Get Ballots in Early
The American Postal Workers Union is expressing relief after the U-S Supreme Court blocked an attempt to enforce new mail-in ballot requirements. Labor leaders also urge voters to get their ballots in early. A March executive order directed the Postal Service to send ballots only to voters on an approved list, a move the union has called unlawful and unworkable. Oregon Postal Workers Union President Daniel Cortez says the U-S-P-S is trustworthy, but voters should be mindful of possible delays that are the result of recent policy changes
“Get the ballot back early. Don’t wait until the last week. The mail is secure and it’s safe. Get it in early and it’ll get where it needs to go on time. If it’s convenient to use a drop box, use a drop box.”
Cortez adds while the Supreme Court decision is a victory, the fight is likely not over, as the ruling left the door open to implement the new rules in the future. President Trump has falsely blamed mail-in voting fraud for his 2020 election loss. A 2025 report by the Brookings Institution found mail voting fraud occurred in only about four cases out of every 10 million mail ballots cast.
Gas Prices
Gas prices are rising across most of the country, but Oregon drivers are getting a slight break. AAA says the Oregon average slipped two cents this week to $5.10 a gallon, while the national average jumped 15 cents to $4.48. Florence drivers are paying about $5.04. Diesel continues to set records, reaching $6.53 nationally and $6.87 in Oregon. Crude oil has fallen back below $100 a barrel on hopes for renewed Middle East diplomacy, but ongoing disruptions continue to keep fuel prices historically high.
Missing Pilot Presumed Dead
The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a pilot whose small plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Newport Monday afternoon. The twin-engine Beechcraft Travel Air took off from Newport Municipal Airport shortly after 12:30 and went down about 12 minutes later near Yaquina Head. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft hit the water at high speed. The pilot, 78-year-old Ralph Busby, was the only person believed to be aboard. Search crews covered more than 120 square miles but found no sign of Busby or the aircraft. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
