Primary results put affordability at center of Oregon governor’s race

Why a Southern Oregon vineyard had to add a disclaimer to its orange wine

Two young girls sit in a lavender field at Dos Mariposas Vineyards and Lavender Farm in Southern Oregon. One girl holds a sprig of lavender while rows of purple flowers surround them. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fc3b34b/2147483647/strip/false/crop/2560x1920+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F21%2F2e%2Fafc6728144adb806c7407ce15133%2Fgirls-in-the-lavender-2019-original-scaled.jpg]Amelia and Adeline, the daughters of owners Mark and Terri Rennick-Deering, sit among lavender plants at Dos Mariposas Vineyards and Lavender Farm. "Dos Mariposas" means "two butterflies," a reference to the sisters. ( Dos Mariposas) A Southern Oregon vineyard known for its lavender fields is introducing two orange wines this summer, including a sparkling version that required an unusual federal disclaimer after regulators worried consumers might mistake it for wine made from oranges. Dos Mariposas Vineyards and Lavender Farm [https://dosmariposasvineyards.com/], located in the Rogue Valley, is releasing a still, skin-fermented sauvignon blanc and a sparkling wine called Mariposa Naranja. Unlike traditional white wines, orange wines are made by fermenting white grapes with their skins, giving them a deeper color and more tannic flavor. For owner Terri Rennick-Deering and her family, the venture began with a leap of faith. They moved from the Twin Cities and purchased the property sight unseen, hoping to find a warmer climate and a place where multiple generations of the family could live together. "We decided starting a vineyard with no experience whatsoever at owning or running a small business or doing any farming would be a great idea," Rennick-Deering said. The idea has proven successful, she said. The sparkling wine's label became an unexpected hurdle. Federal regulators worried consumers could confuse the grape wine with a fruit wine made from oranges. "We finally came upon a solution," Rennick-Deering said, referring to the lengthy disclaimer now required on the label. After extensive discussions, the vineyard and regulators settled on a label that includes a lengthy disclaimer explaining the wine is made from grapes, not oranges. Rennick-Deering said the wine has a bright earthiness and more acidity and tannins than a typical white wine. The vineyard is also known for its lavender fields, which thrive in a climate Rennick-Deering compares to Southern France. Rennick-Deering said lavender has a wide range of uses, including culinary and wellness applications, and pairs well with wine. That combination comes together in the vineyard's Mimosa-posa, made with sparkling wine and lavender lemonade. Visitors can experience the vineyard during Lavender Festival weekends in June and July. The event includes U-pick lavender bundles, live music and demonstrations of lavender oil distillation. Rennick-Deering said there is something especially relaxing about sipping wine while listening to bees buzz across a field of purple blooms. GUEST * Terri Rennick-Deering, owner, Dos Mariposas Vineyards and Lavender Farm [https://dosmariposasvineyards.com/] Rows of grapevines grow in front of the tasting room at Dos Mariposas Vineyards and Lavender Farm. Large trees and low hills rise behind the vineyard under a clear blue sky. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/cb4b218/2147483647/strip/false/crop/4096x2304+0+0/resize/792x446!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2F5f%2F7fdc28074c4f8c21995c3ba176c5%2F1000005715.jpg]Rows of grapevines stretch across Dos Mariposas Vineyards and Lavender Farm in the Rogue Valley. The family-owned vineyard recently released two orange wines, including a sparkling wine called Mariposa Naranja.(Natalie Golay / JPR)

Monarch butterflies face mounting threats from habitat loss, advocates say

The Center for Food Safety is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department to obtain protection for the monarch butterflies under the Endangered Species Act. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/86d0705/2147483647/strip/false/crop/488x272+0+0/resize/488x272!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F69%2Fec%2F6225e599476ea3e345496183de63%2Fmonarch-butterflies-center-for-food-safety.jpg]The Center for Food Safety is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department to obtain protection for the monarch butterflies under the Endangered Species Act. (Center for Food Safety ) Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles across North America each year, but their populations have declined sharply in recent decades. George Kimbrell, co-executive director of the Center for Food Safety [https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/], said monarch numbers have fallen by about 90% since the late 1990s. Environmental groups are pushing for stronger federal protections, arguing the species faces growing threats from habitat loss and agricultural practices. Monarch caterpillars [https://www.nwf.org/Native-Plant-Habitats/Plant-Native/Why-Native/Milkweed-for-Monarchs] rely exclusively on milkweed, and Kimbrell said widespread use of glyphosate-based herbicides, including Roundup, has eliminated large areas of the plant [https://xerces.org/milkweed-faq] across the Midwest and other agricultural regions. Kimbrell also pointed to neonicotinoid insecticides, which affect insects' nervous systems and can harm pollinators. He said declines in pollinator populations could have broader implications for food production because many crops depend on pollination. Environmental groups, including the Center for Food Safety, have sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeking a final decision on whether monarch butterflies should receive protection under the Endangered Species Act. Kimbrell said efforts to secure federal protections have stretched on for more than a decade. Scientists have warned that western monarch populations face a significant risk of extinction in the coming decades without intervention. GUEST * George Kimbrell, co-director, Center for Food Safety

