A 30% increase to the Oregon labor bureau’s budget will help the agency hire 50 investigators to help reduce a backlog of wage theft and discrimination cases.
Ashland officials and a labor union representing more than 40 city employees reached a tentative agreement that would give workers a 4% pay raise.
Expect steep declines in bus service in the Rogue Valley come Sept. 2. That’s what the city of Ashland’s Transportation Advisory Committee was told at its monthly meeting Thursday where they received updates from Rogue Valley Transportation District Associate Planner Edem Gomez about the funding situation at RVTD and what it will mean for changes to bus routes in Ashland and the Rogue Valley.
Southern Oregon Public Broadcasting is on the brink of losing nearly $1 million in federal funding if the U.S. Senate votes to strip previously approved public media funding. Jefferson Public Radio stands to lose more than $500,000.
Kris Strickler, director of the Oregon Department of Transportation, provided details of layoffs looming at the agency in an all-staff email he sent Monday morning. “Today, 483 current ODOT employees will be notified that they will be laid off as of July 31,” Strickler wrote in the email. Twelve are in Jackson County.
Hundreds who work for the Oregon Department of Transportation got notice that they’re being laid off in what Gov. Tina Kotek called a preventable emergency and the largest round of layoffs in the state government’s history. The 483 Oregon Department of Transportation employees who received layoff notices on Monday will be employed until July 31, according to a news release and FAQ from Kotek’s office.
The current collective bargaining agreement with the Association of Professors of Southern Oregon University was set to expire in August. Instead, faculty members will receive 2% cost-of-living adjustments for each of the next two fiscal years.
President Donald Trump’s executive orders shrinking the federal workforce make a notable exception for public safety staff, including those who fight wildland fires. But ongoing cuts, funding freezes and hiring pauses have weakened the nation’s already strained firefighting force by hitting support staff who play crucial roles in preventing and battling blazes.
Ashland Parks & Recreation Commissioners struggled to reconcile pleas from staff and dire predictions from the department’s director in the face of 5 to 10% cuts during Wednesday’s APRC business meeting. With 10% cuts, the Senior Center would lose one full time employee and reduce hours to two days per week, the East Main Park project would be cancelled and the city would return funds to the state.
At its March 13 regular board meeting, Ashland School Board members approved a resolution authorizing the district to officially let the community know about plans to pursue a “Full Faith and Credit Loan” of “a maximum principal amount of $10 million” to stabilize its operational budget, according to a district news release issued Wednesday.
Katharine Lang: Many homeless people are in that position due to simply not making enough money to afford a rental in this pricey town. Wages are stagnant while housing prices increase. We desperately need more housing for people in this position.
Obituary: Marilyn Dunne passed away Dec. 22, in Medford. She had a quick wit, a good sense of humor, and an optimistic outlook on life that remained with her right up to the end. She will be deeply missed.
Five local housing experts offered cautious optimism and sobering statistics during a Sunday, Jan. 25, forum at Ashland High School, where more than 80 people gathered to talk about the city’s housing accomplishments and ongoing challenges.
Obituary: William “Bill” passed away on Jan. 24, 2026 after a years-long battle with cancer and other health concerns. He was 71. Bill was deeply loved. He was a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Oregon Institute of Technology College Union.
A group of volunteers returned to Ashland’s historic Pioneer Hall this month, serving food and providing warmth for anyone in need at 3:30 p.m. Thursdays until April.
Obituary: Lisa was known as a trailblazer and a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her journey on earth was marked by selflessness, compassion, and unwavering love for her sons and friends. A celebration of life to honor Lisa will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, in Jacksonville.
(It’s free)
