Gov. Tina Kotek on Thursday said she’s trying her best to ensure affordable access to the COVID-19 vaccine for Oregonians, pushing back on criticism that other Democrat-led states across the nation have been more efficient at providing quick inoculations and support for providers before an expected annual spike in respiratory illnesses.
One of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical chains has walked back its offering of the COVID-19 vaccine to Oregonians without a prescription as pharmacies and the state government await clarity from a federal public health agency in the midst of political upheaval.
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 federal appeals court reinstated a paused Oregon law meant to ensure transparency behind rising prescription drug prices after a legal challenge claimed it infringed on the property and free speech rights of pharmaceutical companies.
Ashland will face another shift in its local pharmacy landscape as Rite Aid closes its doors on Sept. 22. Ashland Drug will remain the town’s only locally-owned pharmacy as ongoing pressures from insurance companies and rising costs threaten the profitability of small pharmacies.
A potentially dangerous, disease-carrying mosquito with a penchant for human blood has been discovered in Clay Street Park in Ashland.
The evacuation notice for the McDonald Fire burning south of Ashland has been lifted thanks to “successful firefighting efforts,” according to the Jackson County Sheriff.
Jim Flint: When he returned, he told me to leave my cane at the doorway. “So the magnetic field won’t suck it into the MRI machine.” Which raised the question: If it could suck in a cane, what about my fillings?
Very hot conditions forecast for southwest Oregon prompted the Medford office of the National Weather Service to issue an extreme heat warning Wednesday afternoon for the period from 1 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Monday.
Lithia Park came alive earlier this month with music, costumes and creativity as Artnow’s Silent Disco challenged participants to channel their inner superheroes.
The Oregon Legislature is meeting this week to consider some major cuts to current spending levels as a large revenue deficit looms. That’s because the state’s tax code automatically replicates new federal tax cuts, including ones passed by Congressional Republicans this summer that will reduce state revenue
Michael O’Looney: Trump and the Texas Legislature are responsible for a partisan power grab that has unleashed bitterness and partisan vindictiveness, all in an effort to subvert an electoral system for partisan ends.
Councilor Bob Kaplan: While the cost of delivering kilowatt-hours to our homes has risen, Ashland Electric has been able to hold our rates steady with just one increase of 5.1% in 2021. I’m sorry to say we’re due for an increase, but fortunately it’s not likely to match recent increases elsewhere.
An estimate for the cost to abate asbestos found in the shuttered Lincoln School recently should be available as early as sometime this week, according to Steve Mitzel, operations director for Ashland School District. The cost to remove asbestos would be separate from the as yet-unknown cost for structural repair.
“We are still here” was the theme for Saturday’s Native American Heritage Celebration at Southern Oregon University, hosted by the SOU Native American Student Union (NASU) and SOU Native Nations Liaison Kenwanicahee (Kenwani) Kravitz (Madesi Bandi, Pit River Nation Winnemem, Nomtipom and Nomsus Bands Northern Wintu).
As Oregon lawmakers stare down a deficit of at least $373 million over the next two years — and brace for the possibility of a bigger shortfall in the state’s next quarterly revenue — they asked state agencies to create lists of ways to cut 5% of their approved budgets.
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