The Debrief

Tents set up at a homeless campsite near Grants Pass City Hall on March 25, 2025. (Jane Vaughan / JPR )

The JPR news team gathers for a roundtable discussion of the top news stories they've been working on this week.

Southern Oregon primary results 2026
In Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District, Republican incumbent Cliff Bentz secured his nomination easily, while former lawmaker Chris Beck emerged from a six-candidate Democratic field.

Meanwhile, the race for Jeff Golden’s open state senate seat remains narrow; Denise Krauss leads Tanya Morrow by roughly 200 votes to face Republican Brad Hicks in November.

Voters across the region showed strong support for local services, renewing tax levies for the Rogue Valley Transportation District and the Ashland School District, while approving a new operational levy for the Josephine County animal shelter.

In Josephine County, two commissioner races are headed for runoffs. Colleen Martin will face former commissioner John West, and Chad Hansen will compete against Mark Jones.

Grants Pass’ new homeless shelter delayed, but moving forward
Grants Pass is facing setbacks with Parker’s Place Village, a 150-bed homeless shelter utilizing refurbished shipping containers. Originally slated for a June 1st opening, the project is delayed due to shipping disruptions and site plan issues, though officials hope to begin a phased opening for 40 people shortly after the original deadline.

Federal changes could deepen Shasta County health budget woes
Shasta County Health and Human Services is navigating a $4 million shortfall. The deficit is attributed to low reimbursement rates and federal legislative shifts that may cause many Californians to lose MediCal coverage. To maintain operations, the county is considering staff furloughs and has approved a $10 million emergency loan.

Redding seeks new operator for Civic Auditorium after funding struggles
Redding is searching for a new operator for its civic auditorium after the nonprofit Advance Redding faced financial instability following the departure of Bethel Church’s ministry school sublease.

Guests

• Maria Carter, JPR news director
• Jane Vaughan, JPR reporter
• Justin Higginbottom, JPR reporter
• Roman Battaglia, JPR reporter

Floating solar panels are seen on an irrigation reservoir in Medford. ( Farmers Conservation Alliance)

The JPR news team gathers for a roundtable discussion of the top news stories they've been working on this week.

SOU trustees say Deloitte report will guide but not define its recovery plan
Southern Oregon University’s Board of Trustees voted to develop its own long-term financial sustainability plan instead of fully adopting recommendations from Deloitte Consulting. The university faces a major budget deficit and is seeking $15 million in emergency state funding. Officials say no final decisions have been made about program cuts or restructuring.

Jackson County welcomes Oregon’s first floating solar project
Jackson County is now home to Oregon’s first floating solar project, a new renewable energy installation designed to generate electricity while reducing water evaporation. Supporters say the project could provide a model for future clean energy development as demand for electricity continues growing across the region.

Bandon superintendent and two board members resign after months of pushback
The Bandon School District accepted the resignations of its superintendent, two school board members and nine employees following months of conflict and public scrutiny. The coastal district has faced complaints, staff turnover, investigations and growing tensions between administrators, teachers and community members over district leadership and workplace concerns.

Jackson and Josephine counties enter fire season amid a dry spring
Fire season officially begins Friday in Jackson and Josephine counties as drought conditions, dry vegetation and low snowpack increase wildfire risk across Southern Oregon. New restrictions include a ban on debris burning, while officials warn conditions could worsen quickly as the region heads into summer

Guests

• Maria Carter, JPR news director
• Jane Vaughan, JPR reporter
• Justin Higginbottom, JPR reporter

Thousands gathered fore a free show by The All-American Rejects at Pear Blossom Park in Medford on May 2, 2026.(Vinny Dominick)

The JPR news team gathers for a roundtable discussion of the top news stories they've been working on this week. Top stories include:

SOU's high-stakes financial vote
Southern Oregon University (SOU) is currently grappling with a $12.5 million budget deficit, a figure projected to climb to $17 million by fiscal year 2030. Deloitte Consulting developed a sustainability plan, a step needed for the university to secure $15 million in state emergency funding. The proposal recommends roughly $20 million in cuts, including restructuring academic programs and eliminating majors such as music, creative writing and gender studies.

Asante plans hundreds of layoffs amid budget troubles
Asante plans to lay off at least 300 employees in the coming months. The hospital system reported a $16 million loss during the first half of the current fiscal year. Without changes, officials project the deficit could grow to $50 million by 2027. CEO Tom Gessel attributed the financial downturn to rising personnel and supply costs, along with low reimbursement rates from Medicaid and Medicare.

The All-American Rejects draws thousands at a pop-up show in Medford
In a rare moment of community celebration, downtown Medford was transformed last Saturday by a free pop-up concert from "The All American Rejects." After a planned show at the Rogue Valley Mall was canceled due to capacity limits, local officials and community members scrambled to relocate the event to Pear Blossom Park. An estimated 6,000 people attended, a turnout that local leaders described as unprecedented for the downtown area.

Guests

• Maria Carter, JPR news director
• Jane Vaughan, JPR reporter
• Justin Higginbottom, JPR reporter

The archway in front of Southern Oregon University's Churchill Hall.(Jane Vaughan / JPR)

The JPR news team gathers for a roundtable discussion of the top news stories they've been working on this week.

