Your Friday evening update on Salem news

Good evening, Salem.

In the basement of Salem’s Macy’s, a steam boiler heats thousands of square feet, fed by an intricate system of vents described in a typewritten list from the 1950s that’s still mounted on the wall.

Western University of Health Sciences Lebanon Oregon

A rack of keys hanging in the boiler room inside the vacant Macy’s in downtown Salem on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Alan Cohen/Salem Reporter)

Our journalists recently got a tour of the now-closed department store, which local owners are working to revitalize.

You can see more photos of the store in our walk-through below. We’ll keep you posted on what’s planned for downtown.

Here’s some of our latest news. Catch all of our reports anytime on our website.

www.salemreporter.com

Peek inside Salem’s shuttered Macy’s as local owners prepare for next chapter

With Macy’s stripped of its wares, pieces of the original 1955 Meier & Frank store are more visible, including wallpaper in a former beauty salon and handwritten maintenance logs for…

www.salemreporter.com

World-famous conservationist Jane Goodall brings hope to Salem

Iconic conservationist Jane Goodall spread a message of hope during a speech Thursday evening at Salem’s Elsinore Theater. After telling her inspiring life story to the packed theater, she shared…

www.salemreporter.com

What to do in Salem from April 10-16: Junk Hunt, ballet, live music

Events this week include a large vintage sale at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, the world premiere of a ballet, roller derby and the 2nd Friday Céilí.

www.salemreporter.com

Ballet inspired by Mayan folklore will bring hoverboards, imagination to Salem Sunday

A new ballet performed by Rainbow Dance Theater and Salem Symphonic Winds will use electric scooters called hoverboards in its worldwide premiere in Salem Sunday.

www.salemreporter.com

Oregon voter registration errors began years earlier than DMV officials acknowledged

A new report found 118 Oregon voter registration errors, most between 2010 and 2023.

www.salemreporter.com

Four upcoming budget committee meetings provide public chance to weigh in on cuts

Next Wednesday the Salem city budget committee will reconvene at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers to resume budget discussions in preparation for the next fiscal year. The city…

TAX LEVY TOWN HALL TICKETS – GET THEM NOW

Salem Reporter’s Town Hall on Taxes will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the Elsinore Theatre.

A panel of experts will explain and explore the city of Salem’s tax levy, on the May 20 ballot. The team at Salem Reporter invites you to join us for an extraordinary evening.

DATE/TIME: 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 15. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

PROGRAM: 90 minutes with Irvin Brown, Salem city councilor; Josh Eggelston, the city’s chief finance officer; and Tom Hoffert, chief executive officer, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.

LOCATION: Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. S.E.

TICKETS: Free online

NOTE: Tickets are needed so Elsinore staff can plan for audience size.

SEE LOCAL EVENTS: Our new events calendar lets you browse what’s happening in Salem – completely free. Want to submit an upcoming event? You can do that here.

TIP US TO NEWS: We welcome your tips about possible Salem stories – a community event, a local resident doing something extraordinary, a government action that needs investigating. Send your information, ideas or questions to our editor, Les Zaitz, at [email protected].

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Peek inside Salem’s shuttered Macy’s as local owners prepare for next chapter

World-famous conservationist Jane Goodall brings hope to Salem

What to do in Salem from April 10-16: Junk Hunt, ballet, live music

Ballet inspired by Mayan folklore will bring hoverboards, imagination to Salem Sunday

Oregon voter registration errors began years earlier than DMV officials acknowledged

Four upcoming budget committee meetings provide public chance to weigh in on cuts

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