Rogue Valley Times readers have hopefully noticed recent stories by Oregon Journalism Project that have appeared online at rv-times.com and in our print editions.

The project is a new nonprofit news initiative for the state.

OJP launched in fall 2024, with its stated goal “to inform, engage and empower Oregonians with the kind of data-driven and solution-seeking investigative reporting that makes a significant impact at the state and local levels — serving no agenda other than a pursuit of the truth.”

The Times signed on as a partner early on after discussions with the nonprofit’s founder, Mark Zusman, who has been editor of Willamette Week in Portland for more than 40 years. The first story by OJP was on the Deschutes River in Central Oregon and how people who depend on an iconic river say a state public utility is harming it.

That went live at OJP’s website in mid-December and was published online and in print by the Times.

This past week, we posted an OJP story about a new rule issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality that took effect Jan. 1. It requires that of every 100 new Class 8 heavy trucks a manufacturer sells in Oregon in 2025, seven must be electric, according to OJP reporter Nigel Jaquiss. That percentage of electric trucks will increase every year, reaching 40% of all heavy trucks sold in 2032, OJP reported.

It has already had an impact, with Daimler Trucks North America, which is based in North Portland, saying it would stop selling large diesel trucks in Oregon, Jaquiss’ reported.

[Editor’s note: On Wednesday, Daimler said it’s resuming sales of internal combustion trucks, which were “paused” due to a “misunderstanding” of how Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality will account for sales of electric vehicles.]

The OJP article also included comment from Roger Davis, general manager of TP Trucking & Logistics in Central Point, whose company tested out an electric truck on a run his company regularly makes, moving loads of veneer between a mill that TP owns in Yreka, California, and mills in Medford and Grants Pass.

The vehicle performed well the first day, but on the second day, it ran out of charge on the Siskiyou Summit.

We invite our readers to explore these stories and future coverage from the new nonprofit. It gives the Times a chance to provide a deeper look into Oregon news, and we are a thankful to be a partner with OJP.

Recent stories in the Times

Here are some other recent stories that you can only read in the Times, some of which are at times subscriber-exclusive to offer our best reporting to loyal readers:

Coquille Indian Tribe opens gambling in south Medford amid lawsuit

Medford Estates residents cry foul over skyrocketing water bills

Tested by Almeda: New Phoenix mayor looks ahead, past mayor reflects on tenure

Medford’s new Mayor Zarosinski takes reins from Sparacino

BASE, Rogue Gallery team up for second Black Art Showcase

37th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration to be held in Ashland

PREPS: North Medford’s Hall, EP’s Fitzgerald claim Lady Dragon titles

GIRLS HOOPS: No. 1-ranked Crater cruises to record romp over Ashland

GIRLS HOOPS: No. 4 South Medford surges to 50th straight league victory

Fantastic finish helps Crater clamp down on Colts

If you haven’t subscribed to the Times, which can include digital-only or a print edition/digital subscription, we invite you to sign up at rv-times.com/subscribe or by calling us at 800-781-3214. For businesses looking to advertise in the Times — online and in print — reach out to our advertising staff at sales@rv-times.com.

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— Troy Heie, editor; theie@rv-times.com / 458-488-2038