Measure B could reshape Shasta County elections, if courts allow it
Shasta County voters will consider Measure B in the June primary. The proposal would require one-day elections, hand-counted ballots and photo ID while sharply limiting vote-by-mail. Supporters say the measure would make elections more secure and restore public trust. Critics say it would disenfranchise voters, make elections harder to administer and likely violate state and federal law.

Consultant says SOU must act fast, has ‘no margin for error’
Southern Oregon University could run out of cash within 18 months without major cuts and structural changes, according to a preliminary consultant report. Deloitte recommends academic program cuts, outsourcing and other cost-saving measures, including potentially spinning off JPR. University leaders say the plan is stark but necessary to keep SOU operating.

Asante seeks exemption from regulatory review in Medford surgical center deal
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center is asking for an emergency exemption from Oregon’s health care market oversight review so it can buy Surgery Center of Southern Oregon. State regulators paused the deal after Asante declined to provide some requested documents, including payer contracts.

Asante says the request is costly and time-consuming, and argues the surgery center could close without the sale. The Oregon Health Authority says the review is meant to ensure health care deals do not increase costs or reduce access.

Guests

• Maria Carter, JPR news director
• Jane Vaughan, JPR reporter
• Roman Battaglia, JPR reporter
• Justin Higginbottom, JPR reporter

George the chimpanzee now resides at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in Washington. (Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest )

The JPR news team gathers for a roundtable discussion of the top news stories they've been working on this week.

Top stories include:

Simpson University proposes a medical school
Shasta County is facing a severe doctor shortage, declared a public health crisis last year. Simpson University in Redding has proposed opening a medical school by 2029 or 2030.

The university is seeking $10 million from the county toward a project estimated at $100 million to $150 million. Some supervisors support the plan’s potential benefits, while others question using funds set aside for jail overcrowding and cite limited public details.

Guilty pleas following the closure of a roadside zoo
In Coos County, West Coast Game Park Safari owner Brian Tenney pleaded guilty to 47 charges, including animal neglect and racketeering.

Prosecutors recommend a 90-month prison sentence and a ban on owning animals. The case follows years of documented neglect and a multi-agency raid that led to animals being relocated to sanctuaries.

Crowded field in Josephine County Comission race
Six candidates are running for a seat on the Josephine County Board of Commissioners ahead of the May 19 primary.

The race includes appointed incumbent Colene Martin and former commissioner John West, who is seeking to return after a recall. Debates have focused on homelessness and economic development as the voter registration deadline nears.

Guests

• Maria Carter, JPR news director
• Roman Battaglia, JPR reporter
• Justin Higginbottom, JPR reporter

A patron at the Grants Pass Library pick up a sign in support of the Library District back in January when Josephine County Commissioners terminated the lease.(Josephine Community Library District)

The JPR news team gathers for a roundtable discussion of the top news stories they've been working on this week.

Top stories include:

California reopens salmon fishing, but Crescent City fishermen still shut out
California is reopening commercial salmon fishing after a three-year closure as fish populations rebound. But ongoing restrictions in Humboldt and Del Norte counties keep ports like Crescent City shut out, leaving local fishermen unable to benefit and coastal economies still struggling.

Grants Pass couple’s second try to leave library district fails
Josephine County commissioners denied a Grants Pass couple’s second attempt to opt out of the library district, ruling they can reasonably access services. Under Oregon law, property owners must prove service is infeasible, and commissioners said the couple, who live near a branch, did not meet that standard.

Crews race to clear wildfire fuels in Southern Oregon
Southwest Oregon contains 22 of the state's top 50 communities most at risk for wildfire. Crews\are working to reduce wildfire risk after a dry winter and low snowpack raised concerns about an active fire season. Contractors are thinning small trees and clearing brush near communities, focusing limited resources on high-risk areas while emphasizing ongoing maintenance and community-based prevention efforts.

Guests

• Maria Carter, JPR news director
• Roman Battaglia, JPR reporter
• Justin Higginbottom, JPR reporter

The Curry County Courthouse in Gold Beach.

The JPR news team gathers for a roundtable discussion of the top news stories they've been working on this week.

Top stories include:

Government ammunition sale scandal
Curry County commissioners have accused Sheriff John Ward of misconduct regarding the sale of $10,000 worth of county-ordered ammunition to deputies and one community member in 2020. Officials allege these sales, conducted at a discounted government rate when civilian supplies were scarce, may have violated state laws against using a public position for financial gain.

Fortuna enacts mobile home rent caps
The Fortuna City Council has passed a rent-stabilization ordinance to protect residents in the city’s four mobile home parks from skyrocketing housing costs. The new law implements an annual 5% cap on rent increases and bans hikes when a home is sold. While many residents on fixed incomes supported the move, some expressed concern that the ordinance allows park owners to pass the costs of capital improvements through to tenants.

Klamath Basin farmers face severe water cutbacks
Water managers in the Klamath Basin are outlining 2026 allocations amid uncertainty from low snowpack and ongoing environmental requirements. Plans aim to balance irrigation needs with protections for endangered fish and river flows, with projected supplies dependent on spring conditions and subject to change as drought concerns persist.

