Author

Lucille McNamara

Lucille McNamara is a Daily Tidings reporter with 27 years of journalism experience, covering Oregon public safety, crime and courts, plus statewide policy and community impact stories including housing, education, health, and immigration. She previously worked at The Star.
Contact: [email protected]

Education

Oregon Universities Caught in National Backlash as Federal Minority-Serving Grants Are Canceled

Lucille McNamara Sep 15, 2025

The U.S. Department of Education’s withdrawal of $350 million in funding to several Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) has impacted Western Oregon University and Portland State University. Western Oregon University became the first…

Aging Oregonians and Falling Birthrates Leave Immigration as the State’s Lifeline

Lucille McNamara Sep 15, 2025

As the Trump administration makes it increasingly difficult for immigrants to enter the U.S., Oregon remains heavily dependent on that influx to swell its dwindling population. Oregon’s Population is Older Than Most other States…

Environment

Oregon Rivers Hit Record Lows as State Faces Fourth Driest Season in 130 Years

Lucille McNamara Sep 14, 2025

Oregon had its fourth driest season between April and July since 1895, when rainfall figures first began being recorded, according to state climatologist Larry O’Neill. Almost 80% of the Northwest Has Been Declared a Drought…

News

Public Safety at Risk as Washington County Voters Face $337 Million Levy Decision

Lucille McNamara Sep 14, 2025

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. — The surge in popularity of Washington County has increased the need for expanded public safety services, and County officials are now appealing to its 611,272 residents to support the introduction of a levy that…

News

Oregon Homeowners Sitting on Backyards Worth Half a Million Each

Lucille McNamara Sep 14, 2025

Oregon homeowners have the seventh most expensive backyards in the U.S., with the average yard worth more than half a million dollars. This data is revealed in a study conducted by R&T Fence, a fence installation company, which…

Crime & Courts

Coos Bay Father Sentenced to Over 20 Years in Fatal Crash That Killed Umpqua Softball Coach and…

Lucille McNamara Sep 13, 2025

COOS COUNTY, Ore. — A 33-year-old father of two small children has been placed on suicide watch following his sentence of more than 20 years in prison for his involvement in an accident while intoxicated that claimed the lives of two people…

Environment

Oregon’s Post-Fire Forest Recovery Inspires South Korean Delegation to Reshape Their Woodlands

Lucille McNamara Sep 13, 2025

A delegation of South Korean researchers, who recently visited Oregon to learn from recovery efforts in the Santiam Forest following the devastating 2020 wildfires, will apply the lessons they learned to help reshape forests back home.…

News

Oregon Councilor Quits City Seat After Outrage Over Social Media Comments on Charlie Kirk

Lucille McNamara Sep 13, 2025

A Cornelius councilor, who posted on social media that the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk brightened his day, resigned from the City Council yesterday (Friday). His Comments Resulted in a Backlash of Protests John…

News

Medford Faces Federal Lawsuit From Nonprofit Accusing Police of Harassment and Political Retaliation

Lucille McNamara Sep 12, 2025

MEDFORD, Ore. — Stabbin’ Wagon, a harm reduction nonprofit, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Medford and the Medford Police Department, alleging that they engaged in a campaign of unlawful retaliation, targeted…

News

Oregon Preschool Seeks Legal Protection After Father Arrested by ICE While Dropping Off Two-Year-Old

Lucille McNamara Sep 12, 2025

An Oregon school and two national teacher unions are seeking protection from immigration enforcement and have joined a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration. Two national teacher unions with 4.8 million members nationwide, and…

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