The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) has confirmed a more than $5.61 billion revenue surplus in the 2021-2023 biennium, triggering a tax surplus credit, or “kicker,” for the 2023 tax year.

State confirms $5.61 billion revenue surplus; Oregon taxpayers to receive record kicker credit on 2023 returns next year

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) has confirmed a more than $5.61 billion revenue surplus in the 2021-2023 biennium, triggering a tax surplus credit, or “kicker,” for the 2023 tax year. The surplus—the largest in state history—will be returned to taxpayers through a credit on their 2023 state personal income tax returns filed in 2024. The…

Free screening, October 14, 7:00 – 8:30 PM at Maxey Hall, Whitman College, Walla Walla. This screening will feature a conversation with guests of honor Althea, Jeremy and Aiden Wolf (Class of ’25), of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Email questions to Jeanine Gordon at mailto:gordonj@whitman.edu.

NWPB presents free area screenings of Ken Burns documentary, The American Buffalo

PULLMAN, Wash. – Northwest Public Broadcasting (NWPB) presents The American Buffalo: A Screening and Conversation. A special preview of the latest documentary from Ken Burns and exclusive content from NWPB developed in partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and Yakama Nation will be shown at three free screenings: • October 10 | Washington State University…

For the second year, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation and Nixyaawii Community Financial Services hosted the Norwest Native Fashion Show at Wildhorse Resort & Casino as part of a larger economic development conference. PHOTO BY LEE GAVIN

Done with ‘Native-inspired’

Northwest Native Fashion Show highlights the real deal By CHRIS AADLAND MISSION, Ore. – Indigenous designers and models hit the runway Wednesday on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in an all-Native night of glitz and glamour. For the second year, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation and Nixyaawii Community Financial Services hosted the Norwest Native Fashion Show at…

TERO workers Suzane Bonifer, left, and Wilbur Oatman

TERO workers enjoy profitable construction season, choice of more than 20 projects on and off reservation

CTUIR Tribal Employment Rights Office Submission TERO workers Wilbur Oatman and Suzane Bonifer have been working on TERO Constructions Projects for the last several months. Both have been enjoying good working hours and are making great wages. Oatman, a Umatilla Tribal Member, has been working for Virgil Bates Flagging Company, an Indian Owned Subcontractor to Nelson Construction (Walla Walla, WA)…

The dams were built decades ago to generate electricity. But they also halted the natural flow of the river and disrupted the lifecycle of salmon. The fish are culturally and spiritually important to several Native American tribes in the area.

Things to know about the Klamath River dam removal project

By ADAM BEAMAssociated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – The largest dam removal project in United States history is underway along the California-Oregon border. The project will remove four dams on the Klamath River. Work has already begun on removing the smallest of the four dams. The other three will come down next year. The project is part of a larger…

A loan bison who tailed the herd is rounded up back into the corrals as the final straggler during the 58th annual Custer Buffalo Roundup on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Custer State Park in Custer, S.D. Cowboys and cowgirls in South Dakota are rounding up a herd of more than 1,500 bison, sometimes called buffalos in the U.S, as part of an annual effort to maintain the health of the once-threatened species. (Matt Gade/Rapid City Journal via AP)Matt Gade/AP

US’ only bison roundup rustles up hundreds to maintain health of the species

By SUMMER BALLENTINEAssociated Press South Dakota cowboys and cowgirls rounded up a herd of more than 1,500 bison Friday as part of an annual effort to maintain the health of the species, which has rebounded from near-extinction. Visitors from across the world cheered from behind wire fencing as whooping horseback riders chased the thundering, wooly giants across hills and grasslands…

A person browses offerings in the Raven’s Nest Treasure shop in Pike Place Market, Dec. 10, 2021, in Seattle. Lewis Anthony Rath, of Maple Falls, Wash., who falsely claimed Native American heritage to sell his artwork at downtown Seattle galleries, was sentenced on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, to probation and community service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Man who faked Native American heritage to sell his art in Seattle sentenced to probation

SEATTLE (AP) – A Washington state man who falsely claimed Native American heritage to sell his artwork at downtown Seattle galleries was sentenced Wednesday to federal probation and community service. The U.S. attorney’s office said Lewis Rath, of Maple Falls, was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court to two years probation and 200 hours of community service. He was charged in 2021…

Marcus Clayton, who identified himself as a Muscogee Freedmen descendant, stands outside of the Muscogee Nation court building during a hearing challenging the Muscogee citizenship board on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Okmulgee, Okla. AP FILE PHOTO

Muscogee Nation judge rules in favor of citizenship for slave descendants known as freedmen

By SEAN MURPHYAssociated Press OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A judge for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma ruled in favor of citizenship for two descendants of Black slaves once owned by tribal members, potentially paving the way for hundreds of other descendants known as freedmen. District Judge Denette Mouser, based in the tribe’s headquarters in Okmulgee, ruled late Wednesday in favor of two…

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office at the Department of Education, Sept. 20, 2023, in Washington. The Biden administration is asking America’s colleges to renew their efforts to make campuses more racially diverse, urging schools to boost scholarships and minority recruiting and to give “meaningful consideration” to the adversity students face because of their race or finances. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Colleges should step up diversity efforts after affirmative action ruling, the government says

By COLLIN BINKLEYAP Education Writer WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration is asking America’s colleges to renew their efforts to make campuses more racially diverse, urging schools to boost scholarships and minority recruiting and to place “meaningful emphasis” on the adversity students face because of their race or finances. The Education Department issued a report Thursday promoting strategies to increase…

Leslie Minthorn Oct. 1, 1933 – Sept. 21, 2023

Leaders recall man who ‘led the charge’

By CHRIS AADLAND Reporter MISSION, Ore. — Leslie “Les” Minthorn, the longtime tribal leader and dedicated advocate for tribal sovereignty who played a prominent role in spearheading many efforts, like bringing gaming to the reservation, that have transformed the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, died on September 21. He was 89. A prosperous tribal gaming enterprise. A powerful…