Federal funding has cleared for the Mariposa Wildlife Crossing, a planned $37 million wildlife bridge over Interstate 5 south of Ashland. The project would reconnect habitat in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, reduce wildlife crashes and give SOU students years of research work.

F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing are scheduled to make Independence Day flyovers across Oregon and southwest Washington, including stops over Ashland, Central Point, Eagle Point, Brookings and Port Orford on July 4.

Fireworks over lakes, rivers and the coast will cap a busy July 3-5 Independence Day weekend across the Jefferson region, with parades, food, music, rodeos, train rides, car shows and family celebrations from Crescent City to Klamath Falls, Central Point, Lakeview, Alturas and Mt. Shasta.

The Oregon Court of Appeals has overturned Robert Paul Keegan’s 2023 manslaughter conviction in the shooting death of Aidan Ellison, sending the case back to Jackson County Circuit Court.

A Heat Advisory is in effect Monday and Tuesday for much of southwest Oregon and parts of Northern California, with afternoon highs of 95 to 100 expected in the Rogue Valley and nearby low-lying valleys.

Southern Oregon University’s Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the university’s Vitality Plan, moving SOU into a yearlong implementation phase tied to emergency state funding. The plan calls for more than $20 million in reductions and includes the sunsetting of three academic programs.

AAA expects 877,000 Oregonians to travel for Independence Day, with Bend, Newport and Medford/Ashland among the top regional destinations. The forecast also highlights Oregon gas prices, airfare and major July 4 events in Bend, Medford and Ashland.

The first significant heat wave of the summer is expected to bring 90-degree and triple-digit temperatures to much of Southern Oregon and Northern California this weekend, prompting heat advisories across several west side valleys, coastal areas and parts of far Northern California.

Rogue Community College and Southern Oregon University will both hold commencement ceremonies Saturday, recognizing more than 1,300 students across the Rogue Valley. RCC will celebrate its largest graduating class since 2018, while SOU marks its 100th commencement since reopening at its Ashland campus.

Seventy-three organizations will share more than $2.25 million in spring 2026 grants through the Reed and Carolee Walker Fund of Oregon Community Foundation. The award list includes organizations based in Jackson, Josephine and Douglas counties, with funding focused largely on services for children, families and low-income residents in Jackson County.

The Ashland Police Department has introduced Cisco, a 20-month-old yellow lab donated by Dogs For Better Lives, as its new facility service dog. Cisco will support APD’s wellness program, assist in community settings and help create a calming environment during sensitive interactions.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has announced its 2027 season, featuring nine productions across its Ashland stages from March through October. The lineup includes Shakespeare classics, contemporary drama, comedy, musical theater and a solo portrait of Frida Kahlo.

Memorial Day observances across Southern Oregon and Northern California include parades, cemetery services, flag displays, a river wreath ceremony, a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall dedication and a statewide livestream honoring Oregon’s fallen service members.

A driver was injured Tuesday after a vehicle crashed into Stevenson Union on the Southern Oregon University campus in Ashland, rupturing a gas meter and prompting an evacuation. Ashland Fire & Rescue says the building was cleared for re-entry shortly after 2 p.m.

Southern Oregon University’s request for up to $15 million in one-time emergency state funding moved forward this week after unanimous support from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. The SOU Board of Trustees also voted to begin a broader viability planning process, while leaving final decisions on specific academic and operational cuts for later review.

The Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission is considering a request to seek up to $15 million in emergency state funding for Southern Oregon University. The money would support SOU’s cashflow needs through fiscal year 2027 as the university faces a major budget shortfall and considers long-term restructuring options.

Asante is expected to pay the City of Ashland $4 million by June 18 as the two parties work to end a long-running affiliation agreement tied to Ashland Community Hospital. The agreement comes as Asante prepares to close inpatient services in Ashland and convert the facility into a satellite campus of Rogue Regional Medical Center.

Asante says its hospitals, emergency departments and immediate care locations will remain open as the health system moves forward with layoffs and cost-cutting efforts. The organization says 300 or more employees may be affected in fiscal year 2026 as it works to address rising expenses, lower reimbursement rates and other financial pressures.

Market of Choice has recalled its 9.5-ounce Vegan Kale Caesar Salad because sesame was included in the product but not listed on the label. The affected salads were sold at Oregon stores, including Ashland and Medford, between April 16 and May 4, 2026, with expiration dates ranging from April 20 through May 8.

The City of Ashland and Ashland Chamber of Commerce say they are working with ODOT to address concerns about downtown curb construction and its impact on small businesses. After a joint letter and meeting, ODOT agreed to adjust staging, improve signage, review work zones and increase communication during the project.