First Pelican Bay student to earn Cal Poly Humboldt degree heads to graduate school

Arthur Monarque (left) on his graduation day with advisor and mentor, Maxwell Schnurer, chair of the communication department at Cal Poly Humboldt University. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8024a15/2147483647/strip/false/crop/4000x3000+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2F00%2Faaaa2bbb407f975665c199032dbe%2Farthur-monarque-r-maxwell-schnurer-l-credit-maxwell-schnurer.png] Arthur Monarque (left) on his graduation day with advisor and mentor, Maxwell Schnurer, chair of the communication department at Cal Poly Humboldt University.(Maxwell Schnurer) Arthur Monarque became the first incarcerated student at Pelican Bay State Prison to earn a bachelor's degree through Cal Poly Humboldt. Now, after serving a 10-year sentence, he is preparing to attend Wake Forest University on a full scholarship to pursue a master's degree. His story comes as prison education programs expand nationwide following the restoration of Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students. Supporters say those programs can reduce recidivism and create new opportunities for people after release. Monarque grew up in Southern California's San Gabriel Valley, where he said violence and gang culture were common. While incarcerated, he discovered higher education and began charting a different course for his future. "In prison, I found education," Monarque said. "That just opened my mind and changed my life around." Arthur Monarque on graduation day at Cal Poly Humboldt University. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2d1a033/2147483647/strip/false/crop/3000x4000+0+0/resize/396x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2F42%2Fc98e39fd46a48d3df1c725750374%2Farthur-monarque-at-graduation-ceremony-2-credit-maxwell-schnurer.png]Arthur Monarque on graduation day at Cal Poly Humboldt University. (Maxwell Schnurer) Monarque earned his degree through Cal Poly Humboldt's bachelor's program at Pelican Bay [https://www.humboldt.edu/project-rebound/bachelors-degree-program-pelican-bay-state-prison], one of the first prison-based programs to benefit from restored Pell Grant funding. His mentor, Maxwell Schnurer, chair of Cal Poly Humboldt's communication department and coordinator of the Pelican Bay bachelor's program, said students in the program are often exceptionally engaged. "You walk into the classroom, and the textbooks are just underlined, highlighted, and noted," Schnurer said. Monarque said classroom discussions were often lively because students consistently completed the reading and arrived prepared to engage with the material. Schnurer said higher education can help formerly incarcerated people build stable lives after release. He said education opens doors to new opportunities and pointed to research showing that people who earn college degrees while incarcerated are less likely to return to prison. Schnurer also credited Project Rebound with helping formerly incarcerated students continue their education and navigate the transition back into their communities. Monarque hopes to become a teacher and help others see possibilities beyond their current circumstances. As he prepares to begin graduate studies at Wake Forest, he said his advice to others facing adversity is simple: stay motivated and keep moving forward. "It doesn't matter where you come from," Monarque said. "Just don't stop." GUESTS * Arthur Monarque, Cal Poly Humboldt graduate * Maxwell Schnurer [https://www.humboldt.edu/communication/maxwell-schnurer], Communication Department Chair, Cal Poly Humboldt University

