Medford, Ore. – On a day filled with passionate calls for change, Medford, Oregon, was the site of two large protests that reflected a nationwide movement against federal government cuts and policies. These protests were part of a broader series of over 1,200 events held across the United States, with protesters gathering to demand urgent action on issues they feel are being ignored by current leadership. The first rally, Hands Off, drew nearly 4,000 participants to Hawthorne Park. The crowd marched through the streets, voicing their concerns over federal policies they believe have been detrimental to their communities. The protesters’ messages…
Author: Sarah Prescott
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – The Josephine County Food Bank is feeling the effects of recent cuts to federal funding, which are beginning to impact its ability to serve the local community. According to warehouse manager Matt Stevens, the food bank has already noticed a significant decrease in inventory as of the beginning of this month, largely due to a reduction in the delivery of dry goods. Stevens also expressed concerns about future shipments, anticipating further shortages in produce and meat supplies. As a result, the food bank is bracing for a difficult road ahead as it works to meet the…
Medford, Ore. – A new piece of legislation aimed at improving school safety was introduced to the Oregon House Committee on Judiciary on Monday. House Bill 3839, which seeks to expand access to sex offender information for school districts, could significantly impact how schools screen individuals with a history of sexual offenses. The bill, introduced by Central Oregon State Representative Emerson Levy and Bend-La Pine Superintendent Steve Cook, is a direct response to a troubling incident in which a convicted child sex offender entered a middle school in Levy’s district. The event raised alarms about the limitations of the current…
Medford, OR — The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has announced the abrupt cancellation of several critical literacy and math programs following unexpected cuts in federal funding. The funding, which was initially expected to continue throughout the year, was unexpectedly reduced in March 2025, leaving numerous educational initiatives in limbo. These programs, which aim to provide high-quality instructional support for students across the state, have been instrumental in helping over 500,000 students across 197 school districts. Designed to enhance student learning and improve academic outcomes, the student-centered programs were a vital part of Oregon’s education strategy. The ODE reported that…
MEDFORD, Ore. – Rogue Community Health is embarking on a leadership transition as CEO William North, who has helmed the organization since 2014, announced his retirement at the end of the year. North’s tenure has been marked by significant growth and expansion, both in terms of services offered and the size of the organization. Under North’s leadership, Rogue Community Health saw a dramatic increase in its reach and impact. The health organization grew from 89 employees to over 300, reflecting its expanded ability to serve the Southern Oregon community. Along with this growth, access to healthcare services also improved, particularly…
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — A 39-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the 2020 shooting deaths of two men in Rogue River, Oregon. Joshua Robert Miller pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree manslaughter and two counts of second-degree abuse of a corpse in connection with the November 4, 2020, deaths of Duane and Shane Roork. The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office reported that on the day of the incident, law enforcement responded to a shooting at a hemp farm located on East Evans Creek Road in Rogue River. Authorities learned from witnesses that…
Medford, Ore. – The Oregon Supreme Court has breathed new life into a high-profile lawsuit filed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) against the Tillamook County Creamery Association. The case, originally filed in 2019, alleges that Tillamook’s advertising misleads consumers into believing the company’s dairy products are sourced from small-scale, pasture-based family farms located in Tillamook County. However, the ALDF claims that in reality, the majority of Tillamook’s milk comes from one of the largest industrial dairy operations in the United States, located in eastern Oregon. According to the lawsuit, Tillamook sources approximately 80% of its milk from a…
ASHLAND, Ore. — The Ashland Schools Foundation has officially kicked off its 2025 Annual Fund Drive, setting an ambitious goal of raising $125,000 this April. This represents an increase from the previous year’s target of $100,000, reflecting the growing need for funding to support Ashland’s public schools. Erica Thompson, Executive Director of the Ashland Schools Foundation, explained that the annual campaign is a critical fundraising effort. “This is a fundraiser we do every year during the month of April, where we try to raise the majority of the funds we’ll raise for the year in one concentrated month,” Thompson said.…
Medford, Ore. – An accidental gunshot was fired at Lava Lanes bowling alley Wednesday evening, prompting a response from the Medford Police Department. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. when officers were dispatched to the scene after an employee reported that a gun had gone off inside the building. According to the Medford Police Department (MPD), the incident took place as a group of individuals were in the process of paying their bill. It is believed that one of the individuals, who was carrying a concealed firearm in their waistband, accidentally discharged the weapon. The bullet struck the floor, but…
Medford, OR – On Wednesday, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden took to the Senate floor to deliver a scathing critique of President Donald Trump’s recently announced tariffs, which the president rolled out as part of a broader economic strategy. The tariffs, which are set to range from 10% to as high as 50%, target countries that the U.S. has the largest trade deficits with. Trump framed the new tariffs as a necessary measure to address the nation’s trade imbalances. However, Wyden, who serves on the Senate Finance Committee, wasted no time in condemning the tariffs, calling them a “tax on things…