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Oregon Rep. Courtney Neron appointed to Senate
State Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, will move to the Oregon Senate after county commissioners tapped her to finish the remainder of Sen. Aaron Woods’ term.
May 9, 2025
State Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, will move to the Oregon Senate after county commissioners tapped her to finish the remainder of Sen. Aaron Woods’ term.
Legislators are considering at least six bills this session aimed at curbing spending from private, investor-owned monopoly utilities and limiting how and when those utilities can recover costs from customers. The bills are currently sitting in legislative revenue and rules committees that are exempt from traditional deadlines for decision-making.
Sen. Jeff Merkley packed the Ashland High School gym Sunday for a town hall that highlighted his fight against “authoritarian” efforts by the Trump administration. About 1,200 filled the gym, while a line of people outside stretched two blocks and were too many to fit inside, according to Merkley aides. It was the largest audience of the town halls held by Merkley this year, the aides said.
The Ashland City Council will hold a special study session Wednesday to hear a report on the condition of municipal buildings and a recommended long-range plan including relocations of multiple locations to the current utility center on North Mountain Drive.
Obituary: Mary Lou Boardman Wennlund passed away on Oct. 5, 2025. The longtime Ashlander forged many fond friendships, enjoyed being active at the YMCA, attended the Ashland United Church of Christ, and participated in many Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes (especially those featuring movies…!).
The Oregon Nurses Association, a nurses union, claims a new staffing policy at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center leaves hospitals understaffed and violates state law. Union representatives accuse Asante of requiring nurses to waive overtime and incentive pay to cover shortages, while Asante declined to address specific allegations, calling them “unfounded and inaccurate.”
In OSF’s 2026 season, Wilensky will play fiddle onstage in “Come From Away,” a prospect she finds energizing. “I love working with the talented and heart-centered actors, directors and crew,” she said.
Hundreds of Oregonians turned out across Portland and in Salem to protest against federal agents shooting people in Portland and Minneapolis, as well as U.S. military action in Venezuela.
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