This week’s pet ready for adoption at The Klamath Animal Shelter is a dog named ” Cheeky “

 

Around the State of Oregon

Tuition at Oregon’s seven public universities will increase again this fall, marking the twelfth consecutive year that the state’s four-year institutions have raised admission costs for new students.

This ongoing trend of relying on tuition hikes to fund university operations, coupled with insufficient state investment, has positioned Oregon’s public universities as the most expensive in the western United States, as reported by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

Over the past decade, resident undergraduate tuition increases have outpaced inflation for six of those years, averaging an annual rise of 4.3%, which translates to approximately $430 more each year. Additionally, any proposed tuition increase of 5% or more requires approval from the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

Security Fence Planned for Eugene Federal Building

The federal government is preparing to install temporary security fencing around the Eugene Federal Building, and city officials say there is little they can do to stop it because the property falls under federal jurisdiction.

According to the City of Eugene, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has notified officials of its plans to install the fencing. Because the federal government is exempt from local and state land-use regulations on property it owns, the city cannot enforce local fence codes or block the project.

City officials say their involvement is limited to reviewing and processing a Right-of-Way Use Permit to ensure nearby public streets and sidewalks remain safe and accessible during installation.

That permit would allow contractors to temporarily use public streets or sidewalks for construction-related work, such as closing traffic lanes to deliver materials or complete installation.

Last week, the city received an application from GSA’s contractor requesting temporary lane closures on Pearl Street and 7th Avenue during the fencing project. Officials say the application is currently under review, and the permit will be issued if all requirements are met.

The city emphasized that Right-of-Way permits are approved or denied based solely on whether the applicant meets permit requirements, regardless of who submits the request.

According to GSA, part of the fence will extend along the northern section of the Pearl Street sidewalk next to the federal building. However, the city says that section of sidewalk is on federal property, where Eugene holds no easement and has no legal authority to prevent its closure.

To maintain pedestrian access, the city plans to convert a nearby parking strip into a continuous walkway before the fencing is installed. That work is expected to begin Monday, April 27.

City officials described Pearl Street as a key route connecting downtown Eugene to the riverfront and market district and said they are committed to ensuring the alternate pedestrian path is in place before the sidewalk closure begins.

Former U.S. Postal Service Employee Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Mail

EUGENE, Ore.—A Burns, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for repeatedly stealing mail while working as a U.S. Postal Service employee at the Hines, Oregon Post Office.

Patrick Wright, 44, was sentenced to 45 days in federal prison and two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay over $2000 in restitution.

According to court documents, from January 2024 through June 2024, while working as a U.S. Postal Service employee, Wright opened mail and stole the contents, including money and gift cards.

On April 17, 2025, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a one-count indictment charging Wright with theft of mail by a postal employee.

Wright pleaded guilty today to Count One.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement. This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Sweet.

 

FEMA has allocated nearly $10 million in funding to Oregon for long-term initiatives aimed at enhancing community resilience to disasters.

This funding is part of a larger announcement of over $137 million for more than 50 projects across the nation. Under the leadership of newly appointed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, FEMA is actively working to reduce the backlog of funding requests, continuing to provide resources to states despite the ongoing 69-day lapse in appropriations, the longest in U.S. history.

Specifically, over $4.1 million will be directed to Consumers Power Inc. in Oregon to improve infrastructure that mitigates power outages during wildfires, while nearly $3.4 million will be invested in Douglas County, Oregon, to enhance 911 systems for better communication among first responders.

 

Oregonians will soon have the ability to take legal action against private companies that sell or misuse data obtained from license plate-reading cameras, thanks to a new state law.

Senate Bill 1516, which was signed by Governor Tina Kotek on March 31, took effect immediately due to an emergency provision included by lawmakers.

This 16-page legislation is part of a broader public safety package that garnered bipartisan support, yet it is particularly notable for its stringent regulations on the use of automated license plate reading technology and the street cameras associated with it.

While law enforcement has utilized this technology to disrupt criminal activities, its deployment has faced heightened scrutiny, especially in light of intensified federal immigration enforcement efforts.

