Abbey McDonald
Senior Reporter Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022, where she covers homelessness and housing. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
In a packed courtroom, Polk County celebrates a child’s return home
Friends and family of Kammi Murray and Jordan Hoover filled a Polk County courtroom on Tuesday, July 7 to celebrate the couple’s graduation from Family Recovery Court. The program brings together case workers, service providers, lawyers and a judge to help families navigate housing and substance use treatment in order to regain custody of their children.
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FEMA, DHS say Salem aims to ‘obstruct President Trump’s agenda’ with lawsuit
In response to the city of Salem’s lawsuit claiming that the White House has illegally imposed its political agenda against immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion, spokespeople for federal agencies named in the lawsuit said it “is another attempt to obstruct President Trump’s agenda and the will of the American people.”
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UPDATE: 5 injured by northeast Salem fireworks explosion
Late Saturday night, on the Fourth of July, an explosion of illegal fireworks injured five people on a northeast Salem street. Neighbors recalled seeing people lying on the ground in the aftermath, surrounded by glass from broken car windows. The victims are in stable condition as of Sunday afternoon.
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City of Salem sues FEMA, DHS, citing federal overreach in disaster relief funding
In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, the city of Salem said conditions within federal grants providing critical money to repair damages from the 2025 winter flood include unlawful terms limiting local diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
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5 things to do in Salem this week: Marion Berries fireworks, ‘Mean Girls the Musical’
This week in Salem, the Marion Berries baseball team will play against the Portland Pickles at home, a new outdoor market will open downtown and Chemeketa Community College’s production of “Mean Girls the Musical” will show at Riverfront Park.
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5 exhibits to see at Salem’s galleries, museums in July
This month, local artists will share their interpretations of America’s 250th anniversary, and the Salem Art Association will showcase ceramics and sketches by studio artist Mya Cluff.
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Church at the Park expansion to give dozens of unsheltered seniors a place to rest
On Thursday, June 25, Church at the Park celebrated the completion of its Village of Hope microshelter expansion, which added 35 beds and increased accessibility to the central Salem site. The project aims to get more people off a waitlist of 3,000 people, amid rising rates of senior homelessness.
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World Beat Festival to celebrate the vibrant cultures of the Pacific Islands
This year’s World Beat Festival, running Friday, June 26, through Sunday, June 28, at Riverfront Park will feature fire dancers, dragon boat races and food from around the world. The festival has lower prices this year, and new food and vendors to explore.
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Hoy, business leaders pull out of effort to make it easier to sweep homeless encampments
A statewide petition led by Salem Mayor Julie Hoy sought to repeal a state law that requires cities and counties to be “objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner,” when clearing a homeless encampment from a public place. After state officials required the petition’s backers to change the ballot's title and description, they dropped the effort.
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East Salem church site to continue legacy of service through affordable housing, food pantry
Despite having a congregation that has dwindled to fewer than 20 people, the Trinity United Methodist Church in east Salem is known for running the busiest food bank in the city. Faced with imminent closure, the congregation turned to the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency. After selling the property to the agency, the church will stay open, the food bank will expand and Salem will get over 100 more affordable apartments.
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