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.
Community gun violence meeting Friday to focus on impact to Salem’s homeless community
A public forum on Friday, July 19, will ask community members to share their concerns and experiences with gun violence in Salem. The event, part of the city’s Community Violence Reduction Initiative, will focus on how the issue impacts families and Salem’s unsheltered community.
Salem drag community celebrates art, history at new exhibit
“The Art of Drag,” exhibit at the Salem Art Association celebrates the work and history of local drag performers, who see the medium as a lifeline. The exhibit will be on display through August, and will have accompanying live performances.
Salem events from July 10-17: County fair, comedy, history tour
Events in Salem this week include a free outdoor showing of “Barbie” at Riverfront Park and comedy from Colin Jost of “Saturday Night Live” at Elsinore Theatre.
Record-breaking heat wave to last through Tuesday
Salem’s triple-digit highs have broken records set in 1945 and 1960. No suspected heat-related deaths have been reported in Marion County.
Volunteers breathe life into rural farmstead sharing three generations of Polk County history
Volunteers at the Brunk Farmstead have spent months meandering their way through a historical treasure hunt. Christy Short, the new head docent of the museum just outside West Salem, has lined up some of her favorite finds on the mantle…
Volunteers to paint new Grant neighborhood street murals over Fourth of July weekend
The Grant Neighborhood Association will be the first in the city to paint multiple street murals since the 2022 launch of Salem’s program.
What to do if you lose, or find, a stray pet in Salem this holiday weekend
Loud fireworks on the Fourth of July means it’s typically Marion County Dog Services’ busiest week of the year. Here are pet safety resources and lost and found forums in the Salem area.
What’s showing at Salem galleries, museums in July
Galleries and museums in Salem will share the history of the drag community in the Willamette Valley, work from dozens of photographers and wood-fire ceramics.
What the Supreme Court’s Grants Pass ruling means for Salem
Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, which says cities can ban homeless people from sleeping outside, won’t cause any immediate changes in Salem. But advocates say the ruling will likely increase pressure on the state to provide more services, and to give cities more room to criminalize people who are homeless.
Revenue task force recommends boosting city property, income taxes
The city’s revenue task force has spent months evaluating ways to bring money into Salem to pay for its services. Its recommendations, finalized Wednesday, include a levy which could pay for the library and a personal income tax paired with tax reform.