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 BasinLife.com, KFLS News/Talk 1450AM/102.5FM, The Herald and News, and powered by Fairfield Realty, 2700 Washburn Way. Call them at 541-238-5532.

 

Friday, Sept. 4, 2026

Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Mostly sunny today with a chance of afternoon showers, high near 62.  Overnight, a 30% chance of showers, low near 40.

Saturday
Partly sunny with a high near 68.
Sunday
Showers likely, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Labor Day Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Wednesday
A slight chance of rain. Sunny, with a high near 79.

HOMEDALE WATER MAIN TO BE REPAIRED

Beginning on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Northcore USA will be performing night work on
Homedale Road from Sturdivant Avenue to Bartlett Avenue. The public should expect lane closures
from 9pm to 7am while work is underway. Construction closures and flaggers expected to be in place
through September 25, 2026. Please take caution when travelling through or around construction
zones.
For more information, please contact Public Works at 541-883-5363.

 

Around the State of Oregon

 

The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated legal action against Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and New Mexico, challenging their policies that permit non-citizens to access in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities.

The lawsuit asserts that these practices contravene federal law, which prohibits states from providing benefits to non-citizens that are not available to U.S. citizens. This marks the DOJ’s ongoing efforts, as it has now filed lawsuits against a total of 21 states for similar violations regarding in-state tuition for non-citizens.

 

A federal judge in Portland has determined that the recently enacted Oregon recycling law is in compliance with the U.S. Constitution.

This ruling comes after the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors challenged the law, which was passed by the state Legislature last year.

The legislation mandates that companies pay fees proportional to the packaging they utilize for product distribution, with the collected funds aimed at enhancing Oregon’s recycling infrastructure. The Association has yet to decide on the possibility of appealing this ruling.

 

Oregon Students Head Back to School as Education Rankings Raise Serious Concerns

As students across Oregon return to the classroom this week, there is growing concern about the condition of the state’s public education system — and new test scores are raising some uncomfortable questions about how well Oregon is preparing its students for the future.

A national ranking places Oregon among the worst states in the country for public education, with standardized test results showing significant declines in student performance over the past several years.

Consumer Affairs ranked Oregon as the 11th-worst state in the nation for public education. And results from the 2024 Nation’s Report Card paint an equally troubling picture.

The national average combined score for fourth- and eighth-grade math and reading was 980. Massachusetts ranked highest at 1,022, while New Mexico came in last at 926.

Oregon scored just 959 — the seventh-lowest score in the nation.

That means as Oregon students head back to school this week, educators and parents are facing a serious question: Are Oregon students getting the education they need to keep up with students in other states?

School leaders caution that the test scores don’t tell the entire story.

One factor is Oregon’s testing opt-out policy. Oregon allows families to choose not to have their children take state standardized tests. Massachusetts, by comparison, requires students to take them.

Corvallis Superintendent Ryan Noss said the number of students who opt out needs to be considered when looking at Oregon’s results.

“I think it’s an area that for families to know that those tests do make a difference in terms of how we’re seen and represented,” Noss said.

Bethel Superintendent Kraig Sprloes also pushed back against the idea that Oregon’s rankings tell the whole story.

“I don’t think it’s a true narrative that we’re actually one of the lowest in the nation,” Sprloes said. “I think it’s a true narrative that we have a lot of people who don’t believe in the way that we test.”

But there is another issue that is difficult to ignore: student attendance.

Oregon’s performance has deteriorated considerably since before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, Oregon ranked 19th-worst based on test scores. Since then, the state has fallen further behind.

Sprloes said attendance has become a major problem since the pandemic.

“We have had really low attendance since the pandemic, one of the lowest in the nation,” he said. “So when we talk about why are our test scores so low and then we look at our attendance…”

The concern is straightforward: students can’t learn if they aren’t in school.

Eugene 4J Superintendent Miriam Mickleson also pointed to declining enrollment as another challenge facing Oregon schools.

“Student enrollment decline certainly is a factor and that is not unique to 4J,” she said. “That enrollment decline, that seems to be the trend in the state and across the country.”

Oregon’s test scores were once much closer to national averages. Scores began declining around 2017, with the drop becoming considerably more pronounced following the pandemic.

And while student performance declined across the country during that period, Oregon experienced a particularly significant drop.

Sprloes said part of the solution could involve changing the way students are tested.

“I think the way to get back to that is have a test that is relevant and timely and makes sense to the kids who are taking it and makes sense to the families who we’re presenting the results to,” he said.

Oregon is now attempting to change the way student progress is tracked.

The 2025 Education Accountability Act, also known as Senate Bill 141, creates a new accountability system within school districts. The law does not eliminate Oregon’s testing opt-out option, but it adds three assessments throughout the school year designed to measure student progress and provide information to parents.

