Latest News

News

Asante To Cut Hundreds Of Jobs

Hospitals in Medford, Ashland and Grants Pass will remain open, officials say. Southern Oregon’s largest health care provider is preparing for major changes as Asante Health System works to close a projected $50 million budget gap. The health system announced it expects to eliminate more than 300 jobs in the[Read More…]

USDA Tightens SNAP Retailer Rules

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new rules this week requiring retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to stock a wider variety of nutritious foods, part of a broader effort to improve food quality and reduce fraud within the program. The updated stocking standards, finalized May[Read More…]

Harmful Algae Bloom Season Begins

Officials urge caution around lakes and rivers during warmer weather. State health and environmental agencies are warning Oregonians to be cautious around lakes, rivers and reservoirs as harmful algae bloom season begins across the state. The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality have started their annual monitoring[Read More…]

Library District Approves Budget With Service Reductions

The Jackson County Library District (JCLD) Budget Committee has approved an operational budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year that includes reductions in service hours and staffing as the district responds to rising operational costs and long-term financial pressures. According to library officials, the approved budget is intended to restore financial[Read More…]

Sunsets At SOU

Southern Oregon University, one of the region’s largest contributors, is facing a significant financial obstacle. SOU draws thousands of students to the town of Ashland every year, and even more to the surrounding areas when families move to the area or faculty move into the state for work. At the[Read More…]

ODOT Road Construction Update For May 13, 2026

JACKSON COUNTY • INTERSTATE 5 (Pacific Highway), MP 1-163, Southern Oregon Wrong Way Driver Mitigation project ($2.5 million), https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/project-details.aspx?project=21699 This project improves safety along Interstate 5 by adding features that alert drivers when they enter an interchange off-ramp from the wrong direction. These enhancements include permanent signs, reflective pavement markings[Read More…]

Fire Restrictions Begin May 14 On BLM Lands

Officials warn dry conditions could lead to severe wildfire season. Fire restrictions will take effect May 14 on all lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management across Oregon and Washington as officials prepare for what could become a dangerous wildfire season throughout the Pacific Northwest. The restrictions, announced jointly[Read More…]

City To Present Resolution Supporting Bentz FEMA Bill

Rogue River City Administrator Ryan Nolan, with support from the Rogue River Rogue River City Administrator Ryan Nolan, with support from the Rogue River City Council, drafted a resolution supporting House Resolution 7862, the National Flood Insurance Program Act of 2026, during the City Council workshop on Thursday, May 7.[Read More…]