Rachel Alexander
Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers education, economic development and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade and is a past president of Oregon's Society of Professional Journalists chapter. Outside of work, you can often find her gardening or with her nose buried in a book.
Salemtowne man collects 18,000 cans and bottles a year for charity
Chuck Zobrist inspects a bag of bottles and cans dropped off by a neighbor. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Chuck Zobrist doesn’t drink much soda or beer. But the 80-year-old has become a fixture at the North Salem Bottle Drop, where he…
Meals on Wheels volunteers bring Christmas cheer to Salem seniors
Dave West receives a Christmas gift as part of his Meals on Wheels delivery. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) It was 10:30 a.m. and Salem’s Meals on Wheels dining room was bustling. Dozens of volunteers filled insulated bags with plastic trays holding…
Records still off limits to public in case of Salem student bringing gun to school
More than two months after a 10-year-old student took a gun to a Salem elementary school, local government officials continue to keep details about what happened away from the public. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office last week closed an investigation…
Growing number of homeless Salem students poses transportation challenges
Bus driver John Svendsen stands outside the white van he drives. His four-hour route transports six homeless students from schools in Dallas, Monmouth and Independence to Salem. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) John Svendsen’s bus route is unusually quiet. The veteran Salem-Keizer…
Salem-Keizer nearing final school boundaries for 2019-20
Proposed elementary school boundaries under the most recent Salem-Keizer School District proposal. (Courtesy/Salem-Keizer School District) After months of discussion, the Salem-Keizer School District is nearing a final plan to shift the boundaries of dozens of local schools. That plan would…
Parents concerned about racial discrimination, transportation in Salem-Keizer boundary shifts
Olga Cobb, Salem-Keizer director of elementary education, explains proposed boundary changes to parents at Four Corners Elementary School on Dec. 4, 2018. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Parents are concerned a Salem-Keizer School District proposal to ease high school overcrowding by shifting…
Leaving office, Janet Carlson hopes to see continued push to help Marion County homeless
Outgoing county commissioner Janet Carlson has spent 16 years in office focused on helping people get a second change after coming out of jail. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Janet Carlson’s office is lined with a stack of plastic tubs, carefully labeled…
Federal climate change report says more wildfires, droughts and extreme weather in store for Oregon
Outdoor recreation and Oregon’s natural beauty are already seeing effects from climate change, according to a new federal report. (Salem Reporter/File) Extreme weather, severe wildfires, winter storms and droughts will all become more common as the effects of climate change…
Salem-Keizer school officials want citizen opinion about boundary changes affecting thousands
Proposed changes to Salem-Keizer high school boundaries are being reviewed. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) A group of community volunteers and Salem-Keizer School District staff wants to hear from the community before finishing a proposal that would shift thousands of local students…
A day in the life of a Salem-Keizer school bus driver
Alan Booth checks his bus’ emergency exits before setting off to pick up his first student. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Just before 6 a.m., the Salem-Keizer School District’s south bus lot starts to wake up. Bus drivers trickled in, checking tire…