Regional Public Journalism
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Oregon Legislature. This is a venue for political and policy coverage of the state government in Salem and its impact on the people of Oregon.

With Occupation Over, Oregon Governor Looks Ahead

Amanda Peacher
/
OPB
File photo. The 41-day armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon ended on Thursday morning.

The 41-day armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon is over. The final four remaining occupiers surrendered to the FBI Thursday morning without incident.

Shortly after the final militant was taken into custody, Oregon Governor Kate Brown addressed reporters at the state Capitol in Salem. She said she’s glad the occupation is over. But she blamed militants for harassment and intimidation that traumatized people who live nearby.

"The healing will take a lot of time,” the governor said. “And I think that is our first mission, is to support the Harney County community as they heal and provide them with the resources and the tools that they need to recover."

Brown is asking Oregon lawmakers to approve at least $500,000 in emergency funding to help local and state agencies pay for the cost of the occupation. The governor said Thursday that she's in ongoing conversations with federal officials to see if the federal government will reimburse the state for some of those expenses.