Real Live News Oregon

01/06/2026

Election Day in Josephine County: A Baseless Recall That Threatens Voters’ Will

Election Day is here in Josephine County, and voters are being asked to decide on a recall that began barely six months after newly elected commissioners took office. The targets are Andreas Blech and Chris Barnett—both local businessmen with deep roots and a genuine commitment to Josephine County.
What makes this recall even more troubling is its inconsistency. Ron Smith, the third commissioner, voted alongside Blech and Barnett on the same issues—yet he was spared. Recall advocates once chanted “recall them all,” but only two were targeted. That contradiction raises serious questions about motive.
Josephine County has seen this before. The same activist circles that removed John West last year are back again. Rather than waiting for the next election, they are using recalls to overturn results they don’t like. Disagreement over policy is not misconduct—and recalls were never meant to be political do-overs.
At the center of this recall effort is Jim Goodwin, a former county employee who voluntarily resigned and requested a severance package. The county granted what he asked for. He then signed a separation agreement—including a hold-harmless provision—before turning around to lead a recall against the very officials who approved his request. That is not conjecture; it is documented reality.
Since taking office, the commissioners have focused on stabilizing county government, improving efficiency, restoring programs, and serving the public interest. Yet recall advocates have relied on misinformation, personal attacks, and defamation instead of facts. When challenged, critics are shouted down rather than debated.
Commissioner Barnett, a military veteran with more than 33 years of service to his community, state, and nation, has been especially targeted—portrayed as an enemy rather than a public servant. That kind of rhetoric harms not only individuals, but the civic fabric of Josephine County.
This election is about more than two names on a ballot. It is about whether voters allow organized activists to repeatedly undo elections—or whether we uphold the principle that leadership is decided at the ballot box, not through perpetual recalls.
Josephine County voters: return your ballot. Drop it off or mail it in by Tuesday night. Vote NO on this baseless recall and protect the will of the people, the stability of local government, and the future of our community.

01/06/2026

Stop the Recall Madness: Let Elections Decide, Not Endless Do-Overs

Josephine County voters are once again being asked to relive the same political drama we already settled at the ballot box in 2024. Another recall. Another attempt to undo an election result. Another round of division instead of direction.
This is not how a healthy democracy is supposed to work.
Recalls were designed for serious misconduct, corruption, or incapacity—not because a small group of activists didn’t like the outcome of an election. When recalls are used as routine political weapons, they stop being accountability tools and start becoming instruments of chaos.
In 2024, voters made their choice. The election was fair, legal, and decisive. Trying to reverse that outcome through constant recalls undermines voter confidence and sends a troubling message: if you don’t like the result, just keep forcing elections until you get your way.
That’s not democracy. That’s exhaustion.
Every recall costs taxpayers money, drains county resources, distracts from governing, and keeps Josephine County stuck in political turmoil when we should be focused on public safety, roads, economic growth, and basic services. Businesses don’t invest in counties that look unstable. Families don’t thrive in communities locked in permanent political warfare.
There is a simple, fair solution: run like every other candidate.
If you believe you can do a better job, file your paperwork, campaign, debate the issues, and make your case to voters in the next regular election. That’s how the system is supposed to work. That’s how legitimacy is earned.
Endless recalls don’t strengthen democracy—they weaken it.
It’s time to stop the craziness. Respect the voters’ decision. Let elected officials do the job they were chosen to do. And when the next election comes, let the people decide again—once, fairly, and without trying to undo the past.
Vote NO on this recall.
Protect your vote. Protect stability. Stop the madness.

01/05/2026

Tuesday at 8 PM: Josephine County Voters Decide the County’s Political Future

As ballots are counted Tuesday night at 8 p.m., Josephine County voters will determine whether their local government remains on its current course or undergoes a dramatic political shift.
Supporters of the sitting Board of Commissioners argue that the ongoing recall effort is not about job performance or misconduct, but about politics. They contend the goal is to remove two conservative commissioners and open the door for left-leaning replacements—despite the commissioner positions being officially nonpartisan. While the offices are nonpartisan, candidates do file by party, and party affiliation is well known in a county that has historically voted Republican by roughly a two-to-one margin.

