PHOTO GALLERY: Highland Elementary, one of Salem's oldest schools, has seen relatively stable staffing and programs compared to other high-poverty schools in the district. Take a look inside the classroom.

The Homeless Rental Assistance Program would see its city funds halved, while the city would no longer earmark $250,000 for a proposed sobering center. Budget meetings start in May and Salem City Council will adopt a final budget in June.

Elderly inmates are the fastest-growing segment of the state’s prison population, but the state has few prison facilities equipped for geriatric care.

A federal magistrate on Thursday concluded no jury would have convicted Frank Gable of murdering Michael Francke in 1989 in light of new evidence. The state has been ordered to free Gable from prison or try him again within 90 days.

On Thursday, Gov. Brown announced her executive order giving her and her staff much more control and influence over the Department of Human Services’ Child Welfare division.

From the breakfast line and morning assembly to classrooms and an energetic principal, take a look inside Hallman Elementary.

As more criminal charges against Seth Thayres came to light, and after spending more than two weeks in jail, the former Salem police officer fled east. He said he would return if the charges are dismissed.

Nearly a decade ago, the state ranked Hallman among the bottom 5% of high-poverty schools in Oregon - the only elementary school to make the list. A $3 million federal grant helped Hallman improve, but continued a trend of high turnover among principals. Now, Jessica Brenden is trying to guide the school to greater achievement.

Four Corners has been one of Salem-Keizer's most challenged schools, serving many kids who are in foster care, don't have stable housing or are otherwise struggling. Take a look inside as part of our special report on the quest to boost achievement in high-poverty schools.

The Chemeketa Community College board meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17.

Four Corners has spent most of the past decade on Oregon's list of schools most needing to improve. Bilingual principal Phil Decker has for years pushed the district for better resources for Spanish-speaking students and worked to gather data on literacy so each student gets the help they need.

This week, we're publishing "Nine Into Six," a five-part series on the challenges Salem's high-poverty schools face getting kids who start kindergarten behind their peers across Oregon on track for middle school. Reporter Rachel Alexander takes you behind the scenes to share how this series came about and where we got our data.

The Polk County Commission meets 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 17.

If it were pass the House, the bill would be the most comprehensive reform to Oregon's mandatory minimum sentencing law to date.

Julia Brim-Edwards, who'd clashed with the former officeholder, says Bev Clarno is ready to lead