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.
Downtown warming shelter to open Monday, Tuesday night
In response to below-freezing weather, The ARCHES Day Center at 615 Commercial St. N.E. will be open for adults from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday and Tuesday night and will open its parking lot for family car campers.
TOP STORIES: Sentenced to the Sidewalk, health care challenges
Reporter Abbey McDonald shares insights on her top stories from 2025.
UPDATE: Christmas Eve wind storm expected to be less severe
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory throughout the day on Wednesday, Dec. 24, with gusts expected to reach up to 55 mph. On Tuesday, the city of Salem said that last week’s storm may impact the taste of drinking water, with Salem needing to pull from Keizer’s water sources.
UPDATE: Mill Creek floodwater closes roads, dozens without power Friday afternoon
UPDATE: The level 1 flood evacuation, warning residents near Mill and Pringle creeks to be ready to evacuate, remained active as of Friday afternoon. Several southeast Salem roads are closed, and CASA of Marion County seeks volunteers to help manage a flooded basement.
Salem-area organizers opt to skip unsheltered homeless count this year
Due to better methodology and rising costs of living, last year’s unsheltered Point-in-Time count measured a record number of people living on Salem’s streets. The Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance won’t be conducting a count this year due to a lack of staff availability in the region.
Federal funding for Salem-area homeless services in limbo after HUD withdraws controversial policy
After getting sued by 20 states including Oregon for its plan to shift nationwide homeless policy, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development temporarily pulled guidelines for distributing money to homeless shelters that prioritized those that require people to work and be sober before getting housing. Salem-area providers don’t know when applications will be due, or what will be asked of them.
Northwest Human Services balances optimism, realism while preparing for influx of Medicaid patients
Northwest Human Services plans to take on 2,500 additional Medicaid patients from Salem Clinic after the clinic and PacificSource failed to agree on a new contract.
5 things to do in Salem this week: Free gift swap, new plays, holiday market
This week in Salem, the Oregon State Fairgrounds Holiday Market returns, and Willamette University will show five new, short holiday-themed plays by local writers.
5 things to know: Local governments zero in on Wallace Marine as residents worry about options
Last week, Salem Reporter published a report featuring the perspectives of Wallace Marine Park residents and local elected officials, health care workers and law enforcement who work there. The park will be the center stage for a new collaborative effort to address homelessness from Marion County, Polk County and the city of Salem.
City closes Woodmansee Park lot due to flooding; wind advisory in place
This week’s forecast predicts that up to 2.75 inches of rain will fall in Salem by Wednesday, and high winds may knock over trees.