Author

Diane Megaw

Diane Megaw is a veteran regional journalist at Daily Tidings, reporting across Southern Oregon and statewide developments from a Medford area lens.
Her coverage spans business and the economy, housing and labor, public safety and courts, with a focus on what policy and legal decisions mean for local communities.
Contact: [email protected]

News

New Report Shows Oregon Homelessness Growing Faster Than Shelter Expansion

Diane Megaw Jan 26, 2026

Portland State University’s 2025 Oregon homelessness report reflects the increasing number of homeless people in the state and, despite more people being sheltered, economic insecurity and Oregon's shortage of affordable housing are leaving…

Environment

Washington Begins Transfer of Radioactive Capsules at Hanford Along the Columbia River After Years…

Diane Megaw Jan 26, 2026

The State of Washington’s Department of Ecology successfully moved the first batch of highly radioactive capsules from underwater pools to safer, long-term dry storage at the Hanford Site last week. Washington State Moves Nuclear…

News

Medford Votes to Undo Main Street Bike Lane Redesign in a Controversial Reversal Costing $1 Million

Diane Megaw Jan 25, 2026

MEDFORD, Ore. — The Medford City Council voted on Thursday to return Main Street, which was restriped in October 2023, to its previous configuration, at an estimated cost of $1 Million, almost double the original price. Medford…

News

Oregon Lawmakers React With Fury After Federal Agents Kill VA Nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis

Diane Megaw Jan 25, 2026

Less than three weeks after the killing of Renee Good by federal agents in the streets of Minneapolis, ICE agents shot and killed another US citizen in the city yesterday- VA nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti. As the murders send shockwaves around…

Crime & Courts

Former Portland Fitness Trainer Pleads Guilty After Using Charity Donations to Fund Drug Habit

Diane Megaw Jan 24, 2026

Ryan Tong, a former Orangetheory Fitness coach, pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges for diverting at least $24,000 in charitable donations for his personal use in the Multnomah County Circuit Court yesterday. …

Crime & Courts

Medford Man Gets 40 Months in Prison After Fighting Officer During Traffic Stop and Grabbing for Gun

Diane Megaw Jan 24, 2026

MEDFORD, Ore. — 25-year-old Oscar Flores Jr. was sentenced to 40 months in prison plus 3 years of post-prison supervision for assaulting a Medford police officer during a December traffic stop. Flores, driving with a suspended license…

As Oregon Jobless Rate Hits 5.2%, New Law Lets Striking Workers Collect Unemployment Benefits

Diane Megaw Jan 23, 2026

There’s some good news amidst Oregon’s soaring unemployment rate: If you’re out of work because of a strike, lockout, or other labor dispute on or after January 4, 2026, you could be eligible for benefits from the Unemployment Insurance…

Crime & Courts

Grants Pass Woman Arrested After Man Stabbed in His Home and Taken to Hospital

Diane Megaw Jan 23, 2026

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A 42-year-old woman, Heidi Smith, was arrested and placed in custody after a Grants Pass man was stabbed in the upper body at his home on Wednesday night. Tidings Context Assault in the 2nd Degree is a felony level…

News

Oregon Officials Offer $10,000 Reward After Endangered Gray Wolf Found Illegally Killed in Lake…

Diane Megaw Jan 22, 2026

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) wants information about the illegal killing of a federally listed endangered gray wolf in Lake County, near the Klamath County border in the Yamsay Mountain area of Oregon, and will pay a reward of…

Crime & Courts

Portland Man Shot by Federal Agents Ordered to Stay in Custody After Judge Cites Danger and Flight…

Diane Megaw Jan 22, 2026

PORTLAND, Ore. — A federal judge ordered Luis Niño-Moncada to remain in custody while awaiting trial on Wednesday, ruling that he poses a danger to the community and a risk of failing to appear in court. Niño-Moncada was shot by…

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