The latest and most comprehensive coverage of local News, Sports, Business, and Community News stories in the Klamath Basin, Southern Oregon and around the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM / 102.5FM, The Herald and News, and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insurance. Call them at 541-882-6476.
Friday, October 24, 2025
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
A 30% chance of rain after 5pm this afternoon, with a high near 65. Overnight, expect rain, low near 42 degrees. South wind 14 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
See Road Camera Views around the Klamath Basin:
Lake of the Woods
Doak Mtn.
Hiway 97 at Chemult
Hiway 140 at Bly
Hiway 97 at GreenSprings Dr.
Hiway 97 at LaPine
Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines
On Monday morning the Klamath Falls Police Department was alerted to a dumpster fire in the alley behind 200 Main St.
Officers quickly arrived at the scene and successfully extinguished the flames, preventing any further damage to the surrounding area. During their investigation, they gathered a physical description of the suspect from witnesses and surveillance footage.
While searching for the individual, officers received additional reports of fires in the downtown area, prompting a response from the Klamath County Fire District, which extinguished a fire behind a business in the 400 block of Main St. Shortly thereafter, another fire was reported in the alley behind a church on the 600 block of Pine St., where an officer was able to put it out.
Within minutes of the last fire, officers located the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Preston Helgesen, who was arrested for arson. He was subsequently taken to the Klamath County Jail, facing three counts of first-degree arson, two counts of reckless burning, and one count of first-degree criminal mischief. The swift actions of the police and fire department are commendable, as they prevented the situation from escalating and posing a greater threat to the community.
Anyone with further information about this case is encouraged to contact the Klamath Falls Police Department at 541-883-5336, referencing KFPD Case 2025-10130013, or to call the anonymous tip line at 541-883-5336.
Klamath County Sheriff’s Office seeks public’s help with string of burglaries
Six businesses were hit in a series of burglaries this week in urban Klamath Falls with local law enforcement suspecting the incidents may be related. Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying and locating two male suspects in the string of crimes.
Sheriff Shane Mitchell spoke with the Herald and News, reporting that the impacted businesses include Casey’s Restaurant and Art’s Towing Services, among others.
“We’re having a rash of burglaries right now,” Mitchell said. “In the last week, at two of the businesses, they (suspects) cut the power before going in, so it shuts down the camera system.”
The suspects were caught on recording by another nearby security camera, however, and are believed to have fled the scene in a black Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor after burglarizing But Make It Dirty.
Undersheriff Mike Smith said the means of each crime committed bear a resemblance to each other.
Burglarized businesses:
Le’ Bella Boutique Salon — 4812 S. Sixth St.
Eternal Hills — 4711 Highway 39
Casey’s Restaurant- 4706 S. Sixth St.
Ninja MTB Performance — 3747 Washburn Way
Art’s Towing Service — 510 Market St.
But Make It Dirty — 5226 S. Sixth St.
“Right now, the M.O. is the same for a few,” Smith said. “Cutting power (of the main breaker) at Casey’s and Ninja Mountain Bike and cutting the internet to Le’ Bella.”
The total value of property and cash taken from the businesses is estimated to be just over $9,000. Estimated property damage at one location, Eternal Hills, is approximately $20,000.
Suspects were caught on camera at one of the businesses but the resolution of the footage was insufficient to distinguish any identifying features. Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Klamath County Sheriff’s Office.
Following the removal of four dams along the Klamath River, salmon are returning at a rate that exceeds biologists’ expectations.
Two dams still exist on the river, and salmon have successfully navigated the fish ladders at both the Keno and Link River dams. They have now reached the Sprague River.
According to biologists, the salmon are progressing more rapidly than their tracking program was designed to document. Consequently, they are required to increase the number of cameras and other monitoring devices almost every day.
The Klamath National Forest is planning to conduct prescribed fire operations this fall and winter, pending all required approvals and as weather conditions allow.
These prescribed burns are used to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from wildfires. The Klamath has many projects ready to go for burning to capitalize on ideal burn conditions, which are different for each project. Not all projects listed will be completed this fall and winter.
