Hailey Cook
Hailey Cook covers healthcare for Salem Reporter, from the city’s only hospital to local outlooks on health insurance coverage. She joined the newsroom in 2025, following the completion of an internship through the University of Oregon’s Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism. She also works as a photojournalist, capturing community events, government meetings and other gatherings.
Plans in motion to found Salem’s first LGBTQ+ center
Several local LGBTQ+ groups are coming together to kickstart fundraising at an event Saturday, Dec. 13, to put towards establishing a dedicated queer center in downtown Salem.
PHOTOS: The Grinch makes nice with Salem Whos during green pancake breakfast
Over a thousand people attended the fourth annual Pancakes with the Grinch event Saturday, hosted by Bridges Oregon. The breakfast was staffed by volunteer American Sign Language interpreters, making it accessible for all children.
Approaching heavy rain triggers weeklong flood watch for Salem
The Willamette Valley could get two to seven inches of rain between Monday and Wednesday as officials post a weeklong flood watch spanning Monday to Friday.
Oregon Capitol nears a full open after decade-long construction project
Hundreds of millions of dollars, thousands of workers and ten years went into the Capitol building’s long-awaited transformation, which will finally finish in early 2026.
New vintage toy store opens in Salem after months of anticipation
Subatomic Vintage Toys opened Wednesday morning, after a little over a year of hiding thousands of toys behind a glass door covered in cardboard. The store sells vintage toys from Star Wars, Barbie, Hot Wheels and more.
PHOTOS: Tallest-ever tree shines in Capitol during annual ceremony
The Oregon Capitol’s tallest Christmas tree was aglow Tuesday evening in the rotunda during the annual lighting ceremony.
Salem holiday parade returns for fourth year with snowball fights, hot cocoa and Santa
Thousands will converge on Salem’s downtown streets this Friday for the fourth annual holiday parade, alongside Santa Claus and Buddy the Elf, a day before Small Business Saturday.
Local Vietnam veterans deliver 250 Thanksgiving meals
The local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter delivered a record-breaking 250 Thanksgiving meal kits on Nov. 21 to fellow veterans across the mid-Willamette Valley.
PHOTOS: Salem Soup Squad volunteers feed dozens of unsheltered people, pets at Wallace Marine Park
Salem Soup Squad volunteers fed dozens of homeless people at Wallace Marine Park on Monday afternoon, serving up chili, hot dogs, pizza and other food.
Where to find a free Thanksgiving meal in Salem and Keizer
A number of local churches, shelters and other organizations are offering free Thanksgiving meals this week.