Federal government
Trump wants to end mail-in voting, Oregon Democrats say he can’t
President Donald Trump announced Monday that he will lead a campaign to eliminate mail-in voting, calling the system a “scam.”
August 18, 2025
President Donald Trump announced Monday that he will lead a campaign to eliminate mail-in voting, calling the system a “scam.”
Oregon’s Department of Human Services is reining in how often the state miscalculates the amount of food stamps enrollees should receive, aiming to comply with new federal restrictions and avert what could be the worst financial strain on the state’s largest agency.
More than 300 people packed SOU’s Stevenson Union Thursday as Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, state Rep. Pam Marsh and state Sen. Jeff Golden discussed the state’s federal litigation against Trump-era policies.
State Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland recapped the 2025 legislative for constituents during a Sunday, Aug. 3 town hall and ice cream social in Talent.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, beset by massive defunding by Congress under pressure from the Trump Administration, announced Friday that it will be forced to shut down next year. CPB will spend the next several months winding down its operations, CPB said in a news story.
In the face of looming $6 million cuts to the $66.7 million university budget and nearly 10% drop in fall freshman enrollment, Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey is preparing to cut his annual salary by 20%.
Cliff Bentz, Ashland’s congressional representative, made his first visit to his district since voting for federal budget cuts.
Oregon will receive federal emergency funding to support recovery efforts in three southwest counties that experienced intense storms and floods between March 13- 20. The floods resulted in nearly $9.5 million in damage according to the Oregon Emergency Management Department.
Local activists plan to stage a rally and food drive in response to President Donald Trump’s federal tax and spending bill that was signed into law earlier this month. The rally is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 26, on Ashland Plaza.
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.
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)