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.
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…
Cherriots gets federal boost for more electric buses
A first round of electric buses are close to hitting the streets, while new federal money will allow Cherriots to buy five more.
Salem will spend millions fixing roads this summer. Here’s how it works.
From potholes to cracks in the sidewalk, here's a guide to requesting repairs in your neighborhood, and a look at where crews will be in the coming months.
Taller buildings in Fairmount area get a thumbs down from city council
On Monday, the Salem City Council heard from dozens of residents opposing zone changes that would have allowed for taller buildings in the South Central Association of Neighbors. In the end, they rejected the ordinance in a narrow 5-4 vote.
Salem business leaders oppose city plan to tax workers without a vote
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce has asked that the Salem City Council take a proposed payroll tax to the voters in November, while the statewide chamber opposes the tax entirely.