Prescribed burns planned for the Klamath National Forest include the Goosenest Ranger District for the Cedar Mountain Underburn, 10 miles southeast of Macdoel, up to 600 acres and the First Creek Underburn, north of Highway 97 near Grass Lake totalling 225 acres.
For 152 years, the remains of four prominent Modoc leaders have been inaccessible to their descendants in the Modoc Tribe. Black Jim, Boston Charley, Schonchin John, and Captain Jack are set to return to their ancestral lands following the long-awaited transfer of their remains and associated funerary objects on Friday, October 17.
Previously held by the Klamath County Museum, this transfer is the culmination of a decades-long effort, as highlighted by a news release from the Modoc Ancestral Remains Committee, which emphasizes the profound historical and spiritual importance of this event for the Modoc people.
Since the beginning of 2025, Modoc leaders have been finalizing the process, securing necessary approvals from Klamath County, Oregon state officials, and the Klamath County Museum.
A local branch of an international organization that supports women has opened the application period for local women who want to better their circumstances.
With falling temperatures, local youth are in need of winter apparel in the Klamath Basin.
Windermere Real Estate’s Coats for Kids Drive is now accepting new and gently used coats, boots, gloves, hats, and scarves for children through Oct. 26. Donations can be dropped off at any Southern Oregon Windermere office. In-person drop-offs are accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at locations in Ashland, Medford, Jacksonville, Eagle Point, Shady Cove, and Klamath Falls. As principal broker Devin Zupan noted, every donation helps provide comfort for kids during winter.
Klamath Alternative Wellness Expo Set for November 1, 2025: A Celebration of Health and Holistic Living
The Fourth Annual Klamath Alternative Wellness Expo is excited to announce its upcoming event to be held on November 1, 2025, at the Klamath County Fairgrounds Linman Hall. This much-anticipated expo will bring together wellness enthusiasts, holistic practitioners, and health-conscious individuals for a day filled with knowledge, inspiration, and community.
The Klamath Alternative Wellness Expo will feature a diverse range of exhibitors showcasing various alternative health practices, natural products, and wellness services. Attendees can explore booths offering everything from herbal remedies and nutritional supplements to holistic therapies.
“We are thrilled to offer a platform for local and regional experts to share their knowledge and resources,” said Kathy Crist, of the Klamath Alternative Wellness Expo. “This event aims to empower individuals to take charge of their health and discover alternative methods for achieving well-being.”
In addition to the exhibitors, the expo will host a series of free informative workshops and free classes led by experienced professionals in the field. Topics will cover a wide range of interests. Whether you’re a seasoned wellness advocate or new to alternative therapies, there will be something for everyone.
The expo will have raffle tickets available for purchase for locally provide items. Community members may bring in up to five items of canned food for the Klamath-Lake County Food Bank in exchange for up to five free raffle tickets.
This event is free to attend. The Expo is sponsored by Chocolate Mudra, Body Mind Holistic, One Peak Medical of Klamath Falls, The Aerie Retreat and Spiritual Center, Mind Your Health Wellness, and Bliss Float.
Join us for this exciting day of learning, connection, and holistic health on November 1, 2025. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Klamath County Fairgrounds Linman Hall, to celebrate alternative, original, and complimentary wellness together!
For more information, please visit www.klamathalternativewellness.org(http://www.klamathalternativewellness.org)
TRICKER STREET from Wynne Broadcasting is Saturday!
City of KF Note: Scarecrow Row Street Closure
On Saturday, October 25th, the annual Scarecrow Row event will take place in conjunction with the
Farmers Market.
Main Street between 4th Street & 11th Street will be closed, and 9th Street between
Main Street and Klamath Avenue will be closed from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Any questions can be
directed to Jennifer Hackman at 541-539-6212.
Scarecrow Row in Downtown Klamath Falls is Saturday!
The Children’s Costume Parade (10:00am starts at 9th & Main, downtown Klamath Falls.) Then the Trick or Treating begins immediately following the parade. Visit participating downtown businesses for some spooky treats! Each business will have goodies for all the little ghouls and goblins.
