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.
Some south Salem voters to receive supplemental ballots after error
Twenty voters on Southeast Devon Avenue in Salem will be receiving supplemental ballots after an error led to their original ballots leaving out the chance to vote on three city races, the Marion County Clerk’s office announced Tuesday.
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At 7, she helped save Salem’s library. She’s just getting started
Salem third-grader Zoey Harper’s public speaking skills were instrumental to the effort to pass a tax measure that prevented deep library cuts in 2025. Now, she’s hosted a candidate forum and posed questions to elected officials. She has no plans of slowing down.
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5 exhibits to see at Salem’s galleries, museums in May
In May, exhibits in Salem will share work from local photographers and a first-of-its kind celebration of local Jewish painters, poets and performers.
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VOTE 2026: Meet your candidates for Polk County Commissioner, position 3
There's a four-way race for Polk County Board of Commissioners Position 3 in the May primary. Incumbent Jeremy Gordon is running for reelection. His opponents include Dallas City Councilor Carlos Barrientos, Salem business owner Mark Gordon Adams and Polk County Treasurer Steve Milligan.
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VOTE 2026: Meet your candidates for Salem City Council Ward 2
Council President Linda Nishioka, a retired department director at Willamette Ear, Nose and Throat, is seeking a second term representing south central Salem. Her challenger is Manny Martinez, a political newcomer and small business owner.
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Marion County officials suggest unsolved murders, buried victims mar Wallace Marine Park
Marion County officials pushed to shut down homeless camping in Wallace Marine Park by spooling out graphic accounts of crime. They cited an unknown witness to claim murder victims were buried in the park soil. A Salem Reporter investigation established the county can’t back up that claim.
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Marion County Health & Human Services leaders abruptly depart under unclear circumstances
Ryan Matthews, Marion County’s Health & Human Services administrator, and Deputy Director Katrina Griffith are no longer working for the county as of Wednesday, April 22, according to an email to staff obtained by Salem Reporter. It did not clarify the circumstances of their departure.
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Cherriots seeks community input on new east Salem transit hub
Along with an online survey, Cherriots is hosting an open house from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, to learn more about what the community wants from the planned east Salem transit center. The current center, by Chemeketa Community College, is the second most-used by riders in the district.
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Railroad officials say trains won’t regularly block Minto-Brown crossing
Reports in recent days of trains blocking the sole entrance and exit to most of Minto-Brown Island Park for extended periods were due to a few unusually long shipments, railroad officials said.
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How Salem’s representative in Congress works with families impacted by ICE
Families impacted by federal immigration enforcement are often told to call their congressional representatives for help. Rep. Andrea Salinas and her deputy district director shared what happens in their office after they pick up the phone.
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