Guests

• Maria Carter, JPR news director
• Jane Vaughan, JPR reporter
• Roman Battaglia, JPR reporter
• Justin Higginbottom, JPR reporter

Ashland's city council voted 5-1 to evict the city from using the Ashland Community Center as office space. (Steve Mitchell / Ashland.news )

The JPR news team gathers for a roundtable discussion of the top news stories they've been working on this week.

Top stories include:

Ethics allegations in Klamath County
Klamath County Commissioner Andrew Nichols has filed an ethics complaint against fellow Commissioner Derrick DeGroot, alleging he used his position for personal financial gain. The complaint says DeGroot directed staff to share nonpublic foreclosure data that helped a family member acquire property later transferred to him. DeGroot, who is seeking reelection in May, called the claims “rumors” and said he recuses himself when appropriate.

Labor strife in Klamath Falls schools
Support staff in the Klamath Falls City School District have filed a third unfair labor practices complaint amid an ongoing contract dispute. The union alleges a pattern of hostility, including restrictions on demonstrations and criticism of union leadership. District officials have pushed back on the union’s tactics. Both sides have entered mediation as the dispute over wages continues

Ashland’s civic space and property disputes
The Ashland City Council voted 5-1 to remove city offices from a community center after public opposition. Staff had relocated there after structural issues closed City Hall, but residents argued the renovated space should remain available for public use. The city is also facing a legal challenge from descendants tied to the original land deed, who argue the property must be used according to its historical terms or returned.

Guests

• Maria Carter, JPR news director
• Jane Vaughan, JPR reporter
• Roman Battaglia, JPR reporter
• Justin Higginbottom, JPR reporter

The participants in the 2026 Future Chefs Competition pose with their certificates. From l-r, Fernando Gutierrez, Everly Rogers, Audrey Duewall, Sophia Nelson, Eva Ruby, Rudy Mishan and Milo Springer. (Jane Vaughan / JPR)

The JPR news team gathers for a roundtable discussion of the top news stories they've been working on this week.

Phoenix-Talent elementary schoolers square off in cooking competition
Seven students from the Phoenix-Talent School District competed in a Future Chefs Challenge at Phoenix High School, preparing original dishes inspired by global flavors. Selected from recipe submissions, the students cooked with adult helpers and were judged on taste, creativity and nutrition. Organizers say the competition is designed to build confidence in the kitchen while encouraging students to explore new ingredients and share family traditions through food.

Judge allows Shasta County election reform measure on ballot
Shasta County voters will decide in June whether to overhaul the county’s election system after a judge declined to block the measure from the ballot. The proposal would require voter ID, mandate hand-counted ballots and limit vote-by-mail. A lawsuit argued the measure violates state and federal law, but the judge ruled such legal questions should be addressed after the election rather than before.

Owner of Klamath Falls lab charged with defrauding Medicare for $46 million
Federal prosecutors have charged the owner of a Klamath Falls medical lab with health care fraud, alleging he submitted $46 million in false claims to Medicare Advantage plans for tests that were never performed. Investigators say no patients received services and some listed beneficiaries had no connection to the lab. Authorities arrested him at Los Angeles International Airport while he was attempting to leave the country.

Chinook salmon are hatching in Upper Klamath for first time in a century
Chinook salmon are hatching in the Upper Klamath Basin for the first time in more than a century, a milestone following the removal of four dams on the Klamath River. The Klamath Tribes documented the young fish in tributaries of Upper Klamath Lake, signaling early signs of successful spawning. Tribal leaders say the return marks progress toward restoring a self-sustaining salmon population and reviving cultural and ecological connections.

Guests

• Maria Carter, JPR news director
• Jane Vaughan, JPR reporter
• Roman Battaglia, JPR reporter
• Justin Higginbottom, JPR reporter

To combat a critical workforce shortage and the closure of over 200 Oregon pharmacies since 2008, Umpqua Community College and Chemeketa Community College have partnered with Pacific University to streamline the path to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

The JPR news team gathers for a roundtable discussion of the top news stories they've been working on this week. Top stories include:

Lifeline for coastal health care
Oregon lawmakers approved a $44 million loan guarantee to stabilize Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay, allowing it to refinance debt and avoid major service cuts. Without the support, the hospital risked shrinking from more than 170 beds to about 50, threatening access to care on the South Coast.

Navigating the winds of change
A new national report says offshore wind development on the West Coast needs better planning, communication and community engagement. Researchers found federal agencies have struggled to build trust with coastal communities and recommended improving leasing processes, increasing outreach and coordinating more closely with other agencies to address concerns from fisheries, shipping and local stakeholders.

Growing local medical talent
Umpqua Community College is partnering with Pacific University to create a streamlined pathway into pharmacy careers, allowing students to begin coursework locally before transferring. The program aims to expand access to healthcare training and help address workforce shortages in rural Oregon.

Guests

• Maria Carter, JPR news director
• Jane Vaughan, JPR reporter
• Roman Battaglia, JPR reporter
• Justin Higginbottom, JPR reporter