Lookout PM: Loveall sues Lane County

Good evening, this last full day of winter 2026.

Lane County Commissioner David Loveall has sued the county, county Administrator Steve Mokrohisky and three of his fellow commissioners, contending they violated his rights to free speech, due process and freedom of religious expression. Ben Botkin has the story.

The 2026 Oregon Bach Festival kicks off June 27 and runs through July 12. You may note that the range includes the Fourth of July — and not just any Fourth. It is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year. So among the festival themes this year will be American music — but also plenty of Johann Sebastian Bach, too. Annie Aguiar has the details of the recently announced lineup.

A two-vehicle crash on the Randy Papé Beltline near the I-5 interchange last night killed one person and caused traffic delays for hours. Jaime Adame has a brief story.

A collection of news publishers and journalist organizations are urging Gov. Tina Kotek to veto a bill the Legislature passed in the recently concluded session in Salem. The bill would loosen the rules around elected officials and using “serial communications” to discuss public matters. The governor has not indicated what she will do.

Community groups plan a Farmworker Solidarity Celebration at Springfield City Hall on April 1 that will feature a history talk on the farmworker rights movement. Organizers removed a reference to United Farm Workers co-founder Cesar Chavez after allegations of sexual abuse by Chavez were reported in The New York Times this week.

In our opinion section today:

A guest column by UO student Amelia Fiore explores how young people have started using AI chatbots as therapists — and what the consequences might be.
A letter-writer touts the work of Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch, saying she quietly gets the job done.

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DAILY DIGEST

2026 Oregon Bach Festival will offer tastes of American music, college life, more

By Annie Aguiar

This year’s festival — June 27 through July 12 — will include multiple West Coast premieres, an examination of what American classical music looks like and, of course, plenty of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Journalists, publishers call on Kotek to veto change to public meetings law

By Alex Baumhardt / Oregon Capital Chronicle

A bill that supporters say is intended to create clarity about what public officials can call and text about outside of public meetings is creating more confusion, press advocates say.

Loveall sues Lane County, county administrator and 3 fellow commissioners

By Ben Botkin

Lane County Commissioner David Loveall’s lawsuit against alleges he faced violations of his free speech, due process and free exercise of religion, as well as retaliation, in the events leading up to the board’s vote to censure him.