Good morning La Grande! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️
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In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Salsa Fridays. Salsa, Bachata & Merengue and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a one-legged Big Foot? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Student Fee Committee (eou.edu) — If you're an Eastern Oregon University student in La Grande, your $397-per-term student fee funds everything from athletics and outdoor programs to galleries, theater, and student government. A student-led fee committee decides how roughly $1.2–$1.4 million is distributed each year and is currently inviting students-at-large to help shape future budgets and campus activities.
2. La Grande airport breaks record for fire retardant pumped in a day, Forest Service reports (elkhornmediagroup.com) — La Grande's airport has become a critical firefighting hub, recently breaking its own daily record by pumping more than 132,000 gallons of fire retardant during intense wildfire activity. With expanded fuel capacity funded by state grants and strong county support, the tanker base has already moved about 1.3 million gallons this year, underscoring the airport's growing importance to regional fire response.
3. Oregon Arts Commission awards $150,000 in learning grants to 15 organizations (ktvz.com) — La Grande students will see more arts in their classrooms thanks to a $10,000 Oregon Arts Commission grant to Art Center East, which will bring eight weeks of improv residencies to four local Title I elementary schools. The funding is part of $150,000 awarded statewide to strengthen K-12 arts education, supporting hands-on projects from Pendleton to the coast and Willamette Valley.
4. Oregon's public universities, classified workers narrowly avoid strike (ijpr.org) — Classified staff at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande narrowly avoided a strike after their union reached a tentative contract with Oregon's public universities, including raises and stronger layoff and health protections. Local workers joined statewide celebrations on campus, but union members still need to vote on the agreement, which could influence wages and benefits standards across Oregon's higher education system.
5. ODFW Approves Hunting Changes (oregoncoastbreakingnews.com) — State wildlife officials met in La Grande to approve Oregon's 2027 big game hunting regulations, keeping most seasons similar to 2026 but tweaking several elk hunts and tag structures. The commission also authorized a tightly limited cougar removal effort in Harney County to protect a vulnerable bighorn sheep herd, aiming to boost genetic diversity and long-term population health.
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Ok La Grande! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Hop Squatch! (Thank you Terri R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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