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.
This July was Salem’s hottest ever
Climate change fueled an early July heat wave leading to one of the worst fire seasons in the state, climate experts said.
What’s showing at Salem galleries, museums in August
Exhibits in Salem this month include abstract paintings, portraits from Oaxaca and landscapes from local parks.
As Salem’s homeless services grow quickly, disagreements emerge on overhead spending
A regional government agency that oversees homeless services in Marion and Polk counties is hiring more employees with an influx of state and federal money, prompting discussions about what the future of the agency should look like.
Salem events from Aug. 1-7: Riverfront Family Fest, car shows
Events in Salem for the first week of August include a free family health clinic, local theater performances and a film festival of curated cat videos.
Half of city navigation center residents moved into permanent housing, report says
In its first year of operation, 54 residents at Salem’s navigation center were able to move into housing within months, according to a new annual report from operators. It’s a higher success rate than other local shelter programs, but funding for the center currently runs out in June 2025.
Developers break ground on secure behavioral health facility in east Salem
A new 16-bed behavioral health facility in east Salem is expected to open next summer. It will serve patients often caught in a cycle of homelessness, incarceration and hospital visits, organizers said.
Salem micro shelters secure millions from state to stay open
Church at the Park announced Wednesday that all three of its Salem micro shelter sites, hosting 250 people, will remain open at least another year using state grants.
Seventh, presumed eighth case of measles diagnosed in Marion County
Two more unvaccinated children in Marion County are showing symptoms of measles, health officials said Wednesday. One case has been confirmed through testing, and the other lives with someone else who was diagnosed with measles.
Peek inside the Oregon State Capitol as crews work to finish new foundation
The home to Oregon’s state Legislature, and perch for the Gold Man, will see major steps to finish its foundation this week. The multi-year project includes major seismic retrofitting on the historic building weighing 160 million pounds.
Unsheltered Salemites report frequent discrimination, annual city survey finds
Salem’s 2024 community belonging survey looked at where and how often people experience discrimination in Salem, and their comfort level reporting bias crimes to the Salem Police Department.