The goal is to give teachers and families a clearer picture of how students are performing in reading and math — and to identify problems before students fall further behind.

Sprloes said families will receive reports showing how their children are performing in reading and math.

“To be able to see kids how they’re doing in reading and math and then to be able to provide that information to our teachers so we can change instruction for the kids but also to our families,” he said.

But those changes won’t happen overnight.

For now, school districts say one of the most important things parents can do is make sure their children show up for school — every day they can.

They also encourage families to allow their children to participate in state testing because the results help schools and state officials understand where students are succeeding and where they are falling behind.

Attendance can also have a financial impact. Oregon distributes education funding based in part on student enrollment and attendance.

As classrooms fill up again this week, the concern isn’t simply about a number on a national ranking.

It’s about whether today’s students are getting the reading, math and other skills they will need when they graduate — and whether Oregon can reverse the downward trend before another generation of students pays the price.

As the new school year gets underway, the question now is whether Oregon can turn its education numbers around before the gap becomes even harder to close.

 

Drivers in Oregon and Nationwide to Pay Highest Gas Prices Ever for Labor Day

AAA confirms that Labor Day weekend travel in Oregon will be busy, with millions expected to travel for this final summer getaway.

– As summer winds down, many travelers will take advantage of the final long weekend of the season with a Labor Day getaway. AAA booking data shows that Alaska cruises, national parks, Central Oregon, the Oregon Coast, Disneyland and Las Vegas are the most popular destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho.

 

Alaska cruises, Central Oregon, the Oregon Coast, and National Parks are Top Destinations for Oregonians

Memorial Day always kicks off the summer travel season, while Labor Day marks its close. Labor Day weekend is usually busier than other weekends in August and September, but travel volumes are lower than Memorial Day and Independence Day. With many schools already back in session or starting soon, families often choose shorter trips closer to home. Travelers without school-age children, however, often use Labor Day to launch the fall travel season, taking advantage of cooler temperatures, smaller crowds and off-peak pricing. This is also an excellent time to book holiday travel, and plan ahead for trips next spring and summer.

“Many travelers are eager to enjoy one last summer getaway over the Labor Day weekend before fall routines resume,” says Doreen Loofburrow, senior vice president of travel at AAA Oregon/Idaho. “Alaska cruises are especially popular this time of year. Ships are typically less crowded than earlier in the summer, and while the weather is a bit cooler than in July and August, it remains pleasant and offers opportunities to see wildlife and early fall color.”

Most expenses for Labor Day travel are more expensive this year. Domestic flights, hotels, cruises, tours, and gas prices cost more than in 2025. But rental cars and international flights cost less. Find details below.

Top Labor Day destinations

Here are the top destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho based on searches and bookings:

Alaska cruises are very popular, with Anchorage and the cruise port cities of Seattle and Vancouver B.C. making the lists of the most popular regional and international destinations.

Disneyland and Las Vegas are also perennial favorites.

The top regional destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho are Central Oregon, Portland, the Oregon Coast, Portland, Medford/Ashland, Boise, Billings and Redding. Central Oregon, Boise, Billings, Redding, and Seattle are all within driving distance of popular national parks. Many will visit national parks over the holiday weekend. Some of the favorites for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho include Bryce Canyon National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Glacier National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Olympic National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Zion National Park.

Drivers to pay highest prices ever for gas over Labor Day

When drivers head out on Labor Day getaways this week, they’ll be paying the highest prices ever for gas for the holiday. Crude oil prices remain above $80 per barrel as the conflict with Iran continues. For the week, the national average for regular gasoline holds steady at $4.14 a gallon. The Oregon average jumps to $4.99 a gallon just since Thursday.

 

This Labor Day weekend will bring people together, which means picnics, barbecues and other food-focused gatherings–and an increased risk of foodborne illness. Here are some food safety tips.

Twenty‑Five Years After 9/11, DPSST Invites Oregonians to Reflect at the September 11 Memorial

SALEM, Ore. — As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) welcomes the public to view the September 11 Memorial at the Oregon Public Safety Academy on Friday, Sept. 11. Visitors are invited to reflect on the lives lost, the extraordinary acts of courage shown that day, and the enduring impact the attacks continue to have on our country.

 

The academy hosts a permanent display of artifacts from the attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people, including 343 firefighters, 71 law enforcement officers and 55 military personnel. In addition to the lives lost in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, thousands of first responders have succumbed to illness resulting from their heroic rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

 

The memorial serves as a testament to the courage, service, and selflessness demonstrated on 9/11. It honors those who rushed toward danger without hesitation, those who supported months‑long recovery efforts, and the families and communities who have carried the weight of loss for 25 years. It also provides a meaningful connection for younger generations, helping them understand the significance of the day and the humanity shown in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

 

Members of the public are welcome to visit the memorial on Friday, Sept. 11, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The academy is located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy. SE in Salem. Upon entering academy grounds, signage will direct visitors to the main entry. The memorial display is located in the lobby.