 

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has finally achieved profitability after enduring years of financial losses, yet the pressure to generate revenue continues to escalate within the state’s sole academic medical center.

Following a staggering loss of over $130 million in the previous fiscal year, OHSU reported a $65 million operating gain in the last nine months, placing the institution approximately $103 million ahead of its budget.

This financial turnaround is attributed to an increase in complex cases requiring specialized care, which yield higher reimbursements and align with OHSU’s core competencies that many other Oregon hospitals lack. However, the institution faced significant financial challenges during and after the pandemic, including rising labor costs due to wage increases and staffing shortages, inflation-driven supply price hikes, and discharge delays that restricted patient admissions.

Additionally, OHSU has navigated various controversies, including leadership changes and ongoing discussions regarding its primate research center.

 

Oregon’s minimum wage is set to increase by 50 cents per hour on July 1, reflecting an annual adjustment for the state’s lowest-paid workers linked to inflation.

The minimum wage varies across the state to accommodate differences in living costs, with the Portland area seeing a rise to $16.80 per hour. In much of the Willamette Valley, the standard minimum wage will increase to $15.55, while rural and eastern Oregon will see a new minimum of $14.55.

This annual increase, mandated by state lawmakers since 2016, is based on a 3.3% inflation rate calculated from a specific segment of the federal Consumer Price Index.

 

State Senator Christine Drazan is leading the Republican primary for Oregon governor, as indicated by the first public poll released in this race.

The survey, which sampled 515 likely Republican voters, shows Drazan with 31.1% support, significantly ahead of state Representative Ed Diehl at 15.6% and former Trail Blazer Chris Dudley at 14.8%.

Approximately 30% of respondents remain undecided, but when pressed to make a choice, Drazan’s support increased by 5.8%, while Dudley and Diehl gained 3.3% and 2%, respectively. However, both Dudley and Diehl’s campaigns have expressed skepticism about the poll’s implications, asserting that it does not reflect a shift in momentum favoring their candidacies. Christine Drazan originally hails from Klamath Falls.

May is Wildfire Awareness Month

SALEM, Ore. –After an uncharacteristically warm winter, Oregon is experiencing various levels of drought and a record-low snowpack.

May and June rainfall, or lack thereof, determines whether the state faces an early start to fire season. If the spring drying trend persists, the combination of these conditions sets the stage for extremely active and challenging wildfires this summer. Keep Oregon Green, in partnership with federal, state, tribal and local fire and emergency response agencies will be spreading the word about the steps we all can take to prevent the start of careless, unwanted wildfires this summer.

Emergency response agencies encourage all Oregonians to take steps now to create defensible space around homes and outbuildings and become familiar with evacuation procedures.

Each year, over 70% of Oregon’s wildfires are started by people. Many are a result of escaped campfires and debris burn piles or overheated equipment and vehicles casting sparks or catching fire. During the 2025 fire season, the Oregon Department of Forestry reported that people were directly responsible for sparking 740 wildfires that burned over 20,000 acres. Any spark can gain traction in dry vegetation, spread quickly and impact lives, personal property, and the many benefits provided by Oregon’s scenic natural areas.

Before heading outdoors this summer, be sure to contact the agency or landowner who manages the land at your destination for an update on current fire restrictions or bans. Everyone should be familiar with these restrictions before building open fires or using equipment that could ignite a wildfire.

One Spark Changes Everything

Keep Oregon Green has been fighting wildfire with publicity since 1941. This season, the Association is unveiling a new campaign theme: ‘One Spark Changes Everything’. It highlights how everyday choices can either spark a negative or positive outcome. The campaign calls on the public to recognize risky outdoor behaviors that can lead to wildfires and predict the effects of their actions. Campaign artwork, PSAs, and additional wildfire safety tips can be found at keeporegongreen.org and various social media platforms.

Coming soon: More Wildfire Awareness Month tips

During May, a new wildfire prevention topic will be shared each week to help homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts learn how to prevent their outdoor activities from sparking the next wildfire.

For more information, visit the websites for Keep Oregon Green atwww.keeporegongreen.org, the Oregon Department of Forestry at www.oregon.gov/odf, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal at https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/prevent-wildfires.aspx.