Critics of the recall warn that if two seats were to become vacant, the appointment process could shift away from voters and into the hands of other elected officials who lean left politically. They argue this would allow appointments that do not reflect the will of voters and could favor former county employees who were let go earlier this year as part of a countywide reorganization.

Opponents of the recall point to what they describe as a familiar pattern. One year ago, a similar recall effort successfully removed Republican Commissioner John West. Now, they say, many of the same activists and organizations are targeting Commissioners Andreas Blech and Chris Barnett—both conservative Republicans. Supporters believe removing these commissioners would allow political opponents to reshape the Board without winning a general election.

The chief petitioner behind the current recall is James Goodwin, a former county employee who voluntarily requested to resign and accepted a severance package. As part of that agreement, Goodwin signed a separation and no-retaliation clause stating he would not take actions that would harm his supervisors, county operations, or county employees. Critics of the recall argue that leading a campaign to remove the very commissioners who approved his requested severance raises serious ethical concerns and undermines the credibility of the recall effort.
Commissioner Chris Barnett was overwhelmingly elected by voters last year. Supporters note that as soon as the six-month recall eligibility window opened, recall organizers publicly stated they would move forward. They argue the timing confirms the recall was pre-planned political retaliation rather than a response to any recallable wrongdoing.
Those backing the current commissioners point to what they describe as a strong record of accomplishments over the past year, including organizational reforms, fiscal responsibility, and improved county operations. They maintain that policy disagreements and management decisions do not meet the legal or ethical standard for a recall, which is intended for serious misconduct or failure to perform official duties.

With the deadline approaching, residents across Josephine County acknowledge the stakes are high. Tuesday night’s results will determine whether voters reaffirm their last election or allow a political reshaping of county leadership through the recall process.

Supporters of the commissioners are urging citizens to return their ballots and vote NO on the recall before the 8 p.m. deadline, calling it a vote to protect stability, respect the will of voters, and prevent political retaliation from overriding democratic elections.

01/04/2026

Maduro Captured and Detained in the U.S. After Caracas Operation, Fox News Reports

NEW YORK — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is in U.S. custody after being captured during a military operation in Caracas and flown to the United States, according to Fox News and U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

Fox News reported that Maduro was detained following coordinated action targeting key security and government locations in Venezuela’s capital. The operation reportedly unfolded amid explosions and widespread disruption across Caracas, culminating in Maduro’s removal from the country under heavy security.

U.S. authorities told Fox News that Maduro is now being held at a secure federal detention facility in New York, where he is expected to face long-standing criminal charges previously filed in U.S. courts. Those charges reportedly include allegations related to narcotics trafficking, corruption, and human rights abuses.
The detention of a sitting foreign head of state marks an unprecedented escalation in U.S.–Venezuela relations and has triggered immediate global reaction. Supporters of the move describe it as a major step toward accountability after years of authoritarian rule and economic collapse in Venezuela. Critics warn the operation could destabilize the region and raise serious questions under international law.

Venezuelan officials have condemned the action, calling it a violation of national sovereignty, while regional governments and international organizations are convening emergency discussions to assess the implications for security, governance, and humanitarian conditions.
U.S. officials say further details, including court proceedings and next steps, are expected to be released in the coming days.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.

01/04/2026

01/04/2026

Missing Ballots, Old Recall Tactics, and a January 6 Deadline: What Josephine County Voters Need to Know

Breaking News: As the January 6 election approaches, a growing number of Josephine County residents report they never received their ballots—or believe their ballots may have been taken from mailboxes. County officials are urging voters not to wait.

If you have not received your ballot, you can obtain one in person at the Josephine County Clerk’s Office inside the Josephine County Courthouse. The office is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Voters must bring valid photo identification showing their current address to receive a replacement ballot.