Along with pumpkin painting, a scarecrow display and the last Farmers Market of the season, it’s a great time to bring your family and friends for a morning full of fun, festivities, and fall spirit!
Klamath County Developmental Disabilities Services is teaming up with the Klamath Basin Senior Center for a double dose of Halloween fun this year!
Klamath County Developmental Disabilities Services Sensory Friendly Hour: Museum Monster Mash is October 24th | 5:00 – 6:00 PM at the Klamath County Museum – 1451 Main Street.
This sensory-friendly Halloween celebration is designed for individuals and families seeking a more accessible event experience. Costumes welcome! RSVP Required: Call 541-882-1000 to reserve your spot.
Then on Halloween, October 31st swing by the Trunk or Treat event at the Klamath County Museum, and after that head on over to the Senior Center for even more Halloween excitement! Two great events, one spooky night — don’t miss out! Klamath Basin Senior Center at 2045 Arthur Street is set for an evening of Halloween fun – perfect for all ages!
With a Not-So-Scary Haunted House and Trunk or Treat Fun plus a Fundraiser Spaghetti Dinner from 4–7 PM
Bring the whole family for spooky (but not too spooky!) fun, sweet treats, and a delicious dinner — all while supporting a great cause! $10 for Adults – $5 for Kids.
Several major roads within Crater Lake National Park—including the North Entrance Road, East Rim Drive, and West Rim Drive are now closed.
COMING TO THE RAGLAND THEATER
Paul Reiser Comedy Show
Comedy makes its return to the Ross Ragland Theater this weekend as the accomplished comedian Paul Reiser takes to the stage. Paul Reiser Comedy Show Hits Ragland
Beyond being a standup comedian, Reiser is widely recognized for his leading performances in films such as “Beverly Hills Cop” and as the archetypal antagonist in James Cameron’s ”Aliens,” as well as for his role in the 1990s television series “Mad About You.”
In more recent years, viewers may know him from his character portrayals in television shows like ”Stranger Things,” “The Boys,” and “The Kominsky Method.”
Reiser gained widespread fame as the co-creator of the Emmy, Peabody, and Golden Globe Award-winning series “Mad About You,” where he starred alongside Helen Hunt for seven seasons and a limited series reboot in 2020.
Join Paul Reiser this Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Ross Ragland Theater, situated at 218 N. Seventh St. Tickets are priced at $35 and can be purchased online at ragland.org or directly at the box office.
Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary
The Linkville Players is excited to kick off the 15th season of its Little Linkville, Plays for Children series with an original work titled The Scarivore.
The show runs October 18, 19, 25 & 26. Saturday performances are at 1pm. Sunday performances are at 1pm and 3pm. General admission tickets are priced at just $3 each and are available in advance in person at Poppy on Main or at the door of the theater at 201 Main Street(on a first come, first serve basis) prior to each performance.Dont Miss These Events Coming To The Klamath County Library
- Basin Board & Card Gamers –Fridays at 2:30pm (Includes teens 12+)
- Adult Dungeons & Dragons – Tuesdays from 7pm to 9pm and Fridays from 6pm to 8pm (online)
- Fiber Art Circle – Tuesdays at 6pm and Saturdays from 11am to 1pm
- Adult Chess Club – Saturdays at 1pm
- Sign Up Today! Banned Book Club: Fahrenheit 451 –Friday, October 24th at 3pm
- Online Only! From Research to Novel: Using Genealogy to Write Historical Fiction –Wednesday, October 29th at 11am (Registration required)
- Sign Up Today! Adult Murder Mystery: The Midnight Manor – Wednesday, October 29th at 5:30pm (Registration required)
- Don’t Miss This! Freedom to Read Celebration –Wednesday, October 29th at 5:30pm
Around the State of Oregon
Portland Trail Blazers’ coach Chauncey Billups arrested in gambling operation scandal, put on leave
The FBI announced yesterday that Trail Blazers coach, Chauncey Billups, 49, is involved in a massive illegal gambling scheme. The case involves millions of dollars, the mafia, and dozens of alleged co-conspirators, including other big names in the NBA. Billups was arrested and appeared in a Portland court yesterday.