 

Artifacts on display at the 9/11 Memorial include:

• A floor beam from either 5 or 6 World Trade Center
• A structural beam from the base of the North Tower (1 World Trade Center)
• A support strap from the towers’ mechanical systems
• A smaller floor beam from above the 50th floor of one of the Twin Towers
• A piece of exterior aluminum “skin” from one of the towers
• A limestone façade section from the Pentagon, recovered near the point of impact

The artifacts are accompanied by a video tribute, a painting by artist Ricardo Salazar depicting the attacks, and the flags of New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, displayed in honor of the lives lost in each of those states.

 

The Oregon Public Safety Academy campus also houses memorials dedicated to Oregon’s fallen law enforcement officers and fire service professionals. The Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial commemorates 199 officers who have died in the line of duty since the 1860s, and the Oregon Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial honors 185 fire service members lost since 1881. DPSST holds annual ceremonies to remember these individuals and their service to Oregon communities.

 

OHA issues standing order for updated COVID-19 vaccines enabling broad pharmacy access

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority has issued a standing order that will allow vaccine providers statewide to begin administering updated COVID-19 vaccines as soon as this weekend.

Oregon’s COVID-19 vaccine standing order, issued today and signed by Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA, aligns with similar protocols in the other three states of the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA)—Washington, California and Hawaii.

Oregon’s standing order is based on data for those at highest risk for severe outcomes, including recommending COVID-19 vaccination for children younger than 2, adults 65 and older, people of any age with underlying medical conditions, pregnant individuals, previously unvaccinated children, those living in congregate settings, and health care workers. The standing order also recommends COVID-19 vaccines be available to all who choose them—including those between ages 2 and 65—as they have been in previous respiratory virus seasons.

The announcement about the standing order follows West Coast Health Alliance recommendations for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season. These recommendations are informed by trusted national medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and viewablehere.

Immunization is the best protection available against respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Seasonal immunization is also a critical public health tool to reduce serious illness including hospitalization and death, community transmission, and health care systems strain.

“We are delighted that anyone who wants protection can get the COVID-19 vaccine starting this weekend,” Sidelinger said. “I join my public health colleagues in the other West Coast Health Alliance member states in celebrating this important step toward ensuring our communities are well prepared for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season.”

People can get the COVID-19, influenza and RSV vaccines by contacting their health plan, health care provider, county public health clinic or federally qualified health center. They can also search for a clinic by ZIP code by visiting vaccines.gov, or by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org.

 

SOUTHERN OREGON HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO URGE LAWMAKERS TO HOLD ASANTE ACCOUNTABLE FOR CUTS, STAFFING LAW VIOLATIONS, AND ANTI-UNION ACTIVITY SEPT. 8

Southern Oregon doctors, nurses and techs are traveling to Salem to speak with state legislators about Asante’s healthcare cuts and closures, repeated violations of Oregon’s hospital safe staffing law, and anti-union spending Tuesday, Sept. 8.

In recent years, executives at Asante–Southern Oregon’s largest healthcare system–have:

• Closed maternity and inpatient services at Ashland’s only hospital
• Closed multiple outpatient clinics
• Closed a Southern Oregon surgery center it partially owned
• Laid off hundreds of local caregivers including NICU doctors
• Outsourced doctors and healthcare workers
• Accrued nearly $1.5 million in state fines for violating Oregon’s hospital safe staffing law
• Failed to meet its community benefit obligations under Oregon law
• Refused to recognize or bargain with union healthcare professionals
• Spent untold amounts on anti-union consultants in possible violation of federal law

These decisions are negatively impacting Oregonians and can contribute to longer waits, rising costs, staffing shortages, and fewer healthcare options for Southern Oregonians.

 

Radio stations throughout Oregon will broadcast messages aimed at motivating individuals to register for the upcoming November General Election.

The Oregon Secretary of State’s Office has collaborated with the Oregon Association of Broadcasters to produce these public service announcements.

To be eligible for registration, individuals must be U.S. citizens, residents of Oregon, and at least 16 years of age, although ballots will only be issued to those who are 18 or older. The registration deadline is set for October 13th.

 

A new initiative named Friends for Life has been launched to assist young individuals in preventing and responding to overdoses.

This program, supported by the Oregon Health Authority and the Washington State Department of Health, aims to provide essential resources as students return to high school and college. Although there has been a decline in overdose deaths, fentanyl and methamphetamine continue to account for 90 percent of these fatalities.

