Zach Urness
Outdoors Writer at Statesman Journal
Co-Host at Explore Oregon Podcast
I cover Oregon's outdoors for @Salem_Statesman and @USATODAY. Environment/recreation/public lands. Explore Oregon Podcast. Best Hikes w/kids Oregon. Girl dad.
Articles
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4 days ago |
statesmanjournal.com | Zach Urness
In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks to fish biologist Stephan Charette about one of the best places to catch fish in Oregon: smallmouth bass on the John Day River. In this episode, first published in 2022 and updated in June 2025, Urness and Charette talks about why the fishing is so good, where and how to land them and the upside and downside of so many fish.
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4 days ago |
yahoo.com | Zach Urness
In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks to fish biologist Stephan Charette about one of the best places to catch fish in Oregon: smallmouth bass on the John Day River. In this episode, first published in 2022 and updated in June 2025, Urness and Charette talks about why the fishing is so good, where and how to land them and the upside and downside of so many fish.
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5 days ago |
treefrogcreative.ca | Zach Urness |David Elstone |Kevin Mason |Kelly McCloskey
Oregon wildfires have already burned 20,000 acres and destroyed 56 homes. What’s next? By Zach Urness The Register-Guard June 20, 2025 Category: Forestry Region: United States, US West It’s been a busy and destructive start to Oregon’s wildfire season.
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6 days ago |
statesmanjournal.com | Zach Urness
In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness gives updates on one of Oregon's greatest overnight float and fishing trips — the John Day River. In this episode first published in 2020 and updated this year, Urness and former co-host David Davis break down the river's most famous segment, how to get a permit and what makes this trip so special. They also dive into the history of the man the river is named for — John Day — and explain why his name is plastered all over Oregon.
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6 days ago |
statesmanjournal.com | Zach Urness
A bill to increase the transient lodging tax by 1.25% to fund wildlife programs passed the Oregon House 36-15 on June 20. House Bill 2977 would raise $7 million in 2026 and $41 million in 2027, with an average of $39 million per year thereafter, to fund eight programs aimed at improving wildlife habitat and conditions through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Journalists covering the same region
Robbie DiMesio
Breaking News Business Editor at The Washington Post
Robbie DiMesio primarily covers news in Portland, Oregon, United States and surrounding areas including Beaverton and Hillsboro.
Vasili Varlamos
Reporter at KATU-TV (Portland, OR)
Vasili Varlamos primarily covers news in Portland, Oregon, United States and surrounding areas including Beaverton and Hillsboro.
Whitney Woodworth
Breaking News Reporter at Statesman Journal
Whitney Woodworth primarily covers news in the Willamette Valley region of Oregon, United States, including areas around Salem and Corvallis.
Bryce Dole
Reporter at Oregon Public Broadcasting
Bryce Dole primarily covers news in the Portland metropolitan area, including cities like Beaverton and Gresham, Oregon, United States.
Rachel Alexander
Education Reporter at Salem Reporter
Rachel Alexander primarily covers news in the Willamette Valley region, including areas around Salem and Portland, Oregon, United States.
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On June 12, the Ferry Fire burned across Cottonwood Canyon SP. Yet something amazing happened. Not a single building or cabin was lost, and every campsite except one is fine. The park will reopen on Friday. It happened because park officials made a choice: https://t.co/88aA3c8PnF https://t.co/mD8nZK7PPh
A bill aimed at protecting beavers on more than 100,000 miles of Oregon's waterways passed the state Legislature on June 16 and heads to Gov. Tina Kotek for her signature: https://t.co/XaTNvofKm9 https://t.co/X3T54gnymu
The Alder Spring Fire in central Oregon grew to 2,500 acres by this morning, and led to multiple evacuations, including parts of Cove Palisades State Park at Lake Billy Chinook: https://t.co/4G9EBErHK8 https://t.co/dGOvgkBapY