“With the alleged involvement of three La Cosa-Nostra crime families, Billups, Trail Brazers coach and Hall of Famer, along with several other current and former NBA players are alleged to be involved and the FBI says a couple years of investigations may find this is just the tip of the iceberg.
The gambling operation seem reminiscent of a Hollywood movie,” said Ricky J. Patel, the special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations.
The NBA has placed Billups on immediate leave due to the investigation.
According to the live press conference held yesterday in New York, “Victims were attracted to play alongside well-known professional athletes and coaches like Chauncey Billups only to be unknowingly deceived through rigged shuffling machines, fixing the odds in their favor”.
Yesterday afternoon, the Trail Blazers issued a statement reinforcing that Billups was on leave and said that Tiago Splitter would take over as interim head coach.
Billups’ attorney, Chris Heywood, said Billups plans to fight the charges.
There are two operations under investigation. One about rigged poker games, in which federal prosecutors say Billups participated in high-stakes games that allowed the New York mafia families operations to steal millions of dollars from unsuspecting people.
In court documents, the Department of Justice alleges that the defendants had “Card analyzers that utilized technology loaded onto decoy cellular telephones that could surreptitiously detect which cards were on the table; and playing cards that had markers visible only to individuals wearing specially designed contact lenses or sunglasses.”
The other case and arrests are about illegal betting on NBA games, where bettors got non-public information that helped them win big. A guard for the Miami Heat, Terry Rozier, was arrested in that case. Others may be arrested soon.
The Trail Blazers are named as one of the teams bet on. Billups is not named specifically in that case; however, the description of co-conspirator 8, references a player and eventual coach that matches Billups’ description.
The indictment against Billups was filed in the Eastern District of New York. He is set to appear in federal court in Brooklyn on Nov. 24.
Billups appeared in federal court in Portland on Thursday afternoon and then was released. The judge signed off on his pre-trial release, meaning he can go home, but on some conditions. Those conditions include a substantial bond and a prohibition of gambling.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has also been named in the allegations.
Former Cleveland Cavaliers player and coach Damon Jones was arrested as well, according to ABC News. Sources say Jones provided inside information about NBA games, that Billups used to place illegal sports bets.
An NBA league spokesperson also issued a statement on the situation:
“We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today. Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams, and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority”.
“The mafia, specifically members and associates of the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese organized crime families, had pre-existing control over non-rigged illegal poker games around New York City. As a result, they also became involved in the rigged poker games, helping to organize the games and taking a cut of the proceedings and working to enforce the collection of debts,” said Joseph Nocjella Jr., the United States attorney for Eastern District of New York.
In court documents, prosecutors say, “Members of the conspiracy committed violent acts including assault, extortions, and robbery, in furtherance of the scheme to ensure the repayment of debts.”
“As part of the scheme, some of the defendants and their co-conspirators also committed acts of violence, including the gunpoint robbery of a person in order to obtain a rigged shuffling machine and extortions that were perpetrated against victims in order to ensure that they repaid their gambling debts,” said Nocjella, Jr.
The prosecution also alleges that the defendants in this case hid their money using illegal tactics.
“The defendants laundered their proceeds including through cash exchanges, the use of multiple shell companies and through cryptocurrency transfers,” said NocJella, Jr.
Billups signed a new two-year extension with the Trail Blazers at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season, which finished with a record of 36-46. Billups made $4.7 million last season. His overall coaching record with the Blazers is 116-212.
Governor Tina Kotek is calling for the full Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a ruling made by a 3-judge panel that permits the deployment of the National Guard into Portland’s downtown area, which sees nightly chaos, noise and violent protests. Despite nighly often violent protests, Kotek says Portland doesn’t need the National Guard.
In the opinion of far left-leaning Attorney General Dan Rayfield, if the ruling is allowed to stand, “it would give the president unilateral power to put Oregon soldiers on the streets with almost no justification and puts the government moving into American cities on a “dangerous path”.
