Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) President Mark Browning dives into a bustling summer of preparation, strategic shifts, and national success. Defying traditional trends, BMCC achieved an impressive 6.5% enrollment jump this summer, powered heavily by high-demand programs like Medical Assistant and Diesel Technology, alongside a surprising surge in traditional-age students. Browning also celebrates the BMCC Rodeo Team's stunning triumph at the College National Finals Rodeo, detailing what this profile boost means for institutional pride and regional recruitment. Plus, get all the essential details on upcoming fall term start dates, critical new discussions out of Salem regarding state-wide higher education efficiency, and how BMCC is tackling its budget and facility updates for the coming year.

Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) President Mark Browning dives into a bustling summer of preparation, strategic shifts, and national success. Defying traditional trends, BMCC achieved an impressive 6.5% enrollment jump this summer, powered heavily by high-demand programs like Medical Assistant and Diesel Technology, alongside a surprising surge in traditional-age students. Browning also celebrates the BMCC Rodeo Team's stunning triumph at the College National Finals Rodeo, detailing what this profile boost means for institutional pride and regional recruitment. Plus, get all the essential details on upcoming fall term start dates, critical new discussions out of Salem regarding state-wide higher education efficiency, and how BMCC is tackling its budget and facility updates for the coming year.

Daily conversation with East Oregon newsmakers and host Dan Thesman.  Join Dan every weekday as he talks with the news makers of Umatilla County. Hear about the latest news straight from community leaders on this fun, current and informative show. Exclusively at www.ElkhornMediaGroup.com and on our free Elkhorn Mobile app on Google Play and the App Store.

 

 

Daily conversation with East Oregon newsmakers and host Dan Thesman. &nbsp;Join Dan every weekday as he talks with the news makers of Umatilla County. Hear about the latest news straight from community leaders on this fun, current and informative show. Exclusively at www.ElkhornMediaGroup.com and on our free Elkhorn Mobile app on Google Play and the App Store.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Coffee Hour Podcast

July 13     |     Blue Mountain Community College

Summer is notoriously the toughest season for animal shelters, as a seasonal surge in puppies and kittens collides with a rising rate of owner surrenders. To combat this nationwide crisis, the Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter (PAWS) is teaming up with the Bissell Pet Foundation's "Empty the Shelters" adoption program, running now through July 26. On this edition of the KUMA Coffee Hour, PAWS Vice President Shaindel Beers breaks down the current capacity struggles facing the shelter, details the affordable adoption fees for adult pets, and explains how community members can get involved through volunteering, fostering, or utilizing PAWS' vital safety-net programs to help keep local pets in their loving homes.

Summer is notoriously the toughest season for animal shelters, as a seasonal surge in puppies and kittens collides with a rising rate of owner surrenders. To combat this nationwide crisis, the Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter (PAWS) is teaming up with the Bissell Pet Foundation's "Empty the Shelters" adoption program, running now through July 26. On this edition of the KUMA Coffee Hour, PAWS Vice President Shaindel Beers breaks down the current capacity struggles facing the shelter, details the affordable adoption fees for adult pets, and explains how community members can get involved through volunteering, fostering, or utilizing PAWS' vital safety-net programs to help keep local pets in their loving homes.

July 10     |     Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter (PAWS)

Echo City Administrator Mike Gonzalez sits down to discuss the city’s complex roadmap for growth, transparency, and structural resilience. Gonzalez breaks down the new 2026–2027 city budget, highlighting a fiscally conservative 2.5% increase aimed at providing greater clarity on fund balances while tackling necessary utility rate adjustments. He dives deep into the high-stakes world of municipal infrastructure, addressing the critical challenges of expanding Echo's sewer and water capacities to support massive upcoming commercial developments near I-84. Additionally, Gonzalez offers a transparent look behind the scenes at Echo City Hall, guiding listeners through the transition of local leadership following a recent mayoral recall, a pending land-use appeal, and his personal philosophy on managing incremental, smart growth while preserving Echo’s beloved historical charm.

Echo City Administrator Mike Gonzalez sits down to discuss the city&rsquo;s complex roadmap for growth, transparency, and structural resilience. Gonzalez breaks down the new 2026&ndash;2027 city budget, highlighting a fiscally conservative 2.5% increase aimed at providing greater clarity on fund balances while tackling necessary utility rate adjustments. He dives deep into the high-stakes world of municipal infrastructure, addressing the critical challenges of expanding Echo's sewer and water capacities to support massive upcoming commercial developments near I-84. Additionally, Gonzalez offers a transparent look behind the scenes at Echo City Hall, guiding listeners through the transition of local leadership following a recent mayoral recall, a pending land-use appeal, and his personal philosophy on managing incremental, smart growth while preserving Echo&rsquo;s beloved historical charm.

July 9     |     City of Echo

Pendleton City Manager Robb Corbett and Pendleton city councilmember John Thomas provide updtes on the homelessness lawsuit and cannabis business moratorium. Next, they recap agenda items from the July 7, 2026, city council meeting starting with a new police officer sworn in, discussing the council vacancy process, and an IT services contract with the city of Hermiston. They also talk about the extension of the municipal judge contract. Corbett wraps up the converstation talking about the strategic plan to restore local addiction and mental health crisis services within the city.

Pendleton City Manager Robb Corbett and Pendleton city councilmember John Thomas provide updtes on the homelessness lawsuit and cannabis business moratorium. Next, they recap agenda items from the July 7, 2026, city council meeting starting with a new police officer sworn in, discussing the council vacancy process, and an IT services contract with the city of Hermiston. They also talk about the extension of the municipal judge contract. Corbett wraps up the converstation talking about the strategic plan to restore local addiction and mental health crisis services within the city.

July 13 | Blue Mountain Community College

Coffee Hour Podcast

Social links

Recent clips