Anne Schedeen Dies: 'ALF' Actress Was 77 Anne Schedeen, the actress who portrayed matriarch Kate Tanner in NBC’s sitcom ALF (1986–1990), has died at the age of 77. Her family confirmed her passing on Sunday, stating she “passed peacefully” with a heartfelt tribute shared on her Facebook page. The cause of death was not disclosed. The family’s message highlighted Schedeen’s enduring legacy, describing her as a “force” whose creative energy, wit, and love for family, dogs, and storytelling left an indelible mark. They expressed profound grief, noting her absence would be “unimaginable,” yet emphasized her presence would remain through cherished memories, artwork, and the joy she brought to those around her. The family requested donations to Habitat for Humanity, one of her favorite causes, in lieu of flowers. Schedeen’s longtime agent, Tom Markley, also confirmed her death, underscoring her significance to both her family and the industry. Born Luanne Ruth Schedeen on January 8, 1949, in Portland, Oregon, she began her acting journey in childhood, performing at Portland Civic Theatre. After studying dinner theater in Hawaii, she moved to New York City to pursue acting, eventually relocating to Los Angeles and signing with Universal Pictures. Her television career spanned decades, with notable roles in The Six Million Dollar Man (1974), McCloud, The Bionic Woman, Emergency!, The Incredible Hulk, Three’s Company, Cheers, Magnum P.I., Murder She Wrote, and Judging Amy. She also appeared in films such as Embryo (1976), Flight to Holocaust (1977), Exo-Man (1977), Champions: A Love Story (1979), Second Thoughts (1983), Slow Burn (1986), and Cast the First Stone (1989). Schedeen’s most iconic role, however, was as Kate Tanner, the pragmatic mother who welcomed the alien alien ALF into her home.#portland_oregon #anne_schedeen #alf #tom_markley #habitat_for_humanity
U.S. Forest Service Reorganization Threatens Portland's Role The U.S. Forest Service is undergoing a major restructuring that could significantly alter its operations in the Pacific Northwest, with key roles and research functions being relocated from Portland, Oregon. The proposed changes, which include shifting the regional office and research facilities out of Portland, have sparked concerns among local stakeholders about the potential loss of influence over forest management decisions in the region. Portland has historically served as a central hub for wildfire planning, timber policy, and scientific research across Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. The city’s regional office oversees vast federal lands, including a quarter of Oregon’s total land area, and coordinates wildfire response, conservation efforts, and timber policy. Additionally, Portland is home to the 100-year-old Pacific Northwest Research Station, which employs nearly 250 scientists studying forest health, climate change, and ecosystems. Under the proposed reorganization, these research operations would be consolidated in Fort Collins, Colorado, marking a significant shift in the agency’s footprint. The reorganization also involves relocating the Forest Service’s headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that the move aims to bring decision-making closer to the lands the agency manages, which are predominantly in the West. She argued that the changes would save taxpayer dollars and improve employee recruitment, while creating a more efficient and responsive agency. “This is about building a Forest Service that is nimble, efficient, effective, and closer to the forests and communities it serves,” said agency chief Tom Schultz in a statement.#us_forest_service #portland_oregon #pacific_northwest_research_station #brooke_rollins #tom_schultz