Rayfield is also urging the full Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to review the case and vacate the majority’s order before troops can be deployed.
ICE detains two allegedly involved in burglary ring targeting Asian-American households
Two people arrested for involvement in a burglary ring that targeted Asian-American households in the Eugene area were detained by ICE as they were released from jail, according to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO).
The sergeant described seeing a man who had just been released from custody in city jail, and is accused of involvement in the burglary ring, sitting on a bench in the lobby, while two attorneys were waiting to exit the building.
The memo states that the door to the lobby locks everyday at 5:00 p.m., and they needed Central Control to open the doors. As the doors opened, one attorney left and someone from outside, wearing plain clothes, caught the door and held it open for another person wearing a vest that read “POLICE Federal Agent,” according to the memo.
They approached the person who had just been released and tried to handcuff him, but he sprinted for the door, which had already locked. The person in the vest then tackled the recently released suspect to the ground and scuffled with him before handcuffing him and escorting him out, the memo states.
After reviewing footage of the incident, another person, released minutes prior to the incident, was seen being approached and taken into custody immediately outside the lobby, according to the memo.
LCSO said it later confirmed the people who detained the two suspects were ICE agents.
No one had called to ask the status of the suspect detained in the lobby prior to his release, though the Eugene Police Department detective who initially arrested him was notified prior to his release, according to LCSO. That notification is a common practice for those released from jail, the agency said.
It is legal for ICE agents to enter the public lobby of the jail, but they are not allowed to access secure areas of the facility, LCSO said.
While LCSO did not provide the names of those detained by ICE, the jail’s daily release report shows Robinson Camacho-Rodriguez and Willam Steven Rodriguez released at 5 p.m. and 5:08 p.m on Oct. 15.
The Eugene Police Department listed two people with those same names in a press release Oct. 8 detailing the burglary arrests.
More Than 300,000 Oregonians to Lose or See Cuts in Food Benefits
The federal government is set to terminate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at the end of this month, impacting nearly one in six residents in Oregon, according to Governor Tina Kotek.
Thousands of Oregonians will begin losing their food and utility allowances based on more stirngent qualificationr requirements that are now imposed by the federal government, to cut waste, fraud and abuse.
Based on current news and alerts, the claim that nobody will receive food stamps (SNAP benefits) in November 2025 is partially true, but with a critical caveat. As of mid-October 2025, benefits for November are currently on hold due to the federal government shutdown. Here’s what you need to know:
Benefits are currently withheld, but not canceled entirely. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has notified states not to issue November SNAP benefits while federal funding has lapsed. However, if the government reopens, benefits would be issued after a budget agreement is reached. Existing funds are safe. Any benefits already on a recipient’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card remain available for use. The hold only applies to the November allotment of new benefits.
Delays are expected even if the shutdown ends soon. Recipients should prepare for delays in receiving their benefits. Some state agencies are continuing to process applications and renewals to prepare for when funding becomes available again.
Significant program changes were already in motion. Regardless of the shutdown, several major changes to SNAP from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 were scheduled to take effect in November 2025.
These include: Expanded work requirements for many able-bodied adults, including those aged 55 to 64. New work requirements for parents whose youngest child is age 14 or older. The elimination of previously exempt groups, such as veterans and former foster youth, from some work requirements.The potential for some states to eventually reduce or end benefits entirely.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has begun mailing notices to the more than 313,000 residents who will be affected by changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) introduced by the federal government’s more stringent requirements to qualify for benefits.
The first round of mailing affects Oregonians who applied for SNAP benefits between July 4 and September 30, 2025.
The other key dates for SNAP are November 1, 2025, when first-benefit reductions and case closures become effective, through to 2026, when additional changes will roll out for households renewing existing benefits, or when benefits are updated.
Households that qualified for utility allowances from programs like Heat and Eat and LIHEAP can expect changes to their benefits.
Only households with at least one member 60 years and older, or someone disabled, will automatically qualify for a Full Utility Allowance (FUA).
About 29,000 households will lose their FUA. They will forfeit benefits amounting to about $58 a month. Notices about the benefit reduction, which will begin on November 1, 2025, have been mailed to 9,600 households.
