Happy Civic Learning Week, educators!

Echoing the Civics Learning Project homepage, “The goal of Civic Learning Week is to prioritize civics education as a foundation for a strong, enduring democracy.” Lookout in the Classroom aims to support that goal every day.

By sharing these weekly featured stories with your students, discussing current events happening locally, and encouraging them to share their perspectives, you’re helping foster the habits of engaged citizenship.

One way students can share their voices is through our Student Stories opportunity—young writers can submit work for potential publication on Lookout Eugene-Springfield anytime.

The top 10 submissions to our 2026 Journalism Scholarship Challenge will also be published, and so far we’ve received just one submission! I’ve heard that some teachers have assigned this to their journalism or civics class, either as an in-class assignment or for extra credit, and I hope to see more write-ups roll in.

A 500–900 word profile of a local “unsung hero” could earn your student a $500 scholarship toward their education; submissions are due by March 22nd. You can find more information and the application link here.

Now let’s dive into this week’s featured story and other selected articles below.

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Featured Story of the Week

Credit: Payton Bruni

For homeless teens, help arrives in a refurbished Sprinter van

By Payton Bruni

March 4, 2026

A new mental health support service called T.H.E. Van launched in Eugene, and it’s on wheels — which helps it get to where the young people are.

Classroom Discussion Questions: Understanding the Issue

  • What is the purpose of T.H.E. Van, and who is it designed to help?
  • According to the article, what are some barriers that prevent unhoused youth from accessing traditional health services?
  • How does bringing services directly to young people change the way care is delivered?
  • What role do mental health and substance use counseling play in helping young people stabilize their lives?

Latest from the Lookout Newsroom

Here’s a roundup of recent articles you could use in your classroom. Use our Current Event Discussion Guide for an easy way to facilitate reflection on these local events. Interested in more stories? Browse all our recent coverage here.

Credit: Taylor Goebel / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

More than 100 attend International Women’s Day rally in Eugene

By Taylor Goebel

March 9, 2026

A rally held March 8 on International Women’s Day celebrated the achievements of women activists […]

Credit: Annie Aguiar / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

She collected thousands of puzzles in her lifetime. Her friend wants to get her a world record.

By Annie Aguiar

March 8, 2026

Gail Wickstrom died last September in Eugene at 80 years old. She left behind a […]

Credit: Ashli Blow / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

Emergency doctors ask for state to review PeaceHealth choice of ApolloMD

By Ashli Blow

March 5, 2026

Appearing before lawmakers, doctors from Eugene Emergency Physicians said an Oregon law regulating corporate control of medical practices might apply to the Atlanta company.

Latest Education & Statewide News

Lilly St. Angelo is Lookout’s dedicated education correspondent. Find more education coverage from her and our partners here. Do you have a story idea for Lilly? Contact her here.

Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA

Bethel students to receive free library cards through their schools

By Grace Chinowsky

March 6, 2026

The “student card” program now extended to the Bethel School District distributes Eugene Public Library cards through schools, eliminating the need to visit the library — in some cases, with a parent — to access resources.

Credit: Mike McInally / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

More cuts, small tuition increase in the works at Lane Community College 

By Mike McInally

March 6, 2026

On a 4-3 vote, Lane Community College’s Board of Education approved a plan calling for […]

Credit: Stock Photos / University of Oregon

UO says no students known to be in areas under Mideast ‘depart now’ advisory

By Jaime Adame

March 4, 2026

The University of Oregon offers an Arabic language immersion program in Jordan, but no students or researchers are known to be in that country or others affected by a “depart now” advisory from the U.S. State Department, a UO spokeswoman […]

Educator & Student Resources

Thank you for reading,

Olivia Desgrange