By Les Zaitz - Salem Reporter
Les Zaitz is editor and owner of Salem Reporter. He co-founded the news organization in 2018. He has been a journalist in Oregon for more than 50 years in both daily and community newspapers and digital news services. He is nationally recognized for his commitment to local journalism.
Morrow County Republicans call on Rep. Greg Smith to resign over ethics
Morrow County Republicans cited alleged unethical conduct and state ethics findings in calling for state Rep. Greg Smith to resign. Smith, a Heppner Republican, dismissed the resolution as politically motivated but did not dispute the allegations or respond to Salem Reporter’s questions.
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Rep. Greg Smith admits ethics violation, fails to disclose business client
AROUND OREGON: A state legislator facing multiple ethics investigations in the past year agreed to a state sanction in a second case. State Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, still has two other ethics cases pending at the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Reflections on Bundy’s desert takeover in Oregon 10 years ago
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ten years ago, militants marched in the rural town of Burns and then seized a national bird sanctuary. Salem Reporter Editor Les Zaitz recounts his weeks covering the event.
Marion County commissioner running for governor faces ethics investigations
A Marion County sheriff's deputy is accusing Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell of unethical conduct after he stopped her daughter for traffic violations. The state ethics commission has decided to investigate more deeply.
WINTER STORM: Power out early Wednesday, school delayed by an hour
Thousands of homes and businesses in Salem were without power early Wednesday as a powerful windstorm took down trees and utility lines.
Oregon House speaker troubled by Smith findings as Republicans stay silent
Leading Republicans in the Oregon House are staying quiet about the conclusion of ethics investigators that state Rep. Greg Smith repeatedly violated the law at his publicly-paid job. The Oregon House speaker has issued a statement.
Ethics commission finds Greg Smith repeatedly violated state law in boosting his pay
After a lengthy investigation, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission on Friday concluded that Greg Smith violated prohibitions against using his public position to arrange a substantial pay raise from a small agency. Smith is a Republican state representative from Heppner.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Readers share what they want covered in Salem
EDITOR'S NOTE: Salem Reporter is adjusting its coverage to meet expectations shared in a recent survey of readers. Editor Les Zaitz shares some of the findings.
AROUND OREGON: Stalled rural rail project in Malheur County being sold
AROUND OREGON: The public has put an estimated $37 million into an industrial rail shipping center in Malheur County. A Missouri company is picking up the unfinished project for $10 million.
Salem business community offers to fund police bike patrols for downtown
Concerned with safety, Salem business organizations are offering to pay the full costs for two police officers to patrol downtown on bikes. Such bike patrols were eliminated as part of budget cuts in early 2025.