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.
PHOTOS: 6th, 9th graders start school in Salem
Salem Reporter visited McKay High School and Waldo Middle School Tuesday to catch the energetic welcome both schools put on for their youngest students at the start of the year.
“Workers Over Billionaires” protest planned for Labor Day in Salem
Demonstrations against the Trump administration are planned across the U.S. Monday, including a Salem rally at 1 p.m. near the Oregon Capitol featuring speakers from unions.
What to do in Salem from Aug. 28-Sept. 3: Punx in the Park, veteran resource fair
Free haircuts and clothes for the start of the school year, a unique garage sale and 50th anniversary screenings of Jaws are among the Salem events coming up.
Cherriots board will delay new payroll tax a year as Chamber, others oppose effort
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday released a statement opposing Cherriots’ payroll tax proposal. The transit agency’s board may consider lowering the tax rate depending on the outcome of an upcoming special legislative session.
Despite high demand, Salem vegan chocolate manufacturer Chomp shuts down factory
Ben Bailey, founder of Salem’s Chomp Chocolates, is pivoting the business to a custom-order online chocolate bar company with vegan and non-vegan options. He said cocoa price increases, tariffs and other challenges made artisanal manufacturing in bulk unsustainable for the company.
D Street Grocery Outlet will close in September, move to S Commercial
The Portland real estate developer who owns the north Grocery Outlet property said he’s committed to working with the Grant Neighborhood Association to bring in a new tenant for the grocery store space.
Center 50+ aims to double seniors served with $2.7m grant
A gift from the Mountain West Center for Community Excellence will allow Salem’s city-run senior center to bring nutritious meals and other services out into the community, with a focus on mobile homes.
Marion County asks federal judge to decide if it can share parolee information with ICE
Marion County officials say they need clarity on apparent conflicts between state and federal law to respond to Aug. 1 subpoenas from immigration authorities. The subpoenas sought information for four people on parole for crimes including kidnapping and rape.
Cause undetermined on fire that did $2 million in damage to vacant east Salem Shari’s
A fire investigator concluded the July 21 blaze at an old Shari’s was likely set deliberately or started due to discarded cigarettes. A number of people were living in RVs on the south side of the restaurant, the investigator’s report said.
City picks veteran Salem developer to transform Block 45 next to Riverfront Park
A firm led by Charles Weathers, the developer behind the Fork Forty Food Hall, will get a chance to remake a vacant south downtown block with a mix of apartments, event space and more (but no grocery store).