More than 320 species of plants and animals in Oregon need of greater protection, according to Department of Fish and Wildlife, up from 294 about a decade ago. The 2026 plan, adopted on Aug. 15, outlines what the state’s priorities should be to maintain healthy fish and wildlife populations.
Nearly five years after the Almeda Fire, the communities of Phoenix and Talent are steadily rebuilding. From new housing and city infrastructure to maintaining school enrollment, signs of resilience are everywhere. Local leaders say the recovery is ongoing — but progress is undeniable.
The Democratic governors of California, Oregon and Washington said Wednesday they are forming an alliance to coordinate vaccine recommendations for their states. Meanwhile, Florida announced plans to phase out all vaccine mandates, including ending requirements that kids be vaccinated against dangerous diseases before enrolling in schools.
A coordinated law enforcement operation targeting child exploitation across the Rogue Valley led to five arrests on Wednesday, Sept. 3, including an Ashland man charged with possessing hundreds of images of child sexual abuse.
The House narrowly passed the 10-year transportation package; with a key Democratic senator recovering from surgery, the Oregon Senate will delay their planned vote on the transportation tax package for two weeks. The vote is scheduled Sept. 17 when Sen. Chris Gorsek will be available.
A virtual meeting of the Southern Oregon University Board of Trustees scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 2 has been cancelled and postponed until the upcoming in-person board retreat. The meeting previously planned for 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2 was set to include a trustee vote on a final plan surrounding the outcome of cuts to the current $66 million budget.
A bill to stave off hundreds of layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation, pay for road infrastructure projects and temporarily boost funding to public transit agencies moved forward Sunday after a rocky start. The House was expected to vote on the package Monday, with what would be a final Senate vote anticipated Wednesday.
The Rogue Valley Transportation District will begin major service reductions starting Tuesday, Sept. 2, due to financial strain caused by delayed federal funding. The cuts to service include the Medford-Ashland Express (Route 1X), shortened weekday hours and a complete suspension of Saturday service.
Two men were arrested after law enforcement raided homes and warehouses in Ashland and Medford, uncovering what officials allege was a black-market cannabis dispensary operating under the guise of a legal hemp business.
Jim Flint: A decade after Rick Robinson and his wife, director Valerie (Val) Rachelle, stepped into ownership of Ashland’s Oregon Cabaret Theatre, the pair has transformed the intimate playhouse into one of Southern Oregon’s most vibrant cultural hubs.
Ask Strider: A worried older brother asks our advice columnist’s advice. And a dog’s guardian wants to know if there is any hope getting their hat-hating dog to calm down. As always, Strider tries to give words that help!
This year’s Ashland Mystery Festival is scheduled to run Oct. 16 through 19, and will be headquartered at the Historic Ashland Armory.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is warning people about a phishing scam involving fake emails that appear to come from the official Jackson Alerts system.
Throughout October, 12 female professionals from across the country and Australia — organized by Ashland-based nonprofit Keeping All Women Safe (KAWS) — will offer “valuable information” to help women and men cultivate safer, healthier and more empowering lives and relationships.
The Oregon Senate on Monday passed the long-awaited transportation bill to update the state’s funding sources for road maintenance and operations. The bill would raise taxes and fees, including a gas tax increase from $0.40 to $0.46, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Once a vibrant hub for local produce and community gathering, the Ashland Growers Market is now, some say, struggling with shrinking sales and dwindling attendance. Longtime vendors report drops of up to two-thirds in revenue, while people voice frustrations over pricing, location and atmosphere.
(It’s free)
