1A/2A boys blast off of the start line of the SD3 District 3 district championships on Nov. 1, 2024, at Community Park in Pendleton.

Schimmel and Shaul grab state berths

In the girls 3A/2A/1A division, Lindsey Brown of Pine Eagle won the race with a time of 19:10.80, while Enterprise won the team title with 35 points. By ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ PENDLETON — Nixyáawii sophomore Sun Schimmel and Weston-McEwen sophomore Arden Shaul each earned a trip to the 2A/1A state cross-country championships after finishing in the top seven Friday…

This undated photo from a court document provided by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana shows golden eagle feet recovered by law enforcement officers from a Washington state man’s vehicle. U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF MONTANA | COURTESY

Poachers are exploiting the high demand for eagle feathers that are sacred among Native Americans

By MATTHEW BROWN, Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — America’s golden eagles face a rising threat from a black market for their feathers used in Native American powwows and other ceremonies, according to wildlife officials, researchers and tribal members. The government’s response has been two-pronged: A crackdown on rings illegally trafficking dead eagles coupled with a longstanding program that lawfully…

Native voters could be key to winning Arizona and some of the most contested swing states Nov. 5.

Native voters could swing US elections, but they’re asking politicians: What have you done for us?

BY MEGAN JANETSKY and RODRIGO ABD, Associated Press DILKON, Ariz. (AP) — Felix Ashley’s red Toyota sends a plume of dust billowing along the sloping hills and boulders he traverses hours every week to pump water – the same roadway voters walk miles every four years to cast their ballots in presidential elections. Here on this forgotten swath of the…

Members of the seniors Founding Fathers team exult after winning Pendleton High School’s Mud Wars on Oct. 30, 2024, at the Happy Canyon Arena.

Pendleton HS wraps up 2024 Mud Wars

Congratulations to the Pendleton High School Senior Class Team #3, Founding Fathers, for winning the 2024 Mud Wars. Staff Coach: Karen Demianew Male Captains: Anson Dressler, Kaden Moore & Kael Kennedy Girl Pullers: Nessa Neveau Lexie Willman Adrianne Demianew Megan Fisher McKenna Acevedo Willow Nelson Kiara Ruiz Esra Burnette Ella Sams Josie Jenness Halle Pedersen Madelyn Lieuallen Lilly Noble Katie…

The Pendleton boys cross country team won the Greater Oregon League district title Oct. 30, in Baker City. It is the first district title for the Bucks in more than 40 years. PENDLETON HIGH SCHOOL | COURTESY PHOTO

Pendleton boys run to district title 

The Pendleton boys cross country team won the Greater Oregon League district title Oct. 30, in Baker City. It is the first district title for the Bucks in more than 40 years. By ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ BAKER CITY — Pendleton had five runners finish in the top 12 to win the Greater Oregon League district cross country title Wednesday…

La Grande’s Rowan Evans (16) puts the ball past Pendleton goalie Citlalli Garcia for her first of two goals Oct. 29, at Community Stadium in La Grande. BRENNA STRAND | COURTESY PHOTO

No. 2 La Grande shuts out Pendleton 

By ANNIE FOWLER, The CUJ LA GRANDE — Rowan Evans had two goals, and La Grande won its 14th consecutive Greater Oregon League title Tuesday, Oct. 29, with a 2-0 win over Pendleton at Community Stadium. “Kiana (Rickman) and Pendleton came with different tactics than the first time we played them,” La Grande coach Chris Gianandrea said. “Good to have…

Chronic Wasting Disease has been detected in wild cervids in most western states, including Washington and California. CWD INFO.ORG | COURTESY

Help detect Chronic Wasting Disease in Oregon

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a 100% fatal disease that impacts all members of the cervid family (deer, elk, moose, caribou). CWD has been detected in wild cervids in most western states. Early detection is critical to preventing the spread of CWD in Oregon. State and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) wildlife managers are collecting samples from…

President Joe Biden addresses the Gila River Indian Community, Friday, Oct. 25. WHITE HOUSE | COURTESY

Native Americans laud Biden for historic apology over boarding schools, want action to follow

By GRAHAM LEE BREWER and SEJAL GOVINDARAO, Associated Press LAVEEN VILLAGE, Ariz. (AP) — President Joe Biden did something Oct. 25 that no other sitting U.S. president has: He apologized for the systemic abuse of generations of Indigenous children endured in boarding schools at the hands of the federal government. For 150 years the U.S. removed Indigenous children from their…

Vice President Kamala Harris became the first sitting U.S. President or Vice President to visit the Gila River Indian Community when she spoke to a crowd of about 800 elected leaders, officials from Arizona tribes and Community members gathered at the Gila Crossing Community School on July 6, 2023. COURTESY GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY NEWS

A century after Native Americans got the right to vote, they could put Trump or Harris over the top

By GRAHAM LEE BREWER, Associated Press RED SPRINGS, N.C. (AP) — Native American communities were decisive voting blocs in key states in 2020, and with the 2024 race remaining stubbornly close both campaigns have tried to mobilize Native voters in the final weeks of the presidential election. But when it comes to messaging, the two campaigns could not be more…