River otters in Arcata Marsh are hunting ducks, not just fish

A river otter sneaks up on an unsuspecting Mallard duck at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2cee28c/2147483647/strip/false/crop/640x397+0+0/resize/640x397!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdc%2F83%2F514427ca4f31921ad108066db328%2Fimage0.jpeg]A river otter sneaks up on an unsuspecting Mallard duck at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. (Credit Mark Larson Photography) Researchers at Cal Poly Humboldt [https://now.humboldt.edu/news/river-otters-arcata-marsh-they-eat-more-fish-video] have discovered that North American river otters at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary shift to a nearly all-duck diet during the winter, using dense vegetation and underwater ambushes to hunt migratory waterfowl. “We found that they actually were eating ducks almost exclusively during the winter months,” researcher Gina Culver said. By analyzing otter scat — a process Culver jokingly called a “dirty job” — researchers identified prey species, including buffleheads and ruddy ducks, by comparing recovered feathers with museum specimens. As thousands of migratory birds gather at the marsh each winter, otters use dense vegetation and underwater ambushes to hunt diving ducks before they can escape. Jeff Black, a professor at Cal Poly Humboldt who leads the long-running research project, calls river otters the “wolves of the wetlands.” Culver said the animals may appear “cute and adorable,” but they are also apex predators and an important keystone species. A river otter swims in the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. It is among a population of more than 80 known otters that live in the region. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/430df8a/2147483647/strip/false/crop/434x640+0+0/resize/358x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F72%2F6c%2F0ab4426a41949d3765ba3f765fee%2Fimage1.jpeg]A river otter swims in the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. It is among a population of more than 80 known otters that live in the region. (Credit Mark Larson Photography) For people hoping to witness the hunting behavior themselves, Culver offered a simple tip. “Look for the ducks that are flying frantically off the ponds and then look there,” she said. The research also relies heavily on citizen science. Local residents report sightings through QR codes, helping researchers track a population estimated at about 82 otters in North Coast wetlands. Researchers say the otters’ continued success at the marsh reflects the health of one of the North Coast’s most important wetland ecosystems. “River otters are known to have low tolerance to polluted water, so their presence is a really good indicator of a healthy ecosystem,” Culver said. GUEST * Gina Culver, researcher, Cal Poly Humboldt University

The race to save the history of Weed's Black community

Photo from a 1966 civil rights demonstration organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in Weed, California. Black residents of the Lincoln Heights community protested chronic conditions stemming from systemic racial segregationist policies and practices in the town. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9c079c6/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1024x888+0+0/resize/609x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb0%2F0e%2F8e99cf1c4dfbbb8fa64f941f7a09%2Fclub-restored.jpg]Photo from a 1966 civil rights demonstration organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in Weed, California. Black residents protested chronic conditions stemming from systemic racial segregationist policies and practices in the town. (https://www.lincolnheightshistory.org/) Residents of Weed [https://ci.weed.ca.us/about-us/], California, are racing to preserve the history of one of the state’s oldest Black communities after a wildfire destroyed much of the neighborhood in 2022. The Lincoln Heights neighborhood, established during the Great Migration, was home to Black families who came to Weed in the early 20th century seeking work in the lumber industry. Many settled in a segregated area once known as “The Quarters.” The urgency of preserving that history intensified after the 2022 Mill Fire [https://www.kcra.com/article/mill-operations-caused-deadly-2022-mill-fire-in-weed-cal-fire-says/44234474] destroyed nearly three-quarters of the neighborhood. “It really tore apart the community,” said Mark Oliver, a filmmaker and historian who co-produced a documentary about the area. “I think our project is kind of a now-or-never project.” A CAL FIRE investigation [https://www.kcra.com/article/mill-operations-caused-deadly-2022-mill-fire-in-weed-cal-fire-says/44234474] found the fire originated on property owned by Roseburg Forest Products. Today, residents and historians, including former educator James Langford, are working through the Lincoln Heights Legacy Project [https://www.lincolnheightshistory.org/] to preserve the community’s history and create a museum and cultural center. Langford, who became Weed’s first Black teacher in 1974, said the neighborhood’s original name reflected the segregation Black residents faced. “If your place is called a quarter, that’s a negative,” Langford said. “That’s where slaves were kept.” In the 1960s, local activists successfully pushed to rename the neighborhood Lincoln Heights, honoring President Abraham Lincoln and reflecting what Langford described as the community’s identity as “a liberated people.” [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0656bdc/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1457x720+0+0/resize/792x391!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe3%2F46%2F70780dc64d8ea7452a9c0822be03%2Fposter-new-1.png](https://www.lincolnheightshistory.org/ ) The proposed Lincoln Heights Museum and Cultural Center is intended to serve as more than a historical archive. Langford said he hopes it will become a gathering place that encourages travelers to leave Interstate 5 and engage with the community’s history. “I want it to be a living cultural center,” Langford said. “I don’t want a lot of static displays of past relics.” The project recently received national support through Fieldwork, an initiative that provides architectural and strategic assistance to rural communities. Organizers also hope to preserve the legacy of the 1966 civil rights demonstrations organized by the Congress of Racial Equality and document the stories of the families who helped build the town. GUESTS * Mark Oliver [https://markoliver.org/], board member, Lincoln Heights Legacy Project * James Langford, Lincoln Heights Legacy Project