This election is already unusual. Two sitting county commissioners are facing recall at the same time—an unprecedented situation in Josephine County. According to verified information, the same political group that organized the 2024 recall of John West is now behind the current recall effort. The former recall website used in that campaign has reportedly been repurposed for this new recall, raising concerns among residents about recycled tactics rather than new allegations.

Supporters of the commissioners argue this recall is not about misconduct or job performance, but about political disagreement and control of county governance. They say the effort is aimed at shifting Josephine County toward an employee-driven government rather than one accountable to voters.

At the center of the recall petition is former county employee James Goodwin, who voluntarily requested and accepted a severance package as part of a county reorganization. As part of that separation, Goodwin signed an agreement that included provisions intended to protect the county from harm. Critics of the recall say attempting to remove the very commissioners who approved his voluntary departure contradicts that agreement and underscores the political nature of the effort.

With the deadline fast approaching, election officials and community leaders emphasize one key message: make sure your vote is counted. If your ballot is missing, go to the Clerk’s Office, get a replacement, and return it as soon as possible.

Ballots must be turned in by January 6.
For voters who oppose the recall, the message is clear: say no to what they describe as a baseless recall, and return your ballot.

01/04/2026

The facts about the Recall...Vote NO...

Hey folks, in this episode I put two documents on the screen that were released today and walk through what they actually say, not what certain groups want y...

01/04/2026

Voters Say “Enough”: Thousands Reject Recall, Choose Stability and Progress

Josephine County- Josephine County voters are sending a clear message: they are done with constant recalls, negativity, and political disruption.

With thousands of ballots already returned, a growing number of citizens are voting NO on the recall, saying it’s time to let elected commissioners do the job they were chosen to do.

Residents across the county say recall efforts have crossed a line—from accountability into distraction. Many describe the recalls as driven by activists unhappy with policy decisions rather than any proven misconduct.

“Elections are where disagreements belong,” said one voter. “Recalls should be reserved for real corruption, not because someone didn’t like a decision.”
Supporters of a NO vote point to tangible progress: restored public safety funding, improved county operations, long-term planning, and steady leadership during challenging times. They argue that constant recall attempts create instability, drain public resources, and prevent county government from focusing on results.
Others say the negative tone has worn thin.
“People are tired of the anger and division,” another voter shared. “We want professionalism, not perpetual chaos.”

As ballots continue to arrive, momentum appears to be shifting toward unity and stability. For many voters, this recall isn’t about personalities—it’s about protecting the democratic process and allowing elected officials to govern without nonstop political warfare.

The message from voters is simple:
✔ Stop the distractions
✔ Respect election results
✔ Move Josephine County forward
Ballots must be returned by January 6.
A NO on the recall vote is being framed by many as a vote for stability, progress, and putting the county back to work.

01/04/2026

Big thanks to Chris DeBerry, Clara Welles, Ryan Hoge, Fawn Loomis-Dapper, Christian Abolitionist

for all your support! Congrats for being top fans on a streak 🔥!

01/03/2026

BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Nicolás Maduro CAPTURED AFTER ATTACK ON CARACAS

Caracas was rocked overnight by coordinated military strikes targeting key infrastructure and security locations across Venezuela’s capital. Explosions and air activity were reported in multiple districts as chaos unfolded in the early morning hours.

U.S. officials have now confirmed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured during the operation, along with his wife, and removed from the country. According to official statements, Maduro is being transported to face long-standing criminal charges tied to narco-terrorism, corruption, and human rights abuses.
The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency, while international leaders scramble to respond to what is being described as one of the most significant geopolitical events in decades. Supporters of the operation are calling it a turning point for the Venezuelan people after years of economic collapse and authoritarian rule. Critics warn of regional instability and retaliation.

Markets are reacting, borders are tightening, and emergency meetings are underway at the United Nations.

This story is still developing.