KMED NEWS FOR FEBRUARY 25, 2026
GOP HOUSE MEMBERS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE BOYCOTTED YESTERDAY’S SESSION, DENYING QUORUM IN A PUSH TO DELAY THE PASSAGE OF SB1599, WHICH WOULD MOVE THE BIG GAS TAX AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDING BILL’S VOTE OF THE PEOPLE TO MAY, INSTEAD OF THE GENERAL ELECTION. THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS SAID IT WOULD NEED TO BE PASSED AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR TODAY IN ORDER FOR THERE TO BE ENOUGH TIME TO MOVE THE VOTE. AT THIS TIME IT’S NOT SCHEDULED TO BE VOTED ON AGAIN UNTIL MONDAY.
AN EARLY MORNING COMPLAINT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INCLUDING A FELON IN POSSESSION OF A GUN HAD MEDFORD POLICE AND SWAT ON THE HUNT TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE SUSPECT. THEY THOUGHT HE WAS ARMED AND BARRICADED IN A HOUSE ON SOUTH COLUMBUS. MPD SET UP A PERIMETER AND AFTER GETTING A WARRANT OFFICERS BROKE IN TO THE HOME AND SEARCHED THE PREMISES THOROUGHLY BUT HE WASN’T FOUND. POLICE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR HIM
THE OLSRUD FAMILY, OWNER OF SHERM’S MARKET’S INCLUDING SHERM’S FOOD FOR LESS AND SHERM’S THUNDERBIRD, HAS ANNOUNCED IT’S FOR SALE. THE MARKETS HAVE BEEN IN THE OLSRUD FAMILY SINCE 1967. A LOT OF OUR AREA FOOD BANKS HAVE RECEIVED RECEIVED MILLIONS IN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE CHAIN OVER THE YEARS.
A PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE OREGON’S CHARITY CARE LAW IS PITTING HOSPITALS AGAINST PATIENT ADVOCATES. THE LUND REPORT SAYS THE PROPOSAL, HOUSE BILL 4040, WOULD CUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO GET SCREENED FOR FINANCIAL HELP. RIGHT NOW, HOSPITALS HAVE TO SCREEN ANYONE WITH A BILL OF $500 OR MORE TO SEE IF THEY’RE ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL HELP. THE BILL WOULD CHANGE THAT TO $1500 FOR EACH HOSPITAL TREATMENT. HOSPITALS SAY THIS WOULD LIGHTEN THE LOAD FOR HOSPITAL STAFF.