Able-bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) will have to qualify for SNAP benefits based on new work rules. These requirements became effective on October 1 and apply to adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who do not have children under 14 years.
These rules have already been implemented in six Oregon counties – Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill. Ultimately, the rules will apply statewide and affect 310,000 adults.
Oregonians who do not meet the new work rules can expect to lose their benefits at the end of this year.
Visit the SNAP Work Rules website for a full list of exemptions.
The Oregon Department of Human Services has begun informing over 750,000 low-income individuals—almost half of whom are children and seniors—that they will no longer receive food assistance after October 31 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown where Democrats refuse to vote to open the government without getting a $1.5 trillion wish list of partisan spending demands tacked onto a 6 week funding bill.
Buried deep in Sen. Chuck Shumer’s demands on page 57, Section 2141, their CR bill response is to repeal the Working Families Tax Cut bill passed in July which had new safeguards against waste, fraud and abuse in health care spending. Democrats in the Senate want to restore and continue to add $200 billion in American taxpayer funded health care sudsidies to go to illegal aliens healthcare and other things that the Republicans cleaned out in passage of President Trump’s big beautiful bill. Stay tuned.
ACLU sues Eugene for not disclosing Flock camera spots, citing public interest
EUGENE, Ore. — The City of Eugene is facing a legal complaint by the ACLU of Oregon, who claims that the City failed to disclose public records regarding the City’s operation of Flock cameras and the location of the approximately 57 cameras.
“The ACLU is hoping to accomplish the City of Eugene disclosing the public records about the location of the Flock cameras in Eugene,” says civil rights attorney Alicia Leduc Montgomery, “and through that, vindicating the public’s right to access that information as a matter of significant public interest.”
According to the complaint filed in the Lane County Circuit Court, a public records request was submitted in June by a man representing anti-Flock advocacy group Eyes Off Eugene, which the City then denied citing an Oregon law on security measures.
The denial was reportedly appealed to the Lane County District Attorney, who ultimately decided that since no specific public interest was identified the appeal would be denied as well.
The City says it has not received a copy of the complaint yet.
When the Flock cameras were initially installed in Eugene, our newsroom asked the Eugene police Department for their location. EPD says they wouldn’t disclose the location over concerns of vandalism.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public input on the draft of the 2026 Oregon Recreation Trails Plan, which outlines recommendations to improve trails over the next 10 years.
The statewide plan highlights trends and issues to create priorities for grant funding and other recommendations for actions. The plan covers all motorized and non-motorized trails on public lands and waterways in Oregon, not just within Oregon State Parks. This includes hiking, biking and equestrian trails, motorized ATV trails, snowmobile trails and water trails.
Public feedback on the plan will be open from Oct. 30 to Nov. 28. Oregon Parks and Recreation notes that input on the plan also provides guidance to federal, state and local agencies as well as private sector partners.
Information used for the drafted plan comes from multiple sources, including statewide surveys conducted in October 2024 and April 2025, follow-up focus groups in May and the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.
Rural hospitals throughout the state may be approaching a financial crisis as significant federal Medicaid reductions are anticipated, with healthcare providers cautioning that the consequences could result in clinic closures, staffing deficits, and a concerning departure of physicians from Oregon’s underserved areas.
At the heart of this predicament is H.R. 1, a comprehensive federal budget legislation enacted earlier this year that restructured Medicaid financing nationwide.
In response, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is urgently working to obtain a temporary financial support through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) — a new, short-term initiative from the federal government aimed at assisting rural health systems in weathering the repercussions.
Should Oregon’s application be successful, the state could secure as much as $100 million each year for a duration of five years, commencing in 2026.
These resources would be allocated to strengthen rural clinics, enhance telehealth services, train local healthcare providers, modernize outdated healthcare facilities, and more.
OHA will increase Oregon Medicaid insurer payments in 2026
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced it is working closely with multiple partners to make necessary adjusts to protect quality health care access for Medicaid members, despite increasing health care costs, federal changes, increased utilization, and changes to insurance contracts.
