Lookout PM: ER controversy goes to Salem

Good evening,

The PeaceHealth ER controversy headed up to Salem today. Two doctors from Eugene Emergency Physicians — the longtime ER service provider whose contract was not renewed — urged lawmakers to take a closer look at PeaceHealth’s incoming provider, Georgia-based ApolloMD — to determine if the new partnership complies with a state law regulating corporate control of medical practices. Ashli Blow was in Salem to cover the meeting.

It’s never offseason at Autzen Stadium! Lookout sports correspondent Tyson Alger’s weekly newsletter today has some Ducks football snippets from the NFL Scouting Combine, including: UO’s two-sport star Bryce Boettcher, who was drafted by Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros in 2024, reiterated that he’s all about football right now: “I want to win a Super Bowl,” he said at a press conference.

Annie Aguiar previews a concert with an all-woman bill. Its creators say it’s a statement about the rarity of such a thing in the music world, even here in 2026. The “She’s Speaking Live” concert tour will be in Eugene on March 8, with a range of women musicians in a variety of genres.

Mike McInally has a roundup of the postseason games coming up for Lane County teams in girls high school basketball: Pleasant Hill, Creswell, Sheldon, Springfield, North Eugene and Marist Catholic were all still alive in the postseason.

In our opinion section:

A guest column by Springfield City Councilor Kori Rodley implores PeaceHealth to return to negotiations with emergency department provider Eugene Emergency Physicians. “We are not convinced that this decision made by top executives with calculators at the ready is in the best interest of our community,” she writes of the announcement to replace Eugene Emergency Physicians with an out-of-state company.
A letter-writer says EWEB Commissioner John Barofsky has a conflict of interest in accepting campaign donations from timber executives while voting to oppose a watershed rights measure.

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DAILY DIGEST

Emergency doctors ask for state to review PeaceHealth choice of ApolloMD

By Ashli Blow

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

With all women on the bill, this concert has something to say about the music biz

By Annie Aguiar

The “She’s Speaking” project started as a series of pandemic-era YouTube videos from three Oregon women musicians. It’s now an annual concert series underscoring the need for venues to book more women. The show will be in Eugene on March 8.