Karen Richards
Reporter and HostKaren Richards joined KLCC as a volunteer reporter in 2012, and became a freelance reporter at the station in 2015. In addition to news reporting, she’s contributed to several feature series for the station, earning multiple awards for her reporting.
Beginning in 2022, Richards also fills in as a host on KLCC’s news magazines.
Richards has a background in editing and publishing, and has worked for magazines and book publishers, as well as doing some unconventional freelance writing, such as constructing crossword puzzles and producing playing cards.
When she’s not near a microphone, Karen might be holding a macro-lens camera, taking photos of insects.
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Earth Day is April 22, but many organizations are celebrating Earth Week, and even Earth Month. Among the many events planned around Earth Day this year are Friday tree walks with Friends of Trees - Eugene Metro, on April 24 and May 8. -
The Siuslaw School District in Florence authorized a $139 million bond measure that would fund a new high school on land behind the current middle school. Voters will weigh in on May 19. -
Oregon State University has agreed to pay $475,000 as part of a settlement with a blind student and the National Federation of the Blind. The claim asserted that STEM course material wasn’t provided to the student in a timely or accurate manner. -
Recent warm, dry weather kicked up tree pollen in the Willamette Valley. The peak for tree pollen is about this time of year, with oak, cottonwood, alder, and Douglas fir are among the many trees dispersing pollen right now. -
Food for Lane County’s spring plant sale takes place at the nonprofit's new Youth Farm location on Seavey Loop Road this weekend. -
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is offering grants for organizations with ideas about how to use healthier, safer building materials through its "Built for Well-Being" program. -
Tucked away in a small retail strip near 6th Avenue and Lawrence Street in Eugene is a retail space filled with Japanese-style vending machines. Yamada Vending has been open for two years, and may be outgrowing the location. -
Lane Transit District has developed a unique model to train bus operators. Eight new employees represent Oregon’s first class of public transportation apprentices. -
The Eugene Family YMCA wants feedback about building out its Patterson Street property, next to the tennis and pickleball facility in South Eugene, and adding a new location in North Eugene. -
In early March, the Oregon legislature passed a law aimed to reduce the environmental and safety hazards related to battery disposal.
