Good morning, Bend.

A crash on Monday morning at around 9 a.m. closed U.S. Highway 97 south of La Pine at milepost 177 about seven miles north of Gilchrist and ODOT warned drivers to expect extended delays.

Sufjan Stevens’ album Carrie & Lowell turned 10 years old on March 31 and is known for its many Oregon references—songs mention local spots like Eugene and the Painted Hills while weaving personal history with local lore.

Critics and fans have long praised the album for blending personal storytelling with familiar Oregon landmarks.

Trevor Noah— the Emmy-winning comedian— will perform a one-night event at Hayden Homes Amphitheater on Saturday, July 12; tickets will be available in an artist presale starting today at 10 a.m. local with a general sale on April 4 at 10 a.m.

An analysis for Bend showed that growing health care and biotech sectors will be key to supporting the local economy over the next 20 years—28% of the local workforce works remotely.

Its findings will guide planning at a city meeting on Wednesday, April 2.

Oregon legislators are expected to advance two bills today that would give electric utilities a safety net and limit liability when wildfires occur—House Bill 3666 grants a wildfire safety certificate for approved mitigation plans while House Bill 3917 creates a fund for catastrophic fire damages. PacifiCorp backed the bills, which echo laws passed in other states, as some trial lawyers warn the measures may shift costs onto customers.

The Oregon Legislature is set to move two bills that would give electric utilities a financial safety net and reduce the risk of bankruptcy from costly wildfire lawsuits.

PacifiCorp helped draft them - the bills include a state certification for wildfire safety and a fund that may shift repair costs to customers, a move that trial lawyers say could limit damages for wildfire victims.

SBLive Oregon and The Oregonian/OregonLive announced the all‑state teams for the 2024‑25 high school basketball season, selecting top players across the 6A, 5A and 4A classes as voted by state coaches.

The announcement also detailed player of the year honors and noted that OSAA championship games for Class 4A at Forest Grove High School and for Class 6A at the Chiles Center took place on March 15th.

Thrive Central Oregon Drop-In Consultations

12-3 p.m. | Downtown Bend Library | Free entry | Access vital social services assistance and resources for housing, health, and more.

Toddler Story Time

4-5:30 p.m. — Downtown Bend Library — Free — Enjoy a fun afternoon of art, games, and free stories for all ages.

Teacher Workshop: The Restorative Power of Nature Journaling

9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. — The Environmental Center — Free! — Discover the benefits of nature journaling for personal wellness and classroom integration.

Run for the Nations 5k

7-10 a.m. — Old Mill District — Family-friendly run/walk — Celebrate multicultural community spirit with a fun 5k event.

Bend Cars & Coffee

8-11 a.m. — Dilly Dally Coffee Co. — Free entry — Gather with fellow car enthusiasts and enjoy coffee while showcasing unique vehicles.

Beertown Comedy Open Mic

6:30-9:00 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free entry — Enjoy a night of laughter at Bend's favorite open mic for comedians and spectators alike.

Community Tour of KIDS Center

5-6 p.m. — KIDS Center — Free entry — Explore KIDS Center and discover how the community is addressing child abuse through healing journeys and supportive resources.

Food Waste Prevention and Composting Workshop

5:30-7 p.m. — The Environmental Center — Free entry — Learn about preventing food waste and composting strategies from local experts.

Oregon Timber Trail Presentation

7-8:30 p.m. — Pine Mountain Sports — Free entry — Experience an inspiring slideshow of a 670-mile bike-packing journey for ovarian cancer awareness.

SHINE Acoustic Trio Performance

8 p.m. — The Commonwealth Pub — Free entry — Enjoy classics from the '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond with this talented local trio.