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.
With schools closed, bus drivers assemble and deliver meals to kids across Salem
School bus driver Tammie Jones spoons peaches into cups for grab-and-go school meals at the Salem-Keizer Career Technical Education Center on Nov. 24 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) No students are eating lunch in the oversized cafeteria, but the Salem-Keizer School District’s…
Oregon hopes to vaccinate 30,000 health care workers against Covid by end of 2020
Pat Allen, Oregon Health Authority director, participates in a daily briefing for congressional staff via phone on Monday, April 20. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) An estimated 30,000 frontline health care workers will be vaccinated against Covid by the end of the…
Salem Public Library pauses curbside hold pickup so staff can work from home
Senior library assistant Armando Trujillo wheels the Salem Public Library’s curbside pickup cart outside for patrons on Aug. 26 (Courtesy/Salem Public Library) The Salem Public Library has suspended its curbside book service so employees can fully work from home as…
These Salem-area health care workers canceled their Thanksgiving plans. They’re asking you to do the same.
Joseph Rad, certified physician assistant and board member of the Marion Polk Medical Society (Courtesy/Marion Polk Medical Society) Joseph Rad was looking forward to seeing his parents over Thanksgiving for the first time in two years. Rad, a board member…
After guiding Salem Art Association through a challenging year, Executive Director Sandra Burnett retires
The Bush Barn Art Center on Thursday, Oct. 22. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) After more than a decade leading one of Salem’s oldest arts organizations, Sandra Burnett is retiring at the end of the year. Burnett, 70, leaves behind a Salem…
Local health officials say there is little evidence Salem restaurants and bars are helping spread Covid
Libby Anderson serves coffee at Archive with a mask and safe distancing on June 17, 2020. (Cathy Cheney/Salem Reporter) Diners have been cut off from sitting down for meals in the Salem area and county officials say they aren’t sure…
Salem teens keep SnoBall alive in its 67th year with virtual high school dance
Evyn Baker at the 2017 SnoBall dance, “Passport to Paris” (Courtesy/Janeen Baker) Salem’s teenagers have seen many of the hallmarks of high school cancelled this year, from catching up with friends in a crowded lunchroom to after school soccer rivalries,…
Pandemic 101: how to get a Covid test, where to find Salem-specific data and other common questions
Everyone is sick of Covid, but unfortunately, the coronavirus isn’t sick of us. With all the information available from federal, state and local health agencies, we know it can be hard to get an answer to a specific question, so…
Language barriers, unfamiliar technology add to challenge of online school for Pacific Islander families
After 9-year-old Briand Hermios finally got logged on to his virtual elementary school classes, his mother noticed he was missing needed supplies. Hermios’ classmates at Scott Elementary School had whiteboards and pens to respond to the teacher’s questions live during…
Salem-Keizer schools roll back in-person instruction, stop youth sports as Oregon shuts down
Highland Elementary School students enter the school library for brief in-person classes on Oct. 20, 2020 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Thousands of Salem students who had been getting in-person help with school will be back to virtual class this week, Salem-Keizer…