Good morning, Bend.

Central Oregon Community College student government is offering paid leadership roles to help students build skills and represent peers on campus.

Interested applicants can learn more and apply through the student life website.

A Prineville rancher stayed behind to help fire crews fight the Rowe Creek Complex fire as it reached his property along Highway 26 (16 miles east of town), lending his fire truck and bulldozer to defend his 43-year-old ranch.

ODOT received $150,000 in federal funding to create roadside habitats for bees, Monarch butterflies and other pollinators while boosting drought resiliency.

The department will plant native seeds and adjust mowing practices — steps announced by Oregon senators to support local ecosystems.

Rep. Cliff Bentz will host wildfire town halls next week in Prineville at Barnes Butte Elementary School on Aug.

27 and in Madras at the Jefferson County Event Complex (Mackey Conroy Building) to discuss wildfire response and recovery.

Oregon received conditional federal approval to launch Explore Health as a new state run health insurance marketplace.

The platform will replace Health care.gov on Nov. 1 to help residents without employer coverage shop for plans (shaped by local feedback).

A report from The Bulletin found that the American Red Cross has warned Bend centers of dangerously low levels of key blood types, raising concerns that shortages could delay elective surgeries at St. Charles as local centers urge eligible donors to help stabilize supplies.

Moda Health will exit the individual insurance market in Deschutes and Crook counties in 2027, leaving residents with only two provider options — BridgeSpan Health and Regence BlueCross BlueShield owned by Cambia Health Solutions.

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation confirmed the exit will affect several counties.

Central Oregon high school soccer will resume soon as a feature spotlights 15 returning players from Bend High, Summit and other local schools.

They played key roles last season in state championships and playoffs and are set to lead their teams this season.