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.
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.
As local governments sharpen focus on Wallace Marine Park, residents worry about a lack of options
For the first time, Marion County, Polk County and the city of Salem are meeting to discuss a joint plan to address camping at Wallace Marine Park. Though the park is in Polk County, Marion County commissioners say the problems are significant enough to merit a regional response.
PacificSource Medicaid patients warned they may lose coverage at Salem Health Jan. 1
As of Tuesday, PacificSource Community Solutions and Salem Health had not reached an agreement for in-network coverage for thousands of Salem Residents on the Oregon Health Plan for 2026. The parties announced earlier this week that they’d agreed on coverage for PacificSource patients with commercial insurance or Medicare.
What’s showing at Salem galleries, museums in December
Tiny paintings, fiber arts and an annual community show featuring the color red are among the exhibitions at local galleries this month.
Emergency shelters seek volunteers ahead of winter weather
Salem’s emergency warming shelters are seeking dozens of volunteers to help provide life-saving protection from the elements in the winter months.