Abbey McDonald
Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
Thursday evening fire burns Southeast Salem home, displacing 3 residents and pets
Three adults and their pets were displaced from a home off Southeast Sunnyside Road after a devastating fire Thursday evening.
What to do in Salem from May 8-14: Mother’s Day, walk in the park
Events in Salem this week include a community walk to the park, a kids clothing swap and a Mother’s Day comedy show.
City plans to pull funding from safe parking, warming shelters
The city’s proposed budget would pull some of its last remaining annual investments into homeless services, which have supported safe parking options and warm shelter on freezing nights for hundreds in the community. The programs plan to turn to state funding.
New apartments for refugees, low-income families open in NE Salem
This week, families will begin moving into Blossom Gardens, Salem’s latest affordable housing complex which aims to give refugees from around the world a place to settle and build community.
Record number of homeless people counted in Marion, Polk counties
An annual count which attempts to measure the number of people experiencing homelessness in the region counted over 2,100 people, and nearly half said they were homeless for the first time in their lives.
What’s showing at Salem galleries, museums in May
New exhibitions on display this month include a showcase of local photography, a multi-medium celebration of flowers and partially concealed portraits.
Timeline: How Salem’s city government got to its current budget crisis
City leaders have spent years warning of an impending budget cliff, studying the issue and proposing ways to raise money to keep police, fire, the library and parks operating at current levels. Here’s a timeline of their efforts over the past seven years.
Salem Housing Authority pulls out of homeless outreach effort due to limited budget
For the past eight years, the Salem Housing Authority has helped unsheltered people move into permanent housing. Following budget cuts, they’ll pivot to focusing on keeping people housed, leaving homeless outreach work to other agencies in the network they helped build.
Sentenced to the Sidewalk: 4 takeaways from our series
A lengthy investigation by Salem Reporter led to publication recently of a three-part series on flaws in Oregon’s civil commitment process. Here are the key findings.
Salem Hospital shares behind-the-scenes look at emergency care
Doctors and nurses in Salem Hospital’s emergency department shared stories about how Salem’s growing and aging population has changed the landscape of trauma care for the region during a Tuesday presentation to community leaders.