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.
Former Salem pizzeria owner ordered to pay $96k in felony tax evasion case
The former owner of Donatello’s Pizza in Salem was ordered to pay the state more than $90,000 in back taxes and penalties after pleading guilty to three counts of tax evasion in Marion County Circuit Court.
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5 things to do in Salem this week: Nighttime cherry blossoms, Pentacle Theatre musical, Salem Center egg hunt
Events in Salem this week include the annual nighttime viewing of the Oregon Capitol cherry blossoms, showings of Pentacle Theatre’s Something Rotten! musical and an Easter egg hunt and market at the Salem Center.
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Salem Health spent $162 million in 2024 on subsidized care, other community programs
New state data shows Salem’s only hospital spent more than state law requires on health care services benefitting the community in 2024. The bulk of the money went to cover costs for Oregon Health Plan patients.
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How Salem lawmakers’ priorities fared during the 2026 session
From immigration to health care, local lawmakers had ambitious priorities for the 35-day legislative session. Here's what passed and what didn't.
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5 things to do in Salem this week: Cherry Blossom Day, free museum tours, motorcycle show
Events in Salem this week include the return of Cherry Blossom Day at the Oregon Capitol, free tours of the Deepwood Museum house, garden and nature trails and a motorcycle show at the fairgrounds.
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PHOTOS: Salem Capitals see fierce competition in first home game of season
The Salem Capitals have a 2-2 record for the 2026 season following their first home games over the weekend. The
City, school district pay thousands more per week for fuel as gas prices climb nationwide
While prices at the pump creep higher for Oregon residents, Cherriots, the city of Salem, the Salem-Keizer School District and Polk County are paying more to keep public vehicles on the road.
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State dollars back Salem airport terminal expansion, emergency upgrades
The legislature approved $1.35 million to fund terminal improvements and emergency infrastructure for the Salem airport as city officials continue their effort to attract a new commercial airliner.
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5 things to do in Salem this week: St. Patrick’s Day walkabout, Salem Capitals game, Franken-stuffy workshop
Events in Salem this week include a downtown walkabout for St. Patrick’s Day, the Salem Capitals’ second home game of the season and a teens’ Frankenstein-style stuffed animal workshop for the no-school day.
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Salem Health merger talks trigger concerns over insurance coverage
Hospital leaders have recognized coverage for Regence BlueCross BlueShield as a top concern among residents as Salem Health and Santiam Hospital & Clinics seek state approval for a merger. Executives from both systems addressed questions about the insurance, consolidation and hospital services during a Salem town hall Tuesday.
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