three finalists: Brenda Fahey, Maurice Henderson II, and Jody Yates. Residents got a chance to meet the candidates at Initiative Brewing last week.

The USDA Summer Food Service Program is providing free meals this summer to children 18 and under at locations in Madras, Warm Springs, and across Central Oregon. No registration is required — just show up.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have unveiled a significant revitalization of Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort for the 2026 season, including entrance upgrades, lodging improvements, and new wellness and dining offerings. The resort is open daily, with long-term plans that could eventually include an RV park, amphitheater, and indoor water park.

County commissioners have approved a site control agreement for a proposed large-scale battery energy storage project near Madras, a step that opens the door to a formal feasibility study and could position Jefferson County as a hub for clean energy infrastructure.

The Jefferson County Senior Center's community meal program — held three days a week in partnership with the Council on Aging — is building more than lunch. It's building community for older adults across the county, with Meals on Wheels and Medicare counseling rounding out the services.

Filing is now open for residents interested in running for Madras City Council or Mayor in the November 2026 election. The city is at a pivotal moment, and local voices on the council matter more than ever.

Madras Interim City Administrator David Clyne has confirmed the city is not entertaining any data center proposal for Jefferson County, putting to rest rumors that had been circulating locally.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are demanding transparency and accountability after a 900,000-gallon "white liquor" spill at a Longview, WA paper mill. Tribal leaders fear long-term harm to the Columbia River and their treaty-protected fishing rights.

Three finalists have been named for the Madras city administrator position: Brenda Fahey of The Dalles, Jody Yates of Portland, and Maurice Henderson II. The City Council is reviewing public feedback from a June 11 meet-and-greet before making a final selection.

A new youth wellness program has launched in Warm Springs with an emphasis on fitness and physical health, offering tribal youth structured programming during the summer months. The initiative is part of a broader effort to address health disparities in the Warm Springs community.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is calling for stronger focus on Columbia River protections in the wake of the deadly Longview, Washington paper mill disaster, which released a corrosive chemical into nearby waterways. Tribal leaders say the incident underscores the ongoing vulnerability of the river that tribes depend on for cultural survival.