The initiative offers free toolkits that include posters, wallet cards, rack cards, and social media content to raise awareness. More information can be found at orfriendsforlife.com.

 

Armed Walgreens robbery leads to high-speed I-5 chase

MEDFORD, Ore. – Police caught two people suspected of pointing a gun at a Walgreens employee during a robbery after a high-speed chase on Tuesday, that ended with spike strips on Interstate 5.

According to police, officers responded to the Walgreens on West Main Street around 8:45 p.m. on Aug. 30. Store employees had confronted a man and woman trying to leave with a shopping cart full of unpaid items.

During the fight, the woman pulled out a handgun, pointed it at an employee and threatened to shoot, police said. The two left in a white midsize SUV with a black roof rack.

Officers searched the area but couldn’t find them. Store security footage backed up what employees said, and investigators got video and still images of the suspects and the car.

Police later identified the suspect’s car. On Sept. 1 around 12:30 p.m., an officer spotted it near Sage Road and Highway 238.

When officers tried to stop the car, the driver took off at a high speed. Officers chased the car through several areas before it got onto Interstate 5 northbound.

Oregon State Police and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office helped with the chase. Officers tried to deploy spike strips multiple times but failed until they successfully deployed them near milepost 54.

The car stopped, and police took both people into custody. Traffic on Interstate 5 slowed significantly during the chase but has since reopened.

Police are not releasing the suspects’ names yet. (from partner KDRV.com)

 

A man from Tri City was apprehended in the early hours of Saturday, August 29, after the Myrtle Creek Police Department (MCPD) reported that he had arranged to meet a minor for sexual purposes following an explicit online exchange.

The investigation commenced on August 28 when authorities discovered that 52-year-old Andrew Anthony Howren had engaged in a conversation with a juvenile, during which he sent sexually explicit messages and images, culminating in a plan for a physical meeting.

At approximately 1 a.m. on August 29, Howren arrived to meet the juvenile and was arrested without resistance. Following his interrogation, he was taken to the Douglas County Jail, where he was charged with online sexual corruption of a child in both the first and second degrees, in addition to luring a minor.

The police have encouraged anyone who may have experienced inappropriate interactions with Howren online to reach out to Detective Kevin Taggart, while also advising parents to vigilantly supervise their children’s online activities and report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement.

 

Oregon’s Secretary of State Tobias Read has announced his intention to proceed with the midterm election in accordance with existing state law, despite the President’s recent executive order concerning vote-by-mail.

The left-leaning Secretary Read noted that the U.S. Postal Service has yet to release updated regulations regarding ballot mailing, which contributed to the High Court’s decision not to block the executive order.

He has directed county clerks to continue with their standard election preparations, ensuring that ballots for military and overseas voters will be dispatched shortly.

Read emphasized that he is in regular communication with the Postal Service to facilitate a seamless and unobstructed election process. Expect this to head to the U.S. Supreme Court to be solved along with other states who refuse to comply. The issue at hand, is to strengthen our American elections and eliminate voter mail-in fraud, which has been uncovered in many states.

 

Mexican National Sentenced for Trafficking Over 70 Firearms 

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican man who was a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration status was sentenced to federal prison today for trafficking firearms, announced Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Vincente Cortes Quiroz, 37, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and 3 years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, investigators learned that Quiroz acquired over 120 firearms in Oregon since 2014 from licensed firearms dealers. Quiroz lied by stating he was a United States citizen on many of the firearm purchase forms. Over 70 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were seized from Quiroz’s residence. Two vehicles Quiroz used in his crime were also seized.

“Getting illegal firearms off the streets is a top priority. Through our collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we removed more than 70 illegal guns, making our community safer,” said Scott E. Bradford.

 

As over 20 wildfires rage across 2.6 million acres in Oregon, wildfire officials are reiterating the importance of avoiding drone flights in these areas.

Drones present a serious hazard to firefighting aircraft, leading to potential grounding of planes and helicopters for extended periods until the drone threat is resolved. Such delays can exacerbate the spread of wildfires, according to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.

Their message is clear: “If you fly, we can’t.” Kenji Sugahara, Director of the Oregon Department of Aviation, emphasized that unauthorized drones can jeopardize lives, as firefighting aircraft operate under extremely difficult conditions and may be forced to vacate the area when their presence is most critical.

Furthermore, the use of drones near wildfires is illegal and can result in severe federal penalties, including up to a year in prison and fines reaching $75,000, a risk that state officials deem unacceptable.

 

Oregon Affordable Housing Development Pairs Homes with Child Care to Tackle Two Affordability Challenges at Once