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.
ROAD TO RECOVERY: A ‘can do’ spirit emerges as Santiam Canyon residents face rebuilding
A view from a drone on Tuesday, Sept. 22, shows the damage in downtown Detroit. (Oregon Department of Transportation photo) [NOTE: This report is being provided free as a community service of Salem Reporter. Support such work with your…
With one week to go, Oregon approaches 98% Census response
The U.S. Census Bureau Census 2020 logo With one week to go before the U.S. Census deadline, Oregon is closer to a full count than most states – but advocates remain concerned about some people being left out. As of…
UPDATED: Police identify high school student killed in Salem park shooting
A Salem police car. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Update, Sept. 24, 6 p.m.: Salem police said Andrew Ray Rosas, 18, of Salem was killed in the Tuesday night shooting at Hoover School Park. The second victim, an 18-year-old woman, remains in…
School leaders select Salem-Keizer’s Christy Perry as Oregon Superintendent of the Year
\ In 2016, Heidi Sipe faced a challenging year as superintendent of the Umatilla School District. She was dealing with changes on the local school board and among staff and seeking advice for how to run her eastern Oregon district.…
AGENDA: Salem-Keizer board will hear back-to-school updates, re-affirm Safe and Welcoming Schools policy
The Salem-Keizer School Board meets virtually for a work session on July 28, 2020 (Screenshot) It’s the first full week of the new school year, and Salem-Keizer’s school board will meet virtually Tuesday night to hear updates and consider several…
Reported Covid tests, cases down in Marion County as wildfires force evacuations
Shawn Baird, of Woodburn Ambulance Services, demonstrates a COVID-19 rapid test on Tuesday, August 25. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Marion County health officials are seeing fewer tests for Covid and fewer reported cases as county residents have fled their homes due…
SURVEY: Salem families split between cautious optimism, frustration as kids head back to school
An empty classroom at Stevens Middle School on Aug. 18, 2020 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Salem-area residents are split on whether it’s a good idea for students to return to classrooms this fall, according to a Salem Reporter survey, but most…
After students wait outside in smoky air, South Salem making changes to back-to-school event
The South Salem High School office in Sept. 1, 2020 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) When Alex Goldberg showed up at South Salem High School Monday to get a new Chromebook for her daughter, she found a line of students waiting outside…
Fire updates: ‘We think we’ve turned the corner’ on Beachie Creek Fire; FBI discounts arson rumors
A view looking down over Silverton on Thursday, September 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Update, 11:15 a.m. The Portland office of the FBI on Friday addressed the persistence rumors and claims on social media that Oregon wildfires are the result of…
Salem-Keizer delays start of school to Sept. 17 in response to wildfires
First grade teacher Jenna Miller hands a math workbook to Nikolas Buczynski at Kalapuya Elementary School on Thursday, September 3. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) All Salem-Keizer School District students will start classes next Thursday, Sept. 17 after multiple schools had to…