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.
Salem’s youngest kids head back to in-person classes
Teacher Crystal Magee wipes down Giovanni Farjado Perez’s desk at Richmond Elementary on the first day back at school on Tuesday, March 2. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) As parents dropped their students at the front door of Richmond Elementary School, a…
A year into online school, more of Salem’s youngest students are struggling to read
Fewer Salem elementary school students are on track to read proficiently by third grade than one year ago, according to data shared with the Salem-Keizer School Board last week. The same data also show particular difficulties for special education students…
Teachers prepare to welcome Salem’s youngest students back to classrooms
A bulletin board promoting masks and social distancing guidelines at Hallman Elementary on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) There is no more rug in Crystal Magee’s classroom. Stuffed animals are gone too, and bins of school supplies have…
All adult Oregonians will be eligible for Covid vaccine by July 1, health officials say
Agnes Tsai draws up a dose of the Pfizer vaccine during a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on Thursday, Jan. 28. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) With the federal government increasing the expected supply of Covid vaccine, Oregon public…
“The hardest decision I’ve ever made.” Remembering a Keizer dad who died of Covid at 43
Tim and Amy Senske attend a University of Oregon vs. Oregon State basketball game in Corvallis. (Courtesy/Amy Senske) Tim Senske kept his wedding ring in a box at his Keizer home. As a commercial plumber, he knew he could all…
Getting rid of a white oak that fell during the ice storm? Be sure to save a slice for science.
Bush’s Pasture Park remains covered in downed branches Feb. 23 after an ice storm hit Salem on Feb. 12 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) For the past two weeks, trees felled by the ice storm in Salem have frustrated daily life by…
As more of Salem returns to normal, these families are still in the dark.
Daisynel Dalde and her son Zack, 8, outside their apartment on Liberty Road in south Salem on Feb. 23. The family has been without power since an ice storm hit on Feb. 12 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Daisynel Dalde and her…
Private music lessons are expensive. This Salem nonprofit is making them easier for teens to access.
Kevin Flores plays Mozart’s Violin Concerto in D Major during a Feb. 22 Zoom lesson with teacher Sigrun Oprea through the Salem Music Lessons Project (Screenshot from Zoom) Kevin Flores held his violin at his side after running through a…
Salem-Keizer on schedule for massive construction push with 25 schools set for renovations this year
Ongoing construction at McKay High School on Wednesday, Feb. 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Twenty-five local schools will be renovated in 2021 as the Salem-Keizer School District enters the busiest year of its years-long construction blitz – one of the largest…
Icy weather frustrates vaccination effort for Salem seniors
Judy Tedrow, 78, receives her first dose of the Moderna Covid vaccine at Salem Health’s Woodburn clinic on Thursday, Feb. 11 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Tens of thousands of Covid vaccines that were destined for Oregon this week are held up…