 

Oregon has been identified as one of the top 20 states with the most significant issues related to drug abuse, according to a study conducted by WalletHub.

The state ranks 18th nationally for drug use rates, while neighboring Washington state fares slightly worse at 16th. New Mexico holds the unfortunate distinction of being the worst state for drug abuse, followed by Arkansas and Alaska.

Nevada and Missouri complete the top five states with the highest drug-related challenges.

 

In Salem, Oregon will pay tribute to 199 law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty during a memorial ceremony scheduled for May 5th at 1 p.m. according to the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, there are no new names to be added to the memorial this year.

The Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial honors officers from various sectors, including law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation, dating back to the 1860s. Each year, families, colleagues, and friends of the fallen gather to remember and celebrate the lives of those whose names are inscribed on the memorial.

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, along with Oregon’s law enforcement community, is dedicated to ensuring that the sacrifices made by these officers are never forgotten. This ceremony precedes National Police Week events in Washington, D.C., allowing family members and colleagues to participate in both commemorations, where over 23,000 officers who have died in the line of duty are honored nationally.

 

Recent data indicates that in the first two and a half years following the introduction of the 988 national crisis line, there was an 11% reduction in suicide rates among individuals aged 15 to 34, compared to initial projections.

The reductions were also noticeable in the state of Oregon. This finding, detailed in a research letter published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, reveals that from July 2022 to December 2024, there were 4,372 fewer suicide deaths in this age group than anticipated based on historical data.

For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988 for support.

A federal judge has mandated that the Oregon Department of Corrections must assign transgender women to state prisons according to their gender identity, contingent upon the completion of safety assessments for each individual case.

This ruling follows a lawsuit filed by two inmates who claimed that the state inadequately protected transgender women from sexual and physical violence by placing them in men’s facilities, where they encountered perilous and humiliating conditions. The lawsuit represents a class action on behalf of current and future transgender women prisoners.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark D. Clarke clarified that his preliminary injunction, which calls for personalized evaluations for all transgender women in custody, is not as extensive as it may seem, as it aligns with the procedures that corrections officials assert they already implement.

However, he pointed out that despite these assessments, over 90% of transgender women within Oregon’s prison system continue to be housed in men’s prisons.

 

Oregon sees big gains in youth protection through tobacco retail compliance

PORTLAND, Ore.—Communities statewide are helping drive down tobacco sales to youth, according to a new Oregon Health Authority report on compliance with state tobacco retail licensing requirements.

The 2025 Tobacco Retail Inspections Report shows that only 11% of tobacco retailers sold to youth during Tobacco Retail License Program inspections last year, a significant drop from 26% in the program’s first year.

The Oregon Legislature in 2021 created the Tobacco Retail License Program, a partnership between OHA and the Oregon Department of Revenue. The program works to ensure compliance with federal and state tobacco sales laws, such as making sure tobacco isn’t sold to people younger than 21. In addition to inspections, the program provides training and education for retailers.

OHA staff inspected more than 99% of all licensed retailers in 2025. The 11% violation rate represents a sustained decline in sales to underage inspectors, down nearly 60% since 2022.

“The drop in violations is the result of a collective effort, with communities statewide leaning in to create healthier environments for young people,” says Sarah Wylie, manager of the Oregon Tobacco Retail License Program, based at OHA’s Public Health Division.

“By working collectively, through education, compliance checks and shared commitment to the wellbeing of Oregon’s youth, this progress reflects the belief that protecting young people is a responsibility we all share.”

The 2025 Tobacco Retail Inspections Report also outlines upcoming efforts to sustain community momentum, including:

• Expanded retailer training and resources.
• Continued use of young adult compliance checks.
• Focused support in communities with higher violation rates.

To verify if a store is only selling to customers 21 and older, the state works with young adult inspectors ages 18 to 20. These inspectors use their real identification cards to attempt to purchase a tobacco product. If a store employee asks how old they are, the inspector gives their real age.

If the store sells the tobacco product to the young adult inspector, an adult compliance specialist enters the store to inform them they failed the inspection. The store license holder then receives a letter with the results, more information about the violation, and resources to strengthen clerk training. If the clerk refused to sell, the young adult gives them a letter that thanks them for their work to prevent youth nicotine addiction. Some stores give clerks bonuses or other incentives to reward them for passing an inspection.

