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Good evening,
I wrote yesterday about Ben Botkin’s investigative reporting into the troubles at Oregon State Hospital. Today, Ben was in Salem as lawmakers questioned the director of the Oregon Health Authority and two hospital administrators about conditions at the state psychiatric facility. OHA boss Dr. Sejal Hathi said in response: “Processes have been changed, leadership has been changed, protocols have been changed.”
University of Oregon President Karl Scholz today apologized for the “challenges” posed by extreme heat at graduation ceremonies on Monday. Grace Chinowsky reports on a universitywide email Scholz sent out today.
Not long after hiring a new interim superintendent from out of state, Springfield Public Schools announced today that it will promote from within for the position of assistant superintendent. Brian Megert, who oversees the district’s special ed programs, has been named to the job. He replaces David Collins, who resigned amid district turmoil in February.
McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center has a new chief executive officer: Mark Robinson comes to Springfield most recently from a similar job in Great Falls, Montana. Lillian Schrock-Clevenger reports.
Hey, fans of the Northwest-set ’90s TV show “Twin Peaks”: Two stars of the show — Ray Wise and Dana Ashbrook — will be at the Hult Center in Eugene in October talking about the show and working with director David Lynch. Annie Aguiar has the details, including that tickets go on sale Friday.
Who’s in our Community Voices section today?
- Longtime 4J teacher Dave Wines has a guest column saying, “It’s never been more difficult to teach than it is right now.” The reasons are complicated, but he says pointing fingers won’t help. “This is a societal problem.”
- Not that we don’t have erudition here in Eugene. Resident George Bryson writes in a letter to the editor that President Donald Trump brings to mind Molière’s “The Misanthrope.”
Your turn, part 1: What defines our food scene?
Taylor Goebel, our food writer, is working on a project and wants to know …
What foods have defined and shaped our region’s culinary scene? They can be hundreds of years old or have sprouted up within the last 10 years. “We want it all,” Taylor says. To give you an idea: Chinook salmon and other Indigenous first foods, filberts, Prince Puckler’s, Nancy’s Yogurt and Yumm! sauce. Send your culinary icons (chefs, restaurants, food trucks, dishes …) to taylor@lookoutlocal.com.”
Your turn, part 2: What feedback do you have for us?
Someone was in the office yelling at us yesterday. It happens. In fact, sometimes, we even like to come to you for — you know — feedback.
In that spirit, on Wednesday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lookout staff will have a table in the Emerald Room on the second floor of the Eugene Public Library downtown.
Stop by with questions, thoughts, opinions. Constructive criticism, is of course fine, too. Yelling? Well, this is in the library, so maybe keep your voice down.
What’s on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor (350 words or less, please): lte@lookoutlocal.com
Have a news tip on something we should cover: newsroom@lookoutlocal.com
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DAILY DIGEST
Facing lawmaker scrutiny, Oregon Health Authority boss doesn’t dwell on state hospital’s past failures
By Ben Botkin
Oregon State Hospital managers told state lawmakers they are creating a “culture of safety” following a string of patient deaths and violations of care standards. A lawmaker questioned how a patient could be in seclusion for months while hospital workers failed to follow minimum federal requirements.
UO president apologizes for ‘challenges’ posed by heat at graduation
By Grace Chinowsky
In a campuswide email, Karl Scholz said “I am sorry” for graduates not having the experience they had planned on as scorching temperatures affected Monday’s ceremonies.
Springfield schools promotes special ed administrator to assistant superintendent
By Lilly St. Angelo
Brian Megert, director of special programs, is expected to take the new job July 1, pending board approval of his contract. He will start with incoming Interim Superintendent Shawn Stover.
Enjoy your evening,
Bob
