KWSO Radio

There are 6 individuals running for 2 seats on the Jefferson County Commission that will appear on the primary ballot on May 19, 2026. Running for County Commissioner Position 1 is George Curtiss and Incumbent Mark Wunsch Running for County Commissioner Position 2 is Ara Erdekian, Greg Mead , Bill Atherton and Incumbent Kely Simmelink

There are 6 individuals running for 2 seats on the Jefferson County Commission that will appear on the primary ballot on May 19, 2026. Running for County Commissioner Position 1 is George Curtiss and Incumbent Mark Wunsch Running for County Commissioner Position 2 is Ara Erdekian, Greg Mead , Bill Atherton and Incumbent Kely Simmelink

There are 6 individuals running for 2 seats on the Jefferson County Commission that will appear on the primary ballot on May 19, 2026. Running for County Commissioner Position 1 is George Curtiss and Incumbent Mark Wunsch Running for County Commissioner Position 2 is Ara Erdekian, Greg Mead , Bill Atherton and Incumbent Kely Simmelink

There are 6 individuals running for 2 seats on the Jefferson County Commission that will appear on the primary ballot on May 19, 2026. Running for County Commissioner Position 1 is George Curtiss and Incumbent Mark Wunsch Running for County Commissioner Position 2 is Ara Erdekian, Greg Mead , Bill Atherton and Incumbent Kely Simmelink

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley held a Jefferson County at the Madras Performing Arts Center on Saturday April 4th. 2026. Prior to the event – he walked some laps at the Madras High School Track on a beautiful sunny afternoon and then he sat down with KWSO.

The CTWS Special Diabetes Program for Indians is back! Austin Raushenburg is the fitness coordinator and Briana Stacona is the wellness coordinator.

Papalaxsimisha means “unity” in Ichishkiin. Papalaxsimisha was first created with a goal of preparing Warm Springs youth for college and careers. It has evolved in ways that include opportunities for awareness, learning and healing in a wide range of activities for the community. There remains a strong focus on supporting indigenous students and their families in 6th through 12th grade on their ed...

Warm Springs Community Health has a new full-time doctor. Dr. Michaela Frey has joined the program with a focus on preventative care and overall health.

Matt Olson and Ryan Valdesuso are COIC Employment counselors, sharing what their organization can provide to those out there in the communities of Oregon in need of finding a job or getting the experience needed for a job.

In the state of Oregon, there are over 70,000 Oregonians living with dementia, and that number will only grow from here on out. It is a progressive disease that afflicts millions of people all over the world. From Alzheimer’s, to Lewy Body, Frontotemporal, and more, they all result in the loss of brain cells crucial to thinking and remembering. Doctors Allison Lindauer & Suvi Neukam are specialist...

Dr. Jay Mathisen is the superintendent of the Jefferson County School District 509J, based in Madras. Mathisen is a veteran of Central Oregon education, with a career spanning decades. KWSO Student Intern, Riyah Stacona, who attends Madras High School, sat down with Mathisen recently for an interview about 509J and its schools.

Matt Olson and Ryan Valdesuso, COIC Employment counselors, sharing what their organization can provide to those out there in the communities of Oregon in need of finding a job or getting the experience needed for a job. COIC and Work Source Oregon come to Warm Springs to assist job seekers, in their mobile employment van.

A visit with Jenna Deibel, the Central Oregon Forestry and Natural Resources agent for OSU Extension and Sophie Escobar from the Warm Springs Branch of Natural Resources. They recently put on a Juniper 101 session for the community and share information about Juniper Trees.

Starla Green is the project manager for the Warm Springs Community Action Team Commissary Project. The project is finishing up their Food Cart Pod construction and will be moving on to the next phase of work to remodel the old Commissary Building to serve as a small business incubator. Green offers an update.

A look back at some of the powwow participants at Lincolns Powwow 2026 held in February at the Simnasho Longhouse on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation of Oregon.

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) recently hosted a webinar entitled, “Know Your Rights: Tribal Citizens, Law Enforcement Encounters, and Practical Steps to Stay Safe” It focused on ensuring Tribal citizens know their rights when approached by immigration agents. NARF & NCAI wanted to provide clear, practical information that Tribal citizen...

The State of Indian Nations is delivered by the President of the National Congress of American Indians and serves as a formal address to Congress, the Administration, and the nation. The address outlines Indian Country’s priorities for the year ahead, grounded in Tribal sovereignty and nation-to-nation governance, and presents clear recommendations for federal action. This podcast includes comment...

The Museum at Warm Springs (2189 Highway 26 in Warm Springs) hosted Diné (Navajo) elder Lupita McClanahan from the Navajo Nation on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Lupita McClanahan grew up at Tse'gi (Rock Canyon), which is now known as Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. She was raised in secrecy by her clan’s medicine people so she could avoid the boarding schools and keep her culture alive. While the Burea...

Updates from around the community

Native film producer Elise Beers came to the warm springs community to host a screening of her film titled “Braids”.

A visit with Dayle Tufti who helps coordinate the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Point in Time Count - that helps gather data about our unhoused population. The count was held Jan. 28, 2026 .

KWSO CPB CSG Funding Elimination Recap Jan 2026 - KWSO Warm Springs Program Podcast by KWSO Staff

Newly produced Legends for 2026, produced by KWSO Student Intern Riyah Stacona. For Native People from the Columbia river, its tributaries, the plateau region and beyond – wintertime telling of stories and legends has been a way to teach history, values, and connection to the land.

Newly produced Legends for 2026, produced by KWSO Student Intern Riyah Stacona. For Native People from the Columbia river, its tributaries, the plateau region and beyond – wintertime telling of stories and legends has been a way to teach history, values, and connection to the land.

Newly produced Legends for 2026, produced by KWSO Student Intern Riyah Stacona. For Native People from the Columbia river, its tributaries, the plateau region and beyond – wintertime telling of stories and legends has been a way to teach history, values, and connection to the land.