To help stabilize Oregon’s Medicaid system in the face of escalating costs and utilization, OHA will increase payments to Oregon Health Plan (OHP / Medicaid) insurers, also known as coordinated care organizations (CCOs), by an average of 10.2% in 2026. “These rates reflect OHA’s commitment to maintaining quality care for OHP members, while recognizing the financial strain facing CCOs statewide. The increase will also require the agency to take targeted policy steps to contain costs and ensure long-term program sustainability,” the agency stated.
“We’re investing more now to protect the stability of our Medicaid system, but that means we must be equally disciplined about controlling future costs,” said OHA Director Sejal Hathi, M.D., M.B.A. “Our focus is on safeguarding access to care today while keeping the program strong for years to come.”
OHA previously announced that collectively, Oregon CCOs had a nearly break-even 2024, with all 16 CCOs having a small average net operating income of $129,000, resulting in a net operating margin of 0.001%. Total CCO expenditures per member grew by more than 10% between 2023 and 2024. Through June 30, 2025, CCOs collectively had a 0.02% profit margin this year. While these are averages there is variation between CCO experience.
The 2026 rate adjustment is designed to help CCOs manage these pressures and maintain provider networks, even as OHA works to balance program costs with available funding.
More than 1.4 million people in Oregon — including adults with lower incomes, children, older adults, and people with disabilities — receive coverage through OHP. OHA contracts with 16 CCOs across the state to coordinate physical, behavioral, and dental health care for members.
A large driver of recent OHP cost growth has been behavioral health care, demand for which grew following the pandemic.
“While OHA established directed behavioral health payments to help providers meet that need, demand continued to grow and CCOs have paid more than anticipated in recent years. To further contain costs, CCOs may negotiate lower payments with their contracted providers. At the same time, providers are looking to right-size their own finances. Today’s challenges mean everyone is being forced to make difficult decisions,” OHA detailed.
To offset higher CCO rates, OHA has been working in partnership with CCOs to evaluate a variety of cost-containing measures; these include:
– Offering additional funding if CCOs have behavioral health costs that exceed revenue in 2026, while also requiring CCOs to refund OHA if they have low behavioral health costs next year.
– Reducing funding for the CCO Quality Incentive Program, which offers an annual financial bonus for improving care quality. The program is one of many ways that OHA encourages quality improvement.
– Narrowing eligibility requirements for enhanced directed behavioral health payments to providers who offer team-based care, which better supports people with the most complex behavioral health conditions. Pending federal approval, this change could be effective Jan. 1, 2026.
– These changes are part of ongoing efforts to ensure that every public dollar continues to deliver maximum value for the people of Oregon.
OHA’s collaborative efforts with CCOs and partners have led to renewed contracts for 2026 in most regions. One CCO did decline service for a specific market, but OHA is working to confirm coverage through another CCO.
PacificSource notified OHA on Sept. 18 that it would not renew its CCO contract for Lane County. About 92,000 people living in Lane County currently have their Medicaid benefits managed by PacificSource, while another CCO, Trillium Community Health Plan, serves another 36,000 people in that county.
Based on OHA’s review of information provided by Trillium, with the interest to ensure clarity for providers and members and time for Trillium to take meaningful actions to expand their network, OHA is moving forward to allow the CCO to broaden coverage to all OHP members in Lane County for 2026.
To allow more than 90 days for the transition of members between CCOs, OHA is working with PacificSource on the potential to continue to serve as a CCO in the region until Feb. 1, 2026. This agreement is still in process and OHA is confirming details. Already included in the agreement is a mandatory “transition of care” period, where Trillium would be required to ensure that members have uninterrupted, appropriate access to services previously authorized by their former CCO and make accommodations for OHP members in specific care circumstances. -story from our partner, The Herald & News.
The United States Postal Service has announced its official mailing deadlines for the 2025 holiday season, assisting customers in planning ahead to ensure timely delivery of their cards and packages.
For those sending items within the contiguous 48 states, the following send-by dates are recommended:Thanks for reading the the news on BasinLife.com from Wynne Broadcasting.
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