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 over 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-Keizer School Board delays recognition of student journalist following critical coverage of school board campaigns
Eddy Binford-Ross, a junior at South Salem High School, photographs the March for Floyd on Saturday, June 6. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The chair of the Salem-Keizer School Board is delaying the planned recognition of a high school journalist after her…
Northeast Salem parents finding new help to get their preschoolers ready to learn
Lucia Sanchez, an instructor with Salem-Keizer Coalition for Equality’s Preescolar Aprendiendo Avanzamos, greets students in the preschool program on Zoom on Thursday, April 8, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Lourdes Amaya describes herself as a “a very busy mom.” But for…
After meandering path marked by ‘oddball invocations,’ Willamette University’s “heart and soul” plans her retirement
Karen Wood, Willamette University chaplain, will retire in July 2021 (Courtesy/Willamette University) For over a decade, Karen Wood, the chaplain at Willamette University, has had a challenging task: addressing hundreds of faculty, students and their family from different faith traditions…
With bands, balloons and ‘awkward school spirit,’ Salem high schools will welcome back students
Miranda Lara Ruiz, 16, left, and Marina Melnychuk pick up items from their lockers at McKay High School on Thursday, September 3. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Class schedules and face masks aren’t the top worry for freshmen in Stefani Atkinson’s English…
Where and how to get a Covid vaccine in Salem
Sam Bereny, an EMT with Metro West Ambulance, holds a second dose of the Moderna vaccine at a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Centennial Park in Woodburn, Ore. on Thursday, April 1, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The number of Oregonians…
After years of work, North Salem High School will offer students a program that’ll give them a leg up with a global focus
North Salem High School students at a graduation ceremony on Thursday, August 6, 2020 (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) North Salem High School students will have a new slate of classes available in the fall that’ll offer more chances to earn college…
Gov. Brown joins Woodburn students for first day back in-person
Gov. Kate Brown visits a kindergarten class taught by Janeen Weigel on the first day back of in-person learning at Lincoln Elementary School in Woodburn, Ore. on Thursday, April 1, 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) “Who likes being back in school?” …
Chemeketa plans to resume classes in the fall, anxious if students will return
Chemeketa Community College on Thursday, April 16, 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) One year ago, Chemeketa Community College instructors and staff moved more than 1,600 scheduled courses online with just two weeks’ notice. But about 2,000 students opted not to follow.…
Austrian music, absurdist poetry coming to Salem as Oregon Symphony plans October return
The Oregon Symphony performs at Smith Auditorium in Salem in November 2019 (Courtesy/Danielle Peterson, Oregon Symphony) Peter Frajola learned to play the violin as a child in Salem under the direction of his parents, both musicians. This fall, he’s eager…
After Marion County lands state money, walking to school will be safer in east Salem
Brenda Vollmar, an instructional assistant at Myers Elementary School, and teacher Tyler Lewis greet arriving students on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) By 2023, crossing busy streets will be a little safer for hundreds of students who walk…