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.
Punk, ska and organic vegetables: MIG Fest returns
This Saturday, a Salem-grown punk and ska music festival will bring a range of voices to the main stage at Minto Island Growers.
Salem councilors explain their votes for and against the payroll tax
Salem Reporter sent each Salem city councilor a set of questions about their vote on the payroll tax, with topics from the public comment process, their reasoning and the matter of a citywide vote. Here are their responses.
Oregon business group seeks to force public vote on Salem wage tax
Oregon Business & Industry on Friday filed a referendum petition to refer a payroll tax to Salem voters after the city council narrowly approved it July 10.
ART: July’s artist exhibitions in Salem
This month, exhibits in Salem include a showcase of stone sculptures and celebrations of the Pacific Northwest.
Avelo will begin flying from Salem to Las Vegas, Los Angeles in October
A budget airline carrier will begin twice weekly flights out of Salem in October following a years-long effort to bring commercial air service back to the city.
YOUR GOVERNMENT: Council to consider new tax on worker paychecks
The Salem City Council meets Monday, July 10, to hold a public hearing and vote on the proposed payroll tax which would affect those who earn a paycheck in Salem. The agenda also includes a motion to reconsider zoning changes in the SCAN neighborhood that the council rejected in June.
Answers to your questions about Salem’s proposed tax on worker paychecks
Salem City Council will decide on Monday, July 10, whether to impose a new tax on workers within the city — even those who live elsewhere. Salem Reporter breaks down what it means for you, and how to weigh in.
What happens when you call Salem’s new customer service line
If you call the city of Salem with a question, there’s a good chance Veronica Rodriquez might pick up. Salem Reporter spent an hour with her at the city’s new customer service center, which now fields citywide requests from public works to police reports.
New west Salem mural celebrates neighbors
Over the weekend, dozens of neighbors joined local artists to paint a new street mural in west Salem. The design celebrates the people and natural beauty of the neighborhood.
REPORTER’S COLUMN: What I learned from talking to Salemites about a proposed tax on their paychecks
Many attendees who passed Salem Reporter’s booth at the Salem Saturday Market over the weekend paused a good distance away, squinting to read the signs before mouthing “payroll tax?” Some shrugged, some shook their heads and others approached the booth…