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.
School superintendents urge Oregonians to speak up about federal cuts impacting kids
Superintendent Andrea Castañeda and leaders of six other large Oregon school districts released a video Wednesday saying actual and proposed federal cuts to preschool programs, food banks and school funding are harming Oregon’s kids and families.
Meet the candidates for Salem-Keizer School Board Zone 3
Two South Salem High School graduates, Angelo Arredondo Baca and Jennifer Parker, are vying for the Zone 3 seat on the school board.
Meet the candidates for Salem-Keizer School Board Zone 1
Lisa Harnisch, executive director of the Marion Polk Early Learning Hub, is seeking election to the seat she was appointed to last year. Challenging her is Anthony Mitchell, a parent of three Harritt students and director at a data and software company.
What’s next for city of Salem effort to get state to cover public safety costs
For Salem politicians and voters, the state chipping in to pay for city police and fire services is a popular idea. The reality is more complicated.
Sue Bloom retires after championing children at Boys & Girls Club
After 15 years in leadership roles at Boys & Girls Club, Sue Bloom has played a pivotal role in making sure kids in Salem have safe places to explore and grow.
From cadaver lab to high jump, South teacher pushes students toward excellence
Whether it's in the classroom or on the track, teacher Tyson Gilmour has a simple goal: every student gets coached every day. He's one of the Salem educators nominated for a 2025 Crystal Apple Award.
Chemeketa, Willamette presidents join national move denouncing “political interference” at U.S. colleges
More than 200 U.S. college and university leaders signed a letter Tuesday objecting to the "coercive use of public research funding."
West Salem teams heading to robotics world competition
Students this year designed robots that can pick up rings of the correct color and place them on stakes to score points. Two teams from West compete in Dallas, Texas in May.
Englewood students read about bravery with Gov. Kotek
Students in Pikachu onesies questioned Gov. Tina Kotek about her job during a special assembly Friday at Englewood Elementary School in north Salem.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Here’s how we prepared our series rooted in the story of Melinda Lou Kayser
In “Sentenced to the Sidewalk,” reporter Abbey McDonald took a deep look at flaws in Oregon’s civil commitment and mental health systems, providing a human-centered, readable account of complex issues.