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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026

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Rev. Jesse Jackson, Architect of Modern Civil Rights Politics, Dies at 84 By John Oliver The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the longtime civil rights leader who carried the movement forward after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and reshaped American political life in the decades that followed, has died at the age of 84. For more than half a century, Jackson stood at the intersection of protest and politics, faith and public policy, pushing the nation to confront inequality while building coalitions that expanded the reach of American democracy. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1941, Jackson rose from the segregated South to become one of the most recognizable figures in American public life. As a young minister and activist, he joined King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference and quickly became part of the inner circle of the modern Civil Rights Movement. He was present in Memphis in 1968 when King was assassinated, a moment that would mark the end of one era and the beginning of another. In the years that followed, Jackson emerged as one of the most visible heirs to King’s unfinished work. Unlike many leaders who focused solely on protest, Jackson combined street-level activism with direct engagement in corporate boardrooms and electoral politics. Through Operation Breadbasket and later the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he pressed major corporations to hire more Black executives, contract

THE REV. JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS ON A RADIO BROADCAST FROM THE HEADQUARTERS OF OPERATION PUSH, AT ITS ANNUAL CONVENTION. July 1973. John H. White, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

with minority-owned businesses, and invest in underserved communities. These campaigns expanded the concept of civil rights beyond voting access and public accommodations to include economic participation and corporate accountability. Jackson’s influence extended beyond advocacy into national politics. In 1984 and again in 1988, he sought the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party. His campaigns broke barriers, mobilized millions of

new voters, and demonstrated that a Black candidate could build a broad, multiracial coalition on a national stage. In 1988, he won several state primaries and caucuses and finished second in the delegate count. Although he did not secure the nomination, his campaigns altered the trajectory of American politics, laying groundwork for future candidates and expanding participation within the party. Jackson’s political activism was rooted in a theology that blended faith with social action.

As a Baptist minister, he framed civil rights not merely as a policy debate but as a moral imperative. His speeches, often delivered with rhythmic cadence and repetition, became a defining feature of rallies and conventions. He called for economic justice, expanded voting rights, educational opportunity, and an end to racial discrimination, while also addressing poverty and international human rights issues. Over time, Jackson became a diplomatic fig-

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Winter Storm Warning in Effect for Southern Oregon Snow Targets Valley Floors and Mountain Passes

By John Oliver Southern Oregon residents are being urged to remain alert this week as a Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory remain in effect across portions of Josephine and eastern Curry counties. The current alert, issued by the National Weather Service, runs through 10:00 a.m. Thursday and covers both lower elevations and higher terrain, with varying impacts depending on elevation. Communities below 1,500 feet, including Grants Pass, Wilderville, Merlin, Galice and Agness, are under a Winter Weather Advisory. Forecasters are calling for wet snow accumulations ranging from two to four inches in these lower elevations. While that amount may not seem extreme, even a few inches of snow in the Rogue and Illinois valleys can create hazardous road conditions, particularly during overnight and early morning hours when temperatures dip to or below freezing. Above 1,500 feet, a Winter Storm Warning is in place, signaling more significant impacts. Mountain communities such as Cave Junction, O’Brien, Selma and Wolf Creek are

expected to see heavier snowfall totals ranging from four to eight inches in some passes, and between six and twelve inches in parts of the southern Illinois Valley. The Kalmiopsis Wilderness region could receive up to two feet of snow. Mountain passes including Sexton Pass, Smith Hill and Stage Pass on Interstate 5, along with Hayes Hill on Highway 199 and Bear Camp Road, are expected to be especially difficult, and at times dangerous, for travel. Forecasters indicate that occasional snow showers will continue through Wednesday, with additional accumulations possible Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Trav-

el conditions may deteriorate rapidly in heavier bursts of snowfall, especially during the evening commute and early morning hours. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time, carry chains where required, and prepare for sudden changes in visibility and traction. T emperatures throughout the week are expected to remain chilly, with daytime highs generally in the mid to upper 40s and nighttime lows hovering near or below freezing. That combination increases the likelihood of refreezing overnight, creating slick spots even after precipitation tapers off. While valley residents may see a transition between snow and rain at times, higher

elevations are likely to remain predominantly snow. This elevation-dependent pattern is typical for southern Oregon storms but can catch motorists off guard when traveling between communities at different altitudes within a short distance. Officials recommend that residents monitor local forecasts closely and check road conditions before traveling. Those who must drive in affected areas should keep emergency supplies in their vehicles, including extra food, water, blankets and a flashlight. Updated road information is available through Oregon’s 511 system and TripCheck. Southern Oregon is no stranger to winter weather, but this system carries the potential for disruptive travel and localized impacts. With snow forecast in both valley floors and mountain corridors, residents are encouraged to stay informed and remain prepared as the storm progresses through midweek.