 

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has officially enacted Senate Bill 1501, initiating a significant $600 million renovation of the Moda Center.

In a gathering held in the Rose Room, Gov. Kotek, alongside lawmakers, Trail Blazers executives, and representatives from Portland Fire, highlighted the bill’s potential long-term economic and community advantages.

This bipartisan legislation, prioritized during the 2026 short legislative session, establishes a joint authority to manage the renovations and permits the state to issue $365 million in bonds for the initiative. Notably, the funding will not involve new taxes; instead, it will be sourced from existing income taxes collected from arena performers, construction workers, and employees in the Rose Quarter.

 

Cloudy with a chance of sunburn: Protect yourself this Skin Cancer Awareness Month

April showers bring May flowers and usually some sunshine, too! May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and with summer right around the corner, it’s a great time to talk about protecting your skin from the sun.

Even though Oregon is known for cloudy days and rain, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can still harm your skin. Whether you’re at the coast, hiking in Central Oregon, or spending time in the Willamette Valley, sun protection is important all year long.

Why sun safety matters here

You might be surprised to learn that UV rays can be strong in Oregon. On some days in May, the UV Index can reach levels as high as 10, which means the sun can damage your skin quickly—sometimes in less than 20 minutes. Clouds do not block UV rays. Even on overcast days, your skin can still burn.

What is the UV index?

The UV Index is a daily rating that tells you how strong the sun’s UV rays are. Here’s a quick guide:

• 0-2 (Low): Safe for most people.
• 3-5 (Moderate): Wear sunscreen and sunglasses
• 6-7 (High): Seek shade during midday.
• 8-10 (Very high): Extra protection needed.

A simple trick: If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun’s rays are strong – find shade and reapply sunscreen!

Check your skin every month

Catching skin cancer early can save your life. A monthly skin check only takes a few minutes. Here’s what to look for:

• New spots or moles.
• Changes in size, color, or shape of existing moles.
• Spots that itch, bleed, or don’t heal.
• Anything that just doesn’t look right.

If something seems unusual, contact your doctor. Early treatment makes a big difference.

How to protect yourself

Good sun safety habits can be simple. Small steps add up, and they can help protect your skin for life.

• Use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
• Wear hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing.
• Seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest.
• Check the daily UV Index before heading outside. To identify the UV Index for your area, check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s UV Index search tool.

Resources that can help

There are several tools to help people learn about and prevent skin cancer:

• The Start Seeing Melanoma campaign helps people recognize early signs of skin cancer.
• The American Cancer Society’s Be Safe in the Sun webpage has excellent information about sun safety.
• Take the American Cancer Society’s brief skin cancer quiz to test your knowledge and get the facts about skin cancer.

Skin Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder to protect yourself and the people you care about. With a few simple habits—like daily sunscreen and regular skin checks—you can greatly reduce your risk.

 

Portland, OR — On April 11, 160 middle and high school students gathered at Willamette University in Salem for the 2026 Oregon History Day competition.

Students traveled from Albany, Corvallis, Philomath, Beaverton, Portland, Mt. Angel, Aloha, Bend, Hood River, St. Helens, Scappoose, Medford, Creswell, and Cottage Grove to present their documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances and websites inspired by the annual theme, Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History. 

The statewide affiliate of the National History Day® program, Oregon History Day is a student-directed, project-based interdisciplinary learning program. Creating projects inspired by an annual theme, young historians in grades 6–12 choose topics to explore, conduct historical research, practice critical thinking skills, and analyze primary and secondary sources while considering diverse viewpoints. 

“Getting to see all the amazing candidates for Oregon History Day and seeing their peers who are so young cheering each other on in pursuit of research, knowledge, and truth was heartwarming,” said volunteer judge Grace H. 

After having their projects evaluated by volunteer judges, 54 students qualified for the National Contest, which will take place June 14–18 at the University of Maryland. These students will proudly wear shirts and trade buttons featuring a design by Sunset High School’s Anuva S., winner of the 2026 Oregon History Day Design Contest for her creative interpretation of the theme. They join 3,000 competitors from across the nation at this annual celebration of student scholarship.

During this trip, Oregon students will have the opportunity to explore museums and historic sites around Washington, D.C., including a special tour of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, hosted by Mary Lang Bishop. They will also meet with Oregon senator Jeff Merkley and take a tour of the U.S. Capitol building with Senator Ron Wyden’s staff.

Five projects were also awarded special prizes at Oregon History Day for their outstanding research on overlooked histories across Oregon. Award-winning projects include:

Black History in Oregon Award
Oregon’s Black Exclusion Laws: The Drive for a White Utopia (Junior Group Documentary)

Mia D., Isla W., Ryla R., ACCESS Academy, Portland

Indigenous History in Oregon Award

The Twisted Legacy of the Cayuse War (Senior Group Documentary)

Emma S., Maggie M., Westview High School, Beaverton

LGBTQ+ History in Oregon Award

Measure 9: Oregon’s Hate and Oregon’s Pride (Senior Group Documentary)

Naail A., Nathan C., Byron L., Ryan L., Westview High School, Beaverton 

Women’s History in Oregon Award

The Petticoat Revolution: How Seven Women Changed History (Junior Group Performance)

Livia H-B., Savanna W., Clara W., ACCESS Academy, Portland 

Maritime History Award

Sponsored by the Northwest Commandery of the Naval Order of the United States

Pearl Harbor: A Date Which Will Live in Infamy (Junior Group Documentary)

Dionisis F-K., Vaughn K-S., Guani R., ACCESS Academy, Portland 

Beyond the competition, Oregon History Day leaves a lasting impression on students, equipping them with skills in critical thinking, research, and communication that endure far beyond the classroom.

“It has all been such a blast,” said volunteer judge Siddharth S. “I am so reinvigorated by the passion that some students put into their historical exhibits, and I believe they will represent Oregon well.”

Oregon History Day’s success was made possible thanks to passionate educators, staff and dedicated volunteer judges who provided invaluable feedback and support.

Congratulations to all who participated — and best of luck to Oregon’s national finalists!

About the Oregon Historical Society

For more than 125 years, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms, educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and complex as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.

Oregon has emerged as the second most affected state for imposter scams, with residents reporting 1,224 incidents per million people residents, a significant rise in the latest numbers released through 2024.

The financial impact on Oregonians has also escalated sharply, with total losses from these scams increasing by 54% which represents the fifth-largest rise among all states examined.

On average, each victim in Oregon in 2024 has lost approximately $2,602 to fraudulent schemes.

 

Mushroom collection season now open on Klamath National Forest

The Klamath National Forest invites the public to enjoy mushroom collecting on the forest, where a variety of edible mushrooms — including morels, chanterelles, shaggy mane, puffballs, boletes and oyster mushrooms — can be found throughout Siskiyou County.  

When mushroom collecting, make sure you know before you go. Some mushrooms can be dangerous. Never collect a mushroom you aren’t sure is safe.  

Permits Required for Mushroom Collecting 

You may collect up to one gallon of mushrooms per day for personal use without a permit, with a yearly limit of five gallons. To help protect forest resources and support sustainable harvesting, a permit is required for any commercial collecting or for personal collection exceeding the five-gallon annual limit. 

$20 Permit: Collect up to 8 gallons over four consecutive days. 

$50 Permit: Collect up to 20 gallons over 30 consecutive days; additional days may be purchased for $5 per day. 

$100 Seasonal Permit: Collect up to 40 gallons during the season. 

Permits are available at Forest Service offices in Yreka (1711 South Main Street), Happy Camp (63822 Highway 96), Macdoel (37805 Highway 97), and Fort Jones (11263 N. Highway 3). Please note that permits are now issued at the Supervisor’s Office in Yreka. 

Each permit includes specific conditions and restrictions designed to promote responsible and sustainable harvesting. Permit holders are responsible for reviewing and complying with these guidelines. 

For more information about mushroom harvesting, camping, or fire restrictions, contact your local ranger district or visit www.fs.usda.gov/r05/klamath/offices.

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