The new branches will be the credit union's first in the mid-Willamette Valley and will be located in Keizer and west Salem.

Farmers, ranchers, nursery owners and farm labor contractors slowed traffic in both directions along 17th Street Wednesday as they lined up early to pick up masks and sanitizer.

Jim Sellers, former Oregon journalist and state agency employee, is now writing a regular column to help thousands in Salem deal with the confusing world of Medicare and federal benefits. He's available to answer your questions.

While still seeing a dizzying increase, Salem fared relatively well compared to other parts of the state. But no industry in the area was spared job losses.

Like most public agencies, Chemeketa Community College is bracing for a multimillion dollar budget hit as state revenue plummets. College President Jessica Howard said she's working to trim costs now, but more layoffs are on the table.

Salem City Council voted on Tuesday to make the funds available for businesses that are struggling due to COVID-19 closures but some of that money won’t be available until July.

COMMENTARY: As evidence mounted that Marion County was seeing unusual patterns of coronavirus infections, Salem Reporter turned its news team to find out why. Here's how we put that story together and why such investigative journalism is important for Salem. You can help our work going forward.

The unemployment rate for the Salem area follows the sharp rise in unemployment at the state and national levels after it lost 23,300 jobs in one month.

With help from a Portland firm, Salem city officials are considering what's needed to preserve and enhance two of Salem's most beloved parks, Bush's Pasture and Deepwood.

The decision by a judge in Baker County means the state's highest court will determine if the governor overstepped her legal authority with restrictions that have disrupted much of daily life. A group of churches from across the state has brought a legal challenge arguing the restrictions violate their right to hold religious services.

PHOTOS: A truckload of fresh produce hit Salem recently, and helpers quickly sent the boxes on their way to distribution points to help families. Demand for food grows as unemployment persists across the community.

Don't worry - that stack of unread books you checked out of the library in early March won't be due until at least July 1.

Box by box, local organizations are seeing that Salem-area families get fresh produce to bolster food giveaways. In April, Marion Polk Food Share handed out one million pounds of food, a record.

Superintendent Christy Perry is pushing ahead with a Salem-Keizer schools budget developed before the pandemic crashed state revenue, hoping the Oregon Legislature will keep the state school fund whole during an expected special session.

VIDEO: Marlene Blanchard was on hand Friday, May 22, chatting as usual with her regulars at the Court Street Dairy Lunch. For the first time in two months, she could have customers sit down to eat - though limitations were in place.

The state's top education official said schools in most communities across Oregon can open in the fall - but limits will be in place. Challenges for staffing, money and bus service are ahead, educators say.

After a slate of progressive candidates won election Tuesday, some believe it’s a bellwether for what Salem wants. One candidate believes future hopefuls can move even further to the left.

Mask are part of the drill for drivers and riders as Cherriots "essential" trips remain the rule. The mass transit district uses tape, disinfectant and rider limits to reduce coronavirus risk.

PHOTOS: What Salem looked like as state restrictions ease, and you can go out for dinner once again.

In real estate, agents work in a high-touch industry filled with handshakes, car trips and home visits. Salem agents didn't shut down their offices due to COVID-19, but their work definitely changed.

On Friday, Salem emerged from a sort of long sleep as businesses that had been shuttered or restricted for two months could serve customers more fully. But new rules were in place and adaptations were evident across the city.

Oregon Health Authority this week released five indicators they're tracking for each county as restaurants and gyms reopen. None of Oregon's largest counties are yet meeting all of them.

Shoppers can still look for fresh produce or flowers at the Thursday West Salem Farmer's Market and on Saturday's at the Salem Saturday Market but expect booths to be limited to two people.

The university is cutting costs to make up for revenue lost from events and dorm fees, and to increase the financial aid budget for the fall.

The Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency received millions in funding to help those who have been impacted by the coronavirus and are struggling to pay electric bills or rent.

Local unemployment claims followed the state's downward trajectory. While the numbers may signal that the economic damage inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic is waning, they came during a week of gloomy economic news. More is likely on the horizon.

The death is the first of its kind to be reported by the Oregon Department of Corrections. While the department has taken steps to reduce the spread of the virus in the state’s prison system, a civil rights group said more needs to be done.

Three Salem-Keizer middle schools are getting new principals in the fall of 2020, and Houck will see an entirely new administration to usher in changes.

Under Marion County and Polk County’s phased opening plans, businesses must space out seating, maintain distancing and rigorously clean. Gov. Kate Brown approved the plan on Wednesday – a week after most counties got their green lights.

Disability Rights Oregon wrote letters to the Salem City Council and Mayor Chuck Bennett Tuesday condemning the council’s actions to prohibit gatherings on sidewalks during the health crisis. Bennett said they have it